But this year, I am going to include some documentaries on my list, the most obvious being “An Inconvienet Truth”.

What are the most important, best, and mind blowing movies of the past 10 years?

A report from this summer at gallup.com reveals that Americans, on the whole, think that homosexuality is acceptable, and that we should not discriminate against them in the workplace, but apparently marriage is right out.

Man, I love polls.

An Asociated Press poll indicated that seven in ten black voters in California voted to deny gays equal rights under the law thru the passage of Prop 8.

I am shocked that the black community could be so ruthlessly hypocritical. The shame those 7 in 10 should feel.

So 43 years, eh? I guess that’s how long it takes for one community to forget about it’s epic struggle to achieve civil right. To forget what it means to be held down. To be denied. To forget how much prejudice hurts people.

Might I remind us that 40 years ago it would have been against the law for Barak Obama’s parents to marry. And now the people who are celebrating the election of the first black man to office, on the same day helped deny another group of people the very same freedoms that they stuggled for 40 years ago.

The irony is overwhelming.

I’d say it myself, but Keith says it so much better…

For most people, the crippling effects wore off quickly. Rationality set in and people realized that running off like Rambo without a jock strap might not be the best way to respond. Now, I won’t suggest that the US should not go after enemies that are committing crimes against it. I am merely suggesting that there are many ways to win the “war on terror”.

But some people never recovered, and their acute case became chronic. Symptoms seem to include wild swings toward the political right, a sudden need to join the NRA, a blinding support for any military action proposed by President Bush, and a sudden urge to be born again.

But the most unsettling symptom seems to be a deep seated fear. A fear that cripples their rationality, and fills them with righteous anger. This fear is a lever that seems to enable the US leadership to limit our civil rights, wiretap our phone calls, and set up offshore detention centers.

I know there are books full of psychological diseases. Is there an official name for this one?

The most recent wake up call came as I watched the movie “Lord of War.” Now I know that this movie is an exaggeration, but it is based on a real story. I marveled as the main character showed a total lack of ability to extend his actions beyond himself. He completely failed to see how his own actions contributed to a more violent and brutal world.

Now you may say “come on John” not everyone is selling AK-47s to African counties to fuel civil wars.” I’d have to agree with you. But we live in a nation where people can’t connect their actions to the state of the nation and the world.

People fail to connect their gigantic, gas-guzzling SUVs with climate change and dependence on foreign oil. They fail to see how their over consumption and their buying patterns are affecting our economy, our environment and our future.

Tell me I’m wrong. Please.

This seems dangerous. Maybe the left needs to arm itself*. I know, I know, we are a terribly belligerent and fearful nation addicted to violence. I know, I know, gun death in our country is many times higher than all the other nations of the earth. But the left needs to defend itself!

* flagrant satire