The Hundred Foot Journey

I've done two book reviews so I think it's about time I review a movie. Although actually it is a movie based on a book, "The Hundred Foot Journey" by Richard C. Morais.  But since I have not read the book yet, I'll have to do the movie.  Given the serious bent of my last two posts, as well as current events, I thought I'd do something a little more positive, and yes, feel good!

They say life is a journey. None of us are the same people we were ten years, or even five years, ago. We are all changed by the people we meet and the events we experience. What we take from those guides is our choice.

I know, I know, my two loyal readers will think...Oh God!...she's doing a chick flick! Lol! Okay, maybe on the surface, but really it touches on very basic human needs and failings. It revolves around a family's journey from India to, first England, and then France. Forced to flee their native country due to violence they search for a place to call home. Their family was in the restaurant business in India and that is what they turn to to make a living in their new country, ultimately inciting the wrath of the owner of the restaurant across the street. What happens next is a journey from closed mindedness to an openhearted reaching out to others who are really just like us, people with hopes and dreams and a simple desire to belong. It's also an interesting look at the competitive world of Haute cuisine.

If you have a free afternoon, rent it or stream it for a day brightener, as well as a break from all the death and destruction out there. If nothing else, enjoy the song by A.R. Rahman.  :)

Charlie Cont...

Since the attack on Charlie Hebdo, and the subsequent rally of support for the people killed and their right to free speech, there have been voices raised in protest against the nature of what the magazine was publishing.

While the analyst in that clip seems to view the magazine's actions as being intentionally directed at Muslims, from what I can gather Charlie Hebdo has been equally offensive to other religions.

Charlie Hebdo lawsuits

I understand how difficult it can be to watch something one holds dear be mocked or dragged through the mud. But, an insult should not carry with it a death penalty, at least not in a just society.

Certainly the cartoons were in poor taste, as even many people in France allow.

Opinion Poll

But being able to express a dissenting opinion to an idea in a non violent manner is a cornerstone of a free society, and that is why so many people have supported Charlie Hebdo. It has nothing whatsoever to do with wanting to deliberately mock or offend any group of people. Those people who find it offensive are free to not read the magazine.

A recent article written by Noam Chomsky accuses the West of hypocrisy because he seems to think some of our past actions were comparable to the attack on Charlie Hebdo, specifically the NATO bombing of the Serbian television station RTV.

Noam Chomsky

"Abrams is right in describing the Charlie Hebdo attack as "the most threatening assault on journalism in living memory." The reason has to do with the concept "living memory," a category carefully constructed to include Their crimes against us while scrupulously excluding Our crimes against them -- the latter not crimes but noble defense of the highest values, sometimes inadvertently flawed."

Article 71 of this document pertains to the NATO bombing.  You may have to scroll back up a little bit.

ICTY Ruling

While I would question his reasoning, and want to research the issue myself before coming to any conclusions, I would not question his right to express his opinion. Free speech is not just for those we agree with.

When those people who have been so busy protesting about the “offensive” Charlie Hebdo cartoons look just as critically at actions of people within their own countries I will have more respect for their ability to judge fairly.

I Am Charlie

Assassination is the extreme form of censorship.  ~George Bernard Shaw

Rest in Peace.

Happy New Year Everyone!