The Day Is Almost Here . . .

At last! In just a few days, we will know who will be our next President. We will know if Proposition 8 passed or not. Even better, no more political ads flooding the airwaves. I just pray that I don't wake up on Wednesday morning to turn on the news to see that provisional ballots are being counted and that it's still too early to call. Just the thought of the mess of the 2000 elections makes me ill. I have to admit, I feel good about Obama's chances. The polls are in his favor and he even seems to be doing alright in McCain's home state of Arizona. I do have to say something that's been bothering me for awhile. Why does it seem that if you're a Democrat and you're LDS, that you have to keep it on the "down-low"? Why do I hear members of the Church express fear that Obama is someone to be afraid of, that he will allow Islamic extremists to overrun the country if he is elected. Why do I see "Joe the Plumber" endorse the idea that Obama is in favor of terminating the state of Israel? Where do these ideas come come from? Fox News? Rush Limbaugh? Sean Hannity? Sarah Palin? Does anything in Obama's behavior or actual political views resemble anything near these extreme right-wing water carriers are squaking about on their daily radio shows? In fact, I just received a mailer today for a "Yes On 8" that was distributed by a coalition of inner-city ministers who believe in standing up for traditional marriage. Guess who also believes in the same? Barack Obama. If you have the mailer at home you'll recognize the quote. Speaking to a group of Southern California ministers back in August, Obama said the following: "I'm not in favor of gay marriage . . .". On the same flier, there's an additional quote saying: "Now, for me as a Christian, it's also a sacred union. God's in the mix." Does that sound like someone who would be tolerant to Islamic fundamentalism? If someone out there can explain to me or document to me anything with real journalistic integrity that Obama is a secretly raging Islamic fundamentalist, please do. Please, nothing from Limbaugh or Hannity or William Kristol, I want something from a real unbiased source. Perhaps these pathetic notions of the country needing to be afraid of Obama come from a place within ourselves we don't want to have to face, racism. Are we afraid that if a black man is elected into the Oval Office, that he'll go Simon Legree on us white folk? Maybe I'm completely off base, but somehow I don't think I am. I just wanted to get that off my chest. It's the elephant in the room nobody want to talk about. Please flood me with your comments, rants, and pontifications as I know I surely have.

"That'll Be The Day . . .

I love many of John Ford's films. I've already posted a clip from his masterpiece The Grapes of Wrath, now I'm posting clip from another favorite Ford film, The Searchers. John Wayne plays Ethan Edwards, a bigoted Civil War vet searching for his niece that has been kidnapped by a band of "Comanches". As with most of Ford's westerns, this one was filmed in Monument Valley in Southern Utah. Also, Ethan Edwards coined the phrase "That'll Be The Day!" that would ultimately become a title to a huge Buddy Holly song. The linked scene establishes Ethan's prejudices toward Native Americans but it also highlights his desire to avenge the murder of his brother's family. As far as acting is concerned, this is Wayne's best film in my opinion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7ekm7dQsa4

A Better Stubblefield Blog

I want to introduce Aimee's blog tonight to the blogosphere. I will post a link to her new blog on my site and please feel free to visit frequently as she will post pictures of the family regularly. It's called "The Hollywood Insider". Enjoy.

Prop 8 Ads

With election day nearing, I've been seeing more and more Prop 8 ads on the air, both for and against. It looks like the side against Prop. 8 have more money as I see more of their ads during the more expensive prime time hours, whereas the pro Prop. 8 ads are much less frequent and seem to air in between infomercials during the late night. On top of that, the one ad I have seen promoting Prop. 8 is horrible. Is that the best we can do? I can think of some talented people in the media who support Prop. 8 who could do much better than the sorry excuse of a commercial that is airing now. Just my opinion.

Racism & Ignorance Rears Its Ugly Head

I guess it was just a matter of time. I have to give props to John McCain for standing up to them, but some of his supporters are making all of his supporters look ignorant and racist. I fully believe this country is ready to elect an African-American, but when I see the ugliness that manifested itself last week at a couple of McCain-Palin rallies, I remembered that there are still many who still live in the Jim Crow south. Follow this link as an example.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4Xi8JnfAHI

The Shawshank Redemption

Another great scene from a movie filled with them. Morgan Freeman's performance in this film is perhaps my favorite acting performance from any film I've watched. There are no words to describe how good he is and this scene really shows him off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtwXlIwozog

Jackson & the Crib

As Jackson sleeps leaning on my shoulder, refusing to sleep in his crib, I have to shout out to my family and friends out there in the blogosphere, how do Aimee and I get this little blondie to sleep in his crib? Any advice would be welcome!