The Most Powerful Movie I’ve Ever Seen

Dear Helaine and Stef,

I could have written emails to you or maybe woken you up, but I know you check the blog, so pardon my posting this personal correspondence for everyone to see.

I decided to see SiCKO last night. It was a cure for boredom, no more. But it turned out to be the most powerful movie I’ve ever seen. Really.

Michael Moore is a showman, I understand that. Some of what was in the movie was there for effect. I can’t imagine his Cuban experiences match those of the average Cuban.

Unfortunately, most of the movie was painful to watch, because it was the truth. I am embarrassed for what we’ve become. I’m embarrassed for what we allow to happen.

Stef, I know you need to see this movie for school. But you should see it sooner, rather than later.

Helaine, I understand you don’t want to see the movie at all. I understand why. You need to see it anyway. It’s that important.

Maybe I’m a sap, buying into Moore’s propaganda. Maybe I’m naive. It would be nice to think the picture he painted doesn’t reflect real life.

I was turned off to universal health care when Hillary Clinton ran the study group while her husband was president. I confused my personal distaste for her (some of which is still there, though not as stridently) with an evil plan that would hurt us all.

I was wrong. Very wrong (About healthcare. Mrs. Clinton… we’ll save that for another day).

There has to be a better way than what we have now. It’s difficult to believe there’s a worse way.

Love,

Geoff/Dad/Greggy

Happy New Year Dick Clark

It’s a family tradition that we don’t go out on New Year’s Eve. There are a few really simple reasons for this. First, I usually work. Second, we don’t drink.

Years ago, the last time we really went out for New Year’s, a drunk guy started making a pass at my wife. In fact (though we laugh about it now) we almost broke up on our first pre-marriage New Year’s Eve together.

This year, we stayed home with Steffie and watched some of the goings on in Times Square. Helaine said she wasn’t, but I was very worried that some masterstroke terrorist act would take place in Times Square while the World watched.

Though we moved back and forth between Fox, MTV and ABC, we mostly stayed with ABC. Sure, I work for an affiliate, but there is also a tradition with Dick Clark. Again this year, for at least the second year in a row, Dick was inside a warm studio above Times Square. I’m sorry. He needs to be outside. And last night, the weather wasn’t all that bad.

I was also upset at the use of Steve Doocey – who represents Fox News Channel’s morning show – as ‘talent.’ This is not to say Steve isn’t good… he is. But, this is another case of cutting your nose to spite your face. Why would ABC want to shine such a bright spotlight on someone who is trying to eat their lunch? Doesn’t anyone in the company realize that using talent from other networks is the equivalent of dumping the Disneyland live shots for Six Flags or Universal?

There was a pretty tough article on Dick Clark in Newsday recently. I’ve attached it to this link.

Maybe because I knew most of this before, or maybe just because it’s becoming more obvious now, I have trouble finding Dick warm and likable. His interaction with others, especially on ‘tosses’ from live shots, or look live taped pieces, is forced and a little too staged.

On the other hand, I’m not ready to cede New Year’s Eve to Ryan Seacrest or the stable of hosts on MTV (none of whom stick out in my mind).

Happy 2004

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