What would you do?

I saw the movie "Taken" over the weekend. Here's the synopsis--retired CIA-type's daughter is kidnapped; he searches for and finds her; lots violence and inferred gore. Pretty much mirrored the critics' view--Liam Neeson can polish poop--but what interested me the most was, for me, the underlying theme...what would you do? There were some nasty guys in the movie that got their just reward. At one point, some patrons were cheering. I even commented out loud a couple of times. And it made me question what I would do. There were inferences to the 'weakness' of the French (the story predominantly takes place in Paris) and how they could be abused because they are weak (screenwriter's words). I thought about our country and how we had over time become perceived as weak; hence the 9/11 attacks (Save your conspiracy theories...do a little research and read some bin Laden.). And I wondered, are we becoming weak again? I don't think so. I think Americans, collectively, are pretty strong. But we have a short attention span. We don't live in reality for long stretches. But we need to. We need to ask ourselves what would we do if the thing(s) we love were suddenly taken from us. Whatever that might be--what would you do? The time to think about it is not after the fact. There may not be time. Plan your work; work your plan.

I'm really sorry...

Another day, another apology for making a mistake. This time it's Michael Phelps. No need to belabor his accomplishments in the pool, but please. I've read the stories, perused numerous forum and blogs, and, frankly, I've come to the conclusion that all these role models are really sorry for is getting caught. And, frankly, I just wish they would say that--"You know, gee, well, uh, I'm really sorry that I got caught. I mean, uh, I really intended to (enter whatever you want. I'm sure anything will fit!) and now that I got caught, well, uh, I'm sorry that I have to waste my and your time apologizing." Today it was smoking pot. Last week and a couple of weeks ago, it was not paying taxes! What will it be tomorrow, for there will be a tomorrow! I guess I'm just tired of the spin and the fake apologies. Well maybe that's not exactly the right word--fake--but I don't believe them. Time IS the true test of all things. We'll see what happens with role models out of their elements and political figures suddenly having a-ha! moments.

Be informed. Ask questions. Accept as fact that which you don't research at your own peril. God bless America!