I was wondering if whatever else was struck by the foreseen, paradox created by two of this month's top news stories. In one story we were torMented by - or treated to (depending upon one's viewpoint) - the barrage of news coverage on CharlieSheen's life of debauchery and grandiose self-delusion that was being played out on television in real time. And in a world where the public's appetite for Reality Tv consumption seems insatiable, CharlieSheen's saga played out publicly at a level that seemed to validate screenwriter Andrew Niccol's foreshadowing message in his movie, The Truman Show. The whole world absolutely was Watching.
The other story didn't quite reach the "epic" levels (to quote Charlie) of news coverage, but still tickled the fancy of human interest nonetheless. Brigham Young University basketball star Brandon Davies was suspended from the team for violating the school's code of conduct. Davies was a beginning player who contributed significantly to the amazing success that Byu was having on the court this year. Prior to his suspension, Byu was ranked third in the nation and headed into the Ncaa tournaMent as a top seed with high hopes. With Davies' absence, Byu had knowingly put themselves at a disadvanTAGe.
Charlie Sheen
As we all know by now, Byu's campus adheres to the Mormon values of its founder and owner, the Church of Latter Day Saints (Lds). Any trainee who attends Byu signs on to the accurate code of guide that - among other things - prohibits the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and caffeine, and requires regular church attendance. In Davies' case, he violated the part of the code that requires him to "live a chaste and virtuous life" when he had sexual relations with his girlfriend.
Value Wars - Charlie Sheen Vs Byu: Who's "Winning?"
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The irony of having these two stories break during the same week was exciting to me. The clear common denominator between the stories is that they both centered colse to America's obsession with the topic of communal values. Sheen's story was newsworthy because of his ultimate violation of acceptable communal values. The Byu story was newsworthy because of its ultimate adherence to such values.
The communal seemed shocked (though happily entertained) by the magnitude of CharlieSheen's substance abuse and sexual escapades, which was made even more circus-like by his unabashed and grandiose defense of his past activities. In essence Sheen's message was that everyone, together with his employers at Cbs, should look past his personal foibles and let the marketplace success of Two And A Half Men supersede any other judgMents that might be made about his character - moral or otherwise. He is to be judged by one standard, so claims Sheen, and that acceptable is the prime-time ratings of his television show, regardless of any illicit and illegal activities off the set. And while Cbs has obviously balked at that proposition, some in the communal are signing on to it. Piers Morgan, the talk show successor to Larry King, himself told Sheen that it shouldn't matter what Sheen does off the set on his own time.
Byu takes a distinct approach. They tell their students and athletes upfront that they will be judged by more than just their on-court and in-class achievements. There is still debate ongoing about either Sheen's personal indiscretions should impact his professional career. It's a debate that has similarly affected professional athletes and politicians alike. But at Byu there's no such debate. It's what you sign up for, literally, when you accept admission to the university. Like it or not, the acceptable for personal behavior is clear cut.
Mormon Values - ultimate or Sensible?
Throughout their history the Mormons have taken their fAir share of abuse and criticism. In fact, their historical origins are rooted in persecution as their original founders and followers were chased across America in the early 1800's, from New York straight through Ohio to their ultimate hamlet destination of Utah. The local and federal governments deemed the Lds church as a threat. eventually their founder, Joseph Smith, was even executed. And since that time, Mormons and the Church of Latter Day Saints have at times been looked upon as religious zealots, whose accurate prohibitions against clear behaviors (deemed tolerable elsewhere in our society) were an indication of conservative extremism.
Personally, I have to admit that I shared some of that mental in my earliest perceptions of Mormonism. Initially it was pure naivete, but later I read a book called Under the Banner of Heaven written by John Krakauer, which portrayed the origin of Mormonism in a dubious light and told the story of a murderous crime committed within a fundamentalist Mormon sect that still practiced polygamy or plural marriage (which the Church of Lds disavowed in 1890). The book served to reinforce my skepticism and negative perception of Lds. And these are the perceptions and misconceptions that still corollary the Mormons.
Recently, however, I had the pleasure of spending primary time in Utah. Whenever one spends time in Utah it will unavoidably expose one to some of the best skiing on the planet, along with a habitancy comprised of 60% Mormons. From my caress there I walked away with an enTirely new and enlightened insight of the Mormon habitancy and their unique culture and value system. And I can't help but wonder to myself, maybe modern-day Mormonism has it more right than we give them prestige for. Consider these facts:
* The state of Utah rates first or second among all states when it comes to high school graduation and college attendance rates.
* Among all states, Utah has either the first, second or third lowest rate in the country across every major condition disease. Not surprisingly, it also has the lowest rate of smoking and alcohol abuse in the nation.
* Utah ranked top in the nation for charitable giving. Versus its national counterparts, Utah spends much more of its State budget on study and much less of its budget on welfare than all other states.
* The unwed birth rate in Utah is half the national average.
* Forbes named Utah the best state to do company in, and Utah consistently makes the top 10 lists for the most entrepreneurial states in the nation.
* agreeing to a new Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index survey, Utah reported the top levels of full, well being, apparently making them the "happiest state in the country."
Oh, and don't forget, Byu still managed to build a top 10 basketball agenda this year to boot, despite all the disincentives.
So while we laugh at and are shocked by CharlieSheen's exploits, but then also snicker and scoff at the Mormons' preoccupations with mandatory Missions and behavioral restrictions, we ought to ask ourselves a very foremost ask - courtesy of Mr. Sheen - who absolutely is winning in this war of values?
Value Wars - Charlie Sheen Vs Byu: Who's "Winning?"
Well, it sure is extraordinary to have so many friends that are complicated in the entertainMent sector in Hollywood. It is extraordinary how much inside facts you can get that you don't facilely see in the newspaper or on Tv, and best of all you get to see it first, and then when it does appear the tabloids or news, you already know all about it. The other day, I was talking to one of my associates and fellow writers and he explained to me that he was good friends with one of the publicity team members which no longer works with CharlieSheen, he fired them too.
It turns out that CharlieSheen went off one day because he was distraught because he believed that President Obama would fix the country and do all that he promised. CharlieSheen believed in hope and turn and even helped campaign for the Illinois Senator before he was elected. After President Obama was elected CharlieSheen also went on record promoting the president in defending many of his political power plays and ongoing agenda.
Charlie Sheen
If you'll recall CharlieSheen was very vocal about the need to close Guantanamo Bay, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and put forth universal healthcare. As you know, none of this occurred, well except for ObamaCare, which turned out to be a fiasco. Also we have not recovered from the recession, and unemployMent is still high. Many of CharlieSheen's fans and supporters are angry that he supported the president politically. Not only did President Obama bring down Oprah, apparently President Obama was a contributing factor to CharlieSheen's Mental breakdown.
Charlie Sheen's Meltdown Due to Losing Faith in Obama - Sources Say
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It is unfortunate what happens when someone's beliefs principles is shattered, when they believe in the hope and dream which was presented, and then evaporates like the fading utopia of Atlantis one afternoon crushed into oblivion by a big Tsunami. Yes this young vivacious, determined, and persevering actor will never be the same again. His life, his ambitions, and his dream were destroyed by Barack Obama. No, he's not the only one in Hollywood that feels this way, but unfortunately the stress and reality hit him so hard that he could no longer cope it.
My friend explained to me that Sheen's Mental breakdown was a long time coming, as he continued to deny that anything was wrong, that we needed to give Barack Obama a chance, and that this president would prove he was the greatest leader in the history of the United States. Apparently Charlie became a broken man when he realized all the lies that he had been told by the Teleprompter in Chief. In some regards I feel sorry for CharlieSheen because it is hard to believe that any actor of his caliber and quality could be so nothing else but misled by someone else actor merely playing the part of a great politician and leader. nothing else but I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.
Charlie Sheen's Meltdown Due to Losing Faith in Obama - Sources Say
CharlieSheen, a well-known American actor who has been acclaimed for his roles in such films as Platoon and Wall road and in Tv sitcoms Spin City and Two and a Half Men (born September 3, 1965, 10:48 Pm, New York City) is a Taurus ascendant with Ascendant degree at 25 degrees 08 minutes. The ascendant lord Venus is in 5th house of entertainMent firm agreeing to Vedic Astrology.
CharlieSheen is going through the aggressive planet Mars mahadasha agreeing to Indian Astrology. Mars rules the 7th house of relationships with other population and 12th house of normal loss, and is placed in 6th house of fights, quarrels with other people, and legal battles, police etc agreeing to Vedic Astrology. The Mars association with 6th house, 7th house and 12th house at same time is not good for CharlieSheen while Charlie is in Mars mahadasha. Especially not good at all for healthy relationships with other population nearby him. The relationships could be business, friendship, romantic agreeing to Indian Astrology At the same time transit Saturn this year is very close to the natal position of ascendant lord Venus in Virgo. This year is a very difficult year for CharlieSheen, especially the months of March April and first 5 days of May are very bad, and then the month of August is very difficult. CharlieSheen may face some more embarrassing moMents while this duration agreeing to Vedic Astrology while dealing with other population nearby him. Extra caution is advised while this period.
Charlie Sheen
According to Vedic Astrology the genuinely good duration for CharlieSheen starts in first week of November this year, when Saturn will unblemished its transit over the natal position of ascendant lord Venus. At the same time the mahadasha lord Mars will enter Leo and it will stay in Leo until June 2012, and where it will be receiving certain aspect from transit Jupiter in Aries. The transit Jupiter will also be aspecting the natal position of Mars in Libra. The good duration will continue until August 2012 while Mars is transiting through Virgo sign as transit Jupiter from Taurus will be aspecting the transit Mars and natal Venus in Virgo. The Mars mahadasha will continue until December 2013. CharlieSheen should be very cautious while dealing with other people, as Mars position in 6th house is not good, can lead to fights or violence with other population nearby him.
Charlie Sheen Astrology Predictions
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