On movies and war

These days, going to the video store, perusing the movie listings on Yahoo, and scrolling through the options on our cable’s OnDemand movie channel can all be described the same way: depressing, barren, boring, hopeless.

Finding a movie that’s worth my $8.50 at the theater or my $3.99 at the video store is pretty near impossible as of late. Friday night, though, was one of those rare and wonderful evenings in which I left the theater completely satisfied.

Dave and I went to the Oriental Theater on the East Side to take in a showing of Little Miss Sunshine. Yahoo! led us astray as far as what time the movie was playing, but it all worked out for the best since we got to sit at Twisted Fork and have a drink while we waited. Dave got to watch some of the Brewer game and I found out that the Twisted Fork serves free chicken wings on Sunday nights. Score.

Every time I walk into the Oriental, I feel like I’m going back in time; a time before oversized, sterile multiplexes edged out nearly every small, charming, full-of-character movie house. We handed our tickets over and walked into the beautiful main theater, the red velvet curtain covering the screen before us, the balcony looming above us and the Buddha statues with the red bindis on their foreheads keeping watch.

We took our seats and for the next two hours, we were genuinely entertained and moved by the movie we saw. I mean, it wasn't the best movie I've ever seen, not by far, but it was hilarious and touching, and it blew most of the movies I've seen recently out of the water.

Like many quality films, Little Miss Sunshine was a limited release. In the meantime, Beerfest and Snakes on a Plane will be shown in just about every theater in America.

I don't even really want to think about what this says about the American public – I'm just grateful I live in such close proximity to an enchanting little theater that shows the more out-of-the-way, off-the-wall films that the big mega-plexes don't show.

Saturday we returned to the East Side to check out the East Side Open Market, which is held in the Beans and Barley parking lot every Saturday in the summer. We checked out the fresh produce and flowers, and gave everything else – clay pots, jewelry, soap – the quick once-over before heading inside Beans and Barley for some lunch. We were starving and the wait for a table looked long, so a moment later we were back outside and on our way back to the car. We stopped for a moment and listened to the band that was playing, and then moved on.



The East Side Open Market was cute – your average little farmer's market/craft fair. It didn't inspire me enough to write anything further. You know what did inspire me, though (and not in a good way)?

The war protesters who were hanging on the street corners.

Their signs read "Stop the War!" "Bring the troops home!" and "Honk for peace!" – and you can be sure that just about everyone was honking their horns as they drove by.

And why wouldn't they? Who doesn't want peace?

I certainly don't want to start talking politics on my blog or I may never stop – but I will say this: How easy for them, in their cushy community in their (relatively) safe country to stand on a street corner holding a sign on a sunny summer day. How simple those three little words – stop the war – roll off the tongue, especially when we are so far removed from it.

I feel the same way on my walks when I see the perfectly manicured lawns on the quaint little streets of my ritzy little suburb of Shorewood boasting signs that urge "stop the war."

"Bring home the troops" and "Choose peace!" are two separate ideas that truly do not belong in the same protest. No one wants to see our men and women in a war. But bringing them home will not equal peace.

Even if going to war was the wrong decision, those troops are over there trying to make change, trying to make the world safer for all of us. What kind of change are you trying to make by sticking a sign in your lawn or putting a bumper sticker on your car?

Give me a break.

Comments

[Derek]

I totally agree...so easy to make a sign and stand on street corner. Really "helping the cause" there. Also, GREAT point about the lawns with signs.

[Sarah M]

Well, Erin, I'll go ahead and disagree with you. I feel like sometimes a simple bumper sticker can remind people of a current issue, or maybe just remind them that there are other view points our communities. I proudly display the equal-sign sticker that is the logo of the Human Rights Campaign on my car, because I hope that someone will say something about it or ask.
While I will agree with you that it can be easy for the upper-crust to just post a sign, I can't help but smile to live in a country where I can post any sign I want on my front lawn. Whether the sign says "Russ Feingold", "Support our troops", or "Landscaping by Kmetz", I would rather see a few signs I didn't agree with than live in a country where I could be killed for my beliefs.

[Amanda]

A couple of things. Oh, and before I get too into this post, I just want to make a note that I'm not here to attack. Just express an opinion, as I'm sure is welcomed on this site.

First, Little Miss Sunshine looks and sounds great. And, I like it when movies like this aren't in wide release. It adds authenticity to the film and to the film producers and creators. It means to me that the producers and creators aren't trying to make the most money in the world; they are trying to get their film seen by people who are actually going to appreciate it.

And second, regarding your rant about the "Stop the War" people, I agree with Sarah M that it does make people think about what is going on. It's a reminder of what's happening in the world. When you're out shopping and having lunch on a nice Saturday, they are trying to remind you that men and women are serving for you to be in this safe country you hold so dear. For a lot of those sign holders, it's just about awareness of the situation. Do you honestly think that these people are trying to change the world with a sign?

Which leads me to my next point. I urge you to remember that you do not know these people personally nor do you know what else they may be doing for their cause. How do you know that their son or sister or cousin isn't fighting? How do you know that the "cushy" people with signs aren't also taking other steps to get their message heard, such as writing letters to their senators, donating to families of veterans, or holding prayer groups for fallen soldiers?

I'm not saying that all people with signs are taking extra steps; by no means am I that naive. Some people are just schmucks who follow the cause bandwagon.

Lastly, just as you think that it's so easy for the "cushy" people to hold their signs and do nothing, it seems as though it was pretty easy for you rant about them on your blog before knowing any more about them than what you read on a sign. Don't ever assume. You know what happens when you assume...

But that’s just me.

[amanda]

wow, that was a long post. didn't mean for it to be so long.

:)

[Sarah M]

Amanda, I couldn't have said it better myself. And congratulations by the way :-)

[in yo face]

ohhhhh snap!

[Dan]

One of the many reasons that war protesters may have for saying "stop the war" and "bring the troops home" is that they believe that actually doing so will "make the world safer for all of us." Many people, Democrats and Republicans, believe that being in Iraq increases the danger to the US from terrorists and in no way makes us safer. Few people, war protesters or otherwise, question the value of a soldier's dedication to helping our nation and making it safer. This does not mean that they should automatically approve of any policy that puts a soldier in harm's way. If a person who lives in a ritzy little suburb honestly believes that the war in Iraq makes the US safer, they should feel free to express that with signs on their manicured lawn, magnets on their car or posts on their blog. Such a person should also respect the fact that people in that ritzy little suburb who disagree with them should not have to leave their opinions unexpressed because they are lucky enough to enjoy that same good life.

Just because someone is rich does not mean they cannot care about the poor. Just because someone is healthy does not mean they cannot care about the sick. Just because someone is for peace does not mean they cannot care about the war.

[Mark]

The real atrocity here is not what Erin has to say about protesters. The real issue I have is that she dogged Snakes on a Plane. Bad form.

[Matt]

Anyone catch the Brewers game?

[Dave]

Yeah nice sweep!!! Go Crew.

I did take offense to the Beerfest comment as well. When I first saw that I said "Hey I want to see that movie."

Moving on...I don't think that any of us have forgotten about what's going on in Iraq or Afghanistan. Have you? How can you? Its in the news everyday. Turn on talk radio for a second its there too. If you're not hearing about it 10 times a day then you're making an effort not to. I don't think I need a hippie on a corner to remind me about Iraq.

I also don't think Erin wants to take away your freedom to picket for peace. She's just commenting on how little the picketing is actually doing for the effort. If they are doing more for the cause then why aren't they out doing it. Answer:Its much easier to grab your peace flag and stand on a street corner. No one is going to disagree with you. Its the same as if I went out on the street and held up a sign that said "Honk if you think rape is bad" I'd get a lot of honks just like the "End the War" signs do.

In the end I guess I'm just trying to figure out what these people are attempting to accomplish. It doesn't make me more aware of what's going on in the middle east because I'm already aware. It also doesn't affect the way I feel about the war. I do believe the effort is for the greater good. I also believe we're making a difference and I do want our troops there.

[Peter]

Erin, long time reader but first post. I just wanted to say I agree with your thoughts on the protestors. I support their right to protest and would defend their right to protest just as I would to ensure your rights to express your opinions. While we don't want this to become a political blog (because we enjoy your review of all things Milwaukee so much) it is welcome to hear your thoughts on weightier(a word?) matters. Keep up the great work and I wish you all the best in your upcoming marriage.

[bluesphee]

Dave,

I'm going to pick your post apart just because I'm bored.

Dave: "I don't think I need a hippie on a corner to remind me about Iraq."

While I found the comment somewhat amusing I also thought it was pretty stupid. I'm quite sure there are more than just "hippies" who protest. Mothers, fathers, vets, etc... When I was in London in 2003 there were 1 million people protesting. They must have all been hippies.

Dave: "She's just commenting on how little the picketing is actually doing for the effort."

Actually protesting does quite a lot for the effort. It has gotten people to discuss and share their opinions on this blog. It irked Erin so much she had to throw it in her blog about Milwaukee. Without discussion and listening to differences of opinions you probably wouldn't consider many of the ideas you hear others talk about.

Dave: "If they are doing more for the cause then why aren't they out doing it."

This was already commented on very nicely by Amanda. How do you know what else people are doing? You either didn't read her post, didn't get it or are stubborn.

Dave: "Its the same as if I went out on the street and held up a sign that said 'Honk if you think rape is bad'"

The analogy of rape and war makes no sense. They have nothing to do with one another and happen for completely different reasons. If you believed in the war and the reasons for staying there, would you honk at a sign that said "End the War"? No. You wouldn't.

Dave: "I also believe we're making a difference and I do want our troops there."

Very true. We are "making a difference" by killing 50,000 civilians.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/18/iraq.main/index.html

"In late June, the Ministry of Health "acknowledged information stating that since 2003 at least 50,000 persons have been killed in violence and stated the number of deaths are probably under-reported."

[Dave]

1. They were hippies. I smelled patchouli.

2. People discuss the war with or without protestors.

3. I read it. I made an assumption and she made an assumption. Same thing.

4. It makes perfect sense. No one likes war and no one likes rape. You'll get the same response out of every American unless they're insane.

5. There are always going to be civilian deaths in war. Note that in the link that you provided it states that since the end of the war a majority of the casualties are being caused by the insurgents. Sure would be great if we could get rid of those terrorists. Would it be better if we weren't there? Doubt it. The only thing these insane radicals know is death and destruction. They only want to kill us. That's their sole purpose.

[Christi]

Actually, just to clarify about these specific protestors...I live in the area (about two blocks away) and they weren't on the corner soley to exude their patchouli smell and get a few honks out of the city. They were there getting signatures for a petition that is going to be sent to our Congressmen. (Exactly about what...I'm not sure) but just wanted to clarify that they were utilizing their freedom of speech to express their American voice. That's doing a hell of a lot more for the war effort than any of us are doing crabbing on a blog =)

[Erin]

I sparked quite the debate here, which I figured I would. I like to see it, though - I think getting other people's viewpoints is beneficial for everyone invovled.

I have a few comments to add:

1. Bumper stickers and signs do not keep me aware. As Dave said, you have to be living under a rock to not be FULLY aware of everything that is going on in our world right now.

2. Yes, maybe they're writing their congressman or doing other good things for the cause - and that's great! But why aren't they doing those things right now instead of standing on the street? My point was that this particular course of action was dumb and for the most part, pointless.

3. Peter, your comment was very kind and I thank you for it! I like bringing up the weightier issues once in a while - keeps things interesting around here. :)

4. The peace/rape reference was a perfect one, actually. You hold up a sign that says honk for peace - well DUH, is there really anyone out there, except crazy people, who don't want peace? It's the same with rape - obviously every normal person thinks rape is bad. So they're both stupid, obvious statements.

5. I'd be all for it if they were out there trying to get signatures, but we passed by the people on two separate street corners twice and they were not holding any clipboards, and they did not approach us for any reason.

I just don't really understand where hard-core liberals are coming from most of the time. Please explain to me what good pulling out of the war would do. Honestly, I want to know.

Would innocent civilians stop being killed? Would those countries be a peaceful place for millions of people to live? Would terrorists stop plotting to attack America and Britain? No! The only way to stop these things from happening is to get rid of the MONSTERS who are responsible for them.

[bluesphee]

Dave, I agree with everything you stated in point #5.

Erin,

Pulling out of the war would not do any good. I can't think of a worse thing to do to the people of Iraq. Staying in the war will not do any good either. Iraq, unfortunately, will never become a democracy. Bottom line is the Iraq war is a lose/lose situation.

In general, the people in the Middle East have a completely different mind set than the West. Islamic extremists live for death and not for life. There is no changing that (To clarify, I am obviously not implying everyone in the Middle East is an Islamic extremist).

The reason I personally hate the war is because it was a terrible decision and so many innocent people's lives are forever ruined by it. The administration screwed up royally by going into Iraq. Poor planning, wrong place and greed. Not to mention they lied through their teeth to get us there. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. If you still don't believe this watch Bush say it himself.

Click on this link to The Daily Show archives and watch the clip titled "Bush Presser"

http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/the_daily_show/videos/headlines/index.jhtml

One additional side to this debate that is often dismissed/forgotten is the public opinion of America throughout the world. I have traveled quite a bit and I can assure you that we have lost far too much respect throughout the world.

[Utenzi]

Michele sent me to see Milwaukee and you, Erin.

The small town where I grew up had an old theatre like that. So many public buildings, of a certain age, had that Oriental theme. While that theatre at home burned down some 20 years ago a theatre in Atlanta, The Fox Theatre, also has that baroque Oriental theme and I've seen that a lot more recently.

[Carmi]

Stately old theatres are the perfect complement to little jewel-like movies: they're often overlooked by the masses, but everyone loses when we lose them for good.

Thanks for the timely reminder, Erin.

[Ryan]

Dave - I hope you realize the "pointless" activity of protesting the war had a direct effect on Nixon's decision to withdraw from Vietnam. Furthermore, the assertion that the public (especially people your age) is so well informed on the Iraq war is laughable. Fewer than 40 percent of people 18-24 years old can find Iraq on a map of the world. Somehow I doubt these people have a very firm idea about what is going on there.

I wish I had all the answers to our problems in Iraq, but I think withdrawing a majority of our troops from there should be considered. Some of you seem to think that there is no benefit to withdrawing, but that seems a little silly. Wouldn't the fact that American troops would no longer be getting killed be a good thing? What is the worse that could happen to Iraq upon our withdrawal? Civil war? Does maintaining a large troop presence guarantee that civil war will not break out? It would seem not.

I participated in the war protest in downtown MKE this past March. As much as you'd like to believe everyone there was a bunch of granola eating, pinko, commie, dope smokers. This was not the case. It was a group of mostly average citizens (students, vets, nuns, union workers, etc) who were so utterly disturbed and angry that our government invaded a country that was no threat to us at all. Then this all resulted in thousands of American and Iraqi casualties and created the perfect recruiting tool for anti-american jihadists.

[Derek]

Quick Erin, put up a new post about Pluto or something before more liberals come!!

[Dave]

"Then this all resulted in thousands of American and Iraqi casualties and created the perfect recruiting tool for anti-american jihadists."

Its that or all the hot virgins they get in the afterlife. What is it? 72 virgins? Dang that's a lot of virgins.

[Tracey]

Erin, I agree with you. I could write a book here but I'm not going to, just wanted to support you.
Oh and Derek.......love the pluto post.

Happy days!

[Sarah M]

Would anyone like to comment on Forbes naming Milwaukee "Drunkest City in America"?

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14487553/?GT1=8404

Just thought I might help change the subject.

[Lisa]

Erin,

Thank you for your rant on the war. It was very enlightening, and I am now happy that I will have one less blog on my list to read. I respect that you have an opinion on the war, and I equally respect that I have the right to vehemently disagree with it and no longer read your blog because of it. I always suspected you were a Republican, and now those suspicions have been confirmed.

You, on the other hand, don't seem to have much respect for people's right to free speech and right to assemble. I'm sorry for your ignorance. Please reread the Bill of Rights as soon as possible.

[Dave]

Wow.