Now for more personal issues
My last post was huge, for reasons unforseen. It was just a spur of the moment thing where I had to get thoughts written down. It helps for if I ever consider writing a book. obviously I'm not reaching a very large audience now but I'd like to someday.
The night I wrote the last post of course was the night before I went to New Jersey to meet Bill O'Reilly. He was signing copies of his new book "Culture Warrior" at a Barnes and Noble in Clifton. At this point I had just begun to read the book, although it should be well known to people who read this journal that I have been a big fan of O'Reilly for years. More recently though I have been disagreeing with him more, so my initial reason for reading the book was just to get his take on a certain subject and draw my own conclusions on it. More on that later.
First of all let me say that it was delightful to visit suburban New Jersey, especially so quickly and cheap via New Jersey Transit from New York. I waited in a line at Barnes and Noble, where I arrived relatively early, thanks in part to dedication, and also in that I did not sleep the night before with all that writing. I was pretty far up in line beause of arriving early and basically assured that I would meet Bill. The people around me were not something I was used to-- traditional middle aged Americans. I am not used to people expressing praise of my political views. All anyone does here is protest them, or they don't say anything at all. I'm not complaining about that as I enjoy debate too. Anyway, it was great to talk to these nice people who were very welcoming of what I had to say.
Bill arrived shortly after noon to an applause from the many people waiting in line. The line at that point I heard was wrapping around the large building. As soon as he sat down, he was all business. He quickly signed books and exchanged brief polite greetings. When I met him and he was signing my book, I told him that it was a pleasure, and that I was fighting the culture war at a far-left University. He asked me where I went, I told him and then he thanked me for coming, that was it. My impression was that he is a really nice guy, but soft-spoken compared to how he is on television. It was good of him to sign so many books (one person had 8) and offer to take pictures with each person.
Then of course I read his book. I don't normally say I have heroes, but Bill O'Reilly is an American hero. I found that I agreed with most points he raised in his book, and would recommend it to anyone, especially those who currently have less than positive opinions of Bill. I think a lot of what is said about him isn't based on fact, and this book proves it.
The book explains how the policies of the secular-progressive far-left in this country are flawed and against America's interest. Sure, being secular and progressive might sound great to you. But this book is not about debating religion and atheism, or trying to impede progress. It discusses the dirty things these people are doing to get their way, and how they're not looking out for you as they do it. Also, it tells how their definition of progress isn't positive progress. Again, everyone should read it to see if it enlightens you, or if you disagree. Either way he brings up interesting points. I think most of them are right.
The reason I call Bill a hero is because his influence in the media to mobilize the American people has done beneficial things for America. For example, when a judge in Vermont gave a man who repeatedly raped a little girl a sentence of only 60 days in prison in order to promote a policy of "reabilitating someone with a disease" instead, O'Reilly heavily publcized the event and gave contact information on his show so his fans could complain. As a result, the rapist received a new verdict of 3-10 years in prison. Although he deserves life, at least 3 years is still better than 60 days. O'Reilly has exposed many other unjust situations on his show with positive results; they are further discussed in the book. Since I see culture in America rapidly declining, I see O'Reilly as at least one man who is standing up to save it.
On a note more personal to me, O'Reilly wrote on the subject of race in the culture war. Personally, I think race is historically and presently one of the biggest issues in this particular nation. O'Reilly mentions that blacks should not be confused for wanting radical-left wing change, because despite being traditionally liberal, they tend to support traditionalist causes. Part of the reason for this is their faith. O'Reilly describes accurately I think, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a traditionalist. He then went on to discuss how traditional blacks need to work to discourage the culture of hate and laziness created by rappers, Ludacris used as an example. He commends people like Bill Cosby and Oprah Winfrey for taking a stance against gangster rap. I am passionately dedicated to this cause, which of course puts me in a position where I need to be careful. I need to speak out against gangster rap without making people think I am racist. Often times people incorrectly attribute one to the other.
I will say though that black people have a responsibility to discourage this behavior, as nobody wants to hear a white person speak about it. White people do not have the power in influencing black culture. When I read this chapter and thought about it, I really mourned the loss of the great Dr. King. He was someone who preached both peace and UNITY. How stupid it was for extremists to assassinate him, as it only made things worse; DIVIDED, and it's not like this division was beneficial for the racist whites. I think what happened after his death was that many blacks lost hope and became fed up. This led to riots, fanatical racists like the Black Panthers coming to power, and the words of the racist Malcolm X to gain more prominence. Then many decided to give up and become lazy. The unfortunate truth is that hateful rap culture was invented and defended by blacks, and rap culture is bad for American culture. I think with the guidance of Dr. King things would be a lot different and we wouldn't have this problem today. So while I extend my love to the blacks in the world, just as it was the reponsibility of whites to lift unjust segregation laws 40 years ago, it is now their responsibility to speak out against something that is bringing society down and impeding on the progression of their own culture.
Well I didn't mean to get political again, but it happens. I usually hear rap at least once every day in a ringtone or blasting out of someone's room, so that'll do it to ya. Back to unpolitical things.
I have been writing a lot lately. Besides these posts which have nothing to do with the approaching finals, I have written a critical paper and research paper in the last two days. I have one more research paper to go, as well as a few other projects. We're down to the wire here in university life. I'm dealing with it and not really complaining. I am looking forward to the break though and all the music and Airsoft it will bring.
Here are a few words about musical happenings. Saturday, I went to see my former guitar teacher's band, "Incognito Sofa Love" play right here in the city. He was surprised to see me so that was cool. The concert was awesome, they're a great band. Afterward, I told him how much I enjoyed the songs and he gave me their new album "Hot Pink". This album is addicting, really fantastic. I suggest checking out their Myspace at http://www.myspace.com/sofalove .
Let me also take this opportunity to again commend Pink Floyd for their fantastic contributions to music. My latest discovery is the song "Careful With That Axe, Eugene". At first I dismissed it as a wandering instrumental jam, but now that I have listened to their much more dramatic live version of the song on the album "Ummagumma", I've come to love it. I love it because it is programatic. Only the song's title is said once for lyrics. Other than that it is just screaming (real screaming, like when a girl is attacked by a wolf, not some metalhead being ridiculous). The song brings back the "Romantic" style of music, popular among European composers like Lizst, Chopin, and Wagner in the nineteenth century. It does this by using music rather than lyrics to tell the story (which in Pink Floyd's case is about an axe murder). The bassline to me symbolizes a steady chopping motion of cutting down a tree, and the organ represents sanity slowly slipping away, which causes Eugene to murder the person who tells him to be careful with the axe. This is the loud climax of the song with all the real screaming. This is a great expression of art and I really recommend it. I originally defined Pink Floyd from 1968-1969 is lacking musical direction, but I think I have been proven wrong; they have always had direction, and the music of this period shows their interest in the live interactive sound as well as programatic psychedelic/progressive music.
The city is delightful as expected this time of year. Everything is decorated and the weather is in the back of people's minds (even that hasn't been too bad). Let us celebrate.
The night I wrote the last post of course was the night before I went to New Jersey to meet Bill O'Reilly. He was signing copies of his new book "Culture Warrior" at a Barnes and Noble in Clifton. At this point I had just begun to read the book, although it should be well known to people who read this journal that I have been a big fan of O'Reilly for years. More recently though I have been disagreeing with him more, so my initial reason for reading the book was just to get his take on a certain subject and draw my own conclusions on it. More on that later.
First of all let me say that it was delightful to visit suburban New Jersey, especially so quickly and cheap via New Jersey Transit from New York. I waited in a line at Barnes and Noble, where I arrived relatively early, thanks in part to dedication, and also in that I did not sleep the night before with all that writing. I was pretty far up in line beause of arriving early and basically assured that I would meet Bill. The people around me were not something I was used to-- traditional middle aged Americans. I am not used to people expressing praise of my political views. All anyone does here is protest them, or they don't say anything at all. I'm not complaining about that as I enjoy debate too. Anyway, it was great to talk to these nice people who were very welcoming of what I had to say.
Bill arrived shortly after noon to an applause from the many people waiting in line. The line at that point I heard was wrapping around the large building. As soon as he sat down, he was all business. He quickly signed books and exchanged brief polite greetings. When I met him and he was signing my book, I told him that it was a pleasure, and that I was fighting the culture war at a far-left University. He asked me where I went, I told him and then he thanked me for coming, that was it. My impression was that he is a really nice guy, but soft-spoken compared to how he is on television. It was good of him to sign so many books (one person had 8) and offer to take pictures with each person.
Then of course I read his book. I don't normally say I have heroes, but Bill O'Reilly is an American hero. I found that I agreed with most points he raised in his book, and would recommend it to anyone, especially those who currently have less than positive opinions of Bill. I think a lot of what is said about him isn't based on fact, and this book proves it.
The book explains how the policies of the secular-progressive far-left in this country are flawed and against America's interest. Sure, being secular and progressive might sound great to you. But this book is not about debating religion and atheism, or trying to impede progress. It discusses the dirty things these people are doing to get their way, and how they're not looking out for you as they do it. Also, it tells how their definition of progress isn't positive progress. Again, everyone should read it to see if it enlightens you, or if you disagree. Either way he brings up interesting points. I think most of them are right.
The reason I call Bill a hero is because his influence in the media to mobilize the American people has done beneficial things for America. For example, when a judge in Vermont gave a man who repeatedly raped a little girl a sentence of only 60 days in prison in order to promote a policy of "reabilitating someone with a disease" instead, O'Reilly heavily publcized the event and gave contact information on his show so his fans could complain. As a result, the rapist received a new verdict of 3-10 years in prison. Although he deserves life, at least 3 years is still better than 60 days. O'Reilly has exposed many other unjust situations on his show with positive results; they are further discussed in the book. Since I see culture in America rapidly declining, I see O'Reilly as at least one man who is standing up to save it.
On a note more personal to me, O'Reilly wrote on the subject of race in the culture war. Personally, I think race is historically and presently one of the biggest issues in this particular nation. O'Reilly mentions that blacks should not be confused for wanting radical-left wing change, because despite being traditionally liberal, they tend to support traditionalist causes. Part of the reason for this is their faith. O'Reilly describes accurately I think, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a traditionalist. He then went on to discuss how traditional blacks need to work to discourage the culture of hate and laziness created by rappers, Ludacris used as an example. He commends people like Bill Cosby and Oprah Winfrey for taking a stance against gangster rap. I am passionately dedicated to this cause, which of course puts me in a position where I need to be careful. I need to speak out against gangster rap without making people think I am racist. Often times people incorrectly attribute one to the other.
I will say though that black people have a responsibility to discourage this behavior, as nobody wants to hear a white person speak about it. White people do not have the power in influencing black culture. When I read this chapter and thought about it, I really mourned the loss of the great Dr. King. He was someone who preached both peace and UNITY. How stupid it was for extremists to assassinate him, as it only made things worse; DIVIDED, and it's not like this division was beneficial for the racist whites. I think what happened after his death was that many blacks lost hope and became fed up. This led to riots, fanatical racists like the Black Panthers coming to power, and the words of the racist Malcolm X to gain more prominence. Then many decided to give up and become lazy. The unfortunate truth is that hateful rap culture was invented and defended by blacks, and rap culture is bad for American culture. I think with the guidance of Dr. King things would be a lot different and we wouldn't have this problem today. So while I extend my love to the blacks in the world, just as it was the reponsibility of whites to lift unjust segregation laws 40 years ago, it is now their responsibility to speak out against something that is bringing society down and impeding on the progression of their own culture.
Well I didn't mean to get political again, but it happens. I usually hear rap at least once every day in a ringtone or blasting out of someone's room, so that'll do it to ya. Back to unpolitical things.
I have been writing a lot lately. Besides these posts which have nothing to do with the approaching finals, I have written a critical paper and research paper in the last two days. I have one more research paper to go, as well as a few other projects. We're down to the wire here in university life. I'm dealing with it and not really complaining. I am looking forward to the break though and all the music and Airsoft it will bring.
Here are a few words about musical happenings. Saturday, I went to see my former guitar teacher's band, "Incognito Sofa Love" play right here in the city. He was surprised to see me so that was cool. The concert was awesome, they're a great band. Afterward, I told him how much I enjoyed the songs and he gave me their new album "Hot Pink". This album is addicting, really fantastic. I suggest checking out their Myspace at http://www.myspace.com/sofalove .
Let me also take this opportunity to again commend Pink Floyd for their fantastic contributions to music. My latest discovery is the song "Careful With That Axe, Eugene". At first I dismissed it as a wandering instrumental jam, but now that I have listened to their much more dramatic live version of the song on the album "Ummagumma", I've come to love it. I love it because it is programatic. Only the song's title is said once for lyrics. Other than that it is just screaming (real screaming, like when a girl is attacked by a wolf, not some metalhead being ridiculous). The song brings back the "Romantic" style of music, popular among European composers like Lizst, Chopin, and Wagner in the nineteenth century. It does this by using music rather than lyrics to tell the story (which in Pink Floyd's case is about an axe murder). The bassline to me symbolizes a steady chopping motion of cutting down a tree, and the organ represents sanity slowly slipping away, which causes Eugene to murder the person who tells him to be careful with the axe. This is the loud climax of the song with all the real screaming. This is a great expression of art and I really recommend it. I originally defined Pink Floyd from 1968-1969 is lacking musical direction, but I think I have been proven wrong; they have always had direction, and the music of this period shows their interest in the live interactive sound as well as programatic psychedelic/progressive music.
The city is delightful as expected this time of year. Everything is decorated and the weather is in the back of people's minds (even that hasn't been too bad). Let us celebrate.