Day Ra' View 1/28/11: Nuisance on the Nile and the Neutering of an American Hero?

Well, the proverbial feathers (nicest thing I could come up with) have hit the fan in the land of pyramids and the Sphinx (and Alaa Abdelnaby, former Duke hoopster who is the only Egyptian basketball player I ever heard of - obligatory Duke reference accomplished). Protests raged against the Mubarak regime again today, while several big wigs of the Egyptian high command attended meetings in Washington, an indication that Hosni isn't real worried about the situation at the moment. I listened to the translation of his speech to his people today, and frankly, he seemed a little cocky and defiant in the face of what appears to be somewhat serious socio-political unrest. Some are suggesting that, on the heels of recent, similar unrest that took place in Tunisia, we might be witnessing the Middle eastern version of the fall of the Berlin Wall. I'm not so sure about that. As Americans, it is natural for us to want to support those seemingly in quest of democracy, but it remains to be seen if a) that is the goal and/or if that will be the end result, and b) if it will be in our best interest if Mubarak falls. If the underground Muslim Brotherhood, arguably the most influential Islamic organization in the region, emerges at the roots of these protests or simply usurps a revolution as and if it unfolds, it could take a distinctly Anti-American turn. BHO is in a bit of a sticky wicket, given that Mubarak is an ally (such as they are in the Middle East) of sorts. If he weathers the storm and maintains power, our not supporting him could come back to bite us in the butt. But, if we stand with him and then he's ousted, we will look like crap with the new people's government, whomever it might be. In his brief comments this evening, he President seemed to be trying to straddle the fence. That's a tough chore. In this case, I imagine that it is probably best to roll the dice and side with the Egyptian folks and democracy, if that is indeed what they seek. We've probably supported enough dictators (sorry, Joe) to last us for a while. Despite those who like to pretend that we (America) live in some sort of hermit kingdom  of our own and that the problems of others in the world are just that, their own, we best keep our fingers on the pulse of this sitchy-ation .

Hey, why don't we make a movie about a comic superhero? Who hasn't been done yet? Superman? Nope, he was essentially the first biggie in the genre. Batman? Nope, done with sequels and then a prequel. X-Men? Still doing them, in fact, filming is taking place here. The Incredible Hulk, check, The Green Hornet, in theaters now...dang, who's left? I got it Captain America, let's do him. And, by golly, they are!!! But this morning, I heard a story suggesting that the politically correct director of this flick is working hard to neuter the patriotism of this uber-patriotic superhero...you know, the one WHOSE COSTUME IS, FOR ALL EXTENTS AND PURPOSES, IS A SPANDEX U.S. FLAG!!! I mean what the...if you are going to make a movie about Captain America, for God's sake, how do you do it portraying him as some kind of jingoistic milquetoast, wimp, and lighweight? Jeez!!! I mean I understand that we might offend the rest of the world if we are proud of own country, and I know that we wouldn't want the film to send the wrong message to our children...you know, BE PROUD, BE LOUD, YOU ARE AN AMERICAN. I'm thinking that when this comes out I'm going to voice my disapproval at the box office...or more likely than not, at the Red Box...I'm not even gonna' spend one of my little movie bucks on a reluctantly patriotic Buck Private America...First Avenger, my big ol' butt...


Oh, and about Charlie Sheen...um, never mind...

Oooh, oooh, oooh...Dawgs got a commitment from the nation's #1 Defensive End...and he's a licensed minister to boot...should help out immensely with our reform school squad...

TGIF, boys and girls...