Touched by Greatness

I know a lot of people, and even love some of them. The ones I love are pretty much restricted to my family or closest of friends.

There is one exception to this.

One extraordinary soul that only departed this earth last Wednesday loomed large in my life - not just as an employer, but as a unique force in my life entire.

Paul Sharratt was 75 when he succumbed to a heart attack in the arms of his wife at 630 in the morning on May 27th, 2009.

He was a successful performer in his native land of Australia, with plenty of fame and awards to compliment his formidable skill set in the arts of comedy, song, dance and hosting. He was knighted. He has a park named after him. He won 12 "Logey" awards (the Australian equivalent of our Emmy).

He was an executive producer at my company, again with plenty of accolades and benchmarks of professional accomplishment. He has an American Emmy. He has traveled all over the world, not only for broadcast programming but for outstanding charity work in feeding hungry children. He has been instrumental in the success of my employer and by extension my employment.

But his legacy goes far, far, FAR beyond commercial achievement.

I have struggled for days and days on end to put into words just what made Paul Sharratt such an incredible force, not only in my life, but with everyone he encountered.

Honestly, I think he was touched by God.

He had a light in his spirit that was inescapable, and undeniable.

Don't get me wrong. He was not a saint, he was mortal. He had plenty of human faults and sins that were plainly visible at times. And yet, it didn't matter one bit. Everyone wanted to be around this man.

Case in point - an ex-employee (one of many) was at Paul's service. He drove across several states to be there. He had been personally fired 6 years ago BY PAUL. It didn't matter. He was there and he loved the man.

Everyone. And I mean everyone, loved Paul.

I've never met a man before quite like him, and I know I'll never meet one again.

I have been with my company for 13 years, and I've had the privilege of working with Paul on most days in that time period. Both in Los Angeles and all over the world, in locales as diverse as his homeland, Africa, China, southeast Asia and all across Europe.

By nature, especially at work and in my day to day interactions with the world, I am a private person. I save my inner thoughts and vulnerabilities for my wife, my brother, my mom and a small handful of my closest friends.

I rarely had any "deep" conversations with Paul, it was always pretty much work - good humored and good natured, but pretty much about business.

I loved the man, probably within a few months of meeting him, but I always respected his position as my employer and never sought to connect with him beyond my role as an employee who had a healthy respect for him.

There are two exceptions I can remember where my usual business-like manner was let down with him. I cling to these instances now fondly - as I wish with all my heart I could have had another conversation to tell him how much he meant to me.

The first instance was in Rome, after we had all enjoyed an audience with Pope JP II. I have written here before that I, not a religious person whatsoever, burst into quiet tears of joy upon seeing the holy father. I had a lovely talk with Paul that evening about the experience, and I could see that he was genuinely touched that I had been so moved (as had he) in seeing the pope.

The second instance was back in LA, when Paul had just returned from his cancer surgery. I looked into his eyes and told him how great it was to see him, he squeezed my shoulder gently and smiled with his usual magical warmth and a twinkle in his eyes, not saying a word, but clearly touched by my concern.

Reading back on what I've written, I think I've pretty much failed to convey what was so great about Paul.

I can say all sorts of wonderful things about him that are true and give you a sense about him as a person - but you really had to know him to understand that he was so much more than the sum of these parts.

He was warm. He was charming. He had a fun and wicked sense of humor. He had charisma, but still seemed down to earth.

He was a good listener, but generally had already formed an opinion - and yet, he didn't come off as close minded at all.

He could be irritable - and yet, somehow, people were still drawn to him, even when he was cross.

He didn't suck up to people. Ever. He didn't kiss ass - and yet, somehow, even people that he had to deal with professionally (yes, he did fire people on occasion) never held a grudge, never wished him ill. It sounds unbelievable, bizarre even, but it was true.

I honestly believe there was a light in him - that he could be fallible - and yet somehow never lose his connection with the divine.

I have been deeply affected over losing him - though as I say, I wasn't by any means a close friend of his. But I am overwhelmed and so deeply honored to have, as Ruta Lee so beautifully said at his memorial service, lived in close proximity to such an incredible thread in the tapestry of life.

I take great comfort from Paul's wife, who told me in private that Paul thought very highly of me.

My heart breaks for her, and Paul's daughters - one of which worked with her dad here in LA for many years. How hard it must be for her to come back to a place that is so much filled with Paul's presence.

All of Paul's girls (his wife and 2 daughters) are in my prayers - I know they will get through it, because Paul is with them and helping them along the way.

He is with me as well - and I know he doesn't want anyone to be overwhelmed with grief. He wants us to enjoy our lives.

I know those closest to him will eventually persevere. And the rest of us will get through as well.

Looking around at the people who knew him, it is very evident that Paul has left a little piece of his divine light behind - and it is shining in our hearts, as brilliant and as bright as the sun.

We are now, as he was in life, touched by greatness.

Wow. Just... wow.

I think I'm getting a whole lot of empathy for my friends on the left who suffered "Bush Derangement Syndrome." over the past 8 years.

And then there's this supreme idiocy.

This Carter-esque bumbling is not only stupid, but I would argue (as Teddy Roosevelt did) that such extreme fealty and blind pacifism is inherently immoral.

There were stretches of 2006 and 2007 (when things in Iraq were really bad) when my aforementioned left leaning friends fell into despair about the future of our country.

I'm in one of those pockets right now.

I guess more than anything, I'm scared of being right.

I hope that the land of Unicorns and Rainbows that our president speaks of really does exist - and that somehow the 60% tax rates of Europe and fun stuff like government mandated thermostats will turn out to be the very best thing for all of us.

Oye.

Rest in Peace, Officer

Nearly fifteen years ago I umpired one of my last baseball games, at St. Mary's college in Moraga - my partner was John Hege, a stocky fellow a few years my senior with a good head for umpiring and a wicked sense of humor.

The game I don't really remember, my life was changing and I still loved baseball, but I knew I was headed for different things. But I do remember the conversation John and I had in the parking lot. He told me he had joined the Oakland PD as a reserve officer - and he loved it. He spoke excitedly about being a cop, how the adrenaline he and I experienced from laying down the law on the ball field was nothing next to the rush of playing the role in real life.

I don't remember specific sentences, but I'll never forget that enthusiasm in his eyes. He had found what he loved.

I at one time had aspired to be a police officer; it appealed to me. Helping people, seeing justice served. But I knew well before my conversation with John, that such a life, while enticing, was ultimately not for me. Police work, like umpiring, was thankless - and truth be told, I am the type who would have a knot in my stomach for days after I made a bad call. I was, and still am, sorely lacking the thick skin needed for the job.

Not John. He could have a coach screaming in his face (though it didn't happen that often) and happily eject the loudmouth with a smile. Inevitably he would have a scathing joke about the offender afterwards that would leave me in stitches.

John and I, over about 4 years, maybe umpired a hundred games together. He, along with my good buddy Jay, was my favorite guy to work with. We also went to the Joe Brinkman professional umpire school together in 1991. He did well, but came down with a very nasty cold that saw him fall just short of moving on to the Major League Umpire Development program.

I lost contact with him, along with all my other umpire associates, when I moved to Tucson and away from the baseball life in 1994. I had fond memories of my time on the diamond, but my brother told me years later that I was a much happier person afterwards. Umpiring was for men of a different breed, men like John Hege.

Police work is even more daunting, and far more important. When a prowler came to my bedroom window at 2 in the morning, only 2 weeks after my little girl was born, the cops came quickly - and eventually caught the piece of trash. "Go back to sleep sir, this doesn't happen in Burbank." was what the officer told me.

Apart from the handful of instances where police have helped me directly, and even one time where they pulled me over because I matched a suspect's description, I know there are countless other instances where because of their mere presence or prior actions - I have been spared the evils of society.

I am in awe of these men and women, and I literally thank God that this thin blue line is there for me and my family.

On Sunday John and his partner pulled over a man for a minor traffic violation. The man put a bullet in John's head and killed 3 other officers before being killed himself. John as of this moment is still on life support, but is brain dead and will be allowed to go to his maker as soon as organ donation arrangements can be made.

The memory of John has been with me all day, and I am hurt and angered by the thought of such scum taking John's life. But I am also remembering the good times, and most important of all - reminding myself that John knew what he was getting into and was ready to give his life so the rest of us could be safe.

These days, my life is good. I am a successful television editor, on a show about, of all things, cops. I have seen first hand, raw footage, reel after reel after reel, of officers doing their job. Being human, yes, being tough, yes - but always having compassion and a greater need to serve their community and protect the innocent.

They are lied to, over and over and over again. And yet they keep their composure and their humanity. They pray before hitting a search warrant - pray for their safety and the safety of their families. And they pray for the safety of the suspects whose homes they are about to invade.

It will take awhile, but eventually I know I must pray for another man who now lies dead in the morgue - the man who took John's life and the lives of his fellow officers. The man who shattered the lives of the families and children, not only of the police, but of the people who knew him and probably even loved him.

In the mean time I am praying for John, that his passage into the next life will come soon and peacefully. I'm praying for those that loved him and the doubtless thousands of people whose lives were touched by his service and are now saddened at his passing.

In my mind, I can see John, that wry grin and twinkle in his eye as he stomps out to the mound to break up the coach and players bullshit session. Then he's back behind the plate, slams the mask down.

Play ball.

Deal With It

Movies 2008

My faves for 2008

Keep in mind I don't get to see many moves, compared to what I used to watch pre-kid. Not complaining, but my choices are much more limited these days.

10. Cloverfield
Perfect DVD rental. Loved it from first frame to last - strong choices top to bottom and a great faithful ethos to b-movies.

9. Prince Caspian
Love the books - greatly admire the movies. Very moving for a fan and a person of faith. Caspian is not perfect, but a great addition to the series.

8. Milk
Sean Penn is amazing (too bad he's such an idiot as a person). Film expertly captures the time and illuminates a historic event that I thought I knew very well.

7. Man On Wire
Stunning documentary, almost derailed by ridiculous sex scene reenactment. Beautiful otherwise.

6. Speed Racer
Unconventional. Not Hollywood. Plenty of heart. Phenomenal visuals. Ahead of it's time.

5. Iron Man
Great ride. Downey is amazing - set pieces are exhilarating. Even Paltrow is tolerable (actually perfectly cast for once.)

4. Kung Fu Panda
I was absolutely floored by this film. A MUST for anyone who loves Kung Fu movies. Finally Dreamworks Animation approaches Pixar quality in story and animation. Amazing, amazing, amazing.

3. Tropic Thunder
One of the funniest movies I have ever seen. Instant classic.

2. Wall-E
Pixar's masterpiece. Incredibles is a better movie, Wall-E is a better film, and the best of the Pixar crop.

1. The Dark Knight.
The standard by which all comic book movies should be measured. Along with Wall-E, this is one of the most profound movies of the decade.


Honorable Mentions - movies that I enjoyed and would recommend.

The Spiderwick Chronicles
Great little fantasy film, plenty of thrills and chills plus a great heartfelt punch.

Horton Hears a Who - almost made the top ten, but how many cartoons can I have up there? I know I'm a dad, but oye! A delightfully realized romp. It will always have a fond place in my heart also because it's the first movie my little girl saw in a theater.

Jumper - Very flawed story, but still a hell of a lot better than Twilight. Great gags and effects, a fun ride. Listing it here because I know it will be overlooked.

Incredible Hulk - Damn good comic book movie. Until I saw Iron Man and Dark Knight. Still a blast and a definite purchase.

Bolt - Very good adventure, hard to compete against Pixar and Dreamworks. Some great character work and plenty of heart.

Madagascar 2 - Yes, I have a 4 year old! Honestly, I've become a great fan of these movies (even after, or maybe because of, seeing them both dozens of times). Borat is hilarious as the lemur king. Good times, great movie for kids and silly grown ups.

Honestly, I can't remember a year with more animated home runs. Any other year Horton Hears a Who is a top ten movie on my list.


Movies I REALLY want to see badly.

Frost/Nixon - Heard nothing but good things. Nixon fascinates me.
Ben Button - Love Fincher's work. Zodiac was amazing.
Gran Torino - This one more than the others I'm dying to see. Heard it's a big un-PC Dirty Harry as a geriatric flick.


Worst Movies I saw in 2008

Rachel Getting Married - What. The. Hell. I like Hathaway, but honestly, her character needs to shut up. Like, now. And what's up with the long ass scenes in real time that don't go anywhere. And the twist? Unbearably contrived and just stupid. Crap on crap. Did I mention I didn't like this movie?

Mamma Mia - I love musicals. I even like Abba. I hated this. Hated it. Meryl Streep is a big loser for bullying her way into this role. "I'm Meryl Streep. I have 2 dozen oscars. I like Mamma Mia'. I demand the lead!" Newsflash - You can't, freaking, sing.
How can you have a musical with lead characters that can't FREAKING SING? The numbers are somewhat well conceived - Dancing Queen is a visual delight. But it all falls apart, because the actors driving the show, don't have the tools to do the job. I felt sorry for all involved in this fatally flawed mess.

Twilight - meh.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - There's lots here that I actually like a lot. Love the 50's atom bomb sequence. Enjoy Shia' and the visual gags that accompany him. Love the college motorcycle chase, love the ants in the amazon. HATE HATE HATE the Crystal Skull itself. Looks like a model for the actual prop. "So Steven, this is a mockup?" "No, this is it." "This is what?" "The actual prop." "But it looks like acrylic with saran wrap inside of it. It looks like ass." "I'm Steven Spielberg, End of Discussion." And the final act is just terrible.

That's it. Overall, I really enjoyed most movies I saw this year. And I can't say enough about the Dark Knight and Wall-E, two of the best movies I can remember in a long, long time.

Hope he gets all the credit.

God Bless America

As I write this, the President-Elect is mere moments from being sworn in.

I am fully prepared to give the same level of support and optimism to Obama, as the democrats did to Bush.

Er... actually, I want Obama to succeed.

It is a great day for our nation, from a historic perspective. Obama, an African American, will be sworn in under oath on the same Bible that Abe Lincoln used in 1865. Pretty amazing stuff.

I pray for our new President's safety and success.

I also hope those who are infatuated with him, don't crumble in despair when it hits them that he is merely a human being faced with one of the toughest jobs on the planet. As leader of the free world, he will make mistakes. Big ones.

He will not fill your gas tank. He will not pay your mortgage.

In fact, one of the things I really admire about Obama - and goes largely un-highlighted by the press and his supporters; he pushes responsibility and accountability of the individual. True, he is a hopeless liberal, who currently has plans to expand the government even beyond our previous president (who spent more on failed social programs that the previous four administrations combined), but he also will stand before a black congregation and call for fathers of the community to stop abandoning their kids. I have faith that more of the latter and less of the former Obama will emerge as he realizes that the Presidency is not tantamount to playing "wish fairy" for the loudest complainers in the social strata.

To me, the biggest surprise, or you could say, elephant in the room is that Obama's America, will actually, be pretty similar to George W. Bush's. I laugh at the deluded folks who are saying things like "Now, I feel like I can come back to my country." Newsflash; your country has always been here - and will remain long after our current President departs.

This inauguration still has a prayer, before and after - this time led by a right wing pro-life pastor of all people. We still fire massive cannons after the oath of office is taken - and I have no doubt that Obama's speech will contain a warning to our enemies that amounts to "You mess with us, we will kill you." Some things about the Presidency will in fact, never change. At the end of the day, he still has to man up and do his job.

I am hopeful, but not deluded. I am, right now, choking up at Obama's speech. Our country faces challenges, and no one man can solve them. We are indebted to our country, and the ideals it was built on. I may disagree with Obama on many of his views - but I can say I have faith that he will fight to defend us from tyranny, and preserve our way of life.

God Bless America.

If the shoe fits...

Did you see the President duck? Man, even if you can't stand the guy, you've got to admit - the man's got some moves.

I myself look at the presidency of George W. Bush as overall, a failure. A failure to be a true conservative - to do what Reagan did, cut government spending and let the market be mostly free. This recent subversion of the will of the people, after the Senate categorically rejected the Big 3 bailout, to throw 17+ billion at these corporations that are "too big to fail" is pretty reprehensible.

It illustrates far better than all the war on terror related examples pointed to by the anti-military left, how this administration has truly been ruled by men, rather than the rule of law.

If you want to talk about ignoring the Constitution, and the principles it was founded on - the idea of limited government and freedom for the individual to achieve AND fail - look no further than the class of 2000. The big government Republican, the "compassionate" conservative, is an abject failure when it comes to business and prosperity.

But as for the war on terror - sorry, W. and his ilk got it right. I will concede that Iraq probably wasn't the best place to fight it. But If you want the most incredibly compelling example that it was ultimately a good thing, look no further than the shoe throwing chump below. I wonder if he would have been so emboldened to try the same stunt with the previous leader of Iraq?

It's over son, you lost, deal with it.

Happy Hanniquanzmas!

The holidays are upon us, and this is a true story.

After a fantastic visit up north with my mom and her husband on Thanksgiving, the following Monday morning the wife and I were back home - fast asleep when the clock radio went off. It literally clicked on and immediately blared out in song "It's the most, wonderful time, of the year!"

I had to chuckle, but it also struck me - why is the holiday season always fraught with a hefty thread of anxiety for most of us?

One big reason these days, in the information age, is that it's no longer just Christmas. It's all the other holidays as well. And people for some reason seem to be really bent about this.

Christians and Christmas fans are severely irritated that they can't say "Merry Christmas" to every single person they run into.

Everyone else, let's face it, still feels excluded from the holidays. Hanukkah and the other celebrations of the season are even in this day and age, a distant second to the bad ass known as Jesus, and his wing-man Santa Claus. It can be pretty off-putting. I actually had someone at my poker game last night say "Yeah, the holidays are great, if you're Christian! Not so much for the rest of us!"

I say, both "sides" need to just relax.

Christmas boosters especially should chill. Though it may seem at times that the whole world has gone secular, Christmas - and the religion that goes with it, are still number one. By a LOT. Especially in America - Christmas is the Elvis, the Beatles, the Madonna (so to speak) of holidays. It's not going anywhere.

Really, Christianity is by far the biggest faith in our country. The majority of folks, even those who don't go to church (yes, that would be me) have thrown in their lot with the holly and the mistletoe.

In light of what Jesus actually preached - the whole "do unto others", "turn the other cheek" , "love thy enemy" shpeal - I'd say, we need to remember what Christmas is actually about. Hope and brotherhood - not exclusion and fear.

If I don't know someone's faith - I say "Happy Holidays". If I do know, I say Merry Christmas or whatever is appropriate. It's really not that hard, and frankly not that big of a deal. I could care less which category someone fits into - the true spirit of Christmas applies across the board.

As for those who are not down with the jolly fat man, it's best to recognize that Christmas isn't going anywhere anytime soon. And if someone does get all up in your grill with a big and loud "Merry Christmas!", it's not worth getting twisted over. It's better to take the spirit behind the message - which is really universal.

Merry Christmas also means God Bless You which also means Happy Hanukkah which also means Peace and Joy which also means Happy Festivus.

It really is, all the same. The method of delivery is merely semantics, and not worth fretting about.

Really, Tiny Tim said it best - "God bless us, every one."

LOL.

Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are

Obama, Pelosi & Reid - Oh my.

Read on if you like, but be forewarned - Darth Vader is in the house at this moment.

The election is finally upon us - and I plan to vote for McCain.

I'm just about the only one I know in my circle of friends and family who is casting his vote for evil. The rest of the lot want sunshine, rainbows and lollipops. Well, they're welcome to it.

I really am trying to be optimistic, but it really seems like a lose-lose for us gun-loving, bible-clinging folks.

If McCain loses, then we really do face the unholy trilogy of Obama, Pelosi & Reid. An unfettered socialist juggernaut that will potentially dwarf even big government republican spender George W. Bush in the amount of well intentioned but ineffective social programs; not the least of which is the nightmarish scenario of government run health care.

And then there's the whole "spread the wealth around" mentality - which are the literal words of the democratic candidate. No really, he actually said this. And he's still favored to win the election. This alone demonstrates the level of hatred and disgust with our current president.

A few weeks ago Obama promised he would lower taxes for everyone making less than 250K a year. Just recently that number has dropped to 125K. Guess who makes about that a year? I can't wait for the number to drop again after he wins. That way, I can give some of my hard earned cash to those who really deserve it - the ones who dropped out of high school and are struggling to make ends meet with multiple kids and various habits involving narcotics.

I'm just a selfish bastard for wanting to hold on to the fruits of my labor I guess. And Biden thinks I'm unpatriotic.

Sigh.

If McCain wins, then I have to put up with four more years of the blame game of how the election was stolen and how our country is a racist pile of dung. Plus McCain may just revert to his old "Maverick" (read - liberal) self, and give W. a real run for his money in spending and opening the flood gates for illegal aliens.

Whatever. It will all be over soon.

I guess this may be what it takes to wake people up. When the massive victory party, complete with Roman columns no doubt, finally dies down - and the emperor has to deal with actually being president, then we'll really find out where we stand. Under the leadership of an inexperienced ideologue, who cut his teeth as a fundraiser for social programs driven by the ideals of wealth redistribution and social "justice". Obama will have to face the music on November 5th, and his on the job training will begin.

I just pray that he has enough good people around him to lift him out of the fog of false compassion that blinds his base.

Close to two years ago, I bet money with a couple of my friends that Obama would be our next president. I took advantage of their fear based Berkeley mindset (our country would NEVER elect a black man as president) and managed to bet a good amount on what I knew was almost a sure thing, even before Obama was the democratic nominee. I had seen his speeches, I knew I was looking at the next president. Man I hate being right sometimes. Still, I look forward to collecting my winnings so I can donate them to the RNC.

Reflections on Kenya

Over a month ago I traveled for work to Kenya. My job was to shoot compelling HD footage for a television special to air around Christmas time on MyNetwork TV - called, "Eyes on Africa."

The premise sounds a bit thin - six "D-list" celebrities embark on a voyage of discovery, journeying deep into the heart of the slums of Nairobi as well as the wilds of the Masai Mara wildlife reserve. In the process, they help some kids and learn a lot about themselves.

Not exactly something I would go out of my way to watch, but I have to say - the footage we shot has a lot of potential. In much the way "Dancing With the Stars" became an unlikely hit by following people who barely have careers - I think this show, if cut correctly, can be entertaining, and just as compelling in it's own way. I'll post a link to the website when it goes up, which should be soon.

I also think because of who we are working with, that there is a good chance the program will be not only watchable, but worthwhile.

Our partner on this project is Feed The Children, a tremendous organization that is one of the largest food relief agencies in the world and one of the most transparent in terms of where the money is put to use.

The people that founded the organization, Larry and Francis Jones, along with their daughter Larry-Sue, are the real deal. They fly coach, they live in a home not much bigger than mine - they walk the walk. I consider it an honor to be associated with them.

We spent 7 out of the 11 days we were in Kenya in the slums of Nairobi.

I've seen extreme poverty of this nature before, in Calcutta and Mumbai (Bombay). It was just as overwhelming there. But in Nairobi, I wasn't just driving through it. I was getting out of the mini-van, meeting people, shooting them (with video) and really absorbing the situation.

Quite frankly, I decided before I even left, that when I came face to face with this poverty, I was going to shut myself down emotionally - so that I could do my job. It wasn't easy, but for the most part, I did it.

The first day we traveled with Lou Gossett Jr. to meet a woman and her children. They lived in a region called Dandora. The second largest slum in Nairobi, but still one of the largest in the world. Their home was a rusty tin shed, maybe six by ten feet at the most. The floor was dirt. No electricity, no water, but they did have open sewage at their doorstep.

The woman had six children, five of them were HIV positive. She had no job or husband, yet had to pay a warlord a monthly rent for her hovel. She was six months behind and faced imminent eviction. Thankfully, Lou and FTC were there to help her immediate needs.

We were informed ahead of time, not to give money directly to those in need. The woman's life would likely be in danger if I had given her what was in my pocket at the time - for her a life changing sum of about $200. We were allowed, and encouraged to give through FTC - and they would see that those we designated would get what we gave.

Lou and his handler each gave generously to the woman, and I have no doubt that her problems - at least for awhile, have been reduced dramatically.

Much of what we saw and did was of this nature - directly helping people and their immediate needs. Whether it was for a young lady who wanted to go to beautician school, or small children who literally had nothing to eat. It was such an overwhelming difference in the scale and scope of the problems we have in the US. And yet, somehow giving "hand-outs" in such an extreme environment, seemed like the very best thing to do, simply because the need was so urgent.

Another day we went to Kibera. The largest slum in Nairobi, and many say the largest slum in the world.

Kibera is basically, a massive garbage dump - that happens to have over 600,000 people living atop it. This was definitely Calcutta caliber poverty. The stench was overwhelming, and the despair was palpable.

I should mention, that in Nairobi, wherever we went, we had armed guards with us. When we went to Kibera and Dandora, we stopped at police stations to pick up extra security - intimidating officers with AK-47's.

Kibera was where we went to one of FTC's many schools -and literally fed the children. The celebs scooped out a rice and bean mixture from a giant tub to about a hundred kids, each with their own small plastic bowl. It was heart wrenching to see these beautiful little faces, who were basically coming to the school only because if they didn't, they wouldn't eat at all.

I noticed that many of the kids had lids to go with their bowls. These kids would sit and eat maybe a quarter of their bowl, and then put their lid on it. Larry informed us that's because they would take the food back to share with their families. It was pretty overwhelming to see kids who knew REAL hunger, still have the self discipline and pride to stop themselves and share. I know plenty of westerners, myself included, who were they in the same situation, would probably just wolf the food down.

These were tough days, but I was holding up pretty well - and very happy with the footage and stories that we were getting.

Logistically, I think it was a nightmare for the producers and planners. But I had a fantastic trip, in good and bad/sad ways - from beginning to end.

On our last day in Nairobi, we toured FTC's amazing Abandoned Baby Center. A first class facility, that goes a long way to ease the horrific phenomenon of baby abandonment in Nairobi. It was very moving to see how well the kids were taken care of, and to see that indeed, money donated was going directly to help combat a dire situation.

That afternoon, we went with Shannon Elizabeth and the Massey brothers (the former a fairly well known actress and the latter tv kids show stars) to a decrepit hospital in the heart of the city. We were there to literally rescue three abandoned babies from their situation. When we think of a hospital in the states, even the crummiest of county hospitals - we think of a sterile, relatively efficient place of healing run by clean and competent people. This place, this "hospital", was none of these things.

Dirty, grimy, understaffed, and over run with infected people - not to mention GSW (gunshot wound) victims. My fellow camera op informed me that on a previous trip he had seen dried bloody footprints upon entering the ER.

The babies, there were six in the sweltering hot room, are quite simply - neglected. They lie in canvas hammocks all day and all night. They are never picked up except to change and feed - they are only changed once in the morning and once at night. They lie in their own waste most of the time. Many are severely underdeveloped mentally. A six month old we saw was unable to sit up on her own.

It is, an outrage. And yet, there it is. A combination of lack of resources, and a lack of caring - combine to create this abominable situation.

And then there is Francis Jones and her Abandoned Baby Center. As often as she can, she relieves "hospitals" of the burden of "caring" for these castoffs - these innocent angels who have been left on trash heaps, deposited at police stations, or even been born at the "hospital" only to be discarded. Francis gives these babies a second chance - the ABC center is often able to repair the damage that has been done, giving the castoffs a real shot at a happy life.

I was there, and I saw this miracle. Shannon Elizabeth, who until this point had disengaged herself somewhat from the daily horrors (as had many of us, myself included), finally let down her wall. As she cradled an impossibly beautiful baby in her arms, and Francis described what the babies are subjected to, tears flowed down Shannon's face like a river. I confess, this is the moment that got to me as well. I kept composed and focused, but my face was a soaking mess.

The baby that Shannon held had immediately bonded with her - smiling, happy, wide and bright eyed; clearly this baby hadn't been neglected long. This child had a bright future, and it lit up that dingy room in a way that went beyond the physical realm. God was with her, and the rest of us, searing and unbelievably strong.

All three celebrities, each with a baby in their arms, took the "parade of joy" (as Larry called it) down the hall and got the hell out of that Godforsaken place. It was incredibly painful for Shannon to hand the baby over to the ABC staff, but she was finally able to - knowing that her angel was in good hands.

Shannon I know, wants to adopt the baby very much. But the government of Kenya, in it's infinite wisdom and compassion, requires a minimum residency of 6 months (which usually lasts 2 years or more) for prospective parents - and even then there are no guarantees. Impossible, is the situation.

Even Larry and Francis, who have adopted a baby boy named Daniel (who had half of his face chewed off by wild dogs as an infant) have had to clear incredible and potentially heartbreaking bureaucratic obstacles to finally get Daniel stateside.

Finally, we left Nairobi behind, and flew to the Masai Mara wildlife game reserve. It has long been a dream of mine to see the migration - and on this trip, I got to live it.

I spent the first few days shooting around the lodge, Roger Moore doing his host stand-ups, and finally the big celebrity interviews where they talked about the whole trip. All the other operators got to go on game drives every day. Ironic, seeing as how I have over five years experience at filming wildlife. But I knew the last day would be my chance. I arranged an early morning departure by jeep. Our destination - the Tanzania border, and the Serengeti. Unlike the other operators who had been tied to celebrities, and their penchant for short drives, short attention spans and long naps during the day - I got to travel with my best buddy Cali and my old boss JR, who was also a wildlife freak like me.

Awesome doesn't begin to describe the day. We first found two massive male lions - the first of the trip for anyone. Then we came across a baboon that had just killed a baby antelope. Awesome. Then we saw four giraffe, up to their necks crossing the Mara river. A first time for me, and for our guide who had been taking this trip for over 20 years. Finally, the Wildebeest.

With my own eyes, I saw the migration. Perhaps over half a million animals in front of me. To say I was awestruck, would be the understatement of the year.

The same could be said for the whole trip really - it changed me, as has Botswana, as has India and Indonesia, and Russia, and Egypt - and half a dozen other places. I have been uniquely blessed with more travel opportunities than anyone else I've ever met.

When I look back on my career choice, to work for a smaller production company that may at times seem a little less than the "big leagues" - I can confidently say I'M IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

God and Country

Recently my group of e-mail buddies (they the America hating liberals - me the Evil Facist) have been, shall we say, very active, and, um...passionate.

It goes without saying in such an exciting election season that our hearts would sometimes speak louder than our heads.

Still, things haven't gotten nasty, yet.

So in the spirit of cooling things down, I'll vent a bit here on the latest topic to fire my jets, lest I once again carelessly stomp on 30 year old friendships in the name of me always being right.

The current topic: Should we take "God" out of the pledge of allegiance and off of our money.

My belief, um...no.

Their view. A hearty yes.

I mentioned that we are a nation founded on the belief that all men are created equal, not by other men, but by a divine power.

Then I got this e-mail.

***
That may be true, however I find it telling that The Founders didn't
make a point of it when they wrote the most critical documents of this
nation's birth. The creation of this country is first and for most
about freedom from tyranny, equality, liberty, and property rights.

Interesting that the word God is used only once in the Declaration of
Independence. The words "in God we trust" or "one nation under God" do
not appear anywhere.

In the entirety of the eighty-five Federalist Papers the word God
appears twice... once in a reference to a Greek god and once as used
in the Declaration of Independence (nature's God).

Both the Constitution and Bill of Rights do not contain the word God.
There are two references to religion, both of those relate to
preventing the influence of religion in our daily lives.
****

I still haven't gotten across to them the difference between a belief in God (faith) and an adherence to Religion (an institution created by men).

Still, I was game to try.

My response:

You made my point perfectly.

You said:

***
The creation of this country is first and for most about freedom from tyranny, equality, liberty, and property rights.
***

And I would say, yes, because ALL men are entitled to it! Not because the government says so!

If we take God/creator/maker/head dude or lady off of our money, or out of our pledge, and obliterate every single oblique mention of Providence from our buildings, monuments, courtrooms, etc. - where does that leave us as far as all those amazing things you mention?

Freedom. Freedom from tyranny. Equality. Liberty. Property Rights. Happiness.

Who is going to deem that we have the right to these? Barak Obama? John McCain? Thomas Jefferson?

All of them can kiss my ass. I was BORN with these rights. A piece of paper didn't give it to me, no human being bestowed them.

Our founders were the first government EVER to recognize this.

Case in point; the reason we swear on the Bible, is NOT because we are worshipping Jesus, or Muhammad, or any other religion.

We do this because the very core of our country, and all branches of government including our justice system puts TRUST in a higher power - a FAITH in something greater than ourselves.

I believe our nation exists, because of this faith - no matter if it's called God or the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

And I believe that this faith is why we are the greatest nation on earth, and the last best hope for peace in our time.

Just my opinion of course, but our nation's foundation in Faith, not religion, is right at the top of the list of why I love my country so much.

Vets For Freedom

A non-profit non-partisan political action committee founded and operated by combat veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Back from Kenya!

Just got back and am a bit jet lagged. I've got a lot to say about the trip, but it will have to wait until I recover. Until then, here's a nice piece on CNN that was shot while we were making our documentary. Don't blink, I'm in two of the shots.

Dark Knight Descends

Snuck out with the wife recently for a movie night (once every six months or so, whether we need it or not) and settled on what seems to be the critical darling of the moment "The Dark Knight".

Well I have to say I was a bit floored by the film. I'm a fan of the Burton movies, Batman and Batman Returns; less so of the Schumacher sequels, especially the fourth film - what a pile of guano that one is. But this Batman movie is a whole other ball game - this time, it's for keeps.

When I was a kid (meaning 13 or so) I was pretty well hooked on comics - Daredevil by Frank Miller was my rag of choice. It was dark, it was gritty, and at times truly terrifying. And I loved it. Daredevil was a vigilante with a code of honor, that he routinely had to stretch to the limit. Even looking back on the comic today (yes, I have a glossy book of the old issues) it is hyper violent, sadistic at times, and truly, truly dark. The stakes were high, the fight looked un-winnable; but Daredevil always picked himself up and did what needed to be done. He was a true hero because he lost so much, and yet never lost his faith.

Today, having skimmed other glossy books (okay, okay, "Graphic Novel") of the old Batman comics, I can see that even in the 70's and early 80's, the comic book Batman was akin to Daredevil. His story was equally ruthless and harsh. Batman is a bad ass you do not want to tangle with. And yet he fights a hopeless battle, in the process losing those he loves most, even sacrificing his own humanity.

The movie "The Dark Knight" is faithful to this ethos. It's the very best popcorn flick (yes, even including my beloved Lord of the Rings) to illustrate to what the comic books have been telling us for years - there are things we must fight for, even at great cost. And what makes the film so powerful, as with comic books, is that the story is set in a world that feels absolutely real.

This is a post 9-11 movie in the very best sense, it is dark and disturbing - and brutal; but like Batman himself, the film carries a code of righteousness and faith that cannot be shaken. Even in the face of the psychotic Joker, who is not hammy (Cesar Romero) or exciting (Jack Nicholson) but truly both banal and terrifying in the way a real life serial killer is - the movie never misses it's focus or moral center.

In case you haven't caught on yet, this is not a movie for kids. But let me add, it is absolutely a movie for mature 13 year olds and up. Like "Saving Private Ryan", this is almost required viewing. The violence is not glamorized in any way shape or form - but the violence Batman inflicts is revealed as required in the face of true evil. This is a very mature, "growing-up" Batman flick. It's moments of chaos, despair and sadism (the Joker is not remotely glamorous) are beautifully off-set by Batman's necessary crusade.

Yes, the stunts are grand, the special effects are amazing, and the fight scenes pretty cool. But what lifts the film above it's peers is the raising of stakes and emotional impact to a higher level. Battlestar Galactica has already found this, nice to see that the movies have finally caught up.

Many have read into this film beyond what the filmmakers intended, and I am no exception. Some see it as a cynical and sadistic corporate creation - devoid of humor and heart. Others just think it's cool because shit blows up in it real good. The critics have also thrown in with their various views which mirror the many shades of the political spectrum.

Here's my personal take on the movie.

I really believe the message of "The Dark Night" mirrors what we have experienced with 9-11 and it's fall out. Batman is America, who starts out trying to do what is right. He puts criminals in jail, he makes the streets safer. Then, just as things start to look like they're getting better, the Joker (Jihadist) arrives and unleashes mayhem, for no other reason than just wanting to watch the world burn.

It is an untenable situation. How to you fight an enemy with no morals, no qualms about slaughtering the innocent? How do you put a stop to him without becoming him? Batman finds a way. But it isn't easy. And by standing up to evil, when no one else will, Batman makes things worse. MUCH worse. But he knows he has to. He knows the road is long, and maybe even unending. But a price must be paid, evil MUST be confronted.

Batman must sacrifice everything. He loses the woman he loves. His once cooperative relationship with the police evaporates. And even the once unquenchable love from the citizens of Gotham vanishes. Whatever tiny shreds of humanity he has at the start of the film, are long gone by the end. Just before the credits roll, Batman is universally hated by everyone. And to him, because he can see the big picture, it doesn't matter. He may have to endure hatred (and the lowest approval ratings in the history of super heroes) but at night the children of Gotham will sleep safer - they and their parents will remain oblivious to the protection the Dark Knight provides. He does what he has to, because no one else will.

Sound familiar?

Still here!

This has been the longest I've ever neglected this blog; but I plan to keep going despite my cooling passion for it. I have an idea germinating for a series of posts based around a favorite tv show of mine; but don't worry, it's not what you think it might be.

Stay tuned.

Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory

Michael Yon is an independent (and independently funded) journalist who has undoubtedly spent more time in Iraq than any other reporter. He is no cheerleader, he has been most critical of the military brass and the politicians at home over the fiasco that was the Iraq war from 2004 to 2006.

But now things have decisively turned around. Here is a great op-ed piece by Michael, published in the Wall Street Journal. The message needs to get out about the miracle in Iraq, and we need to make sure that whoever takes over in January 2009 doesn't snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Yes, victory is not only possible, but highly probable. The distorted world view of the left leaning Vietnam generation just doesn't hold up in the light of truth of what is ACTUALLY happening in Iraq today.

Read and digest:

Let's 'Surge' Some More
By MICHAEL YON
April 11, 2008; Page A17
It is said that generals always fight the last war. But when David Petraeus came to town it was senators – on both sides of the aisle – who battled over the Iraq war of 2004-2006. That war has little in common with the war we are fighting today.

I may well have spent more time embedded with combat units in Iraq than any other journalist alive. I have seen this war – and our part in it – at its brutal worst. And I say the transformation over the last 14 months is little short of miraculous.

The change goes far beyond the statistical decline in casualties or incidents of violence. A young Iraqi translator, wounded in battle and fearing death, asked an American commander to bury his heart in America. Iraqi special forces units took to the streets to track down terrorists who killed American soldiers. The U.S. military is the most respected institution in Iraq, and many Iraqi boys dream of becoming American soldiers. Yes, young Iraqi boys know about "GoArmy.com."

As the outrages of Abu Ghraib faded in memory – and paled in comparison to al Qaeda's brutalities – and our soldiers under the Petraeus strategy got off their big bases and out of their tanks and deeper into the neighborhoods, American values began to win the war.

Iraqis came to respect American soldiers as warriors who would protect them from terror gangs. But Iraqis also discovered that these great warriors are even happier helping rebuild a clinic, school or a neighborhood. They learned that the American soldier is not only the most dangerous enemy in the world, but one of the best friends a neighborhood can have.

Some people charge that we have merely "rented" the Sunni tribesmen, the former insurgents who now fight by our side. This implies that because we pay these people, their loyalty must be for sale to the highest bidder. But as Gen. Petraeus demonstrated in Nineveh province in 2003 to 2004, many of the Iraqis who filled the ranks of the Sunni insurgency from 2003 into 2007 could have been working with us all along, had we treated them intelligently and respectfully. In Nineveh in 2003, under then Maj. Gen. Petraeus's leadership, these men – many of them veterans of the Iraqi army – played a crucial role in restoring civil order. Yet due to excessive de-Baathification and the administration's attempt to marginalize powerful tribal sheiks in Anbar and other provinces – including men even Saddam dared not ignore – we transformed potential partners into dreaded enemies in less than a year.

Then al Qaeda in Iraq, which helped fund and tried to control the Sunni insurgency for its own ends, raped too many women and boys, cut off too many heads, and brought drugs into too many neighborhoods. By outraging the tribes, it gave birth to the Sunni "awakening." We – and Iraq – got a second chance. Powerful tribes in Anbar province cooperate with us now because they came to see al Qaeda for what it is – and to see Americans for what we truly are.

Soldiers everywhere are paid, and good generals know it is dangerous to mess with a soldier's money. The shoeless heroes who froze at Valley Forge were paid, and when their pay did not come they threatened to leave – and some did. Soldiers have families and will not fight for a nation that allows their families to starve. But to say that the tribes who fight with us are "rented" is perhaps as vile a slander as to say that George Washington's men would have left him if the British offered a better deal.

Equally misguided were some senators' attempts to use Gen. Petraeus's statement, that there could be no purely military solution in Iraq, to dismiss our soldiers' achievements as "merely" military. In a successful counterinsurgency it is impossible to separate military and political success. The Sunni "awakening" was not primarily a military event any more than it was "bribery." It was a political event with enormous military benefits.

The huge drop in roadside bombings is also a political success – because the bombings were political events. It is not possible to bury a tank-busting 1,500-pound bomb in a neighborhood street without the neighbors noticing. Since the military cannot watch every road during every hour of the day (that would be a purely military solution), whether the bomb kills soldiers depends on whether the neighbors warn the soldiers or cover for the terrorists. Once they mostly stood silent; today they tend to pick up their cell phones and call the Americans. Even in big "kinetic" military operations like the taking of Baqubah in June 2007, politics was crucial. Casualties were a fraction of what we expected because, block-by-block, the citizens told our guys where to find the bad guys. I was there; I saw it.

The Iraqi central government is unsatisfactory at best. But the grass-roots political progress of the past year has been extraordinary – and is directly measurable in the drop in casualties.

This leads us to the most out-of-date aspect of the Senate debate: the argument about the pace of troop withdrawals. Precisely because we have made so much political progress in the past year, rather than talking about force reduction, Congress should be figuring ways and means to increase troop levels. For all our successes, we still do not have enough troops. This makes the fight longer and more lethal for the troops who are fighting. To give one example, I just returned this week from Nineveh province, where I have spent probably eight months between 2005 to 2008, and it is clear that we remain stretched very thin from the Syrian border and through Mosul. Vast swaths of Nineveh are patrolled mostly by occasional overflights.

We know now that we can pull off a successful counterinsurgency in Iraq. We know that we are working with an increasingly willing citizenry. But counterinsurgency, like community policing, requires lots of boots on the ground. You can't do it from inside a jet or a tank.

Over the past 15 months, we have proved that we can win this war. We stand now at the moment of truth. Victory – and a democracy in the Arab world – is within our grasp. But it could yet slip away if our leaders remain transfixed by the war we almost lost, rather than focusing on the war we are winning today.

Mr. Yon is author of the just-published "Moment of Truth in Iraq" (Richard Vigilante Books). He has been reporting from Iraq and Afghanistan since December 2004.