We All Could Learn A Lot From Sparta...

So, as did millions of others did this last Friday, I went to see the epic new film, "300." This movie is based on the Frank Miller graphic novel of the same name which is based on the movie "The 300 Spartans" that was based on the historical story of the Battle of Thermopylae between the Spartans and Persians. I have to say I am guilty of enjoying every bit of its campiness, comic book logic, historical inaccuracies, and over-the-top gore. The important part was kept in tact, the principles in which people and societies believe in being upheld until the death. I've almost always been of the theology that principle is more important than actions or details...because truly strong principles will bear genuine actions and details. So is the case of "300." I won't give away the story, though most of you know it, but the world would definitely be a better place if people led more by example and less about words. Granted I'm not saying that we should throw away sickly newborns or purposely murder the weak (also the case in "300"), but if one has to choose to live on their knees or die standing, I would hope they choose to die standing so that those after them may rise as well and change the world.

I went to the movie with my co-worker, Nick and his brother Chris. This was the last weekend before Chris left for 4 months at the Delaware State Police Academy (no fun sound effects here, just a boot camp.) So this was part of his last hoorah in a while. Even before knowing Chris, I had an unspoken respect for law enforcement, military and teachers. I say "unspoken" because up until a couple years ago I had assumed this was a generally universal understanding. Was I wrong or what? I know there are bad cops, some real screwball military staff and some really really awful teachers, but as a whole, these are some of the most admirable occupations one could take. I never understood the disrespect for a cop doing his job if I did something wrong. With very few exceptions, I have never had difficulty with a police officer if I was doing something warranting them interacting with me. In general, as long as I remained calm and didn't freak out or make a fool of myself, they returned a (sometimes stern) but civil behavior. Once I was in a car accident and it was totally my fault. The cop put everything on me and I couldn't argue. The process went very smoothly over the next few weeks as paper work was being done and fines were paid. On a few occasions I was mistakenly accused of wrong doing, but since I hadn't done anything wrong, I didn't worry about it and the officers corrected their mistakes in the wash and apologized for my time. In all actuality, the periodic bumps with the law ease my mind a little knowing that those guys are running around doing their job. I know there are a lot of people who complain about racial profiling and how unfair it is...well, I have two major opinions about that: a.) if it's about getting pulled over in a car, when someone is speeding or driving erratically, rarely can you make out the ethnicity of the driver, you just see the swerving car going 100mph in a 25mph school zone. b.) i get "randomly" flagged at airports every single time I fly to get luggage hand checked and frisked because I'm Asian, and to some, am close enough to middle-eastern ethnicity to be a potential terrorist. Sure, it's a pretty big inconvenience trying to get to where I'm going, and I may not agree with the method of determining potential "dangerous peoples" but I don't argue- this is what they practice and no one is forcing me to go to the airport, I could drive or take a train. If you're overly concerned about your ethnic appearance getting you stopped on the road, weigh the good with the bad and consider not driving...if you're doing something illegal and that's why you're worried, well that is a completely different situation from race, isn't it? And once again, it makes me feel better know that people like you are getting caught even if it means I have to spend 2 minutes at a traffic check point.

As for the military, I'm not a huge supporter of the war, but I do support the troops now that they are out there. Because of them and people like them before, I am able to live in the U.S. and live my life...I cannot thank anyone enough for that.

Teachers...this one really gets me. I have been fortunate to have really great teachers growing up and professors in higher education. And though I understand that on a personal level you may not get along, but a student can at least be civil in a classroom. These people mold and nurture the future generations...why is there such a lack of respect for them? I remember being in college and I was randomly chosen to be a part of a focus group where various persons (students, staff, administration, parents, etc.) would be queried about various campus topics. One of those topics was the consideration of raising tuition. Although no one, especially parents and students, were very happy to hear about that, I did stand up and say that I wouldn't have any problem with the increase in tuition if it meant that our professors would get better salaries. I was never given an answer on that, but I meant what I said. Those professors had given so much to me in knowledge and experience that all the money in the world could not repay them. I am (just as much in character as in intellect) who I am today largely because of them.

Anyways, enough of my ranting about the shortcomings of the world...in other news, I am getting closer and closer to finishing the new album. I recorded the scratch tracks for another new tune the other night and am really stoked! Anyway, hopefully this will be coming to all of you soon enough!

G'day friends,
-Rod