Mumbai and the War on Terror

The Mumbai terrorist attacks that broke out this week show why now, more than ever, the war on terror is being fought. While I disagree with the invasion and occupation of Iraq, the war in Afghanistan and the willingness of radical Islamist to murder innocent people in the name of religion prove that the war against terrorism is needed. Islam is a peaceful religion and I respect their tradition; however, I will never understand how believers can murder innocent people in the name of Islam. The terrorist attacks in Mumbai are targeting westerners, yet they have indiscriminately killed hundreds of Indians as well. It appears that the Indian police and army are working hard to end the violence and the last holdouts of the attacks, but shows how simple it is for these terror cells to strike in developing countries. While India blames their neighbors for harboring these terrorist, how has India helped to end the war on terror. Apparently not much except for political in fighting and blaming Pakistan for their problems. The war on terror should involve all countries that stand against terrorism; however, many nations are not willing to place their troops in combat situations in order to protect political power at home. Hopefully these nations will not find themselves in the middle of terror attack such as 9/11, the bombings in Spain (who pulled out of the war on terror), the tube bombings in London, or the attacks in Mumbai because these nations know more than others that terrorist will stop at nothing to see the end of western culture. And while we westerns have our flaws, we do not intentionally murder innocent civilians (at least I hope). The men who have carried out these terrorist attacks are not martyrs as they believe, but traitors to Islam.

The Master and Margarita

This novel is one of the best I have even read. It is sharp, satirical, ironic, and fun, and with its many allusions to Faust, apparently Bulgakov’s favorite characters, and other literary works makes reading enjoyable. Bulgalkov places the reader in Stalin’s Russia before World War II. It begins with a discussion about the existence of God and the devil between a literary critic, a poet, and the devil. The conversation is extremely ironic as Soviet Russia is an atheist country, and the fact that the conversation involves the devil proves the existence of both to the unwitting critic and poet. During the conversation the devil tells the critic that he will die a very unusual death, and so the critic does sending the poet into distress. The devil and his minions then begin reeking havoc and terror throughout Moscow. Bulgakov uses the spirits in a satirical way depicting the social quarks of Soviet Russia. The adventure of these spirits is interwoven with a history of Pontius Pilate and a love story between the Master and Margarita. Working together in a very ingenious way these three aspects of the novel focus on faith, redemption, honesty and loyalty. The only real problem with the novel was trying to account for the numerous characters especially the several characters named Ivan. Overall though I found the work to be unique and interesting and should be read by anyone with an interest in Literature.

Quantum of Solace

I went to the new James Bond film yesterday. I read two reviews before I went, one from the Washington Post and the other from MSN.com. Both were fairly negative reviews calling out the quick pace and thin plot. While I agree that the film had some faults, I still found it to be interesting. While Casino Royale was one of the best Bond films ever, Quantum comes up rather short for those of looking for homerun. The smart wit and wonderful pace are gone in this action packed dash to the end. The film jumps from one action scene to another that all remind you of the Bourne films. I enjoyed the Bourne series; however, Bond is not Bourne something to remember for the next director. The Quantum Bond is edgy and gritty nothing like the suave debonair Bond of past features. He is out for vengeance and will apparently stop at nothing to get it. While I think Craig Daniel is this best Bond since Connery, this film is lacking the substance that makes a film a Bond film. The creators and writers need to remember what made Casino Royale one of the best Bond films and work hard for the next one. Three out of five stars.

On another note I think Craig Daniel is the best dressed man on earth. I wish I could afford to dress that stylish. Unfortunately I can’t afford 5,000 suits.

Klosterman and Bulgakov

Chuck Klosterman is my one of my favorite writers. I have read all of his books (with the exception of his newest book) and believe that he is one of the best writers out there right now. Yesterday I was reading some of his old articles for Esquire, and came across what is my absolute favorite “The Importance of Being Hated”. This article discusses the fact that everyone has a nemesis and an archenemy. Your nemesis is one you kind of like where your archenemy is someone you hate with a passion. I recommend reading the article. I easily picture both my nemesis and archenemy.

I am right now halfway through Bulgkov’s “Master and Margarita” which I am really impressed with. The devil running wild in Soviet Russia and pretty much reeking havoc on anyone he meets, the flashbacks to Christ’s death, and the allusions to other famous works by Goethe, Gogol, Lermantov, make this a wonderful work. I am truly surprised that it not more widely read and known.

Another small note I have been recently re-watching my Arrested Development DVDs and still find the show to be hilarious I’ll never understand way it did not find a large audience.

Best Article I foud today

From CBS.com By Dean Barnett

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/12/opinion/main4595561.shtml?tag=lowerContent;homeSectionBlock215

Veterans Day, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, and Graduate School

Veterans Day is an important and unique holiday in the United States and celebrating the selflessness and sacrifices of our fighting men and women should be a priority to all citizens of the country. While we should not need a set aside day to honor our veterans, who should always be respected, it is central that at this time with two wars being fought we recognize our veterans. As a West Virginian, the honoring of veterans is a very important to me as we have a high population of veterans and a deep love and respect for those in the armed forces. Both of my grandfathers participating in WWII, my grandmother’s sister was nurse during WWII, and I have three friends who have participated in the operations in Iraq. I am truly grateful for all of their sacrifices along with all veterans.

I mentioned previously that I was going to read “The Master and Margarita”, however, I actually read Solzhenitsyn’s “One day in the life of Ivan Denisovich.” The first time I heard of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was when he died earlier this year, and I read an article about him in the Economist. The man led a unique life from the USSR to Europe to the United States and finally back to Russia. While he was vehemently anti-capitalist, his writing about life in the Soviet Gulags gives a view into the harsh life of Stalin’s country. The purges against peasants, the arrest of Red Army POWs, and the wastefulness of postwar Soviet life all play prominent roles in the work. However, I find the different survival methods of the prisoners to be the most interesting. Many of them no longer dream of freedom, and have learned unique behaviors to work the system. I devoured “One day in the life of Ivan Denisovich” in two days, and is a must read for anyone interested in Soviet history or Soviet/Russian literature.

On a happy note, I finally got accepted to graduate four rejection letters later. I am excited, but waiting to hear from two other schools as well. I just read an article this weekend about riding out the economic downturn in graduate school. Looks as I will be following the author’s advice.

A Return to Literature

Last Spring I took a class on 19th century Russia literature and I relayed my thoughts on certain works by Gogol, Dostoyevsky, Lermentov, Tolstoy, Chekhov and others. I recently decided to continue my foray in Russia literature focusing on 20th century works. I received a reading from my former professor at WVU and for my first novel I read “Twelve Chairs” by Ilf and Petrov. I really enjoyed this work. The premise was fairly brilliant, but I really enjoyed the glimpse provided into Russia after the 1917 Revolution. The characters and locations were all vividly descriptive and poked fun at life in the new Soviet Russia. Bender’s stint as a chess grandmaster is my favorite scene in the novel. Bender is my favorite character in the novel; I really enjoyed the numerous deceptions he used to get through life, to bad he was murdered. Next I plan to read “The Master and Margarita” by Mikhail Bulgakov after I finish “Hitler” by Ian Kershaw which though very academic in style is very good, but a bit of a struggle.

More Post Election 2008 Thoughts

Have you noticed it? I have. It may just be the region of the country I am in at the moment, but I think it may be an all encompassing feeling. This feeling of course is that of hope. I know the conservatives are hurting and they do not want to here about hope, but they need to regroup and come back stronger. One of my favorite political writers and conservatives, Peggy Noonan, in a recent article in the Wall Street Journal said, “History happens, it makes its turns, you hold on for dear life. Life moves.” Life moves, how accurate a statement for this historic election. A lot of things in this country are not on the right track today, but I am thoroughly excited for some unexplained reason. I am broke, unemployed, and getting rejected from graduate schools, but I am excited. I am not excited because my candidate won the election, because my candidate didn’t win the election nor did I expect him to, but because the entire world is excited about the outcome of this election. As for my vote, it went to the Libertarian candidate Bob Barr.

I chose to vote for Mr, Barr for two reasons. First, I have major discrepancies with both candidates nominated be the major parties. John “the Maverick” McCain sold his soul to the republican base instead of staying true to his beliefs (will the real John McCain please stand up?), and then he picked Mrs. Palin to be his running mate. His choice of Mrs. Palin still makes no sense; she’s unqualified and unprepared for national politics. As for president-elect Barack Obama, I do not agree with his plans for trade or health care. Creating harsher tariffs, quotas and reworking NAFTA will hurt the entire global economy. Free trade reduces the prices for goods and service worldwide. Mr. Obama’s actions could stymie the global economy driving up prices in global recession. Health care needs to stay in the private sector of the economy; placing it under the government will erode competition and drive up prices and/or taxes as we all pay for social health care. The other reason I voted for Mr. Barr is because I believe that America needs a legitimate third party.

I truly hope that Mr. Obama can govern from the center and he can avoid the demands of liberal congress that force him to the far left. Remember, Bill Clinton's first two years were a disaster until the Republican Congress came to power making him one of the most successful presidents of modern time.

It's a New Day in America

The 2008 election is finally over and president-elect Barack Obama is set to become the 44^th president of the United States of America. While many Republicans may feel angry over the results of the election, they most go back and reorganize themselves for the future and for now stick to their principles in congress. It’s not impossible; the Republics won congress during the Clinton years. I believe that John McCain lost because of the great the disaster that is Sarah Palin, and deviating from the center to win over the Republican base. John McCain’s time was in 2000 and unfortunately for America he lost to GW Bush.

Now on to president-elect Obama. I truly hope and believe that he can govern in the center pull America from the depths back to its rightful place as the leader in world affairs. I am proud of America for electing the first black man to the presidency, and I will forever remember where I was when he won, in an ancient with no cable picking up TV singles with a fork attached to the television. Today I am proud to be American, and wish Mr. Obama all the best in his challenge as president. God Bless the United States.