Monday, February 18, 2013

Don't blame the producers, the network, or any other "they"--it's due to one person only.

Robin tells me I need to add the term "spoiler alert."  So it is added--if you haven't watched the final episode of Downton Abbey Season 3, fair warning that there be spoilers ahead!!!  If you don't watch DA, you should.  Period.












http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/downton-abbey/9765334/Dan-Stevens-Why-I-left-Downton-Abbey.html

Like many devotees of the show, I was left shocked and dismayed by the death of Matthew Crawley at the very end of Season 3 of Downton Abbey.  I've seen many people ask why "they" did this, as though it may have been the idea of the producers or the network to boot Dan Stevens off the show.  Turns out that, as sometimes happens, Mr. Stevens himself decided to end his run on DA so as not to be "monopolized" by the show, or type cast from the role.  Why do actors do this?  I ask myself, if my talents were somehow able to result in me riding on a money machine, wouldn't I let it run its course before deciding that my perch on the machine was too "confining"?  You bet your sweet patootie I would.  Just ask Will Wheaton how he feels about leaving Star Trek:The Next Generation after a few years to "pursue his career."  What career did poor Wesley end up having after TNG?  Not much of one.  At least, that's what he said in his old blog, which I used to follow.  


Anyways, farewell to Matthew.  He's saved the estate, regained his health, fallen in love, and provided an heir, so at least we are spared a repeat of some of the "cliffhangers" we've been treated to the past couple of seasons.  Now who will Lady Mary find, if anyone?

Friday, February 1, 2013

My Service to the Youth of America is No One's Political Football

Went to a meeting last evening of the local Scout Council's Executive Board that was too important to cancel.  In the 4 hours I was there, my car was covered with about 2.5 inches of snow.  On the Business 94 feeder into town, I narrowly averted running into a car that had spun out of control.  Let no one doubt my devotion to the youth of America.  We took care of important business, and learned more about the progress of the Michigan Area Project.  (www.bsaareaproject.org; www.michiganscouting.org)  This is important to me, as I had a role in conceptualizing the changes that are now being implemented.  Plus, I got to talk to some wonderful people.  

All this is a prelude to saying, if BSA changes its rules on membership and makes the chartering organization (which owns the unit it charters) responsible to decide who can be a leader in the unit that group sponsors, that's actually bringing the rules more into line with long-time practice in other areas.  I ask neither side to make this a political issue.  I don't expect lots of "liberals" to suddenly flock to Scouting, and I certainly hope no dedicated Scouter would consider this change grounds to end his or her service to youth.  I hope the change is made, I endorse it, but it will not change my participation in this great youth-serving, life saving, nation building movement one way or the other.  When either side tries to politicize the issue, or the movement, it cheapens what we Scouters do and makes me feel a bit tawdry.  

Hands off, crusaders for morality and crusaders for "civil rights."  Unless you want to join me at the next meeting in trying to do some good for youth, find another political football to kick around.