SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SOLDIER

As the MSM and the whiny Democrats increase their complaints and craziness about the global war on terror, those of us who support the President and the war are going to have to step up our efforts. Otherwise, we are in danger of the Left gaining ground and swaying public opinion. And that proposition REALLY SCARES ME. We need to pray more, do more, blog more about the war and the incredible job our troops and Commander In Chief are doing. Consider adopting a soldier. Tell TLC to air more episodes of Operation: Homecoming. Get your church involved in praying for the troops. Turn more people on to conservative talk radio. It takes sacrifices to win a war. Don't let the only sacrifices be the ones our soldiers are making on our behalf.

HODGE PODGE

The Mrs. and I were flabbergasted this afternoon when media writer Neal Gabler, on Fox News Channel's Media Watch, admitted that he felt Senator Durbin was telling the truth when he compared the US military to the Nazis and other ruthless regimes. I've never like Neal, a whiny liberal who will say anything to advance his cause. Today's show was a prime example. His irresponsible rhetoric should have consequences. Neal is a ninny and I am tired of him and his liberal cohorts who put their own political interests above our country and the safety of our armed forces.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith is a totally fun flick. It is humorous and full of non stop action. The car chase sequence is especially entertaining. Mr. and Mrs. Seiber thoroughly enjoyed it.

Congratulations to our good friends, Mr. and Mrs. Massagli who are expecting their fourth child. WooHoo! Mr. Massagli is the brains behind this successful business venture.

I would support the President if he decided to name John Bolton to the UN Ambassadorship during a recess appointment. The Senate should have confirmed him long ago. Enough is enough.

I guess that is all for now. Enjoy your weekend.

QUINTESSENTIAL QUOTES

Thanks to Mrs. Media Matters, who taped the show for me so I could watch it after the NBA Finals Game 6 (Go Spurs!), I enjoyed what I saw of the AFI Film quotes special last night. Overall, the list seems memorable. But nevertheless I have a few of my own favorites as well. I am a child of the 70s and 80s, so most of them are from that era. Let me know if you agree with my selections and send me your faves as well.

"I want my two dollars." - Better Off Dead.

"May the Force be with you." - Star Wars. When we played Yahtzee as a kid, it was "May the 4s be with you." {#8 on AFIs list}

"I feel the need, the need for speed." - Top Gun. {#94 on AFIs list}

"Goose, you big stud, take me to bed or lose me forever." - Top Gun.

"I'll get you my pretty. And your little dog, too." - The Wizard of Oz. {#99 on AFIs list}

"Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!" - The Wizard of Oz.

"I'm melting. I'm melting." - The Wizard of Oz.

"We're walking. We're walking. Stop." - Dave.

"Luke, I 'm your father." - Empire Strikes Back.

Too many to mention from Steel Magnolias. Have to watch it again so I can get them down verbatim. But Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis and Dolly Parton all have notable quotables in this film.

IS DURBIN DONE?

I would like to think that Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) will be forced out of his leadership role or even his entire position as a result of the deplorable things he said on the Senate floor last week. But how do we make that happen? ThirdWaveDave and Hugh Hewitt have led the way in putting pressure on the Senator and keeping people informed about progress. My fear is that another big story will come along and wipe Durbin's comments off the front page, so to speak. Take for example the shameful comments that the Pepsico CFO said in her speech to graduates at Columbia. That story blazed for a few days, and then the battles over judges and Bolton came along and many of us forgot about it. But it is still an important story. I guess my question is, in the age of 24 hour news, how do you keep a story alive until you achieve results? Certainly, it can be done. I guess I am just afraid Durbin will weasel out of this predicament. And that would be a shame.

RICH'S RANDOM WRITINGS

A bout with tendonitis has restricted my blogging efforts lately. But I can no longer remain quiet on a few random matters.

Sen. Durbin (D-IL) is a dick. Enough said.

On Fox's hit TV show 24, which the Mrs. and I are enjoying via Netflix, the fictional President Palmer is constantly manipulated by his power-hungry wife Sherry. In the history of TV, there has never been a more annoying TV character. Sherry Palmer is any husband's worst nightmare. Thank goodness our actual President can stand up for his own convictions and our First Lady is a gem.

The US Senate needs to confirm John Bolton as UN Ambassador. We've been waiting long enough. In other UN News, at least the US House of Representatives has voted to cut their funds. Now there's a UN policy I can support!

MILITARY MUST SEE TV

The Mrs. and I have come across a great TV show on TLC. Operation: Homecoming chronicles the return of American soliders to their families after their tour of duty in the Middle East. It is moving, respectful and exciting to see these families reunite after months apart. Praise God there is at least one media outlet who is willing to treat the military and the global war on terror with respect. I hope you'll check it out if you get the chance.

DALLAS DRAMA

I am a child of the 80s. They were my formative years of junior high and high school. And yet I missed out on two cultural phenomenons of the 80s -- Dallas and Miami Vice. Both programs were on Friday nights. And on Fridays I was always out of the house, at an older brother's football or basketball game or a school dance. I didn't have time then to sit in front of the TV. As a result, I never knew the Ewing clan and I couldn't tell you which one was Crockett and who was Tubbs. But last night I was doing the male thing, flipping through the channels with the remote, and I stumbled upon TV Land and the episode of Dallas where J.R. gets shot. I loved it. It was my after the fact chance to get caught up in the "Who Shot J.R.?" cultural movement. It was a fun and campy episode, where they set you up to believe any of 5-6 different characters could have done it. I didn't know who most of them were, but it was fun nevertheless. One thing about the episode that really struck me as odd -- Patrick Duffy calling Jock Ewing "daddy." Maybe it is a Southern thing, calling your father "daddy" even when you're an adult. It sounded silly to me. But overall, it was a fun episode and I'm glad that at least now I can say I've seen it.

PRESIDENT GEORGE...ALLEN

Our current President's first name is George. And while I would love for W. to be able to run again, alas that is not an option. So in 2008, my early support falls to another George. Virginia's Republican Senator George Allen. He is a conservative. He talked tough during the judicial filibuster process and actually wanted to exercise the nuclear option. His unwillingness to compromise on the matter was uncompromising and refreshing. I know it can be tough for Senators to get elected President. But in the crowded field I hope he gets some early and advantagous attention.

AWESOME AMY

Good News! My favorite recording artist of all time has 2 big announcements. I have been in love with Amy Grant since I was 14 (although she doesn't hold a candle to Mrs. Media Matters). Word has it that she has a new CD out. WooHoo! And she will also be the host of a new reality show next season on NBC called Three Wishes! I can't wait to see it. The Mrs. doesn't feel so keen on rea-lamo TV, as you can see in her post here. But I love it. (I guess opposites really do attract!) Three Wishes should be fun, family-friendly viewing. Stay tuned!

FAMILY FARE FILMS

According to a link on the Drudge Report, a study found that family films are bringing in bigger bucks at the box office these days than more adult fare. In the article G-rated films were found to be the most profitable. That's great news! And it even lines up with my movie preferences. As I think about my favorite films over the last few years, most of them have been family-oriented. I highly recommend a number of recent Disney releases that are all G or PG rated. Films like Remember the Titans, Miracle, The Rookie, Princess Diaries, Finding Nemo and Disney's The Kid are all top notch family entertainment. Let's hope the major movie studios pay attention to this research and continue to bankroll more quality family fun flicks.

I LIKE TOM CRUISE AS AN ACTOR, BUT...

Let me start by saying I have struggled for years with anxiety and panic attack issues. I know some who read this post will never understand what that means, or even believe that anxiety is a real problem. That's fine. I have come to believe that you'll probably never understand anxiety unless you experience it. What has my anxiety looked like? Well, it can mean everything from a racing heartbeat that won't slow down for days to an intense fear of being around people. It can mean belabored breathing and a heavy chest, like you're 7 Big Macs into a full blown heart attack. It also takes the shape of obsessive thoughts about the stupidest things, to compulsive behavior. Often my anxiety rages like a 14-year-old boy's hormones and I just have to ride it out. I've been under the care of a counselor and/or doctor for years for my anxiety. And at times in my struggle I have also taken medication. I've never been overly confident that the meds have helped, though I know those who swear by them. One of my best friends in life, Nancy, has severe panic attacks and believes that her medication offers her some respite and sanity. So I have no problem with people taking medication for depression and anxiety issues.

That is why I take umbrage with Tom Cruise's recent comments. In a publicity blitz for his new film War of the Worlds, Tom has had some bizarre recent behavior. People are speculating that his behavior may have box office consequences. Along with his odd romance with a woman half his age, he has been openly touting the wonders of Scientology and he made some critical comments about Brooke Shields and her decision to use medication to treat postpartum depression. This was not one of Tom's finer moments. Here's what I wish he had said:

I have chosen, based upon my own personality and faith, not to use medication to treat mental health issues like depression and anxiety. And while it would be my preference that others do the same, I have no control over their decisions and thus I don't begrudge them taking the advice of their counselor and doctor. Medication may not be right for me, but I support Brooke's decision to try it for herself.

That wouldn't have been so difficult, would it? Earlier this week Mrs Media Matters posted about stars and their weird political behavior and how it affects them and our society. Here's an example of one celebrity who's insensitivity should not be celebrated.

Mr. Media Matters

HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY!

In an increasingly complicated and stressed out world, here are a number of things to be grateful about.

1) In recent polls in West Virginia, it appears that if Sen. Robert Byrd (Democrat) were to run for reelection in 2006, he would face an uphill battle. Maybe the old fart will do us all a favor and retire.

2) Author Erica Jong was booed during a recent commencement speech she gave that was, according to eyewitnesses, blatantly un-American. I agree with Instapundit's advice, when speaking at a graduation, talk about the graduates, not about you or your own self-absorbed view of the world.

3) According to reports of Koran abuse at Guantanamo, those being held captive appear to have been much more abusive toward it than any of the guards could have even imagined being. Unfortunately you probably won't hear that side of the story from the MSM.

4) Howard Dean is belly flopping as head of the DNC. His off the cuff remarks have him in constant trouble and he isn't raising much cash.

5) Conservative bloggers are staying on top of the MSM and making them pay for their mistakes and blatant bias.

6) Mrs. Media Matters is on fire these days and her blog is as popular as ever.

Rich

WOMEN DON'T MAKE PASSES AT MEN WHO WEAR GLASSES (or something like that)

As a sure sign that I am getting older (and grayer), the Dr. prescribed me some glasses to wear while I am using the computer at home and at work. The hope is that it will reduce eye strain and cut down on headaches and tension caused by too much time in front of the old monitor. I keep trying to convince my wife that the glasses make me look sexier, more sophisticated, smarter. So far, Mrs. Media Matters isn't buying my theory. Oh well.

Mr. Media Matters.