Doe Run

I'm watching CNN's "Planet in Peril" as I write this, and I'm sure the documentary has nothing more shocking than what I just witnessed.. innocent children being killed by lead poisoning because of a company that puts commercial interests before basic human rights. I'm talking about the Doe Run Company which is one of the largest metal refining companies in the world. The company has a refinery in La Oroya, Peru (a city close to the capital Lima) which has caused lead contamination of water and air around the city. CNN's documentary shows heart wrenching images of beautiful children who are going through rehabilitation because lead levels in their blood cause problems with motor skills development (and death in many cases). They are the lucky ones, not all families in La Oroya have the resources to move away from the refinery, and as a consequence they are putting their lives, and the precious lives of their children in jeopardy.

All because, a company doesn't invest just a fraction of their multi billion dollar revenue in environmental-safe technologies that could save lives.

Doe Run hasn't just wreaked havoc in a foreign country.. it has been polluting American soil, water and air for years.. it has a lead smelter in Missouri.. The company has engaged in the practice of buying up homes and properties located on contaminated soil around this smelter.. the EPA did enforce stricter environmetal standards on the US operations, and it is supremely unfair that Doe Run might be using revenue from its Peru operations to fund more environmentally friendly technologies here at home. Why do we need to sacrifice one set of people to save another?

It's disgusting to think that Ira Rennert (the owner of the Renko group that owns Doe Run) lives in one of the largest private residences right here in the United States (he has a huge property in the Hamptons in NY). It is ALSO supremely unfair, that HE is safe from the toxic fumes and contaminated water caused by HIS refineries. Of course, he isn't the only guilty part here. What is the Peruvian government doing?? Doesn't it have the duty to protect its people from detrimental foreign investment? Or has it chosen to take a slice of Doe Run's revenue, and turn a blind eye on the environmental decay of its country, and more importantly the future of its children?

December movies that I wouldn't want to miss!

Frost/Nixon:

About a series of Richard Nixon interviews by BBC's David Frost. A look into the legacy of the Watergate scandal and its impact on the impeached president.

The curious case of Benjamin Button:

I'm going to have a hard time summarizing the plot line, so I'm not even going to try! I think it's enough to say that the story is unique and very interesting for anyone worried about aging (who isn't?!)

Revolutionary Road:

This is actually on my "reading list". A book by Richard Yates that tells the story of a couple (Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.. NOT reprising their roles from the "Titanic"!!) living in suburban America in the 1950s, dealing with every day problems, disillusions, and a lack of self fulfilment. Yes, sounds a little miserable, but the plot line suggests some redeeming qualities (along with strong performances).. so I'm going to read, then watch this one!

Valkyrie:

Tom Cruise (whom I like in his non-blockbuster movies, like "Magnolia") potrays the real life story of a high ranking Nazi official who is part of a conspiracy to assassinate Hitler.

Yes man:

Jim Carrey (who is brilliant in his non-slapsticky performances.. "Eternal Sunshine of the spotless mind", "The Truman Show") plays a guy who decides to say "yes" to everything as part of a sel help program.. intriguing premise, and enough to pique my interest!

Synecdoche, New York:

It's hard to pronounce, and a very obscure word! According to dictionary.com, it's pronounced "si-nek-duk-kee", and I think I will need another dictionary just to understand the definition of the definition!! But nonetheless, I'm sure Philip Seymour Hoffman (oscar wining actor from "Capote") gives another brilliant performance in this unpronouncable, unfathomable movie!

Doubt:

Meryl Streep plays a nun who suspects that a priest (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) is abusing his relationship with one of their students.

Milk:

Sean Penn potrays the real life story of the first openly gay person elected to public office.
He is tragically assassinated by one of his colleagues..

Blagoye-moron

Did the IL gov. really think he could get away with selling Obama's sentate seat to the highest bidder??! And the rap sheet doesn't end there.. withholding $8 million in medicaid reimbursement for a children's hospital (if the hospital didn't cough up campaign contributions), threatening to get tribune reporters fired because of their efforts to initiate impeachment discussions, trying to get his wife a lucrative position on a corporate board..

He even held a press conference on Monday saying that anyone could bug his office or his phone lines.. he had nothing to hide!

Yet, according to recorded conversations, he plainly stated his ambitions.. "I want to make money"... which is alright, if you're trying to start a new business (legitimately), NOT if you're the leader of a state with millions of dollars in state and federal money at your disposal for public service!!

I'm having a hard time believing all this is real... and the fact that this governor won re-election in the midst of a federal probe. His term doesn't end till January 2011, and we're debating if he should "step down" or "resign"! Sure, let's give the guy who wanted to auction off Obama's senate seat the "option" to resign..

I understand the "innocent till proven guilty" concept, but give me a break! In the face of such overwhelming evidence, you would think people would be screaming for his removal, IMMEDIATELY..

Either blagoye-dickhead is supremely stupid, or completely delusional.. ofcourse he could be both, but I'm less interested in doing a psychoanalysis on him and more interested in seeing him behind bars where he belongs..

Talk is cheap

There's something about his carefully gelled hair, the almost prozac induced smile, that makes me want to reach out and shake joel osteen by the shoulders.. if only to see if he can muster an expression other than the one that graces most of his best selling books..
As I watched and listened to him on Larry King tonight, I heard the same sentences over and over again.. faith can heal, faith can cure, faith can make you forget you're over due on your mortgage bills blah blah. There's something about hearing these words from a millionaire, that makes me wonder if these words really carry a lot of weight. Though I do admire the fact that he does a lot of charity work. I just hope people don't equate faith with inaction.