Christopher L. Hedges's Blog, page 4
July 21, 2015
Short Term Memory or Hypocrisy, You Decide
So The Donald took a bit of beating the other day from the PC Police based on his candid and pointed views of immigration, specifically his thoughts on the southern border. When Donald Trump didn’t back down from his position on illegal immigration, corporate sponsors cut ties with him, and the traditional progressive tactic of name calling ensued. When did candor and abrasiveness become automatic indicators of bigotry?
Name calling seems to be a preferred defense tactic, and in some instances an offensive weapon in the progressive toolbox, especially when confronted by facts. Unfortunately instead of trying to have a discussion on what could be one of the most important subjects in current affairs it’s easier to simply whip out the race card. Personally I would love to know how we can solve a problem if every time the subject, or any issues relating to the subject, is brought to the table it’s treated as racism. No, we can’t solve certain kinds of problems because anyone who honestly wants to solve them is torn to shreds for having the audacity of trying to fix things.
You know it’s funny how the PC Police never showed up in 1993 when Harry Reid authored the Immigration Stabilization Act. I don’t recall Reid being labeled prejudicial when he said, “Our borders have overflowed with illegal immigrants placing tremendous burdens on our criminal justice system, schools and social programs. The Immigration and Naturalization Service needs the ability to step up enforcement… Our federal wallet is stretched to the limit by illegal aliens getting welfare, food stamps, medical care and other benefits often without paying any taxes. Safeguards like welfare and free medical care are in place to boost Americans in need of short-term assistance. These programs were not meant to entice freeloaders and scam artists from around the world.” It might be just me, but Harry Reid’s rhetoric from 1993 seems remarkably similar to the language used by Trump that is being labeled as bigotry. However, in the eyes of progressivism this double standard probably isn’t hypocrisy, but just a minor brain fart.
© Christopher L. Hedges and AverageJoesStory.com, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Christopher L. Hedges and AverageJoesStory.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
July 16, 2015
Is Trump the Solution
I just started incorporating B-17 into my daily health regimen on the recommendation of my mechanic, and it isn’t a cheap vitamin to include. First off don’t try to go to any store and find it because no one carries it. Second I know it has to be good for me by the level of animosity the FDA shows it. B-17 is considered a cancer killer in holistic circles, which makes it public enemy #1 for the FDA because it could be a natural and unpatentable alternative to western medicine’s big three. If you’re interested in reading up on the stuff let me know, and I’ll dig up what I’ve read already.
On subjects where big dollars are concerned, like phrama and politics, you can tell what is and isn’t good for you based on the animosity level directed towards something. For example all those fancy big pharma drugs that have 169+ different negative side effects to correct one possible health issue are revered. Take “THIS” drug for Psoriasis, but then you’ll need this drug to deal with blood clots that could lead to a stroke or heart attack as a result of the first drug. The new drug for blood clots leads to depression so you then need to be prescribed a third drug, and before you know it you have a cabinet full of pills as a result of one ailment.
I originally thought #TrumpForPresident was a marketing ploy. I began to think that I’d #VoteTrump because he was actually the most qualified candidate. After all he successfully resurrected his own company from bankruptcy, and the United States of America is little more than the largest corporation on the verge of filing chapter 11, or possibly chapter 7. However, with the level of hostility focused on Trump by both the left and the right, and corporate partners disassociating themselves with him, I now think that Trump is the solution. A Six Sigma Blackbelt once told me that culture is resistant to change, culture will do anything to maintain the status quo, and the only thing that will force culture to change is the threat of extinction. If Trump is elected President it may signal the extinction of the corporatocracy’s current status quo, where “HE” who has the deepest pockets writes the rules and profits at the expense of society. I no longer think Trump is a marketing ploy. I think Trump may be the cure to the corporatocracy’s cronyism, and I fear what lies in store for America if another self-serving corporate puppet is elected in 2016.
© Christopher L. Hedges and AverageJoesStory.com, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Christopher L. Hedges and AverageJoesStory.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
July 14, 2015
Getting Paid to Write…or Not
There is any number of ways to make a living writing. I’ve met bloggers that have been able to monetize their blogs, best selling authors, and professionals that pull in a check from outlets that need content (magazines, web sites, ghostwriters, etc). I’ve met writers who made their living providing ancillary services like promotion, editing, and writing instruction. I’m the type of writer that hasn’t successfully made money in any way.
When I wrote Average Joe’s Story: Quest for Confidence I wasn’t anticipating it being a New York Times Bestseller, although I may have had delusions of grandeur. However, I didn’t anticipate it was going to be a money pit either. I wanted to do something different so I set up a 100+ city book tour where I was hoping to sell 5 to 10 books per city, modest expectations. I didn’t make it to within a mile of my expectations. I found that trying to successfully promote a non fiction book requires you to be an expert with a preexisting platform, or selling books is going to be like going toe to toe with with the Heavyweight Champion of the World, with both hands tied behind your back while wearing a blind fold.
I hate the promotion aspect of writing, and I need an editor myself to clean up my content; I have eliminated the vast majority of writing avenues right off the bat. So after a brainstorming session with another author I was enlightened to an overlooked option that piqued my curiosity, screenplay writing.
There’s no foregone conclusion of being successful as a screen writer. It’s highly probable that you could sell a spec script and it gets shelved and never produced. However, there is one aspect of writing my first spec script that I find appealing; there are plenty of outlets that need content: Netflix, TV, Feature Film, Direct to Video, and the list is growing. With that many points of distribution there’s an abundance of opportunity if you can create original content, god only knows I don’t need to watch James Bond 37: Walker vs Cane.
The other thing about writing a spec script that I like is that if you create an original concept that someone else buys promotion becomes their problem. Who knows maybe somewhere down the line sales of Average Joe’s Story will skyrocket as a byproduct of selling a spec script to some Hollywood A-Lister, but there’s my delusions of grandeur again.
© Christopher L. Hedges and AverageJoesStory.com, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Christopher L. Hedges and AverageJoesStory.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
July 13, 2015
The Day of the Jackal…Great Historical Fiction
The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I just picked up four of Frederick Forsyth’s books, and The Day of the Jackal was the first that I have read.
I started reading Forsyth for research purposes on the recommendation of another author because of the attention to detail he applies to what really feels like historical fiction, at least in The Day of the Jackal.
Speaking to the level of detail that Fredrick uses in this story I actually felt like I was back in Paris. I have actually lived in several of the areas that are described in the book, and in some cases it actually felt like being back there, whether it be the description of the city or the the characters like the CRS agents that are checking the papers of citizens in their search for the Jackal.
Considering this story is basically historical fiction, so you know how it has to end, I think Frederick did an amazing job coming up with an ending that is not simply plausible, but is likely the way details would have unfolded if the story was true.
There are too many reasons to read The Day of the Jackal to list them all but a few of them include character development, story structure and importance of attention to detail.
July 9, 2015
You May Never Work a Day in Your Life, but Bobby Jones Knew There was More to It then That.
“I’m an amateur. Do you know what the origin of that word is? It’s from the Latin root…to love…to be an amateur is to love the game…once you play for money…you can’t call it love anymore”. – Bobby Jones
Bobby Jones never became a professional golfer even though he could have bought Augusta, Georgia with less than half the prize money and endorsements he would have earned. He refused to turn pro because he knew that the second you agree to receive payment for something, regardless of whether or not you love it, it becomes work, and going pro is a decision you can never take back.
Bobby Jones is an icon of success (as a scholar, a businessman, lawyer, and golf prodigy), but he never pursued his greatest talent professionally. It’s interesting that one of the most important quotes attributed to one of golf’s greatest players contradicts one of the most basic principles of success.
If you listen to success experts and personal improvement gurus like Darren Hardy or Tony Robbins they’ll be the first to say if you love what you do it isn’t work. In my experience if you love what you do you may enjoy doing it, but work is always work. I think I reaffirmed that point for myself the other night when I was watching John Wick. John Wick was an amazing action flick with some anything but Oscar worthy acting. However, instead of enjoying the movie I caught myself visualizing what a spec script for the movie would like, Master Scene Heading: EXT. RUSSIAN CLUB – NIGHT. Since coming to grips with the idea that I may never break even on Average Joe’s Story: Quest for Confidence because reading appears to be a dead pastime I began looking into writing my first screenplay. You gotta follow the money, and money is in TV.
I acquired a few books on the subject and industry, I purchased a couple hundred dollars worth of industry specific software, and I sank my teeth into screenwriting. Now I can’t turn on the TV and just enjoy a movie or TV show. No! I’m asking myself, “Was this an original work or an adaptation? I wonder if that is how the scene was originally written or if an editor chose to shred the writers original vision?” Never again will I be able to walk into a movie theater and just checkout into someone else’s reality; I made a decision that can never be taken back.
This isn’t the first time I made such a decision, the first time I was much younger. I was looking for a career that would be fulfilling financially and professionally. I settled with real estate. I studied diligently for the state’s real estate licensing exam, and upon passing it ventured into the wonderful land of commercial real estate. To tell you the truth it was more like I was issued a temporary tourist’s visa, but that is neither here nor there. Regardless, now I can’t help but estimate Common Area Maintenance (CAM), evaluate points of ingress and egress, or question who in their right mind let a developer squeeze two directly competitive businesses into the same grocery anchored retail plaza every time I go to the grocery store.
It goes without saying that you will enjoy your job more if you love what you do, and for that reason you will surely be more successful. However, work is work, and once you trade love for work that love will never be a pure love again.
© Christopher L. Hedges and AverageJoesStory.com, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Christopher L. Hedges and AverageJoesStory.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
July 7, 2015
I’m Moving to Iceland
I listened to a conversation my father had with a banking representative over an issue that was caused because the frontline banking employees were either hopelessly incompetent, or apathetic corporate drones that show up just to collect a paycheck.
My old man is holding a piece of property that has depreciated 50% from the point when it was acquired prior to the housing bubble implosion that resulted from systemic fraud. Mortgage brokers, developers, appraisers, bankers, title agencies and real estate brokers were all trying to make as much as they could as quick as they could in the late 90’s to early 2000’s from the real estate market, that was created by the irresponsibly prolonged under-inflated interest rate. The fundamentals by which real estate is traditionally governed (supply and true demand), as well as ethics and morality were all shelved; an entire industry is guilty of criminal negligence. We consumers must assume responsibility for our part in this fiasco that resulted from the contribution of our greed. If we didn’t get so greedy one of two things would have occurred:
Certain developers and amateurs, who tried to make a quick buck, would have gone bankrupt by adding supply to an oversaturated market in which there was no true demand, and the banks would be holding significantly less vacant overvalued real estate in their portfolios.
We wouldn’t have had a real estate bubble or be suffering from a depression that eclipses that of the 1920’s.
Unfortunately ignorant customers succumbed to dollar signs that were dangled in front of them based on misleading information from industry professionals, which resulted in artificially inflated real estate values. These artificial real estate values fueled the cycle of greed and the problem exploded exponential. Besides the professionals, whom should haven been held criminally negligent, and the people whom deserve to lose every dollar they had for speculating, countless others became collateral damage of the bubble bursting.
So in its infinite wisdom the United States Government decided to bailout all of the criminal negligent parties, and did absolutely nothing of significance to hold them accountable for causing a global financial meltdown. Those same greedy parasites are free to move on to their next scheme that will be designed to enrich themselves at the expense of society. This is the way things have been going for decades. At this point I feel that I should remind you of the definition of insanity, or at least one definition of insanity.
So I think I’m moving to Iceland as soon as it is fiscally possible where at the very least it appears they are willing to stop the insanity and try something new.
© Christopher L. Hedges and AverageJoesStory.com, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Christopher L. Hedges and AverageJoesStory.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Hollywood Clown, a Tale for Anyone with Hollywood Dreams
Hollywood Clown by Jason Lassen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I picked up a copy of Hollywood Clown after I saw that it had won a local book contest.
I think Jason shares some amazing stories in the book. I read a review somewhere that someone complained about being disappointed because they didn’t think there was enough “celebrity” stories. I disagree. I think Jason told the right stories for what he wanted to convey in Hollywood Clown. Similar to actors who go to LA looking to become the next star, I don’t think that critic was being realistic in his or her expectations. Jason talks about parties he did for Steven Spielberg, the ultra wealthy, and average Joes. Not every party he was going to perform at was going to be an Entertainment Tonight highlight reel story.
Even though this was not difficult vocabulary wise I found Hollywood Clown to be a slow read. It felt like stream of consciousness writing making it a little difficult for me to get in a rhythm. Recently I also started reading about Spec Script writing. Even though Hollywood Clown was formatted like a traditional book it felt like the type of writing that would be used for a Spec Script.
If you are easily offended by strong language I would caution you on reading Hollywood Clown. The language wasn’t an issue for me because strong language doesn’t personally bother me. I would recommend this to you if you want to read some interesting stories that let you peer into a world that is pretty exclusive. I would also recommend it to every person who wants to make it big in Hollywood. Jason knocks a little of the luster and mystique off of Tinsel Town. He also provides any would be future LA transplants some wisdom on how to survive and reach their goals in a very cutthroat industry.
July 2, 2015
#TrumpForPresident
Trump for President! I never thought I would hear myself utter those words, but not because I thought Donald Trump was unqualified for the job. The last time or two I heard Donald Trump hint at the possibility of running for President of the United States it seemed to be self promotion for one of the the many projects he was working on.
Trump dispelled any doubts as to whether or not he was serious about running for America’s highest political office when he organized a press conference in front of Trump Tower. Mind you there was the typical Trumpesque self promotion of things like his numerous golf courses and books, but he wouldn’t be Donald Trump if he wasn’t pushing the Trump brand.
As Donald Trump took control of the podium I found myself buying into his pitch for President. He wasn’t as polished as John F. Kennedy was when he commanded an audience’s attention, but Trump definitely had a charismatic “lead me, follow me, or get out of my way” moment. Trump didn’t deliver some sanitized speech prepared by a room full political speech writers, Trump was candid, rough around the edges and humorous in his delivery.
Trump talked about America’s problems like infrastructure on life support, a failed system of education, and unemployment. More importantly he gave intelligent and logical ways to fix our problems, which all begin with electing leaders who aren’t owned by special interest groups. Trump wasn’t apologetic for his $8 billion plus net worth that benefited from the same lobbyists he portrayed as contaminating the waters of the Potomac. He acknowledged financial hazards that have been created by artificial economic manipulation, and are lurking in plain sight. Trumps words teetered on the edge of fear mongering, but no more than an oncologist meeting with a stage four cancer patient. He was adamant about the risks America faces, but he was hopeful that with an experimental clinical trial the patient could be saved. If the people elect a leader who has spent his life building things instead of accepting the status quo of career politicians whose only real skill set is getting reelected by selling out their constituents for private interests there is hope for change.
You may have preconceived notions of Mr Trump, but we all need to wipe the slate clean to look at presidential candidate Trump without preexisting prejudice. Love him or hate him, Trump is an expert in building a brand, negotiations and survival. On a personal level he has experienced the same financial crisis that now threatens the United States, and he was not only successful in overcoming it, he reinvented himself in its wake. As a leader with experience working on the international stage with a proven track record of overcoming financial crisis, Donald Trump is supremely qualified for the office of President of the United Sates. I don’t know what kind of president Donald Trump will make, but I do think it’s time we stop the insanity of sending the same career politicians to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. #TrumpForPresident in 2016!!!
© Christopher L. Hedges and AverageJoesStory.com, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Christopher L. Hedges and AverageJoesStory.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
July 1, 2015
Foucault’s Pendulum
Foucault’s Pendulum by Umberto Eco
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I think this book was masterfully written. I found it to be challenging to read because it was a translation, from Italian I believe. With the translation to English the author left chunks in French, Spanish, Italian and German scattered sporadically through out the book. It just made it a little more difficult because I had to go back and reread sections to make sure I understood what I was reading, and that pulled me out of the story from time to time.
The author included a ton of historical detail in the book, which shows he took the time to do some serious research on the subject or he is an avid fan of the subject matter himself. There were times when the detail that was included slowed down the pace of the story, throwing off my rhythm and nearly causing me to stop reading.
I liked that the interesting direction Eco took in telling this Templar/secret society story, very creative. The only reason I knocked off a star from my review is because I wasn’t personally satisfied with the ending. There were story lines that I wanted resolution to and at chapter 117 with less than 50 pages to go I knew they wouldn’t be.
All in all Foucault’s Pendulum was a really good piece of literature, and if you are looking for a challenging read I highly recommend it.
June 30, 2015
Careful What You Wish For
One of my favorite pastimes is playing devil’s advocate. I know people whom enjoy playing the game for the pleasure of being an antagonist, just to see the chaos that they can create. If I’m having a really bad day I fall into that category too. However, more times than not I like playing devil’s advocate, even siding with positions I don’t believe in, to find the truth, validate a belief or improve a point of discussion in some way. Personally I believe that if you want something to stand the test of time it needs to be thoroughly challenged. Who’ll challenge a premiss more vigorously than the person who’s most vested in its survival?
The more contentious the subject the more imperative the need to play devil’s advocate, but usually most people are too vested in their sacred cows to ever risk slaughtering them if they’re proven to be false idols…religion, politics, economic oh my! Recently I played devil’s advocate with a stranger on the subject of politics. I spent most of the night laughing myself stupid watching his head explode as I confronted his beliefs, which for the most part I actually agree with. His problem was that he couldn’t defend his position because it was flawed. He refused to ever put his sacred cow on an alter and risk sacrificing it. Thus he was unable to defend his idol from would be imposters.
After looking at the invoice for my impending car insurance renewal I have decided to look at one of my sacred cows, capitalism. Capitalism takes a real beating from the left because they portray it as an evil system of greed that is destroying society, whereas the right sees it as the greatest thing since the creation of the wheel. In this particular instance I think both sides are right…and inevitably both sides are wrong. In a vacuum capitalism is a perfect system and the best thing since the wheel. But we don’t have true capitalism, we have been subjected to crony capitalism.
My insurance company bumped up my insurance quote by $120 every six months for a speeding ticket, which is their prerogative to do. However, they are imposing a premium for the possibility that they might at some future date be required to make a payout. In the United States you are required by the government to maintain car insurance in the event that you damage someone else’s property.
Governmental intrusions into the private sector, like mandatory insurance, create abnormalities by imposing parameters upon capitalism. By changing the rules of the game government has distorted capitalism, and has created the very monster that the left so vehemently opposes. How ironic the true source of the left’s ire is its almighty savior, GOVERNMENT…be careful what you wish for.
By government creating abnormalities in capitalism it has created the very loopholes that creative greedy minds need to have in place in order to extort the populous. For example if insurance was not mandatory: upon receiving my extortion notice from the Powers That Be I would have had the choice to not renew my insurance policy with any insurance company. That would be my right and I could exercise that right. In order to remain profitable my insurance company, and the entire insurance industry, needs the drivers who don’t get in accidents to maintain insurance. Without government intrusion I would be free to just walk away, and by doing so the free market would tell the insurance industry that they can’t extort consumers. Without government intrusion society could vote freely with its purses and wallets, and the greedy bastardized version of capitalism that the left both created and complains about wouldn’t exist.
True capitalism and limited government, what a progressive idea. Perhaps we could eliminate our points of contention and actually work together to solve our problems, but that would require putting our sacred cows on the alter of devil’s advocacy and risking their slaughter. Apparently society doesn’t appears to be that courageous.
© Christopher L. Hedges and AverageJoesStory.com, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Christopher L. Hedges and AverageJoesStory.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
