The Chronicles of Narnia

Andrew Adamson's 2005 release of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe now in theaters has created quite a stir. I'm getting hits on related Amazon associate links despite the lack of directly-related material on my main sites. (See What's the Buzz?)

The author, C.S. Lewis is better known in some circles for his work in medieval literature and Christian apologetics. (See The Collected Works of C.S. Lewis ) However, his seven-volume children's work The Chronicles of Narnia is the most widely known.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is the first of these stories (although not chronologically) in which the young protagonists -- Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy --discover the multiverse and the enchanting world of Narnia through Digby's magical wardrobe.

A variety of Christian and Biblical themes are explored throughout the stories, without any heavy-handed sermonizing to detract from the chaming storyline. The characters are well-developed and beilievable within the context of a world of talking animals, dwarves, and mythical creatures. The Chronicles of Narnia is a great follow-up for children who have suddenly developed an interest in reading thanks to the Harry Potter craze

Support Our Troops

When I was in the Navy (and dinosaurs roamed the earth) we were all chomping at the bit to go to Afghanistan. There was no Taliban and nobody had heard of Osama bin Laden. The aggressors were the Soviets.

Unfortunately, President Reagan's CIA outsourced the job to the Mujahadeen ("holy warriors"), pouring billions into arming and training the very troops that would later bite the hand that earlier had fed them.

Secrecy isn't good for democracy, and sticking a yellow ribbon on your car doesn't do anything for troops half a world away. What troops really want is contact from the home front. "Care packages" with toiletries, sweat socks, food items, books, or whatever are nice, but it is even better to give a little of your time and actually write.

The typical servicemember is young, a little brainwashed, and committed to their mission and chain of command. So even though I'm absolutely convinced that Bush is a liar, Cheney is a thief, and Rumsfeld is a ghoul -- it never comes up in correspondence. It's "off topic" and not constructive.

Better topics include appreciation for their sacrifice, the weather (mostly bad), the hope that they can come home soon, and so on. Think of what you would say to a homesick kid at summer camp, and you won't go too far wrong. If you don't personally know anyone serving in the mideast, you can "adopt" a unit at anysoldier.com

Another thing about typical enlisted personnel is that they often signed up at least partly for the education benefits. We've been promoting the DANTES Subject Standardized Tests for years. Our free service (unlike many "me too" sites), is supported only by a small commission from Amazon.com in the event someone chooses to buy a book from us.

Marilu Henner Fetish Spreads!

I have a certain weakness for redheads, especially when they are as smart, funny, and articulate as Marilu Henner. So naturally, when my ongoing struggle to have Google properly index my online bookstore led me to her website, I was smitten.

I've been a fan since the old "Taxi" days, but I look (and feel) a lot older now than I did then. Marilu doesn't. Something about her vegetarian lifestyle certainly agrees with her!

As long as I'm plugging ensemble productions, the hilarious 1992 Noises Off has reached the kind of bargain-bin pricing that usually precedes unavailble "collectable" status. I don't know why this relatively unknown film never reached a wider audience, it's priceless!

Alito Hearings Begin

The Senate Judiciary Committee wiil begin confirmation hearings on the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito at high noon tomorrow. The pundits predict that he will be confirmed, but in reality let's hope it depends on what happens in the hearings.

Neither party will admit to a "litmus test" on the issue of reproductive rights, but that is the "hot button" issue with many voters. Why deal with substantive issues when you can portray your opposition as baby-killers? Roe v. Wade is an important decision, especially to those who can remember the back-alley abortions that took place prior to it, but there is a lot more than that at stake.

Bush is running the most secretive and overreaching administration in the last fifty years (or more) and that didn't begin on 9/11. Can we afford to have a Supreme Court that is inclined to rubber-stamp executive excesses like torturing prisoners, illegal wiretapping, exposing CIA operatives' identities, and of course altering intelligence assesments to make a case for an ill-advised vendetta against Saddam Hussein?

Alito is the darling of Pat Robertson and other professional "Christian" demagogues, primarily for his sexist attitude on Roe v. Wade, but the real sticking point when it comes to his confirmation -- the one that will appeal not only to Democrats, but to Republicans seeking re-election -- is that he is yet another Bush crony loyal not to the country or the constitution but to one very flawed and increasingly unpopular individual.