The other night I watched the HBO docudrama "Game Change". It's the story of Sarah Palin's selection for Vice President by the McCain campaign. The ratings for the movie were one of HBO's best.
First I must say the Julianne Moore (Palin) and Ed Harris (McCain) were superb. They played their characters flawlessly.
Of course this was a movie and of course there is always the makers bias but if this movie is anywhere near accurate it's just too frightening to contemplate.
Most will focus on the beating Palin takes in the movie but what I found so abhorrent was that she got in that position in the first place. It just never should have happened.
The movie portrays the overriding objective was to pick someone solely for their ability to derail Obama's momentum with no thought to the importance of the position. Apparently, McCain's advisers were so focused on Palin's ability to capture votes they didn't even bother to find out if she had a clue about even the most basic issues and historical events. Which clearly she did not. There are tapped interviews to pretty much confirm that is true.
Once Palin finds out she actually has to have actual knowledge as opposed to simply spewing soccer mom sound bites she quickly becomes overwhelmed to the point she is nearly catatonic and close to complete mental collapse.
If a leader is as good as the people he surrounds himself with then McCain is just as incompetent as Palin. His advisers failed to properly vet Palin and McCain did not vet his advisers. Had McCain prevailed all those idiots who supported picking Palin would be on the Whitehouse staff advising the president. Who would want such idiots advising their president? Especially, when that president didn't have enough character to get involved and ask his own questions. How incredibly irresponsible to be so cavalier about a person who could be a heartbeat form the presidency. It scares the hell out of me.
It would be easy to condemn Palin but after seeing this movie I find her a sympathetic character. There was no way she should have ever been put in that position. She was so deluded she didn't have enough sense to realize she was in no way a suitable candidate for Vice President. McCain's advisers certainly should have. But, that seems to be politics today. To hell with leadership. It's all about what plays for the voters.
I didn't vote in the last election because there was no one to vote for as far as I was concerned. I didn't care for either of the candidates. I am still no fan of Obama's but if this movie is anywhere near true then I would have to say he was the lesser of evils.
What an incredibly sad state of affairs American politics is in.
I do recommend you watch this movie.
©Kinsey Barnard
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
27 March 2010
Monument Valley Arizona/Utah
As far as photography goes this is a tough time of year here in the Rockies. The splendors of winter have faded and left a certain barren landscape whilst we await the wonders of the new life spring will bring.
So, I'm going back to last winter at this time when I was shooting in Monument Valley which straddles Arizona and Utah. I don't think there is a more colorful desert anywhere. No matter in what direction you look there is some kaleidoscopic something to see and to shoot.
The sky and the clouds are truly incredible. The sandstone desert is capped by the most intense blue and the clouds are pure, well purity. They are big, boisterous and beautiful. I'm quite partial to the clouds in Montana's Big Sky but there can be no doubt those in the Monument Valley give them a run for the money.
Monument Valley by Kinsey Barnard
There's something else I like a lot about Monument Valley. It's still some what primitive. The valley belongs to the sovereign nation of the Navajo and it is their intention to keep it primitive for as long as they can. I believe that will be indefinitely. If you come with the right kind of vehicle you can travel the desert to your hearts content. Koty and I put in I don't know how many miles just going up and down the dirt roads.You can see for miles and miles and miles .....
As mentioned many times, patterns in nature fascinate me no end and there is no shortage of that kind of thing to see in Monument Valley. As they say, you can't make this stuff up! If you are into this sort of thing the sandstone designs will knock your socks off. Mother Nature just keeps coming up with extraordinary designs. One commenter thought the image below looked like sharks teeth. I think she's right.
Monument Valley Designs by Kinsey Barnard
The main event is the Tribal Park where you will find the biggest, baddest monuments. This area is quite crowded. You can take guided or self guided trips around the loop road. I recommend you take one of the park jitneys unless you have a car you're not too concerned about. Most of the road is just fine but the first quarter mile down into the park or so is a real goat track.
As for accommodations go there are really only two choices. You can go upscale at the relatively new The View hotel which is within the tribal park and sits on a bluff overlooking the valley. Even if you don't stay here you should stop in for "The View".
The other option is Gouldings Lodge. Before The View it was the only accommodation in Monument Valley. It played host to John Wayne and John Huston and is steeped in the history of the valley.
Stagecoach by Kinsey Barnard.
The Lodge is a little frayed around the edges but I think it's part of the charm. The view from here isn't too shabby either. You'll have the opportunity to see some awesome sunsets from your balcony. Even if you don't stay here you might want to stop in to check out the museum.
Whether you are interested in photography or not I can pretty much guarantee you you will have an eye popping time in Monument Valley. It's truly a natural wonder.
©Kinsey Barnard Photography
Monument ValleySo, I'm going back to last winter at this time when I was shooting in Monument Valley which straddles Arizona and Utah. I don't think there is a more colorful desert anywhere. No matter in what direction you look there is some kaleidoscopic something to see and to shoot.
Monument ValleyThe sky and the clouds are truly incredible. The sandstone desert is capped by the most intense blue and the clouds are pure, well purity. They are big, boisterous and beautiful. I'm quite partial to the clouds in Montana's Big Sky but there can be no doubt those in the Monument Valley give them a run for the money.
Monument Valley by Kinsey Barnard
There's something else I like a lot about Monument Valley. It's still some what primitive. The valley belongs to the sovereign nation of the Navajo and it is their intention to keep it primitive for as long as they can. I believe that will be indefinitely. If you come with the right kind of vehicle you can travel the desert to your hearts content. Koty and I put in I don't know how many miles just going up and down the dirt roads.You can see for miles and miles and miles .....
Looking Down the RoadAs mentioned many times, patterns in nature fascinate me no end and there is no shortage of that kind of thing to see in Monument Valley. As they say, you can't make this stuff up! If you are into this sort of thing the sandstone designs will knock your socks off. Mother Nature just keeps coming up with extraordinary designs. One commenter thought the image below looked like sharks teeth. I think she's right.
Monument Valley Designs by Kinsey Barnard
The main event is the Tribal Park where you will find the biggest, baddest monuments. This area is quite crowded. You can take guided or self guided trips around the loop road. I recommend you take one of the park jitneys unless you have a car you're not too concerned about. Most of the road is just fine but the first quarter mile down into the park or so is a real goat track.
As for accommodations go there are really only two choices. You can go upscale at the relatively new The View hotel which is within the tribal park and sits on a bluff overlooking the valley. Even if you don't stay here you should stop in for "The View".
The other option is Gouldings Lodge. Before The View it was the only accommodation in Monument Valley. It played host to John Wayne and John Huston and is steeped in the history of the valley.
Stagecoach by Kinsey Barnard.
The Lodge is a little frayed around the edges but I think it's part of the charm. The view from here isn't too shabby either. You'll have the opportunity to see some awesome sunsets from your balcony. Even if you don't stay here you might want to stop in to check out the museum.
Whether you are interested in photography or not I can pretty much guarantee you you will have an eye popping time in Monument Valley. It's truly a natural wonder.
©Kinsey Barnard Photography
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