Patriotic Religion?

"Your honor, she's making fun of Christianity. It's unpatriotic and I fear it will hurt the troops."

This line from last week's Boston Legal (one of my favorite shows) says a lot in just a few words. I'm generally okay with staying out of the political arena and I really don't like when politics and religion mix. However, we are in that very situation in the United States right now, particularly the southeastern US. It's as if there are some who believe it's impossible to be a Christian and anti-Bush. Or Christian and against the war on...what was it, again? Or Christian and non-Republican.

So, I have a few questions about this whole deal, but they really all boil down to one main query. As Christians, do we have some sort of responsibility in the politics of our nation? I mean, is all of this real Christianity or just mixed up with specifically American ideals? What should our role as American Christians be? Should we be creating and signing petitions, lobbying for our own agendas, instructing parishioners from the pulpit on who the appropriate candidate for office is? I don't know. I look in the Bible and I don't see Jesus speaking out about any laws of his land. I don't see him instructing Christians to rise up against even outlandish legal processes like slavery. So, what can we - should we - take from that?

I really don't have the answers to these questions. I'm just asking them and trying to think through them and am curious as to what others may think. Perhaps you think Christians should be outspoken on political matters. If so, please share. I'm seriously interested in both sides here.

Peace. Out.

The Prestige...

Paul and I saw the movie "The Prestige" this weekend and it is awesome! Directed by Chris Nolan, it's everything you'd expect from the guy who did "Batman Begins" and "Memento." It's a little dark, very interesting, and time twisty. If you plan to see it, make sure you start paying attention right at the beginning...you'll need all of that info later, trust me! The writing is good-but-not-great, but the structure and acting more than make up for anything that's lacking. If you're looking for something to hold you over until the holiday movie season really gets going, I highly recommend this one.

Peace. Out.

John West...

If you're looking for some new groovy jazz-infused pop, look no further than John West. I've only heard what's on his MySpace page, but you can bet I'll be checking out the rest of his stuff asap.

Peace. Out.

On the road again...

Paul is in Columbia this week and I'll be heading to Nashville tomorrow afternoon. These last few months have involved the most travel (together and separately) we've ever experienced! Some of it has been for fun, some for work, and some for family emergencies. Since the beginning of August, Paul has not spent a full week at home...crazy! I wonder if our lives will ever settle down. Are we the kind of people who, at some point, actually "settle down"? I really don't know. I enjoy the hustle and bustle and even the stress of travel. It's nice to be at home and nicer to be together, but I find I crave adventure. Not the Amazing Race kind of adventure necessarily, but I just need to be doing something. Which is really fun, but often exhausting.

So, all that to say, I'm headed out of town and really looking forward to it. I love Nashville and the friends that are there, so it should be a fun week. Hope yours is good as well!

Peace. Out.

PS - You can watch clips of the show I'll be working on in Nashville, The Logan Show. It's a late night comedy show geared towards teens and young adults. Kind of corny, but funny if you're in a certain kind of mood...which, on a rainy day, I find myself in that mood fairly often!

Movie trailers...

Check out my MySpace profile page for the trailers to several movies I'm really looking forward to over the next few months.

Peace. Out.

Modern Times...

If you haven't heard Bob Dylan's new album, Modern Times, I highly recommend it. It's heavily influenced by music of the 50's, the early era of rock and roll. A little ironic then that the album is called "Modern" Times? Maybe. But the appeal is really in the timelessness of it all. The album features classic Dylan - scratchy voice, good story-telling. But the age is there in the breaking of the notes. He still offers a great album, even after all these years. And there are times when his voice, the words, the music, come together to make something not just interesting, but truly beautiful. If you're not a Bob Dylan fan, I don't know if this album could win you over, but if you love him already, this is definitely one to add to the collection.

Peace. Out.

News clips that caught my attention today...

* Google has bought YouTube for $1.6 billion. Why, oh why, didn't I buy Google stock a few years ago? Hindsight and all that...

* It's the time of year when people start debating Oscar buzz (more on this later), which makes it the perfect time for a new Christopher Guest film! Especially one entitled "For Your Consideration." Check out the trailer on, where else, YouTube!

* NBC has picked up "Heroes" for a full season. It really is one of the most compelling new shows of this season, so I'm glad we'll get to see it play out a little longer.

* Finally, the Inspiration Networks are featured in a USA Today article that is, for the most part, positive. The article discusses the merits of being "culturally relevant." It's still a heated debate in some churches, this idea of relevance, and you can see that in the Comments below the article.

Peace. Out.

TV Time Update...

Here's what I think about the other shows I've watched this season...

Brothers & Sisters - I watched the premier episode and it was okay. It wasn't enough to really compel me and it's very serious and dramatic, so I'm cutting it. I've realized I have quite a few dramas on my plate this year, and I don't want to go overboard!

Heroes - Definitely one of the best shows on this year...so far. There's potential for greatness and for a trainwreck up ahead. Right now, I'm rooting for greatness. The acting is really good and it's a fascinating, sci-fi/fantasy premise. And not geeky. :) It's good and captivating.

Jericho - We watched most of the first episode and, while it was good, it wasn't great. Again, another drama, and I've already got enough of that.

My Name is Earl - I'm actually enjoying it this year. Not that I didn't before, but I could kind of take it or leave it. So far, it's made me laugh every episode...but that may just be it standing out among all the drama!

The Amazing Race - I've never watched a whole season of this show before, but I'm definitely sucked in. The competitions are awesome and you don't have to deal with too much of that pesky social interaction theory you have on Survivor!

Veronica Mars - I was worried after last season. It was so serious and so dark, with none of the petty cases that are so fun to watch Veronica solve. But this season seems to be trying to lighten up. The first episode was definitely good and set up a few mystery arcs for the season. We'll see how it goes. Also, I heart Logan.

I just have one more new show to check out, The Nine. I haven't watched it yet, but critics are saying it's the best new show on TV this season. I'm looking forward to it.

NCIS and House are still on notice for me. I'm not sure I can continue to be invested in these shows. I've loved them in the past, but they're losing their luster. However, I'm not a fairweather fan, so I'll stick with them for a few more weeks. Boston Legal has me back as a diehard fan.

Hope you're all enjoying your free time as much as I am!

Peace. Out.

80's Montage...

I really want to make this 80's montage a reality! How fun would that be to watch??

Peace. Out.

McDreamy or McSmarmy?

Is it just me or are Meredith and Derek's interactions on "Grey's Anatomy" just sort of icky at this point? Maybe it's the idea of their relationship being the last nail in the coffin of a dying marriage. Maybe it's the simpering tone of voice Derek's been using since the finale of last season. I don't know. But whatever it is, I don't like it.

Peace. Out.

Dusty and Marlaina...

Please note the addition of Dusty and Marlaina Harper's website in the "For a Good Read..." section. They are friends who are currently enrolled in language school in Tanzania, Africa. The Harpers are studying for two years with hopes to become full time missionaries once their program is completed. Take a moment to read their updates and see how they are already making a difference in their village. Prayers and/or financial support are always great needs of full time missionaries. If you can contribute either, please do. Thanks!

Peace. Out.

When the Levees Broke...

I just finished When the Levees Broke, Spike Lee's documentary on the after-effects of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast and particularly New Orleans. From a production standpoint, it is absolutely fantastic. The editing is superb, the colors for the interviews are brilliant (which provides a stark contrast to the images of the cities in the days after the Hurricane), and the images are shocking, yet sympathetic. It's a very emotional thing to watch, and very long (4 hours), but so worth it. The voice and culture of New Orleans shines through and it's truly sad to see the condition it's in now.

What's just as sad, if not more so, is to see how the aftermath was handled by every faction of state and federal government. The documentary is presented pretty fairly, but the opinions of the people featured are, understandably, biased. However, once you see what they were left with and left in, their stance seems almost mild. It shocked me to realize that after the tsunami of 2004, the US government was making food and water drops in Indonesia within 48 hours. It took almost 4 days to do the same for New Orleans. Unbelievable. I honestly think every American should watch this film. To remain ignorant about something on such a scale as this is nothing short of shirking our responsibility to our fellow Americans.

Peace. Out.