M.K. Gibson's Blog, page 4

Deadpool: Awesome R-rated Comic flick -OR- The End of Days?

Let me put this right up front: This piece is only tinfoil hat conjecture, and idiotic babbling doom-speak of a nearly middle-aged nerd.

 With that out of the way: Could the Deadpool movie be a horseman of the comic movie apocalypse? The end is nigh! The end is nigh!

 The raunchy R-rated comedy is an example of how to take a niche premise, tell a small, kind of generic, but meaningful, story and create a quirky, hip action comedy. Despite weak throwaway villains and the “small” nature of the story, the movie is great during the first or 10th viewing, and does not require multiple viewings to “get it”...

...I’m looking at you Suicide Squad. 

 So, why am I likening Deadpool to the end of the movie genre? Well, this is just a theory, and to be honest, I hope I am wrong. I love comic movies. Well, good ones anyway...

 ...I’m still looking at you Suicide Squad.

 Based solely on observation, anecdotal POV’s and a slapdash Google search, here is my theory:

Movie pop culture is defined by its genre of the time. War movies were once all the rage but eventually gave way to Westerns. In the mid-late 70s Sci-Fi made a hard return and lasted until the mid-80s when cop/action star movies dominated. Then in 2000, X-Men hit big and the comic book movie renaissance began. Now, 16 years later, and lasting longer in popularity than the previous genres, the end may be upon us sooner than we think. 

 Obviously each of these previous movie genres didn’t stop completely. We still have the occasional westerns, Sci-Fi and the cop/action hero movies, with the normal run-of-the-mill comedies, dramas, horror and Oscar-bait films peppered throughout. 

 But, we didn’t have the volume of the respective film types outside of their respective genre-defining times. And “volume” is the key word. As the studios shit out more and more movies in their respective times, the question soon arose: how do we set ours apart? 

Each zeitgeist film type eventually suffered from the same things like bloat, self-importance, ridiculous escalation, genre-blend and ultimately fatigue which in turn, tuned the audiences away for something “fresh”. A concept seen in all forms of entertainment, art and music. 

 In the glory days of westerns, the movie scene was plump with the adventures of John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. But, come 1980, a film like Heaven’s Gate detailing the 1890 Wyoming Johnson County Wars coming in at 5.5 hours (directors cut) was too much for people to swallow. 

 In the action movie scene, both Lethal Weapon and Die Hard suffered when they strayed from the formula, adding more characters than needed and over-the-top escalation. By the 4th installment Riggs and Murtaugh had to fight ninjas with Chris Rock (yeah, I know it was the Chinese Triad...but come on, they were essentially Ninjas. When in doubt Hollywood always throws ninjas at the problem...

...I’m looking at you Daredevil and the soon to be Iron Fist. 

 Poor John McClain was a simple cop from NYC who was in he wrong place in the wrong time, but come the 3rd movie, only Samuel L. Jackson saved the middling flick from slipping into obscurity as they raced around...solving riddles from Hans Gruber’s brother? While the 4th and 5th Die Hard movies were...well, let’s just call them “not good” and leave it at that. The poor cop action movies suffered and by the mid-90’s were often times teamed with an Odd Couple like pairing to make their movies different, like K9, Turner and Hooch, Cop-and-a-Half, Tango and Cash and Theodore Rex. 

 

Even sci-fi/fantasy fell from grace following 2001, E.T, Conan, Star Trek, Tron, Clash of the Titans and Star Wars with the sub-genre diluting filler like Battle Beyond the Stars, Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared Syn, Solar Babies, Ice Pirates, Star Man, and Beastmaster....and the Star Wars Prequels. 

 So, long rambling aside, how does Deadpool play into this? 

 Well, 16 years is a long time for a genre to stay at the top. There have been 60+ live action comic movies since 2000. https://flightstightsandmovienights.c...

The market isn't only saturated, but both DC and Marvel have movies slated out to 2020 and beyond, and that’s not counting the different comic TV shows during the same time period. The movies have become so vast and so bloated that the recent Suicide Squad was quoted as “breaking even as long as they make $800M worldwide.”

 800 MILLION. That’s breaking even?

 Deadpool, while undeniably awesome, HAD to be an R-rated movie. If we’re being honest, had that flick been PG-13, it would be in the Wal-Mart bargain bin within 3 months of release. So, will there be more R-rated comic flicks to sell the audience a generic story? (again, apologies, I love the movie, but the story isn't why you watch it.)

 Already we see the team-up/crossover bloat happening in Captain America 3 and BvS. Thor 3 is being prepped as a buddy-cop/road trip movie with the Hulk to sell the premise. Self-Importance? Allow me to point you to the a weighty, dreary drek DC keeps pumping out which emo fans rush to defend them because...”gritty realism” trumps fun and plot cohesion?

 ...Suicide Squad was barely average deal with it cough cough>

 ...But the Justice League trailer does look pretty baller. 

 The good news is, the comic genre creators and movie developers have been doing their best to keep the movies just slightly different enough to keep us coming back. But, as the saying goes, “The Center Cannot Hold”. And we may be witnessing the end of the genre. 

 But, even more good news, those old genres which fell from grace eventually come back in surprising ways. War movies like Flags of our Fathers and Westerns like Unforgiven get nominated and win Oscars long after their time past them by. Lord of the Rings brought back fantasy and won Oscars (while The Hobbit possibly killed it). 

 Ultimately the choice is ours. We vote with our dollars, cinema attendance and internet outrage. I am not saying the end of days is tomorrow, only that the Second Rider of the Apocalypse has saddled up and is on the horizon. 

       And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword

  I always fucking knew Ryan Reynolds would bring on Armageddon. Damn you Green Lantern...that was supposed to be good!

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Legal Reason to Murder -or- That’s MY Sandwich, ASSHOLE!

Did know that under the Code of Hammurabi, a thief has his or her hand cut off? Or killed, depending on the translation. There are times I wished we could adopt that principle in our modern world. 

 Now, let me be clear, I’m not an asshole, well, not a complete one. As an only child, I do not feel compelled to share. When I do share what I have with others, I do it out of a sense of community, and kindness. Not out of some hippy commune sense of sharing. When people give, I give. It builds and strengthens relationships. 

 But few things drive me into a murderous rage than those who take what is not theirs. And I’m not talking about normal theft. We have laws which punish thieves. I’m talking about the real assholes in this world who deserve to have their hands chopped off...

...the fucking pricks who steals from the office refrigerator. 

(I imagine the sound of screeching tires, as a bunch of readers just just slammed on the metaphorical breaks on their way to convict and or lynch me for the beginning of this post. Right up until the moment I mentioned the asshole who steals whatever they want from the office fridge. How about it angry mob? You have those flaming torches and pitchforks, wanna head over to that asshole’s house?)

 So I’m a coffee drinker. And to set the record straight, I like cream and little sugar in my coffee. If you want to be one of those tough-nuts “coffee is supposed to be black!” people, please save it. Just go break out your “No Fear” t-shirt’s from the 90’s, go watch MMA and pat yourselves on the back about how much better you are for liking bitter coffee, you super-duper toughy-tough guy or gal. (In case you’re not getting getting it, I’m subtly making fun of you. Bragging about how you only drink black coffee is the gypsum of Mohs hardness.)

But I digress. 

 So, when I come to work, I bring my own K-Cups for the office Kuerig and a bottle of the creamer I like. One day a couple years back, I showed up to my new office. I put my brand new bottle of creamer in one of the four community fridges and went about acclimating to my new office. When I was ready for my 2nd morning coffee (the first having been brought in from home) I went to get my creamer and guess what? 

 It was already opened. And 1/3 gone. 

 W...T...F?!

 I asked the person nearest to the break room if they saw anyone open my creamer, and they replied “no”. Then, the person said to me:

 “Oh, ahh, yeah...did you put your name on it?”

 Me: “No.”

 Them: “Yeah, see, you have to put your name on stuff, otherwise it’s free game.”

 No. No the fuck it is not. 

 Who invented this? What under-or-over breastfed, entitled, thieving, douche-weasel made this a thing?! One does NOT have to label their own food and beverages. Is this elementary school? Do we honestly have to contend with brazen born buttholes who justify taking other people’s property simply because it “wasn’t labeled”? I was unaware a sharpie and/or a Post-it was thief repellent.

 Now, I have to share that this problem, is closer to home than I’d like to admit. 

 My darling wife...mother of my child...my soulmate, the other crippled bird like me, but together we can fly...is a food thief. Not at work, she’s not a villain. But at home, she is a domestic terrorist. A prowling hellcat waiting to pounce on your treats.

 Her justification? “Well, it’s been in there so long and you didn’t eat it.”

 Me: “But...that was my ice cream.”

 Her: “It’s been there in a week, it’s fair game.”

 Me: “It was peanut butter ice cream. My favorite. You don’t even like peanut butter ice cream.”

 Her: “I was out of mine, and you hadn’t finished yours. Besides, I can always get more at the store.”

 Me: “That doesn’t matter. It wasn’t yours.”

 Her: “Whatever.”

 ...Whatever. Whatever? WHATEVER?! “Whatever” isn’t an answer as to why you took what is not yours! You can’t just arbitrarilly assign a length of time to something which isn’t yours to take it! Sigh,...but that is my cross to bear. Her former roommate warned me of this, and I thoguht she was kidding. I married her, my lovely wife, for better or for worse. And now sad panda has no ice cream. 

 It was the good kind too. Peanut butter with chocolate peanut butter cups mixed in. 

 So to you, good people of the world, rip off your labels. Take down your Post-its. You know if you brought in a container of spaghetti. And if you go to get it for lunch and it’s missing, walk around your office, and the first person you smell garlic on, hit them in the skull with their “World’s Greatest”...whatever the fuck mug. As they lay on the floor, bleeding and soaked in their coffee, just say, oops, sorry, I didn’t see a label on that. 

 And, just in case you just struck a random co-worker who happened to have brought in leftover baked ziti, hence the garlic, well...you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs. If nothing else, the real thief now knows you mean business and will leave your shit alone. Plus, odds are you just assaulted the same asshole who brings in pictures of their animals and talks about them like their his/her children. 

 So, win-win. 

 Next time, we’ll discuss how to order razor wire and surplus anti-personnel claymore mines from the internet to keep people from parking in YOUR assigned spot. Even if the neighbor’s douchebag friend says it’s only for five minutes, they’re lying. Just off them, trust me, they won’t be missed. 

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Skull Punching the Elderly -or- A Beginners Guide to Spotting a Douchebag

On Wednesdays where I work, the cafeteria has chicken wings at the main course serving line. It’s pay by the ounce and a horrible deal, considering you’re really paying for the bones you don’t eat. But, every Wednesday at 1030, the line is ready to go. 

 One day, I decided I to wanted some wings. I walked down a little early and I managed to be second in line, behind a elderly, heavyset lady with a kind smile and a pleasant face. The line behind us was filling up very quickly and with minutes to go, there were more than thirty people in line. The cooks opened the cafeteria line and the wings were served. 

 Wanna take a guess how long it took me to get my wings? 

 Four minutes. 

 That kindly faced woman turned evil in those few moments. Gone was her pleasant smile. Gone was her goodly, outward nature. This new person wielded the only pair of chicken-tongs and used her ample...backside, like a pro NBA player boxing out anyone who tried to go around her. And why did this take so long? Because she was carefully, methodically and without care or regard to anyone else picked up, inspected, put back, and re-selected each individual chicken wing. When people in line began saying things hurry her, she simply began humming to herself. If they got louder, so did her humming.

 It was clear. She wasn’t oblivious to her surroundings. She just didn’t give a flying-F about anyone else. 

 She was a douchebag. 

 Douchebag means different things to different people. So for me, and for the contents of this piece, a douchebag is anyone who by action, or inaction, places their needs above others. Seemingly with contempt, self-absorption and a superiority complex. 

 So, this goes way beyond selfie-sticks, Jersey Shore knock-offs, people who emulate The Real Housewives of (fill in the blank), Joffrey from Game of Thrones or Kanye West. 

 That lady knew there were people waiting on her. But she showed no sense of alacrity as the line grew. She was going to get her exact, perfect wings and anyone who didn’t like it, could kiss her ass. And, for the first time in my life, I wanted to punch an older woman in the base of the skull. Over chicken wings.

 A couple of everyday, and small, examples are:

 The Asshole who has to back into parking spaces despite others wanting to park. Now, everyone has to stop what they are doing because the Douche needs to back in. And if confronted, they’ll claim it’s easier to pull out. 

 The person who refuses to look back and/or hold the door for others. The same goes applies to those who have to jump onto closing doors, be they elevators or mass transit. 

 

People who have to hold their phones out, speaker on, having loud, often profanity laden, conversations. 

There is a near infinite amount of examples out there, like people who park in handicap spaces, movie talkers,  people who set off fireworks when it isn't the 4th of July, and Dallas Cowboy Fans to name a few. But, I think you get the point

So, despite wanting to smash that lady’s head for the chicken wings, I simply turned the other cheek, waited my turn, and ate my overpriced wings. But the tale I share with others as often as possible. Partly to spin an amusing anecdote about the time I wanted to assault an older person over chicken wings. But also to spread the word of simply giving a damn about your fellow human beings. 

 Could you imagine a world where people considering others’ feelings, actions, needs and wants above their own, was common? What would that world be like? 

Well, it would probably be a lot like Utah. So...maybe we can stand a little bit of assholes...No really, Park City Utah was voted the most polite and friendly city in 2015 on CNTraveler.com

 But seriously, take the time to be mindful of others. Be considerate. Learn to drive and park like others share the road. And always, above all, question yourself daily. And ask yourself are you by action, or inaction, being a douchebag?

And of course...remember to HOLD THE GDAMN DOOR for others!

... Big ups to Hodor!

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Random Thoughts - WW vs WV, Adult Nuggets and Killing Stuff

No fancy post this week. No pop culture criticism, topical thoughts or rants. Just a few random thoughts. 

Whenever I see a WV sticker on a car...I think they are secretly Wonder Woman fans but are ashamed to admit it...

...It's OK. She's pretty cool.

Boneless Buffalo Wings are just chicken nuggets adults feel comfortable eating in public to still feel like adults...

I don't know who I find more baffling...

...Pro abortion people who are against the death penalty, or pro death penalty people who are against abortion

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Comedy Shelf Life -or- How to Remake Innerspace.

Advance reviews of the new Ghostbusters movie have, let us say, not been kind. 

 

And, before this gets anyone’s hackles up, reviews claim it has nothing to do with the all female main cast. It has to do with the movie not knowing what it wanted to be, whether a reboot, sequel or homage as it calls back to the original without capturing the magic of the first. I myself will still see it and judge it (attempt to anyway) for what it and try not to compare it to the original. 

 Likewise, Kevin Hart, while cranking out many stand-up specials on Netflix, is saturating the theaters with the same “panicking, hyper, tiny-man” routine. Take his latest film, Central Intelligence, with an IGN score of 4.5 out of 10 and losing money at the box office. Not even Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson could save it. And his movie Get Hard with Will Ferrell was pretty much a rip off of Rob Schneider’s box office bomb, Big Stan (go ahead, look it it up, I’ll wait).  

 All this brings a point to mind about the shelf life of the active comedian. And how, if overdone, causes that star to crash and burn. When they, the comedian, or Hollywood, just milk that cow until it falls over dead.

 Remember when Jim Carrey was funny? Or, Adam Sandler? The first couple of movies came out and we all had a good laugh and quoted them over and over. Then came the next batch of flicks and we got a chuckle, with a waning smile. Then the next batch...and no one was laughing. 

 Could you sit through another Austin Power’s movie, with people saying “Oh behave” and “shag” constantly?

 Like Mike Meyes, Will Ferrel, Anna Farris, Eddie Murphy, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Amy Pohler, Tina Fey and several others to name a few have seemingly reached their comedy shelf life. And, it is about to happen again to Kevin Hart and Melissa McCarthy. 

 Poor Melissa. While funny, no doubt, some claim losing the weight lost her the Mike & Molly gig. And people, it seems, want a plus-sized comedian doing physical comedy. They want the Belushi, the Farley, the Candy. Well, maybe those are all bad examples on account of being dead. But the point it, when Jonah Hill lost the pounds, he also stopped working. So, Rebel Wilson, you’re on notice.  

 

So, with the Ghostbusters coming out, and the love/hate it will receive depending on what side of the fence you are on the remake, she too may be looking for work. So, I propose this: With how Hollywood loves to remake movies that no one wanted or asked for, let’s do one no would expect: 

 Innerspace! 

 Yea, I said it. Innerspace!

 This 1987 comedy sci-fi darling gem starring Dennis Quaid, Meg Ryan and Martin Short, was an incredible tale of comedy science where the hero, who was miniaturized in his submersible ship, was accidentally injected inside a go-nowhere loser. Communicating from within, the nerd becomes the unwilling hero and an epic tale of comedy spy/action followed. 

And it is just bloody ripe for a modern remake!

Imagine it: In this possible modern version, Melisa McCarthy can be the brilliant scientist who leads the miniaturization project, who is then accidentally injected inside Kevin Hart. Together they have to bring down an international terrorist...thing, who are trying to steal the miniaturization technology for...reasons? 

...Look, does it even matter? The material writes itself. Kevin get’s to do his “panicking tiny man” thing while finding inner strength and courage while Melisa get’s to curse at him in interesting ways. Paul Fieg (no doubt directing) get’s to chalk up another notch on his belt. Hell, this is even a way to slip a “Bet this is the first time a white woman’s been inside a black man” joke. 

 So come on Hollywood, make this masterpiece happen before both stars implode and try to do “meaningful” thought piece movies which leave people claiming they liked them...but deep down know they are garbage.  

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Cathartic Hate -or- Tolerable Intolerance

Happy Fourth of July to everyone. I wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a great Independence Day! I’ve written a lot recently, about tolerance, acceptance and generally being good to one another no matter race, sex, gender identity or religious affiliation. And I honestly believe all people deserve fair and equal treatment #humanist #egalitarian

But damn it...even my saint like tolerance wanes sometimes. As I am sure yours does as well. And sometimes, you just need to let it out. So this week, let’s put a pin in tolerance and address a few personality types, quirks and other little things. If for no other reason than just to have a fun rant. 

Pointy Brown Shoes and the Men Who Wear Them - Maybe it’s my drifting into the world of middle age...but you look ridiculous. Like a Keebler elf who is trying revive the Bee Gees, your shoes scream “please take my lunch money”. Ladies and gentlemen, if your loved one told you you look good in them, or “it’s the style”, they are lying to you. It is obvious from your floppy feet they want them to look bad on purpose. They are bad people. Remember “in style” comes and goes. These were once in style as were these:

 

Jeep People - I get it. You like the lifestyle, freewheeling sense of freedom and lack of side-curtain airbags (your idiotic waving to other Jeep owners was stolen from motorcycle riders http://www.urbandictionary.com/define...). 

If you're a good driver who is respectful, hey, drive on Jeep amigo! But, if you drive on the highway like it is an outback safari I hope...nay, pray, you are introduced to a ditch and your lack of doors allow you to achieve flight. For those who swerve through traffic in their Jeep, one leg out of the vehicle, tossing granola bars behind you on your way to your next kayak adventure (in my head they do that), you are a nuisance and deserve to meet a tree. 

 Your Fucking Beard - Sigh. A good beard is a cool expression of masculinity, no doubt. But, there is a limit. Unless you are a civil war enthusiast, an extra on AMC’s Vikings, or a bassist in a metal band, get that shit under control. Other than the weird guy at the gym with still wearing the toboggan hat and grunting, most people sporting the crazy beard look like they’ve never worked a day in their lives. Below are three pictures, can you spot the one who's "earned his beard?  

 Your Workout is Your Business - I know this is low hanging fruit, but I’ll be damned if people won’t stop. So, once again, I’ll say it for the world: No one gives a flying fuck what your latest time, rep, max, yoga pose or crossfit WOD was on social media. Now, you may say “But Gib, people need encouragement. And, it’s not hurting anyone to post their commitment to fitness” And that is true...sort of. There comes a point when said workout person is just humble bragging their way into a superiority complex. You’ll know it's happening when they start giving you diet and exercise tips...whether you asked or not. Which means they are doing it for attention, not for themselves.

Twenty Five years of Influence -or- Moments We Never Forget

Someone asked me if I’d read a few books which are considered classics in the sci-fi & fantasy realm. Some I had. Others I had not. I was asked, how could I excel as a writer if I didn’t read them. 

 I just smiled. 

 Twenty five years ago I came across a fantasy book series which changed my life. It wasn’t the greatest series ever. But it was what I needed. There are moments in our lives which are clear pivot points. I always knew I wanted to be a writer one day. But the type of write I wanted to be...well, that was forever changed when I read this series. 

 

The following is a piece I did a while back about anger and conflict in novels. And it was fitting as it exemplified what the impact that book series had on me. Even 25 years later and hopefully 50 more to come. 

 

Twenty Five years of Anger

 

` "No!" Tennetty drew her beltknife with her free hand. "He's my kill."

*You will stand aside, Tennetty,* Ellegon said.

"Why ? "

Twenty-five years ago I read these words in a book I received by accident, a book that would forever change me. They have been with me ever since. 

Younger folks might not know about this, but there used to be a thing called The TV Guide, a weekly mini-magazine that told people what would be on TV. It was littered with advertising. One advertisement that caught my young, nerdy eye was a Sci-Fi/Fantasy book of the month club. You send them a couple of bucks, you get a bunch of free books and two new books a month. If you don’t want the two new books, you mail back a “No Thank You” card. Well, 15-year-old me forgot that part, and I got a book in the mail, an omnibus edition of the late Joel Rosenberg’s Guardian of the Flame series. I cracked it open, and it drew me in deeper than any book ever had, or ever would.

In the series, a group of college students is transported into a parallel universe where they become their fantasy tabletop gaming characters. With real-world minds in fantasy bodies,
and no way to get home, the heroes set out to find their way in this new land. They ultimately decide to take on the all-powerful Slaver’s Guild, because all people deserve to be free. And when you challenge something of that power, despite good intentions,
pain and suffering will follow. But the leader, Karl, knows that they have to keep the Flame of Freedom burning. 

The characters were so real and so developed that they became my friends. I
read and re-read the book so many times it was disintegrating in my hands. I had to hunt in used book stores to get my beloved words back. 

Rosenberg's creation is what inspired me to become a writer. He could take me from cheering joy to tearful sadness. And, when he decided to paint a scene with violence and anger, it wasn’t just the gore-porn that runs rampant in the work of lesser writers. His use
of anger and violence was purposeful and impactful, a masterful stroke from an artist. 

 The "Tennety" from above quotation was a rescued slave woman who had been abused for years. She took up the sword as her way of dealing with her demons and bringing
pain to those who hurt her and enslaved others. It was the only way her psyche would allow her to continue in the world. Ellegon is a dragon--a young one, but he too had been enslaved, chained to a cesspit to forever burn sewage, thereby serving as a city's sanitation device. Both had been saved by the hero Karl.

 In the series' third book, The Silver Crown, Karl is the target of an assassination. Under the cover of night, three killers sneak into the valley, Home, where Karl and his growing community of free-folk live. After Karl and his friends foiled assassination attempt, one assassin was left alive. Using the telepathic abilities inherent to all of that world’s dragons, Ellegon discovers the plan against the residents of Home and the source of the attack.

But what should the heroes do with the remaining assassin? Free him? Kill him? What would--what should--the heroes do? The following scene unfolds after the assassin’s mind is read outside the house where he was discovered, the house where he had killed an entire family, including a little girl.

  "No!" Tennetty drew her beltknife with her free hand. "He's my kill."

  *You will stand aside, Tennetty,* Ellegon said.

"Why?"

Ellegon's mental voice was calm, matter-of-fact. *You will stand   aside, Tennetty,  because the little girl's name was Anna. They called   her Anna Minor, as Werthan's wife was Anna Major.

*You will stand aside because I had promised to teach her how to swim.   And you will stand aside because she always called me Ehgon, because   she couldn't manage the l-sound.

*And you will stand aside because this is the one that smiled down at   her to quiet her as he opened her throat with his knife.  

*And if you don't understand any of that, you will stand aside,   Tennetty, and you will do so now, because if you do not stand aside I   will surely burn you down where you stand.*

Tennetty moved away.

Gently, Ellegon picked up the struggling assassin in his mouth and   leaped skyward,  his mindvoice diminishing as he gained altitude and   flew away. *There are balances in this world, Afbee. And while there   is no justice, some of us do our best. I see you have a strong fear of   falling...*

"Karl? You want me to finish up here?"

"Can't. I lost my sword somewhere, and then there's--"

"I'll find it. You go home." Tennetty's face was wet. "Go."

Righteous indignation? Justice? Cold-blooded murder? I do not know.

But the writer used his passion to write those words at a level that I strive every day to reach. I only hope I create a scene one day that resonates with someone else the way this scene did with me.

The book then transitions to where the residents of Home are trying to go back to sleep that night. Karl returns to his home and finds his friend Ahira the dwarf, formerly the wheelchair-bound James Michael, sitting in his full battle armor with his axe outside the bedroom of three children. When asked why he is there, Ahira responds simply,

“Behind that door sleep three children. Two of whom I couldn’t love   more if they were flesh of my flesh and blood of my blood. So, I am   going to sit here all night, in my armor, knowing that no one will get   past me to hurt them. Want me to find you a chair?”

Karl’s eyes misted over. “I can find my own chair.”

 Ahira was willing to commit tremendous violence to protect his friend’s children. But in that moment, he also conveys his love for his friends and commitment to their brotherhood and bond. Thank you Joel. Thank you. Your words, even when guiding a scene of anger and violence, taught me lessons that lasted two and half decade and will do so for two and a half more. 

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Meritocracy Through Make Up? Not in my America!

**Note: This piece is a satirical look at modern progressive movements through the eyes of a fictional  Texas Republican. I hate to spell it out, but you'd be surprised at some of the flack I got from folks. The piece originally ran at

Sammiches & Psych Meds 

http://www.sammichespsychmeds.com/mer...

 

 By: Guy G. Walker

 “Who is that weird looking lady, Dad?” my 9 year old son Ronnie asked me. Of course, I had to sigh before I answered. He was watching the damn TV again instead of playing sports outside like I told him. Like a boy is supposed to. The damn cleaning lady had left it on the E! Network and there was by boyhood hero, Bruce Jenner...in drag. 

 “That’s...,” I started, not sure how to answer. Not sure if I wanted to answer. How do I tell my son that before him was the 1976 Olympic Decathlon Gold Medal Winner. The man who dominated Montreal, Canada and won the hearts of millions of American boys. The man who was now sporting a pretty impressive set of tits. Hell, Bruce was the man who overcame his dyslexia and was on the cover of Wheaties boxes (of which I ate so many Wheaties I thought I could be Bruce Jenner...and I nearly shit myself from the incredibly high volume of fiber I was taking in). 

“That’s nobody son,” I said. “No turn off the TV, go outside and play,” I said and my son did as instructed.

 “Quit being so, like, mean to Ronnie,” My daughter said coming down stairs.

 12 years old and she was already busting my chops. Puberty was going to kill me. But, her sass-mouth wasn’t what bothered me. The whole bottle of self-tanner and dashiki she was wearing did. 

“Nancy, what on God’s green Earth are you wearing?! What’s that all over your skin?”

Nancy rolled her eyes. “Duh, it’s traditional African dress.”

“But, you’re white...ish,” I said as I looked at the tanner all over her. 

Again, she rolled her eyes. If God and the great state of Texas said I wasn’t allowed to knock some sense in her, I swear...instead, I took a breath like my drill sergeant taught me and tackled the problem with a clear head. 

“Why are you wearing all that?”

 “I’m expressing my inner-self. I’ve always felt like I was black. Like that lady in Washington, Rachel Dolezal. Did you know she was the president of the NAACP in Spokane?”

 “ENOUGH!” I yelled, losing it. “Ronnie get in here!” 

 My son came back in from outside, bringing in one of his mother’s bras from the clothesline. “Would this look good on me?”

 Sweet Jesus. Damn you liberal America. 

 “Sit down, both of you!” I commanded and my children, who surprisingly, listened to me. 

 They parked their butts on the couch and I paced in front of them, gathering my thoughts. “You cannot just change what you are on the outside and expect people to accept it. How you’re born is how you’re born. Changing it doesn’t do you any good except to make people uncomfortable. If some guy wanted to be a woman, which bathroom do they use? What kind of job do they apply for?”

 “The woman’s room,” Nancy said.

 “Any job they want?” Ronnie said. 

 “Yes...but...you can’t just decide to be another race,” I countered. 

 “Why not?” Nancy asked. 

 “Why not?! Because...co-opting another races tradition and history is wrong.”

 “We celebrate Cinco de Mayo with uncle Ramon and his family,” Ronnie said.

 “And, like, isn’t Christmas just Yule? The Church co-opting pagan traditions? Like Easter and Halloween?” Nancy snarkily asked. 

 “That’s different,” I said. 

 “How?” My kids asked in unison. 

 “It just is!” I yelled, my temper getting the best of me. “You can’t have a world where anyone can be any race or any sex they choose.”

 “Why?”

 “Damn it! Because what would that mean? Women in the NFL? Men in nursing? The world needs rules and groups. If you were any sex you want then there wouldn’t be a need for any form of gender discrimination. If you could be any race then American statistics and census would mean nothing! All of society would break down. What you would be left with is a world where the only thing that mattered, truly, is the person and how good they were. Jobs would be merit based only. Schools would only accept the best students. The world would be...”

 “A better place?” My daughter said smugly while my son grinned and said,

 "Isn't that what you say you always wanted? Best people for the job regardless?"

 “Just...just go outside for a while. Daddy needs to think,” I said plopping down in my recliner. My son obeyed, thankfully leaving his mother’s bra behind. My daughter went to the fridge first and brought me a Lone Star. She popped the top and handed it to me before kissing the top of my head and then followed her brother outside. 

I sipped my beer and pulled out the remote and turned the TV back on. Caitlin Jenner stared back at me as the TV recapped her winning some award for bravery or some crap like that. 

 Well...she does have nice tits. 

 

 

 

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Tribalism In The Wake of Orlando - Peacemakers Wanted

I originally began working on this piece last week as a post pointing out the folly of tribalism, wherein people allow their thing to define them: music genre, political affiliation, sexuality, race, sports team, whatever. The piece went on to describe people who are so committed to their thing, they refuse to see inherent problems within, all the while pointing fingers at the other side of the aisle. 

Then this morning the attack on the gay nightclub in Orlando happened. 

No words can express how sorry I am for those who have been killed, hurt, or terrorized in this wretched act of violence and hatred. 

But I am writing because of what I fear will no doubt happen. The tribes will form. Fingers will point. The Left and the Right will battle. Twitter, Facebook and all the social media sites will be flooded with messages. 

The wrong ones. 

Messages of hope and support will be drowned out by messages of hate as people will make this tragedy about themselves. There will be roars of “BAN ALL GUNS!!” and the natural “GUNS DON’T KILL PEOPLE, PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE”. This will then be countered again as both sides of the spectrum will drag out articles on gun violence vs. gun defense. 

Rational thoughts to an irrational act will be gone, and blind reaction will rule. 

I only beg...BEG, people to hold your loved ones close. Assure them they are OK. And together, make the world a better place. Teach tolerance to your children. Practice acceptance among your circle of friends. Unlearn hate for those different than you. 

To the people on the Progressive Left: Guns are an easy vehicle to kill people. Without a doubt. But the lack of guns did not stop the Oklahoma Bombing in 1995, the Boston Marathon Bombing in 2013, and the terrorists who took over the planes in 9/11 did not have guns. Hatred finds a way, no matter what. 

To the people on the Religious Right: If you still ascribe to the belief that homosexuals need to die, then you are more like the terrorists you claim to hate than you’d like to admit. For Islam and Christianity are only separated by the Sons of Abraham. Please, remember Mathew 5:9. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

We need more middle ground peace makers in this country and world. People who tell those who ascribe to tribalism that they are wrong. That one side never has all the answers. People who tolerate, foster cooperation, trust and love in order to elevate one another vice huddle in their sociopolitical caves of self-righteousness.  

We, as humans, have the capacity for such greatness. But too, the capacity for atrocity. We have to remain vigilant against those who would harm while fostering hope and love. 

So, for those who died, were hurt and were targeted: Once again, I am so very sorry. I never knew any of you, but you did not deserve what happened. 

No one does. 

~MK Gibson

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The Real 1% -or- Bigots Need to Shut Their Mouths

It’s Memorial Day as I write this. I recently retired from the US Air Force after 20 years and 20 days of service. I’ve been thanked by my friends, or people whom knew I served, for my service. I thank them for the sentiment, but also explain to them that my day is Veterans Day, and that Memorial Day is for those who have died in service to their country. To a lot of civilians, the dates are interchangeable. But that is not why I am writing today. 

Today I want to talk about intolerance. Specifically intolerance on this day of days. All over the internet I see messages of support for the troops and those who served. A lot of flag waving, Americana, amber waves of grain and the like. Having served with them, I too give my love, support and thoughts for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. 

But I also get angry. Very, very angry at those who wave the flag for the troops one day, then spout slurs of race, sexuality, and religion the next. 

I cannot speak for all those who have served and died and I will not try. 

But I will say for myself, as a veteran and hopefully for those who serve(d), we did so in defense of our country, the Constitution, and the citizens, who are all entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. So while I thank those who support the troops, wear the yellow ribbon, and showcase their appreciation through bumper stickers, I have no tolerance for some of those same American supporters who say words like “fag,” “nigger,” “dike,” “spic,” “raghead,” and “chink” with impunity and hatred. 

Yes, the same constitution I defended gives you the right to say such things. But please, allow me to exercise my same constitutional right to respond. 

Within the military, there are people of all genders, sexual orientations, races, and religions, and I’ve had the privilege of serving with them, including those whom certain people put down, vote against, hate, undermine, and ignore. Those people supported this country. Some of them died to protect racist, sexist, bigoted pieces of shit who spout hatred along with sentiments like “’Murica! Love it or GTFO!”

According to a June 2014 Time magazine article, 71% of American youths between 18-24 years old could NOT meet the military’s physical and academic standards. Only 1% are qualified and interested in the armed forces. 

http://time.com/2938158/youth-fail-to-qualify-military-service/

Another way of looking at it is like this: The US is 300 million-plus citizens. The US military has approximately 1.4 million personnel, which is 0.4% of the population. Including the reserves, the total number of US service men and women bumps up to just over 3 million personnel. So, about 1% of the population can serve, and is willing to serve. 1% defending the other 99%.

So when I hear the racists and the bigots spout their rhetoric, I wonder: Could they even qualify and serve like I did. Or perhaps like those “fags,” “niggers,” “dikes,” “spics,” “ragheads,” and “chinks” did and do on a daily basis? They passed the mental and physical exams. They pushed themselves to excel, to learn and to lead. They were all willing to put their duty to their country before their own needs. Or even before their own lives. 

 Can those who spout hatred say the same?

Is the military perfect? No. It is not a utopia, and it too suffers from internal strife and scandals. But it also succeeds day to day as people set aside personal and political agendas to get the job done, complete the mission and go home. 

Intolerance is taught. It is learned. Therefore, it can be unlearned. I hope for the day when tolerance, if not acceptance, is the norm. You don’t have to approve of everyone and everything. You don’t. But tolerance is an achievable goal. Tolerance for all, by all.

And to be clear, this message is not just aimed at one group. It is wide net, for all those who entrench themselves in sociopolitical echo chambers. 

I would like to end with a song, Broken Hymns by The Dropkick Murphy. A song about Civil War soldiers fighting, and dying. Those who came home in railroad cars, and those in the last car who came home on coffins. Listen, or don't. But never forget those who fell. 

Happy Memorial Day to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. We stand because you fell, and that sacrifice will not be forgotten, no matter who you were.

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