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They’re Shooting Back?

August 26th, 2010 1 comment

link Big Hollywood » Blog Archive » Exclusive: James Cameron Talks Tough, Runs From Fight, Lets Flunkie Take Blame.

There is very little for me to add to this internet article.  Suffice to say, this showcases the intelligence of those arguing the charade of global warming. 

It’s one thing to pontificate in front of  adoring fans and acolytes about a position, but it’s entirely different when you are up against informed opponents in real time debate.  Having people cheer your pronouncements does not legitimize the opinion, it only means they’re all drinking the same thing.  As an example, at any bar in Florida on spring break, it’s probably not that hard to convince all the girls to flash their breasts.  As numerous psychological studies have shown, the mob mentality is very strong in humans and the secret of success in most cultures is to be in front of the mob and pretend you are leading them.   It’s always curious that a person like James Cameron and for that matter, Al Gore, who are wildly succesful in their own areas of work, feel so compelled to push an issue upon people as if they had divine insight.  An issue such as global warming has drawn passionate debate on both sides of the discussion, but only one side demonizes and belittles opposing thought.   Despite ample evidence to the contrary, warming adherents dogmatically stick to the talking points disregarding any rational evidence. 

It’s pretty well accepted that in any kind of debate, if one cannot win on the facts, then the next tactic is to resort to ad hominem attacks on your opponent.   In the debate on global warming, Cameron somehow declines to be on the same stage as other informed people, implying that they are beneath his ‘level of debate’.    While it may be easy to sound convincing to an empty room, defending your thesis is quite another issue.  Put another way, it’s easy to be a crack marksman, until others start shooting back. Our hero James is a better storyteller than scientist.   He mistakenly thinks people will accept his beliefs as willingly as they accept his stories.  News to James: they pay for your stories, not your beliefs.

Godiva Didn’t Have Tattoos

August 24th, 2010 No comments

link Photos: PETA protesters get nearly naked in Vancouver.

It’s been done. Showing some skin to get attention may have been a bold gesture when Lady Godiva did it back in the 1040’s and perhaps still risque in the 80’s when Madonna pranced around in pointy boobs, but in this day and age, it’s at best, quaint.  Speaking only for me, I can’t imagine that seeing ‘nude’ people would make me more aware of the plight of animals, or of the earth, of gay pride or of any other pop cause which seems to require nudity or near nudity to publicize. 

If anything, all these ‘radical’ displays seem to accomplish is to advertise the works of various tattoo artists.  The shock and impact aspect of this maneuver is way past the sell by date.  It’s like 8 year old kids acting out.  The first few times may be charming, but after a dozen or so displays of cuteness, it’s droll.  Even an icon like Pamela Anderson fails to move the titillation meter anymore in her PETA campaigns.  Having Pamela shed clothing in support of a cause is like having Michael Moore eat donuts in support of a cause; the so what factor kicks in.  It’s actually sad when nudity loses its shock value.  In theory, if protesters are willing to display lots of skin to prove their support of an issue, then the people at Wreck Beach and Kits Beach are giving away lots of free political action points.  Someone should stick some signs on those people and make them relevant. 

Shedding some clothing to make a statement pales in comparison to some of the extremes that some REAL zealots get to in showing their commitments to a cause.  As many may know, during Easter, some devout Christians in the Phillipines flagellate themselves with switches and even crucify themselves on crosses in observance and support of their religious beliefs.  I’d say they were pretty committed.  Notice that they are not flagellating or crucifying others.  They are not trying to tell others what to think or how to behave.  In this part of the world, the ‘shocking’ tactic of public nudity just seems lame.  If they are trying to make a point, as in all good marketing, at least hire professionals with bodies worth being shocked over….and without tattoos.