Shia LaBeouf – A Voice Of Ignorance

I was planning on providing some music videos as a break from the four part entry on extremism in America, when I felt like doing a search on The Transformers, the movie. I thought it would be cool to watch it on DVD sometime soon now that it’s out, since I didn’t get to when it was in theaters.

So in my quest of finding information about Megatron in particular, I stumbled across an interview from last year with Shia LaBeouf, star of the mega hit of the summer, The Transformers. After reading his interview, I sensed a complete lack of wisdom and felt compelled to send out my court officials immediately to summon him here at King Solomon’s Court.

It seems ignorance has found a willing voice with young Shia.

First, let it be stated on record, I thoroughly enjoyed his role in The Greatest Game Ever Played, so much so, that I almost didn’t follow through on a court summons. But his ignorance was just too outrageous. Now, furthermore, it’s not entirely his fault, or rather, there are many people his age who could have easily said the same thing. So to add that the course our society has taken has somehow been influential in his statements would be more than fair to say.

But he said it.

So bring his ignorance forth…

In the Transformers forum, I found him discussing the point of Megatron’s new look as a Razor jet fighter, instead of his more known shape as a gun in the original cartoon series of the 1980’s. This is the excerpt:

SHIA LABEOUF: Right, right. That’s sort of what Soundwave was about. Those characters all had meaning because Megatron needed that crutch. Now that that’s gone, it’s done in other ways. Megatron’s crutch now is that he’s frozen. But it’s modernized. You can’t have a toy gun. You’ve got 9 year olds watching this movie and yes, we’re creating mythology, but you can’t make a toy gun your antihero and then have Hasbro go out and sell toy guns with the little yellow cap on it, you know? It’ll look ****’ ridiculous to have Megatron with a yellow nose, you know what I mean? It’d look retarded.

The fact that it’s a Razor, a plane that nobody’s seen before, that the military is giving us… that nobody has filmed or seen. I mean, CNN has not seen this plane and we’re filming it. It’s cool. It gives it that edgy s**t. People have seen guns before, but to make Megatron something that nobody’s ever seen and make it an edgy presence… it does, it modernizes it and makes it dangerous again. Guns aren’t dangerous. How crazy is that to say? But guns aren’t dangerous! You’ve got guns in movies that aren’t dangerous at all, you know? I feel like HERBIE THE LOVE BUG could have had a gun and nobody would have questioned it, you know?

QUINT: Maybe stashed in the glove compartment…

SHIA LABEOUF: (laughs) Exactly, it could have been in the glove compartment! But a Razor, you know, with nuclear weapons… Nuclear weapons is what’s dangerous. In the ’80s it was the gun, but we’ve been (desensitized), so you’ve got to amp it up a little bit. And Michael Bay is the dude to amp everything up!

Hehheheh, yeah you’re right Shia, a shiny Megatron gun with a little yellow nose would just be lame huh?? I mean we need realistic toy guns on the streets again, huh Shia, like back in the day huh?? ’Cause otherwise they’re just “retarded,” right??

My brother pulled out a realistic cap gun when we were little and pointed it at a cop car one time. Not such a good idea. It could have been worse than just a little pretend citation the officer handed out to him.

So let me get this straight, Shia, you think guns aren’t dangerous?? I realize, first of all, the context, as it applies to a viewing audience for an action movie these days, but some of that is due to Hollywood’s “what it lacks in story telling and making something simple dramatic, it makes up for in ‘smash ’em trash ’em’” type entertainment. But if you think that, then obviously you’ve been playing with props far too much.

Your ignorance in this matter is overshadowed only by your lack of understanding humanity, and that, although to you and others like you, it takes something as gigantic as nuclear power to understand what harmful means, you obviously have no clue that lives are lost everyday in Iraq from something that fits in your hand. A gun. Now, if you and the audiences that you entertain understood humanity better, or perhaps went to Iraq yourself, or put on a badge to serve in your community as a police officer, you would understand that guns have always been, and will always be “dangerous.”

As a matter of fact, I lost a friend of mine a few years ago to something you deem as not dangerous. My friend “Lizzy” joined the LAPD and was shot and killed in the line of duty, just a few years ago. Nearly 5,000 people attended the memorial service. The one who did it shot him right where the protective vest wasn’t covering on his side. While the criminal eventually hanged himself in such guilt while in jail, it couldn’t bring Officer Lizerraga back. And he went to the same high school in West L.A. as you, Shia.

Not everything is as fake and safe as a Hollywood set. The next time you open your mouth where young viewers are listening, use some wisdom. ’Cause when you don’t, the only thing that looks “retarded” is you.

The Swinging Pendulum – Pt. 2 – The Extremism Of Homosexuality

In the first part of “The Swinging Pendulum,” I discussed extremism and how it affects all aspects of society. I also mentioned how the pendulum is swinging from one extreme to another in viewing racism in America.

Like racism, homosexuality affects a group, a country, and an individual in a similar manner. Targets of slurs, taunts, and physical harm, homosexuals have sought to find acceptance and friendship in a society fiercely protective of its ideals and morals. Unfortunately such ideals are guarded and upheld by imperfect people, whether Christian or not, who often lack the very love and compassion as commanded by Christ himself, and who find themselves quick to find fault in others while ignoring their own sin and disobedience that God plainly sees.

Nevertheless, regarding homosexuality, make no mistake as the Bible is clear in Leviticus 18: 22:

“‘Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; this is detestable.’”

and in 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11, it states:

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor theives nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Now obviously, it takes believing that the Bible really is God’s messages, words, warnings, instructions, and love letters to mankind to accept what Scripture has stated about homosexuality. But for one to simply to choose not to believe in the Bible or to believe it is nonsense written by men does not mean it is. Anyone can refuse to believe anything. But simply believing or not believing has nothing to do with its reality or fallacy. Just consider yourself an ostrich in that case.

So what is a homosexual to do?? What is the extent to which rights are given to homosexuals in a society none too thrilled by its practice?? How should Christians or non-Christians treat homosexuals??

First of all, the Bible is clear that homosexuality was grounds for expulsion, or to be cut off from their fellow people. This isolationist view does paint a somber picture for the life of one who has sex with another of the same gender. But in a world of growing technology, could it be that homosexuality is perhaps a genetic defect, or a chromosomal malfunction, or be the result of some other biological origin rather than a perversion made by choice?? No one can say for sure, but the main thing required is love and compassion. In matters such as these, it is far better to imitate Christ first, and the apostle Paul second, in his letter to the Corinthians.

In 1 Corinthians 5: 12-13, Paul states:

What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside.

With regard to public policy and rights afforded, it gets complicated. It first must be understood that morality comes from within. It cannot be legislated with full compliance or success. No amount of legislation, laws and regulations can actually change a person’s desire to obey those in authority. With that said, we are seeing the pendulum swinging from one extreme to another in homosexuality, both in terms of the decrees handed down and in the treatment of others.

The gay and lesbian community has made advances in achieving acceptance like never before. Although lines are being drawn in this divisive issue, homosexuals are increasingly finding acceptance in the ink of a governor’s pen.

According to an article at WorldNetDaily.com, California’s Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, just signed into law the outlawing of terms in California schools deemed negative to the gay and lesbian community. What terms are those?? They would be none other than the words “Mom,” “Dad,” and “husband and wife.” In addition, the governor has ordered public schools to allow boys to use girls’ restroom and locker rooms, and vice versa, if they choose, in an attempt to make them feel most comfortable with their own gender identification.

“We are shocked and appalled that the governor has blatantly attacked traditional family values in California,” said Karen England, executive director of Capitol Resource Institute.

“With this decision, Gov. Schwarzenegger has told parents that their values are irrelevant. Many parents will have no choice but to pull their children out of the public schools that have now become sexualized indoctrination centers.”

There is no other way to say it. Gov. Schwarzenegger’s utter lack of good judgement for all has waned in favor of incompetence and political pressure and correctness. Therefore his lack of vision and his gross gubernatorial shortsightedness places his decision front and center before King Solomon’s Court. (Keep in mind, that not on trial here is his effort to help people find acceptance. People of all backgrounds and lifestyles are to be judged by God, but it is his particular response to the problems at hand which is now being addressed.)

To ban the terms “Mom” and “Dad,” and “husband and wife” in public school is ridiculous in its most elementary form. It is profoundly absurd and has opened up a universe of problems in allowing boys to use girls’ restrooms and girls to use boys’ restrooms. Does he honestly think only gays and lesbians are going to “identify” with one restroom or locker room of the opposite sex?? And you thought the Catholic Church was a breeding ground for sexually immorality. Now, all one has to do is claim to be gay, and they’re in, no questions asked.

What clearly is needed here, as in any case, is balance – balance in good judgement, ideas, and acceptance for all. With strong leadership across the board focused on ideals and compassion, it can be achieved. Instead, we have a swinging pendulum, showing the way to a newly acceptable extremism, not the traditional extremism of a Judeo-Christian past, but of an extremism of relative truth, political correctness, and of the morally void present.

The Swinging Pendulum – Pt. 1 – The Extremism Of Racism

Extremism.

What comes to mind when you think of this word?? People going overboard in their beliefs?? People going beyond the measure of what’s needed??

Perhaps you think of these things and alot more. You might even question whether such extremists are acting over the top on beliefs that are moderate to start with, or whether their beliefs are extreme to start with. In any case, we are living in a time where it’s easier to find discord in one another rather than unity, wherein more are viewed as an outsider rather than a companion.

But extremism takes many forms and affects everyone. If you view extremism as the opposite of balance, you can begin to put into perspective how even something like our personal time management can be seen as extremism. What are we giving our time to?? Are we working too much?? Do we find ourselves behaving selfishly too often?? Do we make time for others?? These are simple examples of extremism at work in our lives, but remember what is at work in our personal lives, multiplied by hundreds of thousands and tens of millions, is what is at work in our society as a whole.

Therefore, the extremism shown to a child, whether intentional or not, innocent or not, will rub off on the child as a growing participant in society. And in that society, over time and especially in America, we have seen a shift of extremism, and in countless forms.

In fact, it is a swinging pendulum.

While extremism occurs in small ways, it also occurs in ways that affect people as a group, as a country, and of course, as an individual. Such extremism can be found in hot topics such as racism, homosexuality, politics, and religion. And at King Solomon’s Court, these four issues will be discussed in four parts, all in relation to the notion of balance and God’s Word.

Racism.

This one word represents all that is superficial, lacking knowledge, but full of insecurity, lacking compassion, but full of false pride, lacking familiarity, but full of hypocrisy.

In James chapter 2, James discusses how favortism should be forbidden. In verses 3-5, it states:

If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

And in verses 8-9 it is written:

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

In 1 John 3: 16-20 it states,

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

And lastly, in 1 Samuel 16: 7, it states:

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

So with just these few verses as a reference, it is evident that racism and favortism should have no place in society, yet they do. But how does this relate to the swinging pendulum??

People are racist for a number of reasons. In some cases, the apple hasn’t fallen very far from the tree, meaning that kids pick up the attitudes and bigotry held by their parents or those close to them. Some like to assume one bad apple equates to nothing but bad apples in the entire barrel. And the list goes on and on. This has been the case as directed, in general, toward minorities, and to make the playing field even, lawmakers have come up with things like Affirmative Action to counterbalance the years of historical unfairness. But incorporating that is, at best, a temporary solution. It cannot be a long term fix because itself is discrimination in reverse. The pendulum is swinging from one extreme to another, from the discrimination of one end of the spectrum to the discrimination of another end of the spectrum. And only true balance is achieved in society when a man’s ability is based on his ability, not his skin color. But until then, we have the swinging pendulum, where one wrong is being used to correct a previous wrong that should never have been in the first place. But in the meantime, we need balance where there is none, until one day, we can have true talent over demographics and mere appearance of equality, and opportunity that triumphs over poverty and idleness.

Battle Cry’s Video – Casualties Of War

Part of gaining wisdom is gaining knowledge. Battle Cry, an online community and resource for Christian teens, churches, youth groups, and leaders, provides some startling statistics about American society in its video, “Casualties Of War.”

Come sit at one of our tall, solid gold chairs, fluff up the maroon velvet seat pillow, and have a look.

Music In The Court

Here at King Solomon’s Court we’ve invested some of our riches to bring you music. Okay okay, perhaps all it took was a simple decree for an embedded video here and there from sites like YouTube, but it’s money, umm time, well spent.

So while the music videos featured here at the Court will be of various genres and subjects, they’re here for your enjoyment in any case. (I have a fondness for artists of all kinds, so please keep that in mind during your visit.)

**Raises fancy, emerald-embedded goblet and toasts to you**
**Claps hand twice loudly and quickly**

Enjoy

…First up is a new artist, Lecrae, with his Gospel Rap song, “Prayin For You”…

…and next is a group, Mercy Me, not as new, but a favorite here at the Court with their classic, “I Can Only Imagine”…

Two Kinds Of Wisdom

There are basically two kinds of wisdom in the world – earthly and heavenly. One derives from the mind of men and women, limited not in their scope of understanding of street smarts or common sense, but limited spiritually by such things as selfishness, apathy, greed, and unbelief.

The other kind of wisdom is what is sought here at King Solomon’s Court. It is heavenly wisdom.

James 13: 13-17 sums up these two forms of wisdom…

Who is wise and understanding among you?? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven, but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Is it really asking too much for people to demonstrate this kind of wisdom??
From the looks of the news each day, I’d say so.

A Wise Man’s Heart

Proverbs 16: 23 – A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.

It seems as though more and more people go through life these days guided by insecurity, pride, arrogance, and ignorance than they do being guided by wisdom and compassion.

This verse from Proverbs shows that one’s heart, or one’s inner thoughts and character, is what guides the words that come from his or her mouth. In addition, his or her lips promote instruction, or learning.  It’s no secret that words are either destructive or constructive. They either tear down or build up.

One thing I find all too common online (yes, we have the Internet here at the Court) is the pervasiveness of “trolling” or highly incendiary comments left on forums, message boards, and personal pages on networking websites, like Myspace. It seems as though these fine, upstanding citizens have nothing better to do.

Such people remind me of verses, James 3: 5-6:

Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.

So learning to tame your tongue (and keyboard) is just one of several keys to finding true wisdom and reaping its benefits.