The Politics of MacGyver

"In 1991, the conservative Media Research Center named "MacGyver" one of the ten most "liberally biased" TV shows of the 1990-1991 season because of its focus on the environment, gun control, and foreign affairs." MacGvyer Online

So when did focus on the environment become a political issue? And spinning off on that, when is ANY issue become political? I found issues can be social, moral, military, foreign affairs and such. But when an issue becomes political, it clouds people's judgment and motives. I suspect sometimes, if most times, politicians oppose whatever the other party suggested, without considering if the idea has any merit or not. One could disagree with an issue within the party, but is pressured to follow along. Sometimes I think, politicians and voters alike, are too focused on insulting the other party to think of constructive solutions for problems in our country.

Maybe it's better to eliminate all political parties, and everyone runs for the office as independent. That way the candidates can truly states their stands on issues without the the distraction and the dirt of politics. But I guess the founding fathers did have a point about setting up our current governing system–to prevent anyone nor any group of people gaining too much power. For a country made up of imperfect and fallible humans, this is probably the best system to have.

At least we have something to forward to: when God establishes His Kingdom here at the end of the time we'll have one leader, one ruler that we all know can't be wrong on ANY issue. And we won't have to debate to death about them.

The Swiss Army Knife Show

I feel dorky to admit that lately I've been watching MacGyver on the CBS website. The viewing began for nostalgia's sake, but now I think it's actually a pretty good TV show. Sure, it can be campy at times, and Richard Dean Anderson, as handsome as he is, his mullet in the later seasons is still hard for me to get used to. But the show is smart, clean, and surprisingly, I can learn a thing or two about science. Do you know that you can break a light bulb with drain cleaner? Yes it really works! Remember that next time you need to escape from various thugs!

I watched MacGyver during my teenage years when it first aired. Soon I had my heart set on getting my own Swiss Army Knife, which my doting daddy complied. Though I hardly use it, I still think it's something everyone should have.

But as I find out more about the show now, questions on political and social issues were raised. Boy, I can't just enjoy a TV show without going into those topics, can I?

To be continued...

Enjoy Movies, Without Watching Them!

The last time I watched a movie from beginning to end was the third installment of The Lord of the Rings. So it's been a long time, especially for someone with a college degree majoring in Broadcasting and Film.

Film is a wonderful medium for artists. It has a vast canvas, where layers and layers of stories, emotions, characters, themes, symbolism and other artistic elements can be packed in.

And that is one of the reasons I hardly watch any movie anymore. I don't see movies as much as entertainment, but as a work of art to be moved, experienced, analyzed and researched to death. With the life stage I am in, I can't, and I am not willing to commit my very limited free time and energy to do so.

Another important reason is that as a Bible-believing Christian, I'm wary of what goes into my head. Garbage in, garbage out. With a corrupted mind and sinful heart, I can hardly afford to actively put in more God-dishonoring language nor images in my head. There are movies out there with incredible directing, superb acting and beautifully shot, but the profane language and scenes of gratuitous graphic sex/violence ruined them for me. It's one thing to be in a sinful environment to minister and serve, but there's no eternally value to analyze why the director composed the shots in a certain way.

But that doesn't mean I need to detach myself completely from movies. I watch movie trailers, read movie reviews and spoilers, and even watch a few clips from Youtube if they look promising.

Not only it's interesting for me to keep up to date with what kind of movies are out there, it helps me to continue to know and understand the worldly culture, help me to relate to others without endorsing nor becoming like it.

There's a whole other discussion about how Christians should relate to the secular culture. But that's another post for another day.