OCR Text |
Show THE FORUM November 19, 2003 ww Count Turkey, Not Blessings Kim Brokling Contributing Writer Its almost Thanksgiving, that special time of the year when you are supposed to get together with family, eat a lot, and remind yourself of everything that you are thankful for. Traditionally, Thanksgiving is a time to count your blessings and renew your sense of gratitude toward God, the world, fate, or whatever it is that you believe directs your life. Of course, the values of society are made very clear by the fact that Thanksgiving is but forgotten in the Christmas rush. As soon as Halloween is over, in come the Christmas trees and gift ideas and advertisements promoting something that will - make someone you love all -- 'happy. rdr I tiever got much out of counting my blessings. I have always made a point of reminding myself daily or at ( least weekly that 1 have it pretty good, especially if I compare myself to other people. That makes Thanksgiving seem kind of poindess.' For many people. Thanksgiving is also a time to see extended family and catch up with old friends. However, my extended family has never made a point of coming to town for Thanksgiving, and we never go anywhere. The result is that to me, Thanksgiving only means lots and lots of really good food. While the rest of my family counts their blessings, I count down seconds until I can dig into that turkey. I think there should be a better way. Thanksgiving needs to mean more than just counting blessings, or counting down until the first bite of dinner. I would say that you should count ways to make somebody else thankful (and then do all of those things), but that would be preaching. I am not here to waste your time by telling you things you already know (although you should try to give other people something to be thankful for). I think that Thanksgiving should be a time to thank your everyday heroes. You could start by thanking whoever is baking your turkey. Be specific, and tell them what exactly it is that you are thankful for about them. Write down a paragraph or two explaining why you are thankful for each person who is eating Thanksgiving dinner with you, and then read it before dinner. It sounds corny, but 1 did it last year and it is one of the most emotionally difficult things I have ever done. You learn new things about our family and about yourself by doing it. Most of all, you get to do something that really counts, instead of counting blessings. Or counting turkey. OJ Contributing Writer Intelligence Wars is a compilation of 24 book reviews on American Intelligence Agencies written by New York Times journalist Thomas Powers. The book reviews (essays) are organi2ed in a way that attempts a historical survey of American Intelligence including: How, why, when American Intelligence came into existence, why it exists today, what its role really is, and how its changing. Powerss comprehensive analysis of Americas Secret History makes some convincing and relevant arguments as to how and why intelligence should operate and exist within a democratic society. The CIA remained largely inconspicuous to the American public until the failed covert invasion of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs in 1960 alerted the American public to the magnitude and function of this agency. Since then, the CIA has been an object of public fascination that has been romanticized due to its role in the Cold War. Powers reveals what the intelligence business is like by giving insights into its successes, failures and by dispelling the myths of different demands that have been placed on the organization. Intelligence Wars is a recommended read for anyone interested in American intelligence. one of a series of books read by the War Room discussion group that meets on Westminster campus. The selection of Powerss book has helped to orient the reader to the necessary background of American Intelligence needed to under- Intelligence Wars is stand where intelligence fits in our post 911 society- Many believe that Intelligence warfare is Americas strongest resource in the War on Terror. Some credit a monumental intelli- gence failure on the part of the CIA, to the completion of the 911 terrorist attacks. Should American intelligence or any other topic within scope of the War on Terror interest you, the War Room discussion group is open to any Westminster student, faculty, or staff. All topics, issues, and perspectives are welcome and encouraged. The War Room meets on alternate Fridays at noon at a place that will be announced via email. For more information contact Dr. Jeff Nichols (jnicholsvvestminstercollege.g du) or-Bil- l Bynum (bbynumwestmins kgexdu). oj versa. Editor Continued from pg.2 offers students an opportunity to exercise but also find self expression and stress relief because we use all different types of music and allow our bodies to move dynamically. There are many recommendations when taking Nia. One recommendation is going barefoot. According to Nia Technique, Inc., The bottoms of your feet sense the ground and send information back to your brain so your body can effectively compensate and adapt. Another recommendation according to Nia Technique, Inc. is make the movements an expression of you. This is your workout. Express your own unique rhythm and body language through the Nia Technique. Your emotional e body will help to fme-tun- your physical body and vice Always remember that, like every other class, Nia might take some getting used to. When I took my first Nia class, my body was moving in ways I never thought it could. So just pace yourself, have fun and dont be worried about what other people think of you. With finals and the holidays just around the corner, Nia is the perfect way to release some of the stress of college life. For more information about Nia, go to www.niA-nia.co- or call There are also m limited discount passes to attend a class where you can learn the Nia Technique at the Joy of Movement Studio on 1197 South 1100 East available in the Forum office. Converse 201. Jessica Faulkner Forum Editor llhe Male Intellect: An Oxymoron? Intelligence Wars Ponders Issues Blake Brown 7 tercol- - Kristen Reber Staff Writer Robert Dubacs comedy skit, The male intellect: an oxymoron? made its way to Salt Lakes Jeanne Wagner Theater Oct. 28 Nov. 9 to shed some light on what both sexes have known for quite some time men just dont get women. On its face, The male . intellect: an oxymoron? seems to be a blow to mens egos, but Dubac actually poked fun at both sexes, and to his credit, was able to make both the XXs and XYs laugh at themselves. Kicking off the show, Dubac pulled out a book entitled The Rules. This book, according to him, is the book all women live by and a curse to all men. He then flipped through the pages to show the audience that nothing was written in the book. He said this is because women make up and change their own rules so much that nothing can be written. The men in the audience got a kick out of that. Since the show was pretty much tit for tat, Dubac also pulled a blackboard on stage, with things like, make up huge ego, and eats crap, like a pig written all over it. These characteristics, he said, are genetically and socially imprinted on mens psyche and a huge contributor to their problems with women. The plot of the skit revolved around Bobby, played by Dubac, who was recently dumped by his fiance. perDuring the five formance, Dubac played other characters, who represented the chauvinism he has learned from other men. Apparently, its these chauvinistic attitudes toward relationships that plague his ability to find the answer to what do women want? hour-and-ha- lf ever-elusi- ve Embedded in the five chauvinists dialogues is a smidgeon of truth, albeit buried in a heap of sexist notions. The Colonel, for example, tells Bobby he must be honest with women: If you tell em youre an asshole upfront he advises, they cant be mad at you when you are one cause you already told em thats what you are. The skit was filled with sexist gems of advice, including the tidbit from character Fast Eddie, who counsels Bobby to love em an leave em because all women want for while they are with a man is a BBD, also known as a bigger better deal. Overall the show was pretty entertaining. The subject matter was certainly funny, but it was Dubacs characterizations that got people laughing. Although the comedy was a little scripted and not so much off the cuff, it still made you laugh. So, if you happen to get a chance to see The male intellect: an oxymoron?, Id recommend it. You wont come out of the performance feel- ing like you know more about the other sex than when you went in, but at least youll have had a decent laugh. CS |