Same Sex Marriage - Something I fully support!

Same sex marriage is nowadays one of the biggest topics in society, if not the biggest topic. Of course people in a same sex relationship fight to get the possibility to marry whom they love and I think this is great. I mean wouldn't you fight for the right to marry whom you love? Although I am straight I fully support the cause, because being a romantic person I want everybody to experience their own "and they lived happily ever after". 

But then there are the "other straight people". Those who don't get tired of citing religion, 200 year old laws etc. where apparantly it was stated that marriage was only supposed to be something between man and woman. These people I have to ask something: Are you kidding  me? 

Ironically these are the same people who love stories like "Romeo & Juliet" where people fight for a love others condemn. Is the gender question really that important? It is not like anybody is asking you to get married to someone of your sex if you don't want to. 

First of all I want to state one thing: Are you aware why the father of the bride hands the bride to the groom at church during a wedding? It was a sign of the "deal" that took place. Basically the woman was property being passed over. I guess none of us wants to get back to that. Right? So this holy ceremony back then was basically a sale, so like it or not: It already has changed from its original meaning, so why not changing it a little more? 

Also, what is it to you, if the guy next door marries another guy or if the girl in the supermarket wears the same wedding band as her wife? Would she do her job better if she was married to a guy? Most likely the opposite as she would feel miserable in a relationship she doesn't want and pretending to be someone she isn't. 

So please, maybe  I am too stupid to understand but where is the disavantage for straight couples if same sex couples can also get married? Apparantly many people think there is one otherwise I don't understand why they oppose, so please someone enlighten me. 

Another thing I hear often is that gay or lesbian people are supposed to have a very promiscuisous lifestyle. For people using that argument I have two rather simple counter-arguments. The first is the divorce rate among straight couples. I guess I don't need to comment on that any further. My second argument is that straight people have often enough the same lifestyle. If you don't believe me just hit the dating scene for one night and all I am writing will make sense.

Something that makes me particular sad is when I hear about teenage bullying victims. It is extremely tragic when someone takes his or her life, because they are bullied for trying to be honest about who they are. But what we shouldn't forget in this cases is that the bullies usually are inidoctrinated at their social surrounding from a very young age with the bullshit they later torture their victims with. It is there where the change has to start, so that the following generation won't even see the neccesity of discussing the same sex marriage as we don't see the neccesity to discuss that women are allowed to vote or that people with different ethnic heritage share the same bus. Just as it should be. 

A great campaign to change things in this aspect it the "Straight But Not Narrow" project supported by people like actor Josh Hutcherson. Their message is as simple as it is true: We are straight but cool with people being gay. For further information check their webside: http://www.wearesbnn.com/

So please, if before reading this article you were opposed to the same sex marriage ask youself why? Is there any disadvantage for you and would you react the same way if your neighbour would by a black Toyota instead of a red one? The answer is you wouldn't because it is none of your business and doesn't hurt you. For now I am not asking you to actively support same sex marriage, but I am asking you to at least stop opposing it. 

Eutanasia - Mercy or cruelty?

A few days ago I was watching a documentary about a veterinary station. They showed a little dog who had been tortured by its previous owner. The little animal's legs had been broken and had healed the wrong way so the poor fellow was in pain with every step he did. So after a difficult conversation, the vet and the dog's new owner decided it was the kindest to put it down. This actually made me think. 

While we consider it being merciful to put down an animal who is suffering, without the animal even able to voice its opinion, most people are repelled if a person suffering from a painful and terminal disease voices the request for eutanasia. Don't get me wrong I am well aware that there is a huge difference between animals and human beings, but the animals are not even requesting help, while the humans do. Are we granting animals a mercy we deny humans? 

There is a large variety of laws in different countries from actual permission to complete illegality concerning eutanasia, which in a way is surprising as, when it comes to this situation nationality, money, education etc. doesn't really matter anymore, as all men are truely the same when it comes to death. 

Of course a huge factor in the judgement of eutanasia is usually religion and this might in a way explain why the legal approach to eutanasia is so different in various countries.

But instead of discussing laws I wonder if the approach shouldn't be a different and yet simple one: What is the right thing to do for people who are actually suffering? If we are consequent the laws are what should follow once this question is answered.

If a person is suffering from a painful and lethal  disease and is of sound mind and disposing memory and asks for help to end his life do we really have the right to forbid that? If you are thinking "no" ask yourself "why"? Is it for the person that is suffering or for the people around him. Shouldn't the right to command over his own life be the ultimate freedom for a person (Of course always in terms with sanity!)? 

To be absolutely clear this statement is only meant in terms of eutanasia an NOT in terms of suicide. If a person who is healthy thinks about suicide this person clearly needs psychological help. The main difference is that a person requesting eutanasia will not get better, their disease is lethal and painful, their situation won't improve and they are mentally stable, while a fisically healthy person thinking about suicide is mentally ill and can be helped. 

When thinking about this topic I was of course confronted with religious views and have decided not to go into this aspect. If there are literally dozens of laws there are at least ten times more rules applied by religions. I consider this question is equally important for all mankind independently from their religion because after all we are all human beings not matter how we say our prayers. 

So the question has to be if there is a simple right or wrong in the matter or if it is more complex? Isn't it at the same time selfish of a dying person to ask someone for help in killing themselves and to burden this on the other persons soul? Because no matter how you decide in such case you will have to deal with a lot: You either help someone to end their life or you have the knowledge that you prolonged  person's suffering  by denying the help. 

Usually I conclude with my own opinion but in this case I won' t do it, as honestly I really cannot come to a conclusion on what is right or wrong in this matter. I am thankful I have never been in such situation where I had to decide and I dearly hope I never will. 

A little respect for celebrities please!

Let me start this post with a little anecdote from my life. As you might be aware of I am huge movie fan and of course I have a lot of actors I admire.  There is one I admire in particular, so you can say he is my favourite actor. A few years back I went to London for a week and imagine my excitement when I saw that he was performing at the West End. So I went to the theatre and was lucky enough to get a ticket for the show that evening. When I walked out of the theatre after buying my ticket my heart almost stopped as I saw him walking into my direction. My first instinct was to ask him for an autograph, but then I noticed he was talking on his cell phone and believe it or not I didn't say anything and let him walk into the stage door.

A lot of people whom I told this story to thought I was stupid and said I had wasted an opportunity, but I stick to my decision, because I wanted to respect his privacy. I don't know who he was talking to on the phone, maybe he was faking the call because he was having a bad day and wasn't ready for "fan-talk" or maybe it was a really important phone call e.g. his mother was in the hospital. In this case: How would you feel if during such a phone call one of your customers would annoy you with a dull question? Because let's face it: Fans are an artist's customers in a way. Because we buy a product they make. You might not like it, but down the line that is what it is. Of course with the arts a lot of passion and emotions are involved but in essence this is correct. 

Let's think of a different scenario. I guess most people have had a really bad break up at one point or another in their life, at least I know I have. All you try after this is to heal, to get over it and in a way to forget. So put yourself now in the situation where everyday someone you don't even know is constantly asking you about this personal experience, if you say you don't want to talk about it, that get aggressiv and follow you around. People hide around your house with cameras and try to get a picture of you, hoping you are having a breakdown and to catch you with puffy eyes from crying and for them ideally drunk. Isn't that a nightmare? 

A lot of you might think now, well they chose a life in the spotlight. No! These people chose a profession they love, no matter if it is being a musician, actor, singer, politician or athlete. I guess none of these people thought: Hey, it is my lifelong dream to give up my privacy!

Still a lot of celebrities try to be friendly with fans and even to get in touch with them e.g. via twitter and honestly I think this is awesome! Nobody thought something like this possible about 20 years ago. This is why tt pains me even more to see how some so called "fans" treat these celebrities. Mean messages for not replying are the most harmless things there. What are these people thinking? If someone has 150,000 followers and takes the time to respond to maybe 10 a day I think it is really nice of them. Because honestly: How many of you take the time to respond on twitter to people you don't know? 

My biggest fear is that with all the tabloids and gossiping we will reach the point where execptionally talented artists or athletes will prefer no to exhibit their talents to avoid having to live like this. Then all of us would loose. So please before buying a tabloid or asking someone for an autograph when he or she is obviously not up for it (e.g. talking on the phone or in a hurry) ask yourself: How would I feel in this situation and show a little respect! 

Movie review - The Avengers (04/30/2012)

Not being very familiar with the Marvel comic universe and not having seen the previous movies (Iron Man 1 + 2, Captain America, Hulk and Thor) I was afraid that the movie would be a little hard to follow. But despite the large amount of central characters I found this not to be the case. 

Each of the Avengers is introduced in a "recruiting" scene. While this slows the beginning of the movie down for those familiar with the characters, it is important for those (like me) who are new to the Marvel Universe. 

The story is simple and not new, but still effective and catchy: A bunch of specialized people don't get along at first but then need to pull themselves together in order to save the world. 

The dialogues are witty and to the point as expected from director/screenwriter Joss Whedon. In particular Robert Downey jr. as Iron Man gets amazing lines that he delivers so effortlessly that he steals every single scene he is in. 

The pace of the movie constantly increases without ever being hasty or rushed. It has the perfect balance between action scenes and character development. 

The cast is stellar, especially considering that often movies based on comics have the reputation of being mere action movies. In this case the cast is filled with Academy Awards winners and nominees, such as the already mentioned Robert Downey jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo and Samuel L. Jackson which gives the movie a high quality in quieter and more dramatic scenes. The rest of the cast is also composed of high class actors such as Scarlett Johanssen, Stellan Skargard and many more. 

As already stated Robert Downey jr. is amazingly witty and strong as Iron Man (I look incredibly forward now to watch both Iron Man movies). He is the hero among heroes without being flawless, which makes him so believable. Mark Ruffalo's portrayal of Bruce Banner/Hulk is nuanced and perfectly expresses the struggle of his character. He wants to help but has to accept that people around him always see him as a time bomb. 

The CGI is amazing even as per today's standards and the camera work was refreshlingly calm without slowing down the movie as opposed to today's popular "shaky camera". 

This movie is great entertainment for those who enjoy some action and still expect good dialogues. I can heartly recommend it and if possible try to catch it in the original language and not in a dubbed version.