BREAKING NEWS: The President is STILL an idiot.

If you have watched the news at any point today, then you already know that President Bush, in all his wisdom, vetoed a bill that would increase funding for embryonic stem cell research. Setting back potential treatments and cures for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, as well as many other degenerative diseases. The President stated that research with Embryonic stem cells was unethical and in his words "Destroys human life in hopes to save human life". It is in moments like these, where Bush's ignorance makes my head hurt, and my heart rate go through the roof.

The moral argument here is that stem cells are in a way, human life. It's true that they are a key component to human life, but the cells, if left alone by themselves, couldn't ever feel, breathe, think, or graduate college. On top of that, the human body produces 45-150 stem cells during fertilization, most of which never make it to the big show of life. They are discarded, and thrown away. A vast majority of stem cell research is done on those discarded cells. Cells that will never, ever become human life. Stem Cell research is not done on Fetuses, and it's not abortion. Stem Cells are also regenerative, so when living cells are harvested, they can replenish themselves within the human body. This is also the drawing power behind the research. Imagine a treatment that could rebuild the deteriorating brain tissue of an Alzheimer's patient, or one that could rebuild the cells of a Cancer patient. All made possible by the using Stem Cells that would be otherwise discarded.

So what's the real ethical injustice here. Denying possible cures for the millions and millions of Americans suffering from disease, or approving research on otherwise useless embryo's that could save American lives. Imagine all of the lives that could potentially be saved by this research, but might not be now that the bill is once again vetoed. Some of these people can't wait until the 2008 election.

Once again I wasn't surprised by Bush's decision. It was expected after all. It's not like this administration is very big on saving American lives. I just wish a reporter would have asked the President during his Q & A how he liked his eggs prepared, considering his great love for embryo's. Oh the irony.

For more information on Stem Cell research, check out www.tellmeaboutstemcells.org

Happy Jurassic Park Day!

In case you didn't know, then first off, shame on you. If you are aware of what great holiday today is, then crack open an icy cold beverage and join me in toasting one of the greatest movies ever made. Jurassic Park. On this day 14 years ago my favorite movie of all time opened world-wide. So grab your nearest set of JP trading cards, figurines, t-shirts and coffee mugs together on the couch with you as you watch the splendor that is Jurassic Park for the 100th time (oh wait, that's just me)

Oh the glory!

Me likey the Knocked Up

I don't usually see comedies in the theatre. I've always felt that they are better served to a small room and a few friends rather than the craziness of the multiplex. Also, I tend to laugh at things others in the audience don't, usually ending with me looking stupid, or being stared down by the pissed off soccer mom next to me. However, for the past few months I couldn't try to ignore the hype surrounding Knocked Up, Judd Aptow's follow up to the 40-Year old Virgin. I loved that movie, so my expectations were for this one to at least be on par.

Well, Knocked Up took "par" and crushed it like Tiger Woods on roids at a Putt-Putt. I never once felt uncomfortable laughing in the theatre, because everyone was laughing, and if someone didn't laugh, I had no choice but to give them a look of disdain then point towards the nearest exit. Knocked Up had more truth to it than any other romantic comedy before it, and not sissified PG-13 truth, but real R-rated truth. Not to say that it was a perfect example of every relationship, but it tackled the issues of commitment, growing up, and letting go with a lot of honesty. In between all of that honesty were jokes and jokes, drug use, and jokes, some which seemed like improv, but most that were well written, acted and executed by the cast. Katherine Heigel impressed both aesthetically and in the way she carried herself among a bunch of dudes, and that's despite her being on "Lame Grey's Anatomy". Seth Rogen is about to blow up, and if Paul Rudd isn't the most underrated comedic star then I don't know who else is. The scene where they go to Vegas is classic.

Knocked Up is definitely not for the weak at heart. They cuss (a lot), they smoke weed (a lot), and there are some major gross out child birth moments for the uninitiated (me), and it earns every bit of the R-rating. Which for me is refreshing to see, because the world that we live in isn't PG-13, and when things go wrong we don't go "Aw shucks", we drop f-bombs, and when life throws us a curve ball, not everyone takes it in stride, most of us have a freak out period, and it's that fact that Knocked Up is able accurately get across. That's not to say it paints a bleak picture of things, because that's not the case at all, it's still a feel good movie. Knocked Up just points out that it takes a little work to get to feeling good.

9.5/10

LOST: Through the Looking Glass

My apologies for writing this review so pathetically late. I was originally was planning on waiting a week to write the review in order to let the episode marinate, but alas. A week turned into two, then an unspeakable three. Oh well, at least I'm writing with a little perspective now. Perspective that allowed me to realize that this was without a doubt the best Lost eppy of Season 3, and one of the best of the entire Series.

Why was this episode so good? Mainly because it's pacing, and the way it weaved together so many of the important story lines from not only Season 3, but all of the series. There were also the moments within this episode that made your draw drop, and it seems like they were showing up in almost every scene. There was the beach attack, Walt's appearance, Locke murdering Naomi,Charlie's death, Rousseau being reunited with Alex, Jack beating the hell out of Ben, and last but not least, the reveal that the entire episode was a Flash Forward. These are moments that could usually carry an entire episode on it's own, but instead were packed in ever minute of the finale.

The use of the Flash Forward gives Lost more than enough storytelling ammunition to finish off the series. The current word on the street is that Season 4 will be a mix of flashbacks and forwards, as it's obvious that Kate and Jack made it off the island, but it's unknown what the circumstances of their rescue was, and if they were the only ones who were saved. This gives Jack and Kate's overall tales much more meat, while still leaving room for untold stories of Rousseau, Alex, Karl, and hopefully more Ben. The Season 4 seeds were planted also, with one of the biggest being who's funeral was Jack attending. It could be anyone. A character we've met, or have yet to meet. All we know is that they are neither friend or family to Jack. Also seeing the way in which Jack was emotionally ravaged by leaving the island opens up even more possibilities, more than enough for this mind to fumble through over grueling Lost hiatus. Just think of the questions up in the air now. If Naomi's boat isn't rescue, then who is it? How did Walt re-appear? What's the deal with Locke? Who or what is Jacob? How did Jack and Kate get off the island? What are the Ruins? Tack these questions on with the already remaining mysteries and you've got some compelling stories that are yet to be told.

Watching the finale felt more like watching a movie than a television show to be honest, and I'm not saying that only because I'm a mega tron Lost nerd (OK, maybe I am). Basically this show had to deliver in order to silence it's critics and bring it's old fan's back into the fold. So far, based on all of the positive reaction after the finale, the writers came through in the clutch. Which is refreshing, because shows this good usually find a way to crash and burn before they hit their stride, Lost has avoided that. If "Through the Looking Glass" is any indication of the quality that awaits in the final three seasons, then Lost may very well take it's place as one of the greatest shows to ever grace the small screen.

10/10

Season 4 doesn't start until February of 2008, it's a long way, but in the meantime I'll continue to write about other random things, and maybe from time to time I'll drop some Lost theories to help ease my cravings until Lost returns. Ahhh, until then.......