Wednesday, October 27, 2004

Papers & Politics

The Plain Dealer, Cleveland's gutless wonder of a newspaper, has declined to endorse either Bush or Kerry in the upcoming election. Here's what led to this nonevent: The PD's editorial board voted 5-2 to endorse Kerry. But the PD's publisher, Alex "the Snake" Makashee overrode the board and demanded a Bush endorsement. Word leaked out, negative publicity ensued, and now the PD has had to save face by wimping out. Typical in this one paper town, where even the very Plain Dealer can't afford to lose any more subscribers.

The numbers in the race are such a confused muddle, all bets are off. My gut tightens whenever I think about it.

Bill Clinton was on the trail yesterday. He looked pale and thin--I wonder if he's on his daughter's Vegan diet. But his speech proved he's still the master. Damn that 22nd Amendment! Even with his recent health troubles, Bill Clinton would be a better President than Dubya on his healthiest day.

Speaking of politics, my father has been inundating me with chain emails, mostly political--and definitely politically incorrect! One recent whopper involved HIV tainted ketchup containers in fast food restaurants--warning to use ketchup from packets only. So, you can imagine what he has to say about Kerry!

Monday, October 11, 2004

Christopher Reeve: 1952-2004

Like most people, I first saw Christopher Reeve in Superman. My grandmother remembered him playing a bigamist in Love of Life back in the mid-1970s.

What made Christopher Reeve's version of Superman definitive was the delineation between his Superman and Clark Kent. Unlike some others who've taken on the role, his Superman was noble but not pompous--Reeve essentially let the uniform do the acting. Clark was a bumbling/stumbler with a different voice and mannerisms. Want to see a great bit of acting? Watch the scene in the first movie in Lois' apartment. Just after her ride with Superman, Clark appears to take Lois on a date. Lois leaves the room for a moment, Reeve takes off his glasses, grows about three inches in height, and BECOMES Superman. Reeve's voice lowers and he says "Lois, there's something I have to tell you, I'm really...". Then Lois appears, the glasses go back on, his height drops, and his voice rises about an octave, suddenly, he's Clark again.

Christopher Reeve was in a number of other movies which I encourage you to see: The Bostonians, the Remains of the Day, Somewhere in Time are but a few.

He was also a talented pianist. I remember an interview with Dana Reeve where she said she missed hearing him play even more than seeing him walk.

He suffered tragedy in 1995. Like Franklin Roosevelt, he used his misfortune to do a lot of good for many people. That's an example we can all try to emulate.

Rest in Peace.