Guess who else is having a big birthday. That's right, the "Governator" himself Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is turning 60 today. Say what you will about the man's acting skills, but he IS THE AMERICAN DREAM!!! Raised in the city of Gras, Austria, he turned to the world of bodybuilding...and using his genetic disposition & tireless determination, he dominated the field & is still regarded as one of the greatest bodybuilders to have ever lived, having won seven Mr. Olympia titles, five Mr. Universe titles, and being called by Guiness Book of World Records "the most perfectly developed man in the history of the world." But that wasn't enough for Arnold...he wanted to conquer Hollywood too.He came to America in the early 70's with a twenty-dollar bill in his pocket & a dream. His first starring movie role was a B-budget (actually more like C or D or XXX budget) movie entitled Hercules in New York, where his voice was dubbed due to his thick Austrian accent...but he was definitely the image of Hercules. Over the next few years, he starred in a few movies...but it wasn't until 1982 when he starred in John Milius' Conan the Barbarian when he became a household name...despite playing nearly a silent part for the first half of the movie with an occasional grunt or "Krum!" Two years later, James Cameron met with him to star in a movie called "The Terminator" as the hero...but upon meeting him decided "You are a machine!" and cast him as one of the most memorable antagonist (and hero in the sequel) of all time.
Two years later, he married the lovely Maria Shriver, niece of JFK & RFK, thus beginning his political career...by challenging Ted Kennedy to a drinking contest. Over the next decade, he became one of the most popular movie stars of all time starring in action movies like "Predator", "Total Recall", "Red Heat", & "True Lies" as well as comedies like "Kindergarten Cop", "Twins", & "Last Action Hero." He was also an original co-owner of Planet Hollywood (casino opening soon in Vegas) and also helped out fellow action star/co-owner Bruce Willis by turning down the title role in "Die Hard" back in 1988. That's called sharing the wealth.
Then in 2003, he announced his candidacy for governor of the state of California on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" of all places. More people watch that show than the news anyway, right? Due to his enormous popularity, he won in a landslide and was re-elected two years later. Now, it's only a matter of time before the Demolition Man Prophecy is fulfilled & after the the amendment is passed for foreign-born citizens to become President, he may become the first...and honestly, at this time, he has my vote. Why? He realizes that he's not the most brilliant politician or mastermind in the world (modesty?) but that is why he surrounds himself with good people who know what they're doing...and worst-case, he has the Kennedy Compound on speed dial. "Hey Uncle Teddy, howz it going? Fantastic. Lissen, I have a problem wit de energy crisis here in Ka-le-for-ne-a. What would you suggest? Yes, I do have some Cuban cigars in my Humvee but watdisdat have to do with anything?"So in summary, an Austrian bodybuilder who came to America with a twenty in his pocket, became a Hollywood action star, married a Kennedy, demanded twenty MILLION dollars per movie, became Governor of the third largest state in the Union, and will probably run for President in 2012 once legistlation is passed. If that's not the American Dream that gleams in the eye of every immigrant that has ever come to this land since Jamestown, then you tell me what is. Happy Birthday Arnold!!! Please send me your favorite Arnold Schwarzenegger lines so that others may share...and I shall leave you with mine.
"Git doooooown!!!" - From every movie that he's ever been in.
Cloning - Okay, so I was hanging with my dad yesterday & we watched "The 6th Day" starring birthday boy Arnold Schwarzenegger & I had never seen it before...somehow. Basically, it's about the near future, cloning, playing God, and all the usual stuff of any Philip Dick novel. However, as most action movies do, it got me thinking about the premise...about cloning & when it would be appropriate, if at all. Also, this last weekend a friend of mine was talking about the slaughtering of various animals and what's defined as both 'humane' and 'kosher' so I thought that I'd share my thoughts on the subject...and I'm pretty open-minded...but logical.- Cloning Humans - Were I a selfish person, I would say that we can clone various Victoria's Secret supermodels, actresses, and bring back Marilyn Monroe. However, the world is already extremely overpopulated for its resources. So for the safety of all, I suggest that we invest in pleasure-giving robots instead of having my own Norma Jean. I'll just have to find the living, breathing girl the old fashioned way...buy her from her father for a few head of cattle.
- However, I do like the idea of cloning for organ transplants & diseases and what have you. Sure, it'll be one of those things were the advantage goes to those that can afford it...but all medicine is that way. That's why life expectancy differs from country to country & continent to continent.
- Some may argue that growing a human being simply for a few organs is wrong. They may be right. However, is it any more wrong to grow sunflowers for a few seeds? Or soy for its beans? Or a walnut tree for its nuts? Wow, that last one did sound a little wrong.
- Cloning Animals - In advance, I'm going to warn you that my views differ from that of PETA...because I love meat. All kind of meat. Meat that some wouldn't even consider meat. However, I do realize that there are more humane ways to produce meat over others. Some may ask "Why do some companies brutally slaughter instead of humanely recycle animals?" Well, leaving out the more delicate use of words, it's basically a financial influence. Killing humanely costs more money...and to stay competitive with foreign producers, prices need to be slashed (pardon the ironic use of words).
- I like the idea of cloning animals for food & clothing and any other use of their bodies...except for one thing, it probably costs more than usual herding...which defeats the purpose to both producer & consumer, so it's only feasible financially as a last resort for world starvation...but may be sooner than we think.
- There is one gripe that I have about animal protestors. They always defend the cute animals like dolphins, horses, & pandas...but where's the love for nature's less-attractive animals like turkeys or retarded animals like cows.
- Cloning Plants - Nobody ever seems to have a problem with cloning or bioengineering plants. Do plants not react to their environment like an animal or human? Do they not feed, grow, reproduce, or are effected by disease like any other being? Yeah, I'm all for engineering super plants that bear tomatoes the size of Buick (for pizza sauce) and cashews that can be used as rocking furniture. Tell me that a nacho flavored banana doesn't sound delicious & nutritious.
- Obviously this is a complex subject with many different viewpoints, but I just thought that I'd share mine. A lot of people try to bring religion into the argument...and that's cool...but did you ever think that maybe the reason that God hasn't talked to many people over the last few millennia might be because of all the television & cell phone signal interference? Just something to think about...
Anyway, enough about all that. Now for my newsclips of the day...
Sports News of the Day - Bill Walsh passed away after a long battle with leukemia today at the age of 75. For those who don't know, he is the Hall of Fame coach for the San Francisco 49ers during the 80's when they won five Super Bowls (four with him, one with his replacement/protege) and the engineer behind the famed West Coast Offense in perfected Americanized Football (That's right, JL. I said it.) It's a sad day...but at least he is at peace. Our condolences go out to his family & friends.
In basketball news, Kevin Garnett is reportedly being traded to the Boston Celtics for four role players. This move may put the Boston Celtics in contention with the rest of the NBA's Eastern Conference since he'll join two fellow All-Stars, Ray Allen & Paul Pierce. Kevin Garnett has been an influential player in many ways to the sport of basketball...besides his talent. In 1995, he was the 5th overall pick straight out of high school. Drafting a player out of high school hadn't been done in nearly two decades before that...and now it's the norm. Also, it was his incredible 10-year/$150 million dollar contract (that expires at the end of next year) that prompted discussions of salary cap, owner's rights, competition between different markets, and basically led to the NBA lockout in 1999. Since then, he has been an all-around dominating player on a mediocre team and has only made it out of the first round of the playoffs once in his 12-year career. He shouldn't have much of a problem doing so in Boston...but last month he stated (through his agent) that he didn't want to go to Boston. It's not a bad place. We'll see if it grows on him. The Celtics could use a pick-me-up.
Retraction of the Day - In my last few entries, I mentioned that I would share my pictures of the Living Planet Aquarium. Once again, it will have to be delayed another day...because this entry is far too long already.
Huge Announcement of the Day
Rap artist & childhood friend Spitsofrantic is having a record release party at Brewski's in Ogden on Friday, August 10th. If any of you would be interested in going, I will be carpooling down to Ogden on Friday night. That's right, I said FREE TRANSPORTATION to an exclusive record release party on Historic 25th Street in Ogden. This is a rare opportunity to enjoy yourself & have a couple of LoBrau beers with your boy, Dr. Love!!! Please let me know if you're interested. Peace out!!!
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