Posted on 04/17/2002 8:53:15 AM PDT by KMC1
I say it everyday at the end of my broadcast. Almost without fail, I find a way, as we are signing off. It is a straight forward admonishment. "Guys," I say, "go home tonight, kiss your wives, play with your kids, and be the kind of man every man should be. If you will, you will go further to change this world, than anyone else!"
Of course I get beaten up for these words all the time.
Feminists want to know, "why do you only address it to men." Other critics want to know, "why don't you use the term - 'life partner' - instead of wife." Some men write me and say - "Stop picking on us". But nonetheless I hold my ground - fundamentally because the statement is true.
Look at the effect of the fatherless home in the U.S. today. Look at the studies that show the tremendous advantage children have by having a consistent and engaged relationship with their dad. They get better educations, they are more successful in their vocations, they themselves are exponentially more likely to be better dads because of it.
All of that brings me to last night where I viewed the box office topper from this last weekend, "Changing Lanes". First off you must understand how skeptical I am at any film that features Ben Affleck but this film is a different story. Why? Because I think every man in America needs to see this movie.
Only knowing a basic idea of what the plot line was before going to the showing, again let me reiterate I had low expectations. I generally like Samuel L. Jackson, so the fact that he was co-starring in this film was a definite bonus. But let me reiterate, EVERY MAN IN AMERICA NEEDS TO SEE THIS FILM! Why? Because it is the consummate struggle of right vs. wrong.
The two major characters of this film find themselves beginning their days with everything moving in the direction they wish it to. When the two are involved in an automobile fender bender, both of their worlds begin to unwind from that point forward. Affleck's character is a Wall Street lawyer who is very near the verge of making partner at his father in law's firm. Jackson's character is on the verge, as a successful recovering alcoholic, of purchasing his first home, and in doing so, hoping his wife and two sons will be able to reunite with him.
The foreshadowing of the accident scene itself is the key to the story. Jackson's character, so desperate to wish to build his new life by structure and order, he simply wants to trade the proper insurance information. Affleck's character is not opposed to doing the right thing, but pressed down upon in the stress of a pressure cooker that only an attorney arguing a $117 million dollar case experiences, he makes two bad decisions at the accident site thus setting up the rest of the story.
The characters war with each other, they war with the worlds around them, but much more importantly, they war with themselves. The struggle within them is fraught with peril. They begin to learn, that no matter how great the lure of money, and power, or the pull of a shot of bourbon, they themselves are the men that control the foe that threatens them most.
Are their consequences to each bad decision they make? You bet there are! Neither of them achieves their goal that the beginning of the film shows them easily on the path towards. But in the end, they become men of valor, honor, decency and integrity.
The makers of this film should be applauded. They have made a box office hit that hits us in the face with the message that character counts. Integrity is most important. And no matter how late in the game, it is never too late to do the right thing.
I loved this film, I loved the performances - especially Jackson's, but most importantly I love what the writer's teach us in the process.
If we ever hope to see a better day, the decision starts with me, and how I live my life now! How about you...where's your day headed? In the words of Winston Churchill, "we will never surrender!" At least I won't. I can't afford to & neither can you when you think about it.
The days of easy rationalization should be behind us. If September 11th has taught us anything shouldn't it be, that the days are short, freedom demands responsibility and our actions today will affect generations to come? By the way guys, do you really think, the women in our lives will really, truly oppose us becoming more responsible, having more depth of character, or being better husbands and fathers? When you look at the newspaper today a great question to ask yourself as you peruse is, how could a man have done something different in this story to make it turn out better. You know what? You won't be able to find more than a handful of stories in ANY newspaper where we couldn't have!
So guys, c'mon join me, until they pry my cold dead fingers from this keyboard or my daily microphone - let's be the men, that every man should be! If we do, we WILL change the world!
Kevin McCullough Host/Executive Producer AM 1160 WYLL-Chicago
I try to avoid all movies starring this goof; but I've seen the previews and might see it on video tape.
By the way guys, do you really think, the women in our lives will really, truly oppose us becoming more responsible, having more depth of character, or being better husbands and fathers?
Character; sometimes hard to find these days. Some men are more interested in their egos. Some men have character and those that don't, I pity.
Pity, yes, but more. For each man who lacks character influences dozens of people downstream...
His girlfriends, his wife (or wives), his children, his co-workers, eventually his subordinates...
Sometimes the influence is good, when he serves as a bad lesson.
It is more often a bad influence...and for that reason he should be feared and reviled rather than pitied.
Just my 2 cents...
Firstly, men in America are emasculated by the feminazi movement. Nothing that has ever been muscular is popular or even accepted.
A few years ago, I asked this question, "Of all prime-time shows on television, can you name one in which the main male character is a strong person?" This does not have to be John Waine, although that would be appropriate.
When answering, you will probably find that, invariably, it is a female character that is really the main one: she does things right, her husband (partner) constantly screws up, and she is there --- thank G-d --- to help him out.
2. Here is the question I have never heard asked. If, as women frequently claim, the American male cannot communicate properly and be in touch even with his own feelings, where are the mothers of these men? Having the same puported affliction themselves, the fathers cannot teach their sons what they do not know themselves. But where were the mothers when these men were growing up?
And why did these women marry the men they did if the women were so darn smart and capable?
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