Outsourced Oranges?

I just grabbed an orange from our breakroom and noticed it came from Australia.  Australia?  Really?  I live in Southern California, one of the largest Orange growing regions on Earth.  Why the hell am I eating an orange from Australia?  Even our poor oranges are getting outsourced?  Geesh...things are dire.  

The Last Nail?

Last Friday night I dragged myself out to go to the movies with friends.  I'd been sick all day, and didn't really feel like going out, but at the same time I do love going to the movies and I figured I could feel lousy at home, or I could feel lousy at a theatre and escape a little bit.  

As I'm sure anyone reading this already knows more and more people are staying at home to get their movie entertainment.  It explains the latest attempt at 3D.  The studios are trying whatever they can go get people off their couches.  Being in the industry myself and being a life-long movie buff, I've always enjoyed going out - but I'm becoming increasingly in the minority.  With long lines, expensive ticket prices and the utter rape you receive at the concession stand, it's no wonder people are staying home more and more.  BUT...a lot of us do still venture out.  The Dark Knight raked in over $500 million alone.  That's a lot of tickets.  Why?  It a combination of escaping our own dull lives and sharing that experience with friends and strangers in a large dark room.  It's just fun.  But it's becoming less and less fun all the time.  

This past Friday I did something I've only done one other time.  I left my seat and asked to speak with the theatre manager.  The last time I did this was at least a dozen years ago and it was to ask for the volume to be turned up.  This time it was for something far more serious.  Advertising.  I understand the need of the theater owners to sell ad spots prior to the films.  I get it.  It's a TOUGH business to make money in.  (Unless you're the studio or producer)  Theatre owners have it tough.  I personally try to visit theaters that don't abuse that policy though.  (Yeah, I'm talking to you AMC).  15-20 minutes of adverts (not including trailers) is just crazy.  But even THAT never got me to complain.  

This past Friday I was exposed to nothing less than government propaganda.  Plain and simple.  a three and a half minute music video featuring Kidd Rock and NASCAR.  Now before you start posting replies to this blog and flaming me for hating America and/or not supporting our troops, sit down, shut up and listen.  

I am totally OK with the military buying ad time.  In fact some of the ads for the Marines are kind of cool.  (at least they feature some hot guys on occasion).  This music video wasn't a recruitment ad for the National Guard.  It was plain and simply promoting the war in Iraq.  Countless times the words "Never Accept Defeat" flashed across the screen  while images of our soldiers playing with kids rolled.  

The ad riled up the sold out show immediately.  Some booed, others began chanting "Obama!  Obama!", while others simply screamed "Shut up!".  I myself kept quiet, but could feel the disbelief turning to anger.  How dare they?  A propaganda film?  Really?  Once the crowd started yelling at eachother I'd had enough.  I dragged my sick ass out to enjoy a film...not this b.s.  

So I find myself standing in front of the theater manager expressing my displeasure with the ad and I get a rote "the national guard is one of our advertisers, much like Coca-Cola or anyone else." response.  

Coca-Cola isn't promoting a war.

I think my days of visiting the cinema are coming to an end soon.