The Review
March 20th, 2009 by jgrimes
So you saw it too, “Dad I’m an Addict.”
As one addict to another, Jake’s confession followed by Capt. Phil Harris rolling eyes, broke my heart. I wanted to hug my television set, and reach out to Jake in a loving embrace. That is what us mothers do, should do, and need to do. Children never grow too old, that they are not in need of us, our wisdom and our guidance.
My first thought I said to myself, “Ah Jake, no, oh Jacob…….., not you.” I would have hugged him immediately, and focused in on what he was saying. See, I feel things like drug and gambling addictions are somewhere in the “Oh no…” category, the same as if they have just told me, they had been diagnosed with cancer or AIDS. However, Captain Phil was apparently too mad to see, the hidden reality to the task that would soon be laid out before him. It is our job to think before we speak, and to realize that if our children are stealing from us, there is an awful reason. To be blind to that reality, is just as irresponsible as the act of thievery, in which Phil’s son Jake had lowered himself to do.
After watching the show, Deadliest Catch as long as I have, you know that Phil’s last argument with his son Jake, did not go so well. Captain Phil said some things I do not think he should have, especially since he was an ex-druggy himself. Nevertheless, he said things like “Jake when we get off this boat, you go your way, I’ll go mine.” And, “I want nothing to do with you ever again.” The typical stuff that all mad, hot-tempered parents say, when their children have done something wrong. Like catching your son stealing pain pills, which possibly ruined his day. Moreover though, Phil did not even take a moment to possibly realize, that Jake was on a mission. That there had to be a possible reason for his son to sink so low, and one of those reasons being, that Jacob obviously needed them. It was quite apparent to me, that he was stealing the drugs to help with his drug withdrawals. Phil being the “ex partier” should have recognized Jake’s signs and symptoms. I did immediately, and I was not even there to witness Jake’s sweating perfusion. However, you knew it had to be, because the sweat was pouring out of Jacob, even though the temperature was consistent for the month of February, on the Bering Sea.
I have been in Jacob’s shoes before, strung out and hurting from drug withdrawals. I could easily rationalize why he would need his father’s pain pills, and why he would then try to steal some. I am in no way condoning Jacob’s bad behavior, for tempting the fate of his father’s wrath, and being caught taking his father’s pain medication without asking. With that said, we all know as parents that kids make stupid mistakes. You did, I did, we all do. That is what kids do. However, what happened next impressed me the most. With his dad, crab boat Captain Phil Harris ready to shove his fist down his son’s throat, Jake turned and looked straight into his father’s eyes, and said, “Please, dad…., I’m an addict.” With that said, Captain Phil rolled his eyes and looked away.
What was said between them, only the Discovery television show producers, cameramen and Jacob really know. Whether it was an editing error, or not……, I can honestly say I was disappointed in Captain Phil Harris. As a father and a parent, he had let his son down. I think that what so many of us parents do not realize, is that it is at those moments, we need to embrace our kids, and show them a little compassion. It is always at those moments in our parenting lives, that we are to be there for our children, and strap in for a very long ride. I think in time, Captain Phil would have apologized to Jake. The last thing he would have wanted to do, was to let down one of his sons. It breaks my heart that this all happened, right before Phil’s death. However, God has a funny sense of humor, and situations like these come and go, as he sees fit.
Still though, my heart went out to Jake. I have been there were he was at that moment, and I know firsthand the repercussions of such mistakes. This is my review of Captain Phil’s last argument, shown live on camera with his son Jacob, or Jake as Phil was known to call him. Phil had caught his son Jacob, stealing pills out of his cabin, on their crab boat the Cornelia Marie.
I am a person who always looks at the little details, as the key design factor to a much bigger and larger picture. I feel that it is within these details, that so much can be mistaken. That in these small moments, we take things for granted and do ugly things that might hurt the people we love, and create more damage. As parents it is our job folks, to recognize these lasting moments, for what they really are. An event, and nothing more than that.
As with all things in life, an event can be a certain time, a person, situation, or place. However, like each passing day “the event” will too soon pass; with the dawning of each new day. But how we are left standing, defines us as parents. Our reactions measures us people as parent, and eventually tells our kids how deeply we love them. It is vital to children that they can count on their parents, no matter the cost. I honestly do not think that parents, fully understand how important, the role in which we choose to play, directly effects our kids on an overwhelming, emotional, level. Especially if your child, happens to be helplessly caught up in a fatigued-ridden moment, and completely dependent on something heavier then they are.
Nevertheless, however your child came to existence, they are a part of you and always will be. Therefore, whatever role the child played in your life, you owe them something to hold onto. Kids do not ask to be born. They are truly the innocent ones. You, the parent, are ultimately responsible for your own sexual endeavor, playtime, or love making. Remember that, when they come to you because they feel accountable to you, since you were and are their most tangible maker.
Troubled children, whether 5 or 100, reach out to parents because they are in need, of your help and loving guidance. Whether you caught them in the act of stealing, or in the act of homosexual behavior; this is your child, you are being judged solely on that merit. I do not believe for one second, that God would ever want a parent to abandon their child, by making condemning innuendos, spoken in a condescending, disrespectful manner. That is right, I am writing of respect for them, and so too respecting the role we play, as parents in our kids’ life.
It is my opinion, that Captain Phil got completely caught up in the “event,” and not in the reality that his good natured son, was stealing from him. I was completely lost to why, he was quick to mark his son as an irresponsible demon, to be reprimanded by cutting out of his life and existence. With that said, even I know as a viewer of the show, that Jake is a good boy. He is strong, bright, and hard working. Attributes that any parent would be proud of. However, in that moment, the loving father that Phil Harris claimed to be, unintentionally put conditions on his love for Jake. Therefore, in his anger he let it be known to the world, that if either of his sons did something wrong, the terrible price would to be excommunication. With that all said, I guess the price was too unbearable for Jake, I could see panic set into Jake’s eyes. What made it worst, it was made public in the front of television cameras, that aired the episode to over a million Discovery channel viewers. A situation that I think, should have been handled better and in private, between a father and a son.
If we can learned by Captain Phil’s last mistake as a parent, it should be that, regardless of what our kids might have done, they are still our kids. We owe it to them to continue to love them, and not steal that love away, whenever they might have sinned against us. As parents, we must realize that the ultimate judgment is not up to us, and that our job is to stand beside them, help them, love them, and guide them in the best way we can. I ask each parent out there, whether you disapprove of your kids behavior or are emotionally disappointed with them, step back for a moment. Focus in on the best ways to help them, and guide to be the ideal kids you have raised them to be. Remember the saying, “You reap what you sow.” That can not be more true of our children, they are what we make of them. They are only as good, as we are at being solid, supporting, and loving parents.
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Obama’s Foreign Policy Review
by RKHenry
An American Review
Amidst the AIG scandal, GM’s bankruptcy and all the other avenues effecting the economy, Obama’s Foreign Policy is at last in the news again. It appears that many American hopes were answered after the clear success of the Obama European tour.and G-20 Summit. Advancing towards his campaign promises with vigor, American tourist travel to Cuba is on the rise, and so to came his announcement concerning open communication with the Muslim nations. Has Obama already surpassed many American voters hopes and desires? Could the one thing that America was needing most from their president, was a man who was and is capable of communicating properly, responsibly, and effectively?
This featured article was first written as a preamble to the G-20 Summit timeline. It reported Obama’s secret letter to Russian President Dmitry Mevdelev, and how it was rebuked by the Kremlin. Establishing that there was simply no trust between the two nations. What had been there, crumbled with Al Gore in 1995. While George W. Bush, trampled out what was left between the two nations, during his endless eight year reign. America enacted a long six year policy, that failed to give Russia the credit it deserved. Bush’s Russian foreign policy was based on the idea that Russia’s political power was unequal to America’s on the world scene. It appears with relations on the mend and the success of the G-20 summit, America’s current relations with Russia has a promising future. President Obama’s understands the will and might of the American government, and the importance of not over reaching across the boundaries. In return, the world has been receptive towards American ideas and appreciative of America’s growing change on the world stage. The respond has been without a doubt, very positive.
For the past several days now, the news community is buzzing about how Obama is willing to open up direct dialog with Muslims. The relationship shared between Iran and Russia, is similar to that of the United States and Israel. The Christian Science Monitor recently reported that the Director of The Independent Center for Energy & Security Studies, Anton Khlopkov said, “But our ties with Iran are very important, and separate from our relationship with the US…. But from the Russian perspective, Iran is not for sale.” Yevgeny Satanovsky, a pioneer of Middle Eastern Studies, says “There is no doubt that Obama’s expressed readiness to talk with Iran pushes away the threat of war, and is an extremely positive signal in the development of US ties with Russia.” Iranian Supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stands firm and believes America has a long way to go in changing their relationship. However, Obama is fully aware that caution is needed in these volatile times. A reservation shared by most Americans.
For the past several years, the implemented policy of the United Nation Security Council, at the bequest of American President George W. Bush, was tough sanctions and NO tolerance policies. A policy that isolated not only the leader of Iran, but the Iranians themselves and several other Muslims countries. President Obama recognizes the needed support of Russian friendship, to open any productive lines of communications with Iran. Though many Americans, still share the sentiment of the former President. A bigger majority of Americans see the need to reform America’s foreign policy towards the Middle East. With the tough sanctions placed upon Iran during the Bush Administration, Germany and China have become partners with them in trade goods. America is approaching a golden opportunity here. If all is handled correctly. For example, a vast majority of Americans are clueless to the priceless, beautiful wilderness beholden to Iranians. When thoughts of Iran approaches American mind sets, their consciousness festers on the ideas of a state of brutality and death, resonates through their minds. What many do not realize is how incredible the country is. Much like America, Iran is full of national treasure and historical landmarks. Iran’s mountainous terrain are littered with many remarkable ski resorts. Their immense desert is a spread of golden shimmers, bustling full with life. Within their desert terrain, magical oasis’s appear from nowhere to take your breath away. In the foreseeable future, Iran could be a futuristic tourism site for Americans.
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The Lizard Spock and Hit Series,
“The Big Bang Theory”
A GREAT Show to Review
By RKHenry
CBS 2008 hit show Big Bang Theory is now in it’s third season. It is quickly becoming a new fan favorite for all who view it. I was addicted for the moment I saw it. Try it. You may just end up hooked like the rest of us are. The show is created by Chuck Lorre. Chuck Lorre is also the Co-Creator of the hit television show, Two and Half Men and the former hit series the Rosanne Show. Former Child actor and Belgium born Johnny Galecki, who also starred on the Rosanne Show, was selected as one of the lead roles. His character name is Leonard. This makes it twice now that Johnny Galecki and Chuck Lorre have paired up to make a CBS sitcom highly successful. The show revolves around two brilliant theoretical physicists [Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons as Sheldon.] Their neighbor Penny [played by Kaley Cuoco], lives across the hall from them. Penny is slightly dingy, out of work actress, who shows Leonard, Sheldon and their two friends Howard Wolowitz [Simon Helberg] and Kunal Nayyar [Rajesh Koothrappali] how little they know about life and the real world. The show is incredibly funny with great satire.
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The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Second Season
Price: $30.49 List Price: $44.98
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Big Bang
Price: $12.68 List Price: $23.99
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Big Bang: The Origin of the Universe (P.S.)
Price: $3.54 List Price: $15.99
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- The Big Bang Theory Cast and Crew – TV.com The Big Bang Theory Cast and Crew. The Big Bang Theory Cast pictures, videos, information, forums, reviews and more.
The Cast of CBS’s Hit Series
The Big Bang Theory
- Kaley Cuoco: Penny
- Johnny Galecki: Leonard
- Jim Parsons: Sheldon
- Simon Helberg: Howard Wolowitz
- Kunal Nayyar: Rajesh Koothrappali
- Sara Gilbert: Leslie Winkle