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This blog is the work of an educated civilian, not of an expert in the fields discussed.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Kirsten and Smoking In Films

And Also: To toss one more thing about Dawn Johnsen, the fact she is a mother of two and a Sunday School teacher itself is notable. Amy Sullivan alone would recognize the stereotype breaking nature of such a person being an advocate for liberal causes.


NYT has another personal interest piece on our new senator, Kristen Gillibrand, the one whose fellow Democratic colleague does not want to resign (contra the guy from Illinois). It is curious that she herself did not wish to respond to a mostly positive representation, though perhaps she did, but her representative (who did submit a comment) found it too long. After all:
The exchange at the press conference was “vintage Kirsten,” explained Elaine Bartley, one of the senator’s lifelong friends. She recalled that when Ms. Gillibrand returned from studying abroad in China and Taiwan in college, she invited about 50 friends and relatives to her mother’s house to hear a narrative of her experiences that lasted several hours, complete with a slide show.

She sometimes has problems shutting up. For instance, during her long speech after being introduced by our governor (something that many might think would call for some short remarks), she didn't even stop to take a call from the President. I personally find this desire to provide in depth answers charming, if something that must be reined in somewhat (see, e.g., John Kerry). Overall, the article expresses a general sentiment that she is doing good job introducing herself to the state, even some critics finding her personable and open to compromise. Particularly, now that she has a state-wide office.

I think she is showing herself a good choice for senator. In his biography, another former senator -- Barack Obama -- referenced his smoking. Another article caught my eye today, one on the growing argument that smoking in movies should be deemed to make the relevant movies 'R' rated material. The problem in this case is a current lame rom-com in which smoking in fact is put in a bad light, sorry, but (horrors) there is a decent amount of it going around. It is rated 'PG-13,' so is suggested to be deemed acceptable teenage fare.

This is somewhat true, though such a rating could often involve movies only adults would watch, but is not explicit enough under our somewhat arbitrary movie rating system. Are we to believe that if there is smoking, a movie should be rated so that only those who go with adults can see it? Will this be applied to all those B&W films that had smoking? For instance, Clint Eastwood smokes a lot in his films, so perhaps movies like Coogan's Bluff etc. should be rated 'R.' And, of course, the ratings will be selective. Premarital sex among teenagers, violence that is not explicitly shown, and so forth will not have a 'R' rating. Though other groups may want them.

Just things one sees every day in public places. So absurd.