More Fireworks

For those of you living in the forgotten corners of this country or others, you have to relish the victory of the Fresno State Bulldogs and their National Championship in baseball. We live nearby, know parents of a player and the unifying of this valley was wonderful to observe. Maureen did a better job than I can, so go here for her post. Seeded number 89, ends up National Champion. Do you wonder why baseball is so great?

My summer school English class watched Independence Day recently. Actually a friend substituting outlined the character parts and showed the first part of the movie one day. I returned to find the notes on the board and reinforced them the next day and finished the movie. After watching the movie, I did the obligatory English teacher thing of discussion, and having students recite all of the dictionary definitions of independence; I was struck by an off kilter thought about this film that somewhat fits with the theme of my previous post.

In the movie the president makes an impassioned speech before the last battle about the new meaning of Independence Day, 4 July. It will symbolize independence of the entire world, not just the US. When I saw the movie for the first time, the audience stood and cheered at the end of the movie. There were many smiles as we walked out. People showing great character in a great conflict against an overwhelming opponent, while overcoming obstacles from those on their side. The result is independence for the people. But are they really independent?

Those people walking out of the theater and myself, are we acting as if we are independent? That day in front of my class an allegory collided with my brain. If we are the global economy that is spoken of often, who are the aliens? They devour one planet after another; they have been on Earth for decades; they have no concern for the inhabitants; they are corporations. Politicians, like the career bureaucrat who hid Area 51 from the president, are only concerned with maintaining their station in the food chain. Technology used incorrectly, by the aliens, destroys us. Technology used correctly by, the outcast nerd (Jeff Goldblum), the outcast drunk (RandyQuaid), and the disenfranchised military hero (Will Smith), saves the day. They all took the Hero's Journey and acted with character and independence.

Do we have the character to act independently to overcome our alien?