It’s Easier to See what everyone else sees

    Life isn't simple. When you're a toddler maybe, but that's where it stops. They're so many questions with so little answers. Yet people speak in absolutes. They use faith, or God's will to answer the questions that have no answer, or a discernable one that is.

    It makes me wonder where people attribute this philosophy of rigidity towards other ideas. Then instead of discuss root-causes the conversation is derailed and engaged in hypothetical's and ad hominem attacks versus substantive debate. Take the political conversation around healthcare reform. The opponents are trying to keep the proponents juggling as many balls (no matter how absurd) as possible versus progressing towards a goal. No matter what happens, if the American people win or lose in this debate, the reformers will be crucified for either what they legislated or what they were unable to legislate.

    Ideological meandering hinders so much of what makes real sense for people. For instance, sex education in the schools and the supplying of birth control. It is the parent's responsibility, but parents are failing miserably. So why exacerbate teenage pregnancy and rampant sexually transmitted diseases, and abortion rates with hope for the better? The world is more dangerous than it was in the 50's.

    The one that really baffles me is the idea that man is so selfless that he will take profit and divvy it up to the ones that he profited on or with. A nice ideal to be uphold, yet, it essentially is turning American capitalism into a giant pyramid scheme. . One that has clearly been disproved since the dawn of time. Once it was decided by the powers-that-be that the restraints should be taken off companies, and they should be allowed to move labor and exploit poorer countries to turn larger margins. The American blue collar worker was put on the extinction list. Just the like the countries that are being exploited. What happens when there are no more consumers? Labor forces were relocated to jobs based on an American culture of excessive consumerism which was unsustainable from the beginning. Blue-collar families held on to their proud work ethic, and either eschewed higher education or didn't have the means to get there. This subsequently, caused the spawning of children that have grown up in a trade right after potty training until it was no longer available. These proud, "All American" families are unable to navigate the 21^st century when the housing market has dried up and the shopping centers become ghost towns. They were encouraged to buy, buy, buy even when they didn't have it—just to keep up with the Joneses. Yet the top-earners in this country become the patron saints of the American economy, the ones that lived the American dream—why should they be penalized? I guess it's how you look at it. . . To save the American economy is to reinvest in America, whether by charitable donation or by paying a larger tax. Education, health care, affordable living, and safer streets are a noble bill to pay. It's not about something for nothing, it's about patriotism. Despite what's being said, it's not the first step in a journey toward communism. It's the first step in rebuilding this country.

    There will always be those that take advantage, and look for the path of least resistance. It's survival instinct whether at its earliest stage or final. They will make choices that are detrimental to their being, that are shortsighted. What keeps them going is hope. They believe that one day one of those lottery tickets will pay off. They find happiness in the small things. The Fat Cats at the top encouraged this superfluous accumulation of things unneeded. Yeah, people should take responsibility of their choices. The greed at the bottom is no worse than the greed at the top, and less egregious.

 

    The American way was not meant to be one of welfare nor was it meant to be everyone for themselves. History has proven that we can't live in a modern day Babylon where money has become the ultimate pleasure. That's plain un-American

The Ballad of Jake and Foxxy

This time last year the Carolina Panthers entered the post season with all the hope in the world. They had one of the best records in the league. One of the most potent running attacks in the game. With little or no debate, the best receiver in the game-- Steve Smith. The team also had a vaunted defense with a rising star at linebacker John Beason and an All-Pro defensive-end Julius "the Big Lazy" Peppers who was surrounded by a decent supporting cast. It felt good to be a fan. For most fans that season felt as good as any of their previous seasons, at least at this point. It felt like we had a decent chance to win it all.

Then the bottom fell out. Their once "swashbuckling" quarterback Jake Delhomme had cruised through the season of weak opponents, and behind his dynamic backfield teammates. He had won over the fans with his devil-may-care attitude, and ability to make the big play throwing off the back of his feet in the most uncomfortable of situations. In their Super Bowl run in 2003 he threw so many cringe-worthy heaves that were miraculously caught he had garnered the support of the Panther nation, and won over many doubters as the clear-cut leader of the then "Cardiac Cats".

Back to the whole bottom fell out, Jake's niche and calling card soon became the Panther's Achilles' Heel. His cringe-worthy passes gravitated down from the heavens, eschewed any miracle, and landed usually in the hands of the other team's player. Jake hadn't returned to form, a form that was in question by many before his injury and subsequent elbow surgery, since in my opinion 2003. His style was reckless from the beginning. He was Brett Favre, minus the arm. Jake was the fun loving, team-oriented, "character" guy. One that happened into a situation where he was surrounded by some of the league's best talent, and by an organization in which the leadership was loyal—to a fault. That season crumbled before our eyes in a game where the Panthers were favored to win by more than one touchdown. It was hard to watch. Then the Panther's Head Coach John Fox decided to let Jake destroy his confidence and his team's confidence play after play as the clock wound down. If it was a prize fight, the referee would have called it early in the third quarter.

The Panthers had suffered a devastating loss to the Arizona Cardinals, who went on to lose the Superbowl to the New York Giants. They moped into the locker room that night, and stumbled into the offseason with a lot of big questions to answer. One of which, do we still feel confident in Jake as our quarterback? The entire team, from the top to the bottom, came out rank and file to say yes. It wasn't recommended they cut the guy, but what happened next abandons all logic and reason. They re-signed him to a long-term contract with over twenty-million in guaranteed money. A clear, unambiguous YES. They were putting the proverbial eggs into the singular basket. John Fox and the general manager Marty Hurney hooked their caboose to the Delhomme express, destination of pass-unknown, and did it unabashedly.

Amongst other key questions, to sign or not-to-sign Julius Peppers? The panthers played it safe and signed him to a one-year "Franchise" agreement. A salary-cap- gorging annual salary that taps any latitude the team hoped to have entering the off-season and draft to sign other talent. The strategy was pretty much stay- the- course, with the exception of a change of Defensive-Coordinator to Ron Meeks of the Indianapolis Colts when his predecessor stepped down. Status-quo it was, and the hopes of another Divisional Championship.

Here we are, the NFL playoffs. With one exception to last year, no Carolina Panthers. The naysayers were right, and not to the greater good. The season looked to be the last for John Fox, and rumors swirled of a change in leadership. He was resolved not to change horse midstream despite a losing record, until fate stepped in and he had to. Jake got hurt, and was able to bow out gracefully on what was the worst season he had ever had in a NFL uniform. The one guy that everyone wanted to see get a shot, the man that stepped in and played admirably for Jake two season ago sat quietly at the end of the bench. He was without guile or agenda, he stepped in when asked. The team salvaged an eight and eight season with wins in their last few games. The one man that Fox didn't have the confidence in became his saving grace. Matt Moore saved John Fox's panther career and saved the organization's face with a .500 record.

Now the Panthers are at a similar juncture, with some similar questions to answer. Beyond the blunder of resigning Jake to the monster contract last year, the team is able to free up a lot of salary cap space by changing the answers from last season. As Bank-of-America stadium sits quietly in repose, the fans demand action. Even though there are questions surrounding John Fox's destiny with the team it doesn't seem that he will be leaving with his fateful late season turnaround. Peppers grievances from last year are going to be the same because nothing has changed. He is coming off a dubious pro-bowl nomination from a lackluster year, but with that comes leverage. To "franchise" him again would place the panthers in even worse salary-cap territory. They have some younger, more productive players to address now before it gets too late and they lose them like they have done in the past. They have some older players that are going to want to get a ring while they still have a chance and can contribute, that are going to get anxious especially without a strategy change. They have a young quarterback that has an agent foaming at his mouth and anxious to renegotiate his deal after his late season heroics. All of this is going to unfold in front of us, while great coaches that are available are signing elsewhere. Teams whom are still playing right now will have an opportunity to get better next season, and build on an already fruitful season. Meanwhile, here in Carolina, the panthers will attempt to repeat mediocrity in motion.

It's hard to be a Panthers fan. They have done a decent job of collecting talent over the years, in fact some great talent. But the ballad of Jake and Foxxy will go on until Richardson decides to break in and make a change. We, get to watch the playoffs and pull for another team without ardor and with indifference. Thanks for that, by the way—more reason to DVR-it.

 

"You can't see tomorrow with yesterday's eyes"

Ryan Adams

 

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

Albert Einstein

 

"Jakes still our guy."

John Fox

Dexter Morgan, the most compelling character in television history

Dexter Morgan is a serial killer. Some other truths; what goes up must come down, there is a grey area, and there is evil in the world. Dexter Morgan isn't evil.

    Ernest Hemingway said, "All things truly wicked start from innocence." Dexter suffered a devastating tragedy as a young boy, one that has been seared into his memory or more so his entire being. Dexter was born like every other person, but his dark passenger--Dexter the serial killer, was born in blood.

    The first time I heard about the show I didn't know what to think. The story seems almost grotesque in a way. I was intrigued to at least give it a chance. So I watched Season 1 On-demand. I have never been more hooked to a show then Dexter. I actually watched the entire first season in back-to- back sequence (the way to watch anything by the way). It was excruciating to watch season 2 and wait week to week. Each subsequent season has been a weekly trial in patience but it has reestablished Sunday night television for me since the departure of the Sopranos.

    The story of Dexter is a complex, and a dark dreamscape seen through a hazy glow and muted fluorescents of Miami. Each episode is serenaded with lively, Latin rhythms. The Miami culture is as much a character as Dexter himself. There's a real sense of Cuban and Latin culture in the show, which makes it distinct from other Miami based shows. It seems more authentic. Dexter somehow fits in, he's as mundane as a passing palm tree, and as ordinary as a rain shower in the Florida afternoon. With that, we are under his spell, his plan. That is part of his modus operandi. His code. . . Never get caught. Stay in the shadows. Be patient. Don't risk it with a high profile kill. . . "Never . . . Ever. . . Kids. . . I have standards," Dexter said to a soon-to-be-victim. Satisfying the code is Dexter's sovereign oath. The code is what Dexter has lived by since he was a reborn. It was taught to him by his adopted father to endure. When he was a kid his foster father, Harry Morgan, discovered his son's eerie predilection. The neighborhood's pets were missing, and it didn't take long for detective Harry Morgan to solve the mystery. His love and knowledge of Dexter's tragic beginnings compelled him to find a way for Dexter to channel his urges in more productive ways. It started with wild game hunting. This expression would only last for so long, and Harry knows this. What was the next step?

    Harry was able to look into the soul of a killer, one that he loved and raised like his own son. Harry's life in law enforcement had exposed him to injustices in which he was powerless to do anything. The solution wasn't obvious, but it became the next step. Dexter would finish what the stumbling and sometimes foolish court system couldn't. He became a vigilante of sorts. With the code guiding him, his murderer's intuition leading him to the right people, and his training supporting his so called hobby he became Dexter the Diabolical. Dexter the Devious. Dexter the Deviant.

    We all cheer when we see the muscle bound hero, or the cunning action star blow away the bad guy. Why it is different to see them get cut up? It just is right? I don't know about you, but as the show goes I kind of wish there was a Dexter Morgan out there. In a culture where we all applaud the vigilantes and heroes, whether it's Dirty Harry or Batman, the only realistic hero would be the anti-hero—Dexter Morgan.

    He endears us with his wit, and inner-narrative as he tells his side of the story. If he was caught there would be a firestorm of controversy about capital punishment, and eye-for-an-eye. Political fodder for the editorials. He would be a hero to many and a villain to the balance. That's what makes him such a compelling protagonist. The most innovative and complex lead in television history.

    The show begins with a glimpse in the life of Dexter Morgan, forensics and blood specialist for the Miami-Dade Police Department. The show doesn't take long to introduce you to the Dark Passenger as he confronts a pedophile/and child murderer. I, like everyone, are disgusted by the very thought of children being assaulted and murdered. This first experience with the Dark Passenger for us, the killing of a child murderer, didn't make it seem so bad. Once you get past the ritualistic nature of the act, Dexter eases his way into your curiosity the same way he slides in and out of the homicide department without causing an ounce of suspicion. As the season goes on he is put through tests of character, emotion, and of the very code that defines him. Each shadowy corner lays profound drama that will grip you and not let go.

    Subsequent seasons dive deeper into the peripheral characters. Like his girlfriend Rita, and her kids Cody and Astor. His foul-mouthed, sister Deb and the rest of his colleagues at the police department. Each one the relationship with Dexter evolves as the show goes on. He keeps them all at arm's-length, per the code, but the depth of the show and surprisingly to both us and Dexter himself is his own personal depth. As he learns more about himself, and his history he grows into his human skin leaving us to wonder if he will ever shed the dark passenger. That's the question that all of us fans ask, and draws us in every week.

     As the story continues-- he will be challenged to violate the code. His father only saw one layer of Dexter, and didn't trust the other to be able to live in the real world without a rigid set of rules to protect him. While watching, you want to believe that he can be a husband and father. We hope that Harry, and initially Dexter is wrong about his depths. Yet, the very greatness of the show is that Harry has to be right. The deviations from the code are what expose him to the world, for who he really is—and the world is not ready for a "good" serial killer. We accept murder when it's in the name of God and country, but can we accept what Dexter does? The genius is that it stirs up all these emotions, and creates a visceral response in each of us that is a powerful exercise in introspection.

    The show deals with the grey area that is so often rejected but exists. The truth of the matter is that we deal with grey every day with our own set of rules, and guidelines. Do we stray from the very codes that define us? Do we condemn those that do stray and characterize it as weakness? When we do is it just or is it in the name of pleasure or failure? Where Dexter's code is to endure as a serial killer. . . The moral grey in Dexter is a question and a topic that can be debated to we go grey in the face, but it doesn't prevent it from being entertaining.

    

    

    
 

 

"I See Monsters"

Ryan Adams

"Oh, people are shouting, people are freaking
I'm just staring at the ceiling
Waiting for the feeling
Oh, oh when she calls
I know that she's the one
Makes me want it harder
Makes me want to be a little stronger
Still I see the monsters
Still I see the monsters"