OK so I just had to comment on this news story coming out of Spingfield, Virginia. Eric Williamson made coffee in his kitchen naked at 5.30am on Monday morning. No one was home (he shares the house with several work colleagues) so he just got up and had a cup of joe without getting a robe or getting dressed. But hey, it was his home afterall!
A woman had cut through his front lawn and was passing by the kitchen window at the time with a 7 year-old boy. She then called the police and Mr Williamson was arrested for indecent exposure. Meaning the police believe he wanted to be seen naked.
I'm not kidding. Do the authorities in Springfield, Virginia honestly have nothing better to do with their time than take a crazy woman's complaint seriously? Based on the details, it sounds like she cut through his yard!! And then noticed him naked at 5.30am and rather than turn her head or pick up the pace, she called the cops? Really?
How sad has America become in turning on our own neighbors who are just in their own home not disrupting anyone? It's like anything can set people off to complain, call the police or sue just to feel better about themselves.
Does anyone not realise it was 5.30am!!! What in the hell was that woman doing with a 7 year-old at 5.30 in the morning cutting through his yard anyways? Surely school doesn't start for an elementary student at 6am. Let the poor kid sleep! And if the guy really wanted to be seen naked, who would do it at 5.30 in the morning? It's not like that many people in the suburbs are out walking the streets at that time anyways.
I just can't get over how sensitive people have become. Especially in the states. Having moved away and lived in England for the past three years, I have finally noticed how much entitlement Americans feel they have. I know it's not like that for every American, but it's certainly something that is taught to us inadvertently when we are enlightened on the American dream.
Thankfully Mr Williamson is fighting the charge and may even seek damages caused by the Fairfax County Police. If he is found guilty he could spend up to a year in jail and face a maximum fine of $2,000.
In a response to the charge, Mr Williamson told Fox News, "I am a loving dad. Any of my friends and anyone knows that and there is not a chance on this planet I would ever, ever, ever do anything like that to a kid." He has a five year-old daughter.
Obviously I wasn't there and don't know if his side of the story truly happened, but based on him going public with the story, it sounds very credible that he was just making a cup of coffee. I'm hoping this case will be dropped and the woman who called the police will apologise. And hopefully she's learned a lesson as well, as this probably is harming Mr Williamson more than the 7 year-old's eyes.
Thursday 22 October 2009
Monday 19 October 2009
Deeply powerful film
I watched Hunger last night for the first time. In hindsight, it was probably not a Sunday night film. But then, I'm not sure what night of the week it would fit into.
Unfortunately I had no previous knowledge of the 1981 IRA prison hunger strike and have very little general knowledge of the plight in Northern Ireland during the time. So getting into the film was a bit difficult in that aspect.
Also, the film is more about art and cinematography than exciting script and history. With long shots and very little dialogue, it's extremely difficult to get into. However, if you make it past the 30 minute mark you should be proud of yourself and in for a real treat.
The film is heartbreaking and moving. It's difficult not to feel empathy for both the inmates and the prison guards - which is interesting as most story-lines will show the viewer a good guy and a bad guy. This movie is about human strength and belief, and the extreme situations people can be placed in and how they cope.
After the no-wash protest at Maze Prison has lasted for four years with no avail (the inmates want to wear civilian clothes rather than prison uniforms and end up naked with blankets) Bobby Sands leads the inmates in a hunger strike. The actor, Michael Fassbender, actually starved himself to portray the character in a real light. Now that's dedication.
The director of this film is the young British artist, Steve McQueen. He has done a beautiful, albeit slow, job with this film. It truly is art and he has a great eye for detail and poignant shots.
I would probably never get myself to watch this film again (the imagery can really burn into your brain) however I've now discovered a keen interest in the IRA in the 70s/80s and want to follow-up with a book about the subject. If a movie can do that for you, it's got to mean something good. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in film noire.
Unfortunately I had no previous knowledge of the 1981 IRA prison hunger strike and have very little general knowledge of the plight in Northern Ireland during the time. So getting into the film was a bit difficult in that aspect.
Also, the film is more about art and cinematography than exciting script and history. With long shots and very little dialogue, it's extremely difficult to get into. However, if you make it past the 30 minute mark you should be proud of yourself and in for a real treat.
The film is heartbreaking and moving. It's difficult not to feel empathy for both the inmates and the prison guards - which is interesting as most story-lines will show the viewer a good guy and a bad guy. This movie is about human strength and belief, and the extreme situations people can be placed in and how they cope.
After the no-wash protest at Maze Prison has lasted for four years with no avail (the inmates want to wear civilian clothes rather than prison uniforms and end up naked with blankets) Bobby Sands leads the inmates in a hunger strike. The actor, Michael Fassbender, actually starved himself to portray the character in a real light. Now that's dedication.
The director of this film is the young British artist, Steve McQueen. He has done a beautiful, albeit slow, job with this film. It truly is art and he has a great eye for detail and poignant shots.
I would probably never get myself to watch this film again (the imagery can really burn into your brain) however I've now discovered a keen interest in the IRA in the 70s/80s and want to follow-up with a book about the subject. If a movie can do that for you, it's got to mean something good. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in film noire.
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