Cathy and David at the Movies: "Wall-E"

Cathy: Earth was abandoned 700 years ago by the human race, leaving behind an army of robots to clean up the rubbish. Wall-E is the sole survivor, and over the centuries has developed a personality along with a deep sense of loneliness.

David: And a very entertaining sense of curiosity.

Cathy: For a movie that has practically no dialogue for the first 40 minutes, I was engaged from the moment the film began.

David: That’s because it draws on the best traditions of visual comedy – it’s a little like watching a robotic Mr Bean.

Cathy: No, not at all. Wall-E is a captivating and endearing character. Maddy says “extremely cute”! Along with Wall-E, I was delighted at the arrival of Eva – an exploratory probe from the human “ark”, and enchanted by the relationship that develops. As Mia said, it’s a love story “kids-style”, but one that adults can thoroughly enjoy as well.

David: The name Eva is suggestive, of course. The abandoned earth is no garden of Eden, but there is a definite “bone of my bones” (or perhaps “cog of my cogs”) reaction on Wall-E’s part.

Cathy: There are some truly magical and touching moments, such as the “space-dance” with Eva and a fire-extinguisher-propelled Wall-E.

David: And a lot of references to other films too. Wall-E is reminiscent of “Number Five” from the 1986 movie Short Circuit; his cockroach friend is reminder of Pinocchio’s Jiminy Cricket; and the ship-board computer (voiced by Sigourney Weaver) deliberately recalls “Hal” from 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Cathy: Truly a movie that can be enjoyed by all ages. I loved it. I’m giving it four stars.

David: Well, personally, I think this will end up on every shelf in every living room next to the Shrek DVD’s. Pixar has raised digital animation to a new level with this film. Am I allowed to give it FIVE stars, or is that exaggerating?

"You Know My Name": Schütz article in Kairos

Kairos, our local Archdiocesan rag, is running an article I wrote on the use of “Yahweh” for the name of God in the liturgy.

See here.

Where did I get the wrong impression?

I said in a post below that I had been led to believe the new Abortion Law Reform Bill only aimed at allowing abortions up to 24 weeks. Where did I get that impression? From poorly reported media stories, such as this one in The Australian today which says:

The Brumby Government’s Bill decriminalising abortion controversially allows it to be performed at up to 24 weeks’ gestation.

The fact is, as Archbishop Denis Hart’s letter points out, if passed, the legislation would mean that abortion would be easily and legally available in Victoria UP TO THE POINT OF BIRTH ITSELF!

Here are the relevant sections of the Abortion Law Reform Bill.

5 Termination of pregnancy by registered medical practitioner after 24 weeks

(1) A registered medical practitioner may perform an abortion on a woman who is more than 24 weeks pregnant only if the medical practitioner—

(a) reasonably believes that the abortion is appropriate in all the circumstances; and

(b) has consulted at least one other registered medical practitioner who also reasonably believes that the abortion is appropriate in all the circumstances.

7 Supply or administration of drugs by registered pharmacist or registered nurse—more than 24 weeks

(1) A registered medical practitioner may, in writing, direct a registered pharmacist or registered nurse, who is employed or engaged by a hospital, to administer or supply a drug or drugs to cause an abortion in a woman who is more than 24 weeks pregnant only if the medical practitioner—

(a) reasonably believes that the abortion is appropriate in all the circumstances; and

(b) has consulted at least one other registered medical practitioner who also reasonably believes that the abortion is appropriate in all the circumstances.

Media Studies 101: How to Read Headlines

OK, class, here’s your task for today. Compare and critique these two headlines for the same story:

1) “Abortion laws threaten Catholic hospitals” (The Australian)

2) “Archbishop in abortion law threat” (The Age)

Questions:

1) Who or what is “under threat”?
2) Who or what is doing the “threatening”?

Essays to be less than 100 words and submitted in the combox, please.

On the saner side of the moon: The Herald Sun Poll on Catholic Hospitals

Compare The Age poll mentioned in the blog below to the poll being run in the Herald Sun:

There the question is somewhat more moderate, although it is asking much the same thing and from the positive angle of the Catholic Church’s freedom to act in accordance with her teachings:

“Do you support a Catholic Church review of its hospital maternity services because of abortion law reforms?”

Currently the vote is running in exactly the opposite direction to The Age poll:

Have your vote on this page here.

And yes, Tony, we know they are “only a bit of fun”. But (as with the current sport crazed attention to the game involving an inflated red pig’s bladder) one man’s “fun” is another man’s life and death.

"Liberty" Victorian Style: The Age Poll on Catholic Hospitals

Thanks to Jeff (in the combox to the previous post) for alerting me to the poll at The Age.

The question is: “Should Catholic Hospitals be forced to comply with the new abortion laws?” (Please note: The Bill is not yet a “new law” and pray God it never will be!)

Currently it looks like this.

As Louise says in the same combox:

For a bunch of people who claim to be tolerant and embracing of diversity, postmodern Aussies sure are nasty totalitarians.

“Pluralism. Do it my way.”

Or: I believe you should be free but I reserve the right tell you what you are free to do or not do. And I guess the people voting “Yes” to this question are the same ones who complain loudest when the Church “interferes” with their idea of freedom.

Go here to lodge your vote.

Archbishop Hart tells Ceasar to…

In the combox to my posting of Archbishop Hart’s pastoral letter below, Louise using colourful language suggests that His Grace should “tell Caesar to get %$#@*^ed and threaten to shut down Catholic hospitals.”

Well, in effect that is exactly what he has done, and if Caesar isn’t listening, the Forum is. It’s front page stuff on The Age this morning: Archbishop in abortion law threat.