Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Innocent Voices

Innocent Voices


The Salvadoran civil war was fought between the government and the FMLN, a coalition of the country's filthy communists.  Since Reagan and Bush were in office, the United States supported the government.  That means films based on that conflict will side with the rebels, and show the US as propping up a tyrannical government.  In Nicaragua, it was the opposite.  The FSLN (the nation's Communist Party) - aided by U.S. congressional democrats (who always have their own foreign policy), was opposed by the Contras.  It was American policy to side with the Contras who, naturally, are portrayed as the bad guys in American movies, but not by the Nicaraguan people. God help me. I couldn't stop myself. This review is more political than the movie.

Anyway, I watched  Innocent Voices over the weekend.

Based on the true story of a now-grown Oscar Torres, this moving film (set in El Salvador in the mid-1980s) follows the drama of a young boy who must choose between enlisting in the Salvadoran army or joining up with a band of guerrillas. Director Luis Mandoki presents a society of innocent victims who are caught in a blinding cross fire, a life-or-death environment in which survival is a daily struggle.

Salvadoran boys were conscripted into the army at age twelve, so both mothers and sons dreaded that 12th birthday.  The film focuses on young Oscar and his school friends, and it doesn't hurt that his mom (the dad skedaddled to the US when the shooting began) is a lovely woman. The story line obliquely acknowledges the US military adviser presence, but makes clear that the the rebels are every bit as guilty of committing the same atrocities as the government.  So, it becomes a matter of one's circumstances, as it always will, when it comes to choosing a side.

Minimal politics aside, this is a damned good movie.  Had I been in young Oscars shoes, I'd have reacted just as he did. Except at age 12 I would never have had the courage to kiss my girlfriend.  I gave it 5 stars, one of them because it's subtitled, which I prefer.  On NetFlix (instant), Amazon,  and others. Surprisingly upbeat ending.

Barry misses and shoots the cat

Emerging Situation Room Details




Osama Bin Laden is dead. America, F*** Yeah!

Osama Bin Laden is dead. America,
F*** Yeah



What? "F*** Yeah" doesn't tell you NSFW?


Countess Von Steppberg

Rube Goldberg Stuff

More lazy aggregating stuff



  The 2011 Purdue University Rube Goldberg machine shattered the world record for most steps ever successfully completed by such a machine. In 244 steps the "Time Machine" traces the history of the world from Big Bang to the Apocalypse before accomplishing the assigned everyday task of watering a flower. The machine is featured in the online edition of the World Records Academy and has been submitted to the World Records Academy.

Metal Detector Discoveries

Hie Thee To The Detectory
10 Metal Detector Discoveries

Boot of Cortez - 425.6 oz.

bin Downhill Since





White House "Misspoke"

In Newspeak ...

Newspeak
  The White House backed away Monday evening from key details in its narrative about the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, including claims by senior U.S. officials that the Al Qaeda leader had a weapon and may have fired it during a gun battle with U.S. forces.

Officials also retreated from claims that one of bin Laden’s wives was killed in the raid and that bin Laden was using her as a human shield before she was shot by U.S. forces. [Politico]



Ditch the newspeak and the story reads "White House Lies Again."  Starting with Oceana President Obama's opening sentence re Osama's death,  "Under my direction ...,"  there's just too much smell surrounding the whole op. 

Girls Watch Porn

Jayzuz! Who Knew?




Fox News Announces Obama's Death

Don't Toy With Us, Dammit!




Jump in anytime Barry

How Obama could have pleased us who wanted OBL ground up with pork, and everyone else ...

Obama's Pork Laden Budget Look-alike

That's right, his budget, the Bin-corpse, and a  giant shredder = happiness.

Stop The Presses!




STOP THE PRESS!
The last time this happened it was during the first Gulf War two decades ago, so I got all giddy when I learned that someone actually had to shout "stop the presses" last night at the New York Times. [Full GIZMODO]

Stop The Press

The New York Times was in the middle of a press run when news of Operation Kill-Bin broke.  After minimal discussion, said Vice President of Corporate Communications, Eileen Murphy, at 12:45 am the  already printed front pages were destroyed and the new version printed. However, I have learned from a reliable Barn Army source that there were in fact  three runs.

On the humanity blah-blah-blah


deep poop

Killed on the crapper ...?

...wish upon a star

  Some Americans have disputed this fabricated version of bin Laden’s death, explaining they prefer to imagine the terrorist leader being surprised by Navy SEALs while wearing bright red lipstick, trying on ladies’ clothing, sashaying in front of a full-length mirror, and saying, “Who’s the prettiest little girl? Osama's the prettiest little girl!” [Full]
Osama Pretty, so pretty ...