First thoughts on Beijing Bicycle

The opening scene sets the tone for the whole story perfectly. Several country boys introduce themselves by name and origin, smiling and laughing, adorably nervous. They are unique individuals trying to find a place in the world with new opportunities. Immediately following this introduction, their manager strips them of their identities and humanity, having given them hair cuts and uniforms because now the boys represent the company, not their own interests. Four of the named boys fade into the background, further emphasizing the harsh class divide as the story focuses in on the protagonist. 

The theme of class divide runs through the whole plot as many of the characters begin the cutthroat dance of furthering their circumstances. Many characters are cheated out of their opportunities by those higher up than them. 

A Politically Incorrect Rant about Marriage Equality

The Supreme Court of the United States has been reviewing the constitutional validity of California's Proposition 8 for the better part of today.

Proposition 8 declared that only marriage between a man and woman was to be recognized and validated in the state of California. Just over half of voters in the state agreed to this definition of marriage. I was not one of them. 

I do not regret my decision to vote for the definition of marriage to remain between a man and a woman in the mere fact that my personal beliefs about biology, culture and religion stand behind this agreement. However, I do sincerely regret that I voted against the happiness of many who dwell in my state. And, at the core of it, my own beliefs are not honored in the state's definition of marriage as well.

I believe that marriage is a promise between man, wife and God, a life-long commitment and partnership between two people to uphold a set of ideals in a community, to unite in personal decisions, and to pass these ideas on to another generation - their children. 

What makes me regret my vote? My definition of marriage has nothing to do with the state. It has to do with community and interpersonal relationships, the keeping of vows, the raising of children. But not a bit of it has to do with the state of California or the Unites States of America. I see marriage as a personal decision to unite my life with someone else, and that the binding of that tie is the will of God. 

I fully believe in the separation of Church and State, and in that, I feel like the State should not have a definition of the word "marriage" as it pertains to personal and religious agreements. 

Unfortunately, what I want requires a redefinition of culture. The argument for marriage as an historical institution that honors the union between man and wife is valid up until people bring the word "love" into the argument. While Americans have been marrying "for love", marriage is truly a business, and the institution of it as a business is the real history of its millenia-long establishment. 

Women were not people; they were commodities that produced more commodities. Women were bought from their fathers and sold to other men to continue life as was known. A father got rid of his burden, giving her to another man who promised to take care of her in exchange that she properly service his needs. Marriage was not about love. It was about money.

That's not today, right? Hahahahaha! What's the number one reason people get divorced? What's on a single woman's criteria for a husband? Money. Marriage by law is honest to goodness about money. 

Separate marriage from money. Separate the Church from the state. Get rid of entitled bigots from either side. Make a vow genuine. Love truly.

Get the state out of my marriage, get the church out of the government. 

Heir Not-so Apparent - Who will be the next pope?

English 306

Assignment: Press Release

Today, March 5th, 2013, after the recent retirement of Pope Benedict XVI, the process of the papal conclave has begun. Nearly all the cardinals who will vote for the next pope have gathered in Rome to be locked in the Sistine Chapel for this election. With the Holy Days fast approaching, the Church both breathes a sigh of relief and kneels in prayer as the search for their next leader begins.

What is the papal conclave? It is the gathering of the College of Cardinals, a select number of prominent Catholic leaders who are chosen to choose the Church's next pontiff. What makes this gathering unusual is the nature of the call. Pope Benedict XVI has chosen to retire instead of doing what popes usually do at the end of their reign as church sovereign - they usually die before the next pope is chosen. None in six hundred years had chosen to step down from the role while alive.

In his official statement, the pontiff cited the reasoning behind his retirement:

I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me.

Mental and physical health, a none too scandalous reason for retirement, however, it stirs the memory of watching the health of Pope John Paul VI deteriorate during the last several years of his papacy. It seems that his holiness seeks to ensure the strength of the church as his own strength fails.

The question remains: who is the one suited to face the rapid changes and questions of faith that shake the church? Forty countries from around the world are represented in the 2013 conclave, each carrying the burden of their flock. In the wake of revelations of abuse and scandal the additional problems of poverty, of ethics and morality, of doctrine and theology will need to be addressed by the new Vicar of Christ.

The sole candidate from Ghana, Cardinal Peter Turkson, is the top prospect to fit the billing. While a proponent of traditional Catholic views on sex and marriage, clergy in his diocese have been known to hand out condoms (a forbidden birth control by the church) to quell the spread of AIDS. Sources confirm the cardinal's opinion that abstinence until marriage is the true end to the virus, but his realistic practicality is refreshing.

Another favorite from the Philippines, Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle, represents a huge population of the Catholic faith, with more than 70% of the entire country to be part of the church. In the Philippines and other parts of the world, the Church competes against other faiths for parishioners . In Africa and South East Asia, Islam gathers hundreds and thousands to the faith. In South America, Pentecostal churches are spreading with popularity.


Sources:

http://pope-election-2013.com/start-of-conclave-decision-expected-on-wednesday/#more-521

http://pope-election-2013.com/bookmakers-odds-on-the-new-pope/#more-481

http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2013/02/27/ghanas-cardinal-peter-turkson-is-irish-bookmakers-favorite-for-new-pope/

http://www.voanews.com/content/ghanaian-cardinal-seen-as-humble-candidate-for-pope/1603513.html

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/03/conclave-2013-vatican-waiting-for-cardinals--85917.html

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/africa/Let-Gods-will-be-done-says-Pope-candidate/-/1066/1693562/-/w2naly/-/index.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/11/pope-resigns-live-reaction