8 Perforations

Clear the Mechanism//In A Perfect World

Guest Post By Mack Dreyfuss

In 2008, Angelina Jolie was interviewed by Martyn Palmer. Palmer was startled by the pendant worn by the “very pregnant” Jolie. It was a machine gun designed by her son Maddox and given to her for mother’s day by Brad Pitt.

The pendant initiated a discussion about the use of force for self-defense. Jolie went on to say “If anybody comes into my home and tries to hurt my kids, I’ve no problem shooting them….I could handle myself.” She went on to say in a close quarters confrontation she tends toward elbow strikes which is a good idea. It prevents boxer fractures.

These comments are refreshing from an elite member of the hollywood scene. I think it’s a fair assumption to say Jolie made pregnancy “cool” among celebrities. Her fearless entry into motherhood delivered an effective elbow strike to a hollywood resistant to anything which may put the perfect physical form in peril, like the taxation of the female body which comes with the creation of human life.

It’s nice to know character still sways the mindless, and eternal primal principles override the oppressive cowardice of living through the lens of celebrity magazines.

Of course, violence ought to always be a last resort. It would never exist in perfect world. Violence occurs when moral people fail to lead a community into a just peace. Those skittering on the edge of civilization, falling off the ledge of self-control, overwhelmed by their circumstances or addictions, and faithlessly abandoning a reasoned approach, teeter into the unrestrained lust for destruction. It becomes an outcry, a mode. Until a just peace rules, violence is bound to exist. If we don’t acknowledge this reality, we make ourselves victims.

If life is to be valued, if true change is to follow, if redemption is to be empowered to interrupt cycles of ignorance and violence, if people are to be elevated from a degraded, emasculated mindset, they must first find their personal and collective value then defend it.

That happens out here, in the throngs, in the anger, in the hospital beds, in schools with bullet holes, in people who can’t hide behind money. It’s nice to see a woman who doesn’t feel the need to be a man in order to be strong. It’s inspiring to see a woman who is immensely successful refusing to deny a glory designated only to women…that of being a mother.

Perhaps, Americans are one step closer to achieving a manhood which doesn’t feel the need to degrade women, and a womanhood which doesn’t need to defend itself by emasculating men.

For the article by Palmer go to: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1022472/Ive-got-Tomb-Raider-guns–Im-afraid-use-says-Angelina.html#ixzz1G1uHN4XF


Fred Bastedo in Las Vegas, showing visible blood stains from an earlier dive for a home-run ball.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Dallas Mall’s Jersey

Do you like Phil Collins? I’ve been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn’t understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins’ presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group’s undisputed masterpiece. It’s an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Christy, take off your robe. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. Sabrina, remove your dress. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Sabrina, why don’t you, uh, dance a little. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority.