Clearplay? More Like Butcherplay!

Originally posted on May 20, 2005

The bit Ridor made toward Kokonut Pundits in a recent blog entry inspired this blog entry. Obviously it was a response to Kokonut’s blog entry on the “Star Wars” and "Clearplay" bits. I know you didn’t mention Clearplay, you obviously were responding to it. I’m glad you did though because I wanted to say a few things on it. To read Ridor’s blog entry, click here.

Why would somebody watch a movie if they know what had been said in and consider them to be quite offensive? I watch a lot of movies that people would consider offensive, but to me, it's just listening to somebody else's viewpoint. At least I listen and take my time thinking about what was said rather than reaching for the tissue box and make sob story about how they are forced to hear such a thing.

“If you’re not with me, then you’re my enemy” – Anakin Skywalker to Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.

“Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.” – President George W. Bush to the Americans and the world.

These two quotes brought to bring up the topic regarding a DVD player called, “Clearplay.” Just click here to read this blog entry Mike McConnell of Kokonut Pundits wrote.

One can use Clearplay to censor some so-called offensive audio or visual images. But why would one bother watching it if they already had taken offense to the movie? Just because these parts are censored doesn’t mean it isn’t there. That’s like censoring the part where John F. Kennedy got shot several times or censoring a powerful speech of his in a JFK documentary. What’s the point of watching it if you know you won’t like what you’ll see in the uncensored version?

Imagine somebody watching Fahrenheit 9/11 on Clearplay. All that person will see is the end credits on it. At least some of it.

I do believe the people responsible for the Clearplay DVD player are perfectly entitled and should be allowed to make a DVD player that is capable of censoring audio and visual images. Even though I wouldn’t buy it.

Freedom of Choice, what baloney. It's really Freedom of Ignorance. If it weren’t for the pioneers of America, America wouldn't be what it is today. It's just easier for one to ignore than to hear it. My friend, that is what we call ignorance.

Kokonut is quite predictable when it come to these matters. Though everybody knew this was coming anyway. But that’s him, he’s a predictable person since he’s a self-proclaimed ultra-conservative making it easier to know what to expect from him. Nothing’s wrong with being an ultra-conservative, but going off the edge can make you look bad. Which already had happened several times especially in that blog entry about the ‘Koran’ situation. It really showed his true flying colours. Click here to view the recent blog entry I just referred to. Kokonut Pundits is a big supporter of violating human rights. The evidence is right there in his blog entry. He said it.

If you are unable to see what I’m talking about, then you are turning a blind eye to it. Newsweek didn’t lie; even a spokesman from International Red Cross already had told the U.S. government about the problems regarding the ‘Koran’ situation prior to the Newsweek exposure several times. Several times? How did that even get ignored in the first place? Not only to mention that there are talks that Newsweek’s source was from a branch of the U.S. government. Straight from the horse’s mouth, like it or not. Now, about that Saddam picture in the Sun? Why did they even publish it in the first place? Oh right, to sell more newspapers. Capitalists often have no moral values, what else is new? Really, there was no point in it except to humiliate people, which they always manage to succeed at. Saddam will get the punishment he deserves someday. But do we have to see pictures of him in his underwear?

Certainly not.

At least I know better to not flip a coin over on whom to vote for. There's simply no excuse for flipping a coin. If one want to vote for President Bush because he/she believe is the right choice, go ahead. Stay true to your beliefs. If you feel opposed to President Bush due to the differences in beliefs and values, and vote for somebody else, go ahead. At least you'll be true to yourself. Though some people has pointed out that Freedom of Speech is not just a right, but a right that comes with a big responsibility.

Though I’m glad this voter realized the inexcusable mistake that had been made and voted for the person that he believe to be the right person in the ’04 election unlikely in the 2000 election. Still, I’m amazed that he resorted to it in the first place.

If one cannot decide whom to vote for, be a non-voter. Spare us the troubles. Let the others make their decisions... as long they don't flip a coin over it. Spock, a fictional character that doesn't believe in emotions and illogical choices would be outraged if one was stupid enough to do such a thing. No, I’m not calling just one person an idiot. Anybody who would flip a coin to make a major decision is an idiot. Would you flip a coin on if you should press the red button that clearly tell you to not press it? Not even an apology or gazillion apologies would justify such a thing because it jeopardize the principles of the USA. This is just one of many reasons why I don't have as much respect for Kokonut as I used to. Just enough to respect the fact that he exist.

Shocked at the fact that I used to have respect for him? Yup, he used to be more friendly toward most people. What happened? His ego; politics and more went up to his head.

Hey, you're probably reading this. Especially after a friend told me that you made an “observation” about your link being removed from the list on my blog. Though I did add your blogsite back onto the list after a while. Just in case you think I shouldn't be naming you, think again. You're a public blogger and you obviously are trying to make a household name out of yourself. Therefore, everybody can mention your name if they wish to. I will list whomever I want to in my links section.

For some people who feel that I am too Anti-Bush, or too Pro-Bush. I used to be quite Anti-Bush, but I was just a teen with raging hormones filled with ideas and crazy thoughts. Now, I believe it boils down to being about beliefs and choices when it comes to making big decisions. To err is human, that’s how I see the world. Human beings are so flawed, which is why they often have to go back to their faith, which may be the God or something else. I am a Christian, not an agnostic like I used to be. Ridor, I’m not preaching to you. I’m just acknowledging that I do believe in God along with spirituality. I believe it is everybody’s right to have a faith even it is quite different from mine. You have your faith and beliefs to guide you through your life. Even if it’s your own principles that guide you, you are using use it as your faith. To me, the bible is wide open to interpretations and always will be. There will never be a definite version of the bible because it will continue to be written by men, not God. They claim that it was God who said it. But like I said, it’s open to interpretations.

I don't think President George W. Bush is much of an evil person. But I do think he made a huge mistake by waging a war with Iraq. Everyday, American troopers, Iraqi soldiers, American civilians, Iraqi civilians are still dying. Actually, Iraqi civilians are at the highest risk of dying. Dozens of thousand Iraqi civilians had been killed in the crossfires, car bombings and more, which makes me wonder if the war is really doing them a favour. I realize it's wonderful that they are able to vote now. But I do feel that the war would had been better justified if the President hadn't emphased so much on the WMDs being in Iraq instead of liberating Iraq. Liberating Iraq as the main point would have been much better. Especially when the CIA report had been proven to be flawed and admitted by the CIA. People already had voted to reform CIA and more. I do feel that President Bush had done a lot of damages and split the country of the U.S.A. Just look at the millions who had rallied in New York City, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and more major cities before the Iraq invasion began. It was quite clear that there weren’t just a few people who were opposed to the way the war was planned. A lot of liberals supported the idea of going to war with Iraq, but the plan the president had made wasn’t quite what they were hoping for.

Anyway, back to Clearplay, what a perfect tool for people who are incapable of listening to the others without investing emotions into them or even taking time to look into their viewpoints. Also a perfect tool for irresponsible parents because they don't know what movies to show to their children. There's thousands and thousands of G-rated movies on DVD, yet they rent PG-13/R-rated movies and then blame Hollywood for their problems. Though nobody should invest in this technology because it's going to be a flop. Not even V-Chip on TV was a big hit. Many parents still haven't enabled their TV sets to block out certain programs and channels.

But hey, I'm a film purist. I wouldn't invest a penny in it as I mentioned earlier, but if somebody wants to. Go ahead; buy it if you want to. It's suited for some, but not for some. It's my choice to not censor whatever I watch or read. If I have children, I won't show them movies that I don't feel they are mature enough to view. Therefore, save me the troubles of having to invest in a machine that is programmed to censor some visual images and audio out of the movies that weren’t suitable for children in the first place.

There’s more to discuss the subject on the Star Wars saga. It's a fact that George Lucas started with Star Wars by laying out a bunch of political research papers on the table that he did. It covered about every famous political era including Roman Empire, Nazism, Vietnam, Nixon and more. With the prequels, it made sense that George Lucas would take the modern politics into account.

I'm neither a hardcore liberal nor conservative. Much, much more of a centrist. I have some liberal viewpoints along with conservatives. But I often draw the line at certain points.

In Canada, we have a bunch of problems going on in both provincial and federal governments. I didn't vote for the Liberal party (Federal) in the last election because I felt they had been in power for too long, around 12 years. But I didn't vote for the conservatives either. I voted for somebody else, but some people obviously felt that the liberals deserved another round at it.

Look at all the scandals they've gotten themselves into now. Totally disgusting, not only to mention the dirty games the Tories (conservatives) are playing against the Liberals right now. Yesterday, a huge shock hit the government. A Tory defected to the Liberal party. Of course, the Tories decided to hurl insults and many more toward this woman who did such a thing. Shows that our politicians are quite mature, eh?

You (Ridor) obviously read my blog on Star Wars the other day where a bunch of Canadian politicians were compared to some Star Wars characters. It was quite a good piece, I must say since I'm familiar with the politics of Canada. Yes, I do feel that my government needs to be reformed or ruled by a different party. One party is growing stronger especially after the last election, called the Green Party. But I have to do some research on them, I've found some of their ideas to be quite refreshing and interesting. I'm not sure if they have the same ideas as the one in the USA.

Some people are going to take all of what I had said the wrong way and some would take it the way I wanted them to see. Though I do have a good hunch that the people I’m aiming for aren’t going to bother. But at least I said my piece.