"Osso Bucco" with Mike Starr and Illeana Douglas (2008)

As the biggest snow storm to hit Chicago arrives, three couples find themselves stranded in the same restaurant. Unbeknownst to 2 of them, they are all inter-connected. The first couple is a pair of wise guys, Jelly Dinotto, played by Mike Starr, and his cousin Nick, who are on an errand for their boss.  They have stopped off to eat while waiting for their connection. Nick does not know that Jelly is planning on leaving the mob. The second couple is a pair of inept police officers; armed with a warrant; who are there to arrest them.

And finally, the third couple is the restaurant manager and his girlfriend, Megan, played by Illeana Douglas, who is the object of Jelly’s affections. When her boyfriend insults her in front of the patrons, Jelly insists on an apology from him. To further complicate matters, there is only one order of Osso Bucco, a veal dish, left, and two very opposing patrons who want it.

As the two detectives become involved; while trying to exercise their warrant; things go awry quickly, leaving everyone in doubt as to the outcome of the night’s events.

Soon, the weather worsens; the lights go out; and Megan finds herself the only one left armed with a gun. This night will change the lives of all 6 people involved; depending on what Megan does; and what Jelly allows to happen. This is a darkly romantic, fast paced film about love and veal. 

"Law and Disorder" by John Douglas (2013)

Brace yourselves for a gripping and thought provoking read in this book by veteran FBI Agent/ Profiler John Douglas; who, along with writing partner Mark Olshaker; will change your mind about capital punishment, and then, change it back again. By explaining the art of forensic science and profiling, the authors have created a work which accurately portrays the reality which the TV shows we have all come to know and love so well are really based upon. And the truth is far from the simplified version of what is presented there and even from that which is portrayed in the media. Mr. Douglas does a very good job in explaining how it works in real life, while using some of his; and the nation’s; most infamous cases to prove his points.

Starting with the Salem Witch Trials of the 17th Century, the book also delves into the evolution of crime; including arson, murders, and serial killers, on into the late 20th Century. In that time frame he explores what makes the killer think; or the rapist rape? What turns a petty house thief into a killer? Is it power? Greed? And ultimately, what do we, as a society, do about it?

Beginning with one of his earliest cases; in which he still harbors doubts about the suspect’s execution, and the role he may have played in it; Mr. Douglas questions not only the perfection of the system; but also the failure of some of today’s most expert, and advanced, methods of crime detection. And that includes the much touted DNA; which when taken out of context to the crime, and without regard to other mitigating factors which may alter the evidence offered by the Prosecution; is not always the solution we have been led to believe it is.

Also explored is the way that “justice” is handled once a verdict and sentence has been rendered. It is, under the present system, possible, to have new and exculpating evidence not admitted at the last minute in order to “stay” an execution. With most of the condemned men waiting for years to exhaust their appeals anyway, what do a few more months matter in the pursuit of Justice? Why the rush to execute?

The supposed Multiple Personality Disorder; in which the criminal did the crime, but not as his himself; is given deep thought and the authors come to a very definite conclusion. MPD is a crock. If the accused has a history of the disease, that is one thing. But when they suddenly develop the ailment on their third appeal, how much credence should it be given? Is it right; or moral; for a killer to languish in jail for more years than their victims lived? That was the case with Marine Private Suzanne Collins, whose killer took 21 years to be executed for taking the life of a 19 year old woman. How absurd is that?

With experience in the Jon Benet Ramsey case, as well as some very other high profile cases, the book is gripping in both its scope and depth. The cases all range from murder, arson and kidnapping. And, surprisingly, against all scientific evidence, many have been innocent.

The case of the so-called West Memphis 3; accused of killing three 8 year old youngsters as part of a Satanic Cult; when no such cult even existed; would be a fascinating book all on its own account. Only the interest of a woman outside of prison would serve to break that case open again; this time with justice ruling the day. Too bad it took over 15 years for that justice to be served.

Though he has seen it all in the way of injustice; even seeing innocent men being “murdered” by the state when new evidence has been available; Mr. Douglas is still in favor of the death penalty as a deterrent for the most heinous of crimes. But, only after all reasonable avenues have been explored. This was a surprise and came about just when he had me convinced that I was wrong in my support of Capital Punishment in the first place.

Straddling the wire between his own beliefs, and the needs of justice for the accused; as well as the victims and their families; cannot be easy. But Mr. Douglas need lose no sleep over the issue. He has presented his case; and cases; in a forthright and logical manner, causing the reader to do the most important thing of all; think. No matter what you believe about the issue of Capital Punishment, this book will strike a chord with every reader.

Karl Malden in "On the Waterfront"

In one of the most poignant scenes from the film “On the Waterfront”, Karl Malden delivers one of the all-time great sermons ever captured on screen. Father Barry, portrayed by Malden in the film, has taken an oath to stand by one of the men who has agreed to testify against the mobsters who control the waterfront. When that man is killed Father Barry steps up to the plate and tells the truth about the corruption that mires the world all around him.

In the 6 decades since this film was released many things have changed. Technologically we have eclipsed some of our wildest dreams, yet there is still a vacant spot in our hearts and souls. And the problems always come back to the same point of origin; greed and vanity. 

That’s right, vanity. For what can be more vain than to think that your life; your needs, your desires; are more worthy of fulfillment than another’s? Until you can answer that question honestly, and without prevarication, then we will never grow to our true height as a civilized society. 

Kent State - 1970

On the night of May 2nd, 1970 demonstrators had burned down the ROTC building on the Kent State Campus. This led to the National Guard being called in to preserve order. What happened on Monday, May 4th, 1970 did little to restore that order. Instead, it locked both sides into a struggle that would cleave our nation into 2 halves for decades.

Extremism begets extremism. History is filled with examples. We are living through some dangerous and fractious times right now. The most important thing to remember is that any position, when taken too far, will always lead to the same thing, disaster.

The Vietnam era was a volatile time in our nation's history. Families were split along political lines. Friendships were formed and broken over the issue of the Vietnam War. We became a nation divided by our politics, rather than a nation united by our political system. And we have remained so. And the people at the top want it that way. It's the only way that they can continue to run the show the way they see fit.

In memory of Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandy Scheuer and William Schroeder; 4 young people; caught up in a sea of rhetoric, going too far and coming face to face with another group, equally caught up in their own rhetoric. When each side is so right; when each side claims the high ground; where do the little people go? When both sides cling so tightly to their beliefs, that they are willing to burn; or kill; those who are in opposition, then it is time to step back and re-examine the cause and its worth.

Today, on the 43rd anniversary of this tragic event, I hope that we will all take the opportunity to look inside of ourselves and our respective political positions. And in tribute to these 4 young Americans, let's all take a step back from the edge of division and look to re-unite ourselves as a nation. I really think that is what these 4 victims would have wanted us to learn.

Bill O'Reilly and Gun Control - A Study in Contrasts

Bill O’Reilly, the news commentator who regularly spouts anti-gun control rhetoric, states on page 212 of his book “Killing Kennedy”; which I reviewed here on Tuesday; that Texas, in 1963, with no gun control laws, was the leading state for murders, with 72% of those murders occurring by gunshot.

It is now 2013, 40 years later, and guess what? Texas is still the most lenient state in regards to gun control; and Murder by Firearms there has almost doubled since 1963. But yet, as recently as January 16th of this year, Mr. O’Reilly still maintains that gun control laws will “not stop crazy people from committing murder”, even as he advocates for a mandatory 10 year Federal sentence for any gun crime; from killing your spouse, to robbing a convenience store.

At the same time he also feels that gun control laws; in which he claims to not believe; should be left up to the individual states. This, would of course, result in virtually no local gun control laws, leaving the prosecution of gun related crimes to the Federal Government which Mr. O’Reilly already feels is too big. It also seriously makes me wonder which side of the debate he is really on.

This patchwork, and asinine approach; pitting the States against the Federal government; will yield no other result than to fill the already overcrowded Federal Prisons, thus placing more people under government control than ever before. And, remember, this idea comes from a man who purports to be against “big government.” 

This is just one more example of why political commentators should not be writing serious books about history. It only serves to further display their already overworked misunderstanding of history, as well as calling into question just what their real agenda is.

"The Men Who Built America" - History Channel (2012)

After the Civil War ended, the United States continued to grow industrially, and with the culmination of the construction of the Union-Pacific Railroad, the nation was headed full tilt into the Gilded Age and the era of the Robber Barons. This 8 hour mini-series chronicles that growth of power, and the largely self-made men who harnessed it, furthering the growth of the nation while at the same time plundering it mercilessly.

This docudrama from 2012 focuses on the 5 main entrepreneurs who became known as the “Robber Barons.” These men; Cornelius Vanderbilt, John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, J. P. Morgan and Henry Ford; each wrought changes to the way America worked and prospered, leaving in their wake not only the technological advances which came to define the era, but also a history of abuse which would give rise to the Unions and usher in a new age of rights and expectations for the workingmen and women who run America’s machines and produce her goods.

Directed by Patrick Reams and Ruán Magan, the series is narrated by Campbell Scott, and cleverly divided into 4 overlapping episodes, creating a seamless story of the times; and events; which propelled America into a century of greatness, which we are even now attempting to hold onto.

In Part 1; "A New War Begins"; Cornelius Vanderbilt begins his career as a steamboat captain, and amasses a fortune, which he then invests in the railroad boom. He quickly builds an empire, pitting him against fellow railroaders Jim Fisk and Jay Gould. At the same time, John D. Rockefeller founds Standard Oil , expanding his wealth by means of oil pipelines, which will eventually become just as much of an octopus as the famous political cartoon of Jay Gould straddling the railroads.

In Part 2, "Bloody Battles", Andrew Carnegie founds an empire based upon steel, only to suffer from the ruthless antics of his partner, Henry Frick, the man largely responsible for the Johnstown Flood and later the labor unrest in 1892 at the Homestead Steel Works.

Entering Part 3, "Changing the Game", we find J.P. Morgan bankrolling Thomas Edison to success with the incandescent lamp, even as they compete with the efforts of George Westinghouse and Nikola Tesla. At the same time, William Jennings Bryan; who would later run for President 3 times and lose; begins a campaign to reign in the monopolies so carefully put together by these titans of industry, as they pile abuse upon abuse in their quest to amass even more wealth.

By the time Part 4 starts; “When One Ends, Another Begins"; Rockefeller and Morgan, along with Andrew Carnegie, team up to elect William McKinley to the Presidency. With their vast wealth they virtually paid for the whole campaign, extracting a promise from him that, if elected, he would serve the interests of the monopolies by vetoing any anti-trust legislation which crosses his desk. But when the president is assassinated, Theodore Roosevelt ascends to the office of President with a whole different set of goals. He immediately begins to dismantle the monopolies which these 5 men have worked so hard to build.

In spite of this, J.P. Morgan manages to buy Carnegie Steel, making Carnegie the richest man in the world. At the same time, newcomer Henry Ford begins to build cars in an “assembly line” fashion which will revolutionize manufacturing forever.

This is a wonderful look at America when she was in her most innovative phase, with people coming from all over the world, and each one carrying a dream they hoped to make come true.

Early Spring Garden - 2013

This is our patio/garden area 2 days ago. With a bit of hard work by Sue, the place has already begun to show signs of life after the mild, but long, winter. The fig tree to the left is doing nicely, and we expect to enjoy more of its fruit this year, just as we did last year.

The banana tree is still too young to bear fruit, but with some tender loving care, mostly from Sue; I just look at it in awe and admiration; it will thrive and bear with time. I wish I could say the same for this year’s cotton crop, which is mine. The seeds have broken ground, and hopefully, since I planted early this year, they will yield some tangible results beyond the pretty pink flowers which they produce. We will just have to wait and see. The spice plants are all doing nicely and promise to bring some fresh flavor to our cooking once again.

Meantime, I’ll be monitoring the progress from my lounge chair; writing, playing guitar and reading. The winter is really over now, and a whole world of birds and lizards and little furry creatures are beginning to make them-selves known once again. The whole cycle is renewed, and we move on.  Though spring is a time of renewal, it can also be a time of reflection, as we look back upon springs past, remembering Aesop’s fable about the ant and the grasshopper. And this is the time of year we all make that choice.