Dude, Where's My Country?

Okay, I admit I ripped off the title for this blog from a Michael Moore book, but I thought this line best described the way I feel about a few things that have been going on in this country lately. Here's my rant - keep in mind that this is just my opinion!

- I can't believe the death threats on South Park co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone weren't taken as seriously as they should have been, right after the radical Muslim group threatened them if they dared to show Mohammed on their show. What they fail to realize is that Mohammed was already shown in a 2001 episode, to little or no public outcry. They also don't realize that South Park is an "equal opportunity offender" - they rip on people of many different religions (Catholicism, Judaism, Scientology - anyone remember the "Trapped In The Closet" episode?) and idealisms. I'm a South Park fan, and while I don't agree with everything they say, I take it for what it is - a cartoon satire. It gives me a few laughs in the middle of the week, and then I forget about it until the next episode. If something offends you that deeply, then acknowledge that you don't have to watch or support it. We do have a First Amendment right to free speech and free expression, and I feel that Comedy Central's censoring of this week's episode seriously violated this free speech right. It seems like we get too worried about being politically correct and not wanting to offend anybody that we end up offending MORE people.

- OK, I'm a little biased here after watching the documentary "Who Killed The Electric Car?" but it seems more and more like we're forgoing common sense for the furthering of big business' profit margins. The documentary I just watched details the efforts by GM, Big Oil, and CA government to first produce and then destroy the electric car industry, all because they were a threat to profits! I see this trend repeating in our current economy - we bail out big businesses, and how do some of these big banks repay their customers? Be cutting services, raising fees, and making it more difficult to do business with them. I hear reports about banks that were bailed out with millions of taxpayer dollars who reward their employees with lavish bonuses while raising customers' interest rates and cutting credit limits, and it just makes me want to scream. Whatever happened to treating customers with dignity and respect? Doesn't the value of customer loyalty mean anything anymore? (OK, I admit this one peeves me a bit, as I got a letter this month from one credit card taken over by a new bank that suddenly decided to reduce the credit limit drastically. I don't use the card much, but now I have even less reason to use it!) Update: I resolved the issue with my credit card company, and got the limit restored, but it had to take a Better Business Bureau complaint to get anything done.

- There's been a lot of discussion lately about immigration, especially with Arizona's new law that passed this week. I understand we're a nation of immigrants (my family has a lot of German/Austrian heritage, and my Grandpa Haider emigrated to MN in the 1920's), and I know I've been blessed to have so many ethnic backgrounds in my family. On the other hand, I see the drain on our economic, health, and education systems that our ever-increasing population growth is having on our country. I have no problem with people wanting to emigrate to our country as long as they:
1. do it legally (which includes tips like educating yourself, and taking the citizenship test),
2. learn and adhere to the laws and customs of the country you're emigrating to, and finally
3. learn the language of your new country.
I think about the situation this way: if I was going to move to Germany, I would take the time to learn the language, laws and customs before even thinking of making the move. I would NEVER expect to just move to a new country and expect everything to be handed to me! Sorry to say this, but it seems like I keep about hearing about more and more people who want handouts - life isn't given to us on a silver platter, we have to work hard for the just rewards.

- I still don't understand the uproar over why certain people are vehemently against gay marriage and/or civil unions. It doesn't matter to me if gay people want to get married, and I don't think it's really anyone else's business either. I have a few gay friends and relatives, and if they want to get married, I'd support their decision 100 percent. While I don't understand the same sex attraction, I don't think that gay or lesbian couples getting married isn't going to harm the so-called "sanctity" of marriage.

Ok, that's all I can rant about for now - sorry, but I just had to vent! I'm an American citizen born and raised, and it really irks me sometimes how the ideals of integrity and honesty that I grew up with feel like they're being eroded sometimes. It really makes me question the focus of this nation that I still love and its leaders.

Take care, and enjoy this nice weekend, everyone!

CD Review - Cold Day Memory by Sevendust

I've been a Sevendust fan for almost a decade now, so I was happy to receive their eighth studio album, Cold Day Memory, in the mail this weekend. I'd only heard the first single "Unraveling" three times on the radio, and I thought that if the rest of this album was anything like this awesome single, I'd be in for a treat. Turns out I would not be disappointed!

The CD begins with the heavy track "Splinter." A great song full of layered guitar, some terrific lead vocals by Lajon Witherspoon, and the customary backup growls/vocals by drummer Morgan Rose. I soon had the chorus from the next track "Forever" stuck in my head - I think we've all known a "selfish condescending" person that we've wished would "go play God in someone else's life." The third track "Unraveling" has been one of Sevendust's best received singles ever, and it's one that I keep hitting "repeat" on my CD player to enjoy more and more. It's a very catchy single, one that you can't help cranking up the volume for on your car stereo as soon as the pounding guitar and drums begin the song.

This album marked the return of original guitarist Clint Lowery to the band after a five year absence. All the band members were involved in the production of this album, and it was terrific to hear Clint's crunchy guitars and vocals (which are a bit darker and deeper than his previous efforts) in the mix.

The limited-edition of this CD also includes an interesting 50-minute long "making-of" the album mini-documentary. It's worth a view - I liked the fact that they focused on each member of the band as they recorded the album in a converted warehouse in Chicago, plus the fact that they continued their reputation as one of the hardest-working rock bands in the business by continuing to tour while in the middle of recording this record.

If you're a Sevendust fan, or just a fan of hard rock, I'd recommend picking this album up. It's a great group effort, and ranks up there with "Animosity" and "Hope and Sorrow" as one of Sevendust's best albums ever.

Recommended Tracks: "Splinter," "Forever," "Unraveling," "Last Breath," "Ride Insane" & "Strong Arm Broken."