SAYINGS WRONGLY USED

Right along with the misuse of the word parameter and not realising that the proof of the pudding is in the eating and there is no proof in the pudding, I am dismayed with the recent use of the phrase, "begs the question." This is a specific term used in argumentation theory or logic. It is not to be used when you mean to say, " . . . brings to mind the question." Please look it up.

Capote and Friends

The new movie, "Capote," reminds one of the stories of Faust and of Prometheus (even Mary Shelley's version).

The film tells the tale of Truman Capote writing In Cold Blood and acting like a god as he brilliantly gives birth to a new literary genre. The crux of the movie is how Capote lies to and betrays one of his subjects and so in a sense sells his soul in exchange for a literary success. And also, he pursues his goal with such an obsession that like that other creator Frankenstein he is ultimately destroyed.

Harper Lee is portrayed enigmatically as his friend and conscience. And Capote insults both those aspects, oddly with no major reaction from Lee.

It is the best movie I've seen this year and I recommend it.

Neo-Con's Counterattack

The Bush/ Cheney counterattack on the Iraq issue was actually foreshadowed (given the go ahead?) a couple weeks ago by Bill Kristol during a TV interview. Kristol was complaining that the Administration was not pursuing with enough gusto what he considered as facts proving the connection of Saddam Hussein to bin Ladin and the existence of weapons of mass destruction.

So it seems Bush and his followers (or should it be Cheney and his followers) are now going to replay the whole history leading up to our Iraq attack, repeating the same mantras and the same lies they dished out then and hoping it works again; and of course, this will distract from the real facts on the ground.

New Movies

Finally saw a good movie, Derailed, on Friday. Walked out on Shop Girl on Sunday, though I might have missed something because Cori liked it and she usually knows what's good. As to Derailed, it was somewhat of a mixed genre. I think the story from the angle of Lucinda would have made it more noir and interesting. How did she get in that racket? Is it too late for a rewrite? Anyway, I loved the way the writers would telegraph the next step in principle but give the details a sharp twist.

Roe v. Wade

With new members on the way to the Supreme Court, much is being written about overturning Roe v. Wade. So here are a few facts about the original decision that are usually ignored. Use them as you will.

The Court ruled a woman does NOT have an absolute right to an abortion. She does have a right to an abortion as an extension of previous rights already granted by courts under the Constitution, but it is subject to some limitations. Before quoting the Court's samples of limitations, I'll give this quote from the decision: "The Constitution does not explicitly mention any right of privacy."

OK, here are the limitations: " . . . at some point the state interests as to protection of health, medical standards, and prenatal life become dominant."

In summary I would say the right-to-lifers would do well to spend their energies supporting Roe v. Wade rather than attacking it.

Final note. Roberts went to great length in the hearings to make clear his insistence that any decisions of the Court be based on a real case, not a hypothetical one. And this issue was one of those on which Rhenquist based his dissent in Roe. Beware!

PAST PRESIDENTS

Brace yourself. Public reverence for live past U.S. Presidents is inversely proportional to our disdain for them in office. So Bushy is set to have a cushy retirement as far as criticism goes.

Have you noticed we always elect the dumber of the two candidates, unless we can't tell who is the dumber, and then we go for the less experienced? Dave Barry argued with me on this point, claiming no one could have been dumber than Ford, but he forgot about the Billy Carter factor. And I don't think he actually heard Carter introduce Hubert Humphrey to a convention as Hubert Horatio Hornblower.

One more thing on U.S. Presidents: In our system it has been the most dictatorial presidents who have done the most good and the most bad. The fact points up a definite flaw.