"I Don't Recall Ever Owning a Blender."

Warning: For Sci-Fi geeks only!!!

Now that I have a public forum, I need to get something off my chest. It has bothered me for years and I just can not shake it. This problem has recently surfaced again due to my boys’ intense interest in Star Wars.

In Episode IV, Obi Wan claims that he does not recall ever owning a droid. In Episode II & III, he is in possession on R4, a red astro droid who helps him fight droids and avoid being obliterated by Jenga Fett. Now, R4 does meet an untimely demise while Obi Wan and Anikan are trying to rescue the Chancellor, but still.

During that rescue mission, Obi Wan appears to have intimate knowledge of R2-D2. He calls him on the comlink. He comments on R2’s recent malfunctions. He even uses R2 in the plan to defeat General Grievous. While, he did not “technically” own R2, he should have some recollection of him. He did play a significant part in the eventual downfall of the Republic. He was, Anakin’s droid and Anakin was his Padawan.

In this same vein, let us turn to Owen Lars, Luke’s uncle and Anakin’s step brother. In Episode II, C3PO is living with the Lars’. Working on their farm. Interpreting evaporators or condensers or whatever. He probably even translates for them. Owen lives there! Baru, lives there. They OWN C3PO. He is their droid. Now jump ahead 20 years. There is the same droid, a bit shinier, but with the same name and same voice, sitting in a Jawa transport waiting to be bought by this very same Owen Lars. How can he not even have an inkling of recognition?

I guess what it comes down to, is in that Galaxy, far far away, droids must be like household appliances. You know you had a toaster; you just don’t remember the make and model. When I was in college, I won a blender at the boardwalk. That blender spent many good years making drinks for me and my friends. I know it was white. I know it had buttons. I do not remember the make and I do not remember the model. For as loyal and dedicated as that blender was to me, it was still just one of many appliances I have owned over the years. When it stopped working, I simply discarded it without ceremony. I guess that is what droids are. Fancy blenders. Still, I can not help to think that if that blender spoke to me in a distinct British accent, I may have some vague recollection of it, were I to come across it again. I certainly would not deny ever owning a blender.

School Vilolence

You know, it has been 8 years since Columbine and we have not learned a damn thing. This country suffers from such a case of what I call "Doriism." (Named after the fish from finding Nemo!) We get all up in arms about a cause and someone flashes something shiny and we look away, only to forget what it is we were up in arms about.

Case in point...

How many of us were ready to go bomb the hell out of any country that dare look at us crossed-eyed on September 12th, 2001. We were all in it together. We were going to stand united against anyone who stood against us. We all yelled that we should've taken proactive steps to prevent that catastrophe. 6 years later...

More recently, we all got up in arms about Katrina victims. New Orleans would rise again. We would all do our part. We would address the problems of poverty and race in this nation. 2 years later...

One week ago..
Don Imus was the most vile human being to ever walk the earth. His racist and sexist comments would open up new dialogue about how to change the culture of our society.

I was a teacher for 15 years. I have seen kids who I KNEW would commit acts of violence towards others. We can call it profiling, labeling, whatever, (We called it "Clock Tower Tendencies")but it comes down to a gut feeling one has through being exposed to thousands of personalities in a variety of settings. Most efforts by me and fellow colleagues were thwarted by authorities.
"We can not go around pointing fingers at kids who may exhibit bad behavior before they actually act."
Well, 70% of the time, those kids would act. Not to the extent of what just happened, but they would hurt someone. How many children will have to go home to a motherless home before authorities start to realize that sometimes, we DO know what we are talking about. If just one local official had listened to the pleas of that professor, 32, maybe even all 33 lives, could have been spared.

I wish this country would stop worrying about the sensitivities of the few and start concerning itself with the safety of the masses. I am not calling for a police state, or a Machiavellian society. I am simply asking that we stop thinking that Johnny is just going through some growing pains and start worrying about the kids he is shoving to the ground.