The mistakes of our fathers...

I just finished watching an episode of Scrubs where Zach Braff's character, J.D.'s father has died. I am a little too pissed and sad to go into much detail about the episode but there's a scene where they're talking about how proud his dad was of him. I've been sitting here for ten minutes trying to think of a time my father told me he was proud of me. I am aware that this may be juvenile for a 29 year old to be mopey about his dead father never saying the words, "Son, I'm proud of you".

But fuck it all I am.

I know deep down in my heart my father was on some level proud of me, but goddamnit would it have fucking killed him to say it every once in a while. We don't need father's who are emotionally detached from their sons, regardless of what the fucking macho man clubs say in this country. We need fathers who are willing to sit their sons on their laps and tell them they love them, that they're proud of them and that they're sorry when they fuck up.

Collapse of a Dynasty

Former President Bush sobs as he praises Jeb

One of the news shows last night were discussing this breakdown by Bush 41 as he was praising his son Jeb. What was really interesting is that one of the commentators was suggesting that perhaps the reason for this breakdown was because after the horrendous job his older son Dubya has done Jeb will never get his chance.

I've had this thought before about how the Bush family dynamic might be. Here you have Bush 41 who has created this legacy in U.S. politics. He has two sons who have taken up political lives, the older of the two boys has been falling back on his family name and father his entire life and the other son has worked hard and earned the respect of a state. Despite the father's desires to see his younger son in the White House it's the older one that gets the first shot. The rest of the story is fairly predictable.

It really is a shame. As a former resident of Florida I can honestly say that Jeb Bush is a substantially better leader than his brother. He's intelligent when he speaks and is respected by Republicans and Democrats alike. Honestly though I don't think this country will elect another Bush anytime soon. The commentator did say last night that he did think a McCain/Bush ticket would be very interesting.

I'd have to say I agree.

Connecting

Last night as I laid in bed with my one-month old son beside me we truly connected for the first time. We were facing each other and I had my hand resting on his chest trying to keep his binky in his mouth, because he enjoys spitting it out, and he opened his eyes and just stared at me. This wasn't just a blank stare and as he looked at me and I at him I thought, "this is one memory I hope I remember 30 years from now".

The genuis of Aaron Sorkin

I fell in love with the writing of Aaron Sorkin through the television series The West Wing. I own the first four seasons of the W.W., and regardless of how many times I watch those episodes they inspire me, fill me with hope, make me laugh, cry and scream. I recently decided to rewatch the fifth season, which was the first season without Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme, and I couldn't believe how bad everything was. The writing and storylines were crap and I just kept feeling sorry for the actors who really must've been suffering from not having Sorkin around.

Despite the downward turn of the series I continued to watch until it went off the air because I felt a weird connection with the characters of the series. During the final season of the W.W. I heard about a new series Sorkin and Schlamme were working on called Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. It was with great anticipation that I awaited this new series, hoping that many things I loved about the W.W. would show up in this new show.

Studio 60 is now into it's 10th or 11th episode of the first season and it's everything I hoped it would be. The acting and writing is top notch. Sorkin masterfully pokes fun of both conservatives and liberals, is not shy about calling out the stupidity of the religious right while maintaining a high degree of respect for those who are sincere about their faith. As a Christ follower I've never found myself offended but rather challenged to think more about my faith.

Art is a reflection of the Divine and when I get the opportunity to experience something that is truly great it points me to my Father and I'm grateful that there are artists who still strive to create something original.

Thank you Mr. Sorkin.