Secrets in the Watchmen movie

How could I not be a fan of the Watchmen graphic novel and not mention some of the extras that will be filling the movie screens this week? I am not talking about the action of the story, nor the conversion of scenes from picture to live-action. There is more going on than what you may first notice.

Like the plot of the story, what you see at first glance is not all that is happening. There are messages hidden in the whole film. If you know to look for them. And if you find everything you need Rorschach’s mask as much as he does (hell, I want that too).

They are little things, like with the Comedian. Pay close attention to the lighter he uses for his cigars. The lighter is more than just a plain zippo. There is an image of the Silk Spectre. Kind of says a lot about their past and relationship, or does it hint at something else? A flame burning but never revealed?

And speaking of the Comedian, let’s not pass up the answer to who shot JFK. Yes, we get the answer with absolute certainty. The only question is how good the good guys are. What is really the greatest good. And do you get the joke?

But then there is Ozymandias watching television. Actually watching every television program at once. What might the smartest man in the world watch if he could watch it all? How about porn? Yes it’s up there. So is the original 300 (a good movie I recommend), the Road Warrior, and Marvin the Martian destroying the world for a bit of cartoon play on action. In fact the theme of the movie is hit upon with scenes from the Day The Earth Stood Still and Fail Safe (a true must see film). And just for a touch of the real world, you can also see a few Youtube videos as well.

Of course the blend of our world and that of the Watchmen does not end at Youtube. If you keep a sharp eye out you will find that one of the super heroes has a copy of the Watchmen graphic novel tucked away. Talk about bending space and time, or a Nostradomus style prediction of the future.

These are just a few of the things awaiting in the world of the Watchmen. There are far more. You don’t need to be a uber-fan of the graphic novel to enjoy the extra bits placed throughout the film. Though that doesn’t hurt either.

This is a movie based on a graphic novel unlike any most have ever scene. It’s dark, and not the ‘justice wins eventually’ fun of the Dark Knight movies. There are messages and meanings everywhere.

Perhaps the question is are you more akin to the Comedian, Dr. Manhattan, Ozymandias, or Rorschach in your world view? Obviously these are my favorite characters. And I expect that Rorschach, who is the curiosity and almost the guide for the audience through the story, will have more to say in his mask than just the random movements it makes.

By the way, after you see the movie, try not to give away the ending to those that don’t know the story. Let them get put in awe too.

Snoop Dogg claims to be a member of the Nation of Islam

Perhaps it’s just me, but were I the Nation of Islam I’m not sure I would want to have Calvin Broadus as my spokesman. Broadus, known best as rapper Snoop Dogg, stated on Sunday that

“I'm already in the Nation, that's why I'm here," he said. "I'm an advocate for peace. I've been in the peace movement ever since I've been making music. My whole thing is not about really trying to push my thing on you. It's just about the way I live, and I live how I'm supposed to live as far as doing what's right and representing what's right. That's why I was here today.”

Really?

Now I don’t care if Snoop Dogg is a Muslim. Nor do I care about who the Nation of Islam has as its members. But I do dislike hypocrites.

If the statement of Broadus is to be taken at face value, then he is claiming to be a Muslim, as far back as when he entered the music industry. At that time we know that he was also an advocate of gang life, drug use, and violence. None of which are ideals that Muslims believe in.



We know that he was alleged to have been implicated in a murder in 1993. All of the music videos of Broadus contain misogynistic images, which is not a Muslim belief. Songs such as Gin and Juice advocate drinking of alcohol, a vice that is forbidden to Muslims. He had represented himself as a pimp and drug dealer in multiple media formats.

In the 1990’s he was arrested for cocaine and marijuana possession. Since 2000 he has had several drug arrests, and again found with unregistered firearms, as well as other illegal weapons. He has been banned from flying on British Airways and from performing in England due to violent fights in a British airport (and his history), he also was banned from entering Australia until December 2008.

All of these things are hardly the image any religious group would hold as positive. And from what I know, virtually every aspect of Snoop Dogg’s life is opposed by the Nation of Islam as well as Islam in general. So why Broadus would make such a statement bewilders me.

Broadus may be the worst Muslim ever, or he was seeking more publicity. Maybe he thought this would help the Nation of Islam, or help maintain his image of a thug. Or he could honestly believe what he has said.

Personally I find Snoop Dogg to be the worst kind of entertainer. A sell-out, an advocate of poison in the Black community, of disrespect to women. He is little more than a minstrel, performing under guidance of the strings of corporate controllers; an undereducated tool paid handsomely to distract from the real issues at hand. Considering that Broadus claims he is the

“leader of the hip-hop community”

it says a lot about what hip hop has become since 1992.

I am not a Muslim. I am not a member of the Nation of Islam. Yet I don’t need to be to believe in the values of a life not bound by ignorance, violence, or drugs. The desire to own my own business, help those in my community, support of education, and protection of the innocent are not just Black community concerns, but American ideals. And my anger to those that refute such things, as Calvin Broadus has and continues to do, is justified I believe.

So maybe the Nation of Islam is ok with Snoop Dogg violating the principles they hold as their core. Perhaps they too can accept his song and dance influence above their beliefs. But I feel that any organization that can gloss over the wrongs he commits in his quest for fame and fortune must also be questioned.

Still I am not a Muslim, nor a member of the Nation of Islam. Nor do I advocate the commoditization of Black culture that hip hop represents today. Maybe I don’t get it. And if so, I’m glad.

Shaq the goalie? I think not.

You know, it’s really a shame to see the impression most Americans have about soccer. There is just very little understanding of the game, and that transfers into the non-competitive nature of our play in the world competition.

Yes I do realize that America has made it into the World Cup several times in a row now. And I realize that we have done better than we have in so 40 or 50 years. But we hardly are considered a challenge to the best nations in the world. In fact, the common expectation is that while we may qualify, we are just going to be out in the first rounds.

An example of what I mean comes from this video clip. It’s with Shaq and a few other players goofing around. It is comical, but it also explains why we are so bad as a nation at soccer.



The point is that soccer is not serious. That it’s something you do as a joke. That anyone can do it.

I’m not picking on Shaq. But it’s just the cavalier way in which soccer is presented to the nation that I am addressing.

We have more resources, people, and ability than almost every nation in almost every sport you can name. We can train the very best in the world on a regular basis for anything we choose. And we win against everyone in the world almost at will.

But soccer eludes us. Because we don’t care enough to try. I just don’t get it.