Video game Therapy

I first saw the use of video games as therapy at a bioengineering conference in 2001. Not surprisingly, Japan was using video games in physical therapy then. Here gaming is being used as adjunct pain management.

"Rigidity" of Liberals

The New York Times recently reported on an interesting study showing that conservatives enjoy all forms of humor and for even the humor that liberals enjoy, conservatives enjoy more. This was considered surprising because conservatives have consistently been painted as closed-minded and rigid and liberals as open-minded. However it is liberals who more often take offense at political incorrectness and are suspected by the Times as having a less cheerful disposition. Also the study and analysis was performed by sociologists, a group with Democrat to Republican ratio of 7 to 1, leaving the Times wondering if the findings should be surprising in the first place or were the initial assumptions subject to bias.

McCain's campaign has been portrayed as based on anger and fear but I can tell you that the Democratic machine has fed on anger for at least the last 12 years. And the last 2 elections have campaigned on fear of another Bush-like term and fear for our economic future. I was placed on the Democratic Congressional Campaign listserve which doles a constant meal of anger and fear. This anger has been rationalized as the sole work Nancy Pelosi, but it is an anger that existed before her rise to Congressional power.

After the elections which selected George W. Bush as U.S. president, liberals gave up on the United Sates and there was common talk and writing of moving to Canada or Europe instead of coming behind the president and supporting him. There was outright hatred of a man they did not know personally and depicted as stupid, backward and ignorant [though he had one of the most diverse cabinets (black, white, Latino, Japanese, Chinese)]. There was a refusal to acknowledge the Bush presidency in part because of voter discrepancy, even though President Clinton also lost the popular vote during his election to presidency. With the election of Senator Obama there has been general consensus on both sides to support him as President. Is this a sign of Obama's reach or the willingness of conservatives to remain, not give up, and help this country?

A Symbol Exalted

I've been thinking about the election of Obama and pose a hypothesis based on conversations, the news and the history of recent elections. For the majority of people who voted for Obama, the votes were cast not so much for a set of policies but for a symbol, a virtual blank slate by which they could ascribe their hopes and dreams. It comes at a time when America seemed to be in a slow decline in influence (politically, economically, culturally, etc.) and the world had stopped believing the American dream or that this young nation could live up to her ideals. Studies from this election and past elections have shown that most people vote with their gut--how do they feel about the candidates despite the candidate's policies? (A survey was done asking if people agreed with Obama's economic and health plans, but the plans described were those of McCain's and the consistent finding was they agreed with these "Obama" plans.)

The effectiveness of the Obama campaign was the creation of an image and a message of "hope & change" and McCain was a man essentially going against an amorphous symbol. Who can go against "hope"? McCain was not against hope nor change but he did not have any counter to it. What is interesting is these two ideas were never clearly defined (Hope in who/what? Change into what?) and the Obama campaign seemed satisfied with leaving it that way--up to our imaginations. But it strikes such an emotional chord. Just look at the "Yes We Can" music video by will.i.am. Other powerful images are his ethnicity (95% of blacks voted for him), oratory skill (mellifluous is the word thrown around), and youth (the younger the voter, the greater the proportion of votes went to Obama); but most powerful idea is the simple promise of hope and change which resonates around the world in a time when leadership is needed.

Warm Up

I've been stretching all wrong... need to do dynamic stretches according to NY Times.

Proud American

History is in the making in the United States and these are exciting times. There is a high expectation of renewal given the talk of "rebuilding" the nation. We are witnesses to a symbolic milestone. Yet I was initially put off by people's comments that almost negate or deny America's past accomplishments, comments such as: "I now think that America's so cool," "I can now be proud of America," or even "I can now travel outside the U.S." I suspect such people lack a sense of history or are ashamed of being identified with America, until now. But for others it may not be necessarily a matter of shame.

I never bought into the division of the "real" America versus unreal America but I think the Republican campaign was getting at patriotism versus shame. It leads me to wonder is it possible in this day and age to do right yet be unpopular even in the world arena? Are we not able to recognize the billions of dollars given out to aid countries whose constituents may even hate America? Are we not able to see the work we do to promote health, fight AIDS, fight genocide, rally to help in disasters, promote human rights and equality, provide excellent university education, allow for freedom of speech, fuel dreams? But for those who once lacked inspiration, Obama is an inspirational figure. I think there is something deeper at play in the form of people who never felt like they belonged to American now feel they are accepted and President-elect Obama is the embodiment of that vindication--one that allows them to be proud Americans because they are not lesser but equal and they belong. So for many it was not that they refused to be identified as American but they felt they couldn't until now. We can all be proud of the American system.

Apple Hardware

Apple seems to be getting in on serious hardware assets with the acquisition of chip designer P.A. Semi in the spring, Segway's CTO Doug Field in the summer, and now IBM executive Mark Papermaster (said to be privy to knowledge of IBM's Power microprocessor architecture). What is Apple building?

Addendum
IBM has filed a lawsuit to block Papermaster's move to Apple under a noncompetitive agreement.

Tactile Interpretation

Using sensory input to retrain the brain. This is something I can see myself getting involved in.

Self Discipline Begets Self Discipline

NY Times tips on self control/discipline is practice with little acts of self control (and avoid hypoglycemia).

Healthcare Plan

I was quite impressed by a friend's argument against McCain's healthcare plan. He pointed out that, sure, McCain would allow people to shop around for cheaper insurance alternatives, but insurance agencies will not be willing to pick up those with pre-existing illnesses. He also brought up the argument that employers will cease to cover employees if employers were taxed to fund the McCain plan. Finally he argued that the uninsured population abuses emergency department visits, thus driving up costs for the public and hospitals. He proposes that with universal coverage would remove one reason they are inclined to visit the ED. Both candidates plan to increase the number clinics to improve preventative care and field non-emergent complaints. Even so there are several free clinics already available through county systems; yet the ED still is swamped with visits.

Nonetheless a question continued to linger was how could Obama pay for his version of universal healthcare. Faulty implementation has become a motif in Wall Street Journal's criticism of Obama's weak economic plans which appears to draw heavily upon "unverifiable" sources. One article showed that his own economic advisors have even up to 4 months ago admittedly advocated a McCain-like plan and that "Mr. Obama has offered no clue as to how he intends to pay for his health-insurance plans, or doubling foreign aid, or any of the other 175 programs he's promised to expand."

Addendum
Apparently McCain's plan actually accounts for those with pre-existing illnesses. His healthcare plan would fund insurance for those who have been rejected by an insurance company, i.e. those at highest risk.

China's Silencing of Parents

Oh China, you pain me! This is not justice. You placate your people now, only to build future unrest. Companies cutting corners leading to deaths of children are not brought to trial because they are too intertwined with government. It demonstrates fear of exposure and losing control.

Scare Tactic

Enough with rumor that Obama is Muslim as a scare tactic-- a tactic that is is somehow demeaning to a group of Americans and not true.

But most people understand this. I myself have been wary of the violence against Christians and against those who leave or criticize the Islamic religion. This however has not been the case for moderate Islam; extremism within any people group subsists in the fringes yet they can act as though speaking as representative. (So it is a sad that the Wahabist movement in Islam cannibalizes the rich, open culture widely found even as late as the 1970's.)

Capital Gains Tax

Obama now has a 6% lead (50% vs. McCain's 44%), mountains upon mountains of money, advertising spending at a 4:1 ratio compared to McCain, the endorsement of Colin Powell and Warren Buffet, a constant message of change and hope, and the often cited "steadiness" which on the side some wonder about a dullness or lack of passion but mostly it is read as confidence. Powell's opinion has been swayed by the current economic climate. So is Obama's economic plan sound? The Wall Street Journal and Investors Business Daily have both argue against his increase in the capital gains tax from 15% to 28% which would hit those who own stock. This was said in his debate in April but even now Obama is consistent with his plan to increase the capital gains tax for the sake of "fairness."

This is despite the fact that government revenue from taxes increased every time capital gains tax was cut and decreased when it was raised. It suggests that Obama still has much to learn about economics and that he is willing to stick with an ideology despite the evidence being pointed out to him. Either candidates will need to draw on a strong economic partners if they are to carry us through these hard times.

Powell for Obama

Colin Powell's endorsement for Senator Obama is huge, especially if Obama is elected and Powell is invited and agrees to come on staff. Powell is an iconic man whom everyone respects, has military and foreign relations experience, has served on staff under three presidents (Reagan, H.W. Bush, W. Bush), and was once considered for presidential candidacy (though declined). In my opinion, Obama's greatest weakness is a lack of experience but if he continues to surround himself with seasoned pros, that weakness is minimized.

Liberal Elite

The television political talk show satirists have pointed out the jaundiced eye Republicans have towards the Liberal Elite. I quote, "It is only in politics where being elite is a bad thing"; which was followed up by giving contrasting examples: elite athletes and elite scientists are considered good things. But this partially misses the point. There is a difference between being elite and elitist and the Republican party sentiment has been directed against elitism. But there has also been a neglect or antagonism towards the educated. The New York Times published an article that puts forth cogently that only in the last 15 years have Republicans spurned the educated class in an appeal to the regular Joe Six-pack. Educated conservatives are not lacking but the party has stopped appealing towards them.

World Gone Nuclear

India
President Bush and Congress have given India a huge vote of trust in the U.S.-India Civilian Nuclear Cooperation Agreement which provides for trade of nuclear fuel and supplies. This has won over India as a longstanding ally but may threaten to destabilize the relationship India has with Pakistan, given their own arms race in recent history. India has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and though the Bush-Singh trade accord provides for nuclear energy it allows India to progress as "nuclear weapons state" without strings attached.

The accord seems to have wide support from India's left and right. Economically, both countries will benefit as India gains energy supply and U.S. receives needed funding. Strategically, the U.S. may have gained a partner in Asia with regards to Iran but also potentially regarding China.

Iran
Iran continues to scorn international overtures to cease its nuclear enrichment. According to Wall Street Journal it will have enough "low-enriched uranium necessary to produce enough weapons-grade uranium for a bomb by mid-January" despite offers for "membership in the World Trade Organization to Western billions and backing for its energy sector, including civilian nuclear reactors. The mullahs mock those entreaties." Most pitiful is how the U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution calling Iran to abide by its previous three resolutions to stop enrichment. What evidence shows that a 3rd repetition would help? In turn Iran has threatened to limit the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to known nuclear sites.

It highly unlikely the U.S. would take military action; however this does not stop Israel from striking especially with past threats to destroy of Israel coming from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

North Korea
The Hermit State with the last standing Stalinist cult of personality, has turned back on its aid-for-disarmament deal and proceeded to rebuild its Yongbyon plutonium processing plant. The IAEA has completed North Korea's orders to remove surveillance camera and seals and no longer has access to the facility.

Addendum
North Korea agreed to stop rebuilding now that the United States has removed it from the terrorist list.

Support

If Obama becomes president we need to support him. If McCain becomes president we need to support him. I have been admittedly wary of Obama because of his inexperience, stance on abortion, and radical associates, but any U.S. president needs the support of his or her citizens. It is during campaign season that our differences are most acutely felt because our future seems so wrapped up in theirs. In one sense the influence of the U.S. President on the world is impressive in the direction of humanitarian efforts, trade agreements/sanctions, military campaigns, and ideals promoted.
I urge a focus on where each candidate stand on issues and determine what beliefs they hold. Past elections have shown people vote with their feelings whether they admit it or not. Being cool or likable do not determine leadership. What direction they take the country must be assessed at best by their words and what history we know about them.

Obama's Middle Class?

The recent post-debate commercial that Senator Obama ran pointed out that Senator McCain did not use the phrase "middle class" as a sign that McCain was disconnected. The New York Times mentioned Obama's own admitted adherence to Trinity United Church's Black Value System which disavows the middle class (see below #8). Obama later said it initially "stopped" him. What "stopped" meant Obama writes in his book Dreams of My Father was that this disavowal stood out from day one of visiting the church and he often thought about it. When interviewed about it last year, Obama says it is important to take it in as a whole. The description of the Black Value System has recently been removed from the Trinity United Church's website however it can still be found because this System continues to reflect a radical belief system that the blogosphere cannot forget. The Chicago Tribune reported that one of the Black Value System's drafters, Vallmer Jordan, designed it to "empower the black community and counter a value system imposed by whites." Obama notes the values espoused by the Black Value System are "necessary for black advancement." I believe it is understood that many blacks in the United States are disproportionately disenfranchised; however I believe there is a manner of promoting the black cause that can be extreme to a fault.

Trinity United Church of Christ adopted the Black Value System, written by the Manford Byrd Recognition Committee, chaired by the late Vallmer Jordan in 1981.

Dr. Manford Byrd, our brother in Christ, withstood the ravage of being denied his earned ascension to the number one position in the Chicago School System. His dedication to the pursuit of excellence, despite systematic denials, has inspired the congregation of Trinity United Church of Christ. Prayerfully, we have called upon the wisdom of all past generations of suffering Blacks for guidance in fashioning an instrument of Black self-determination, the Black Value System.

Beginning in 1982, an annual Black Value System – Educational Scholarship in the name of Dr. Byrd was instituted. The first recipient of the Dr. Manford Byrd Award, which is given annually to the man or woman who best exemplifies the Black Value System, was our brother, Dr. Manford Byrd.
These Black Ethics must be taught and exemplified in homes, churches, nurseries and schools, wherever Blacks are gathered. They consist of the following concepts:

1.Commitment to God. “The God of our weary years” will give us the strength to give up prayerful passivism and become Black Christian Activists, soldiers for Black freedom and the dignity of all humankind.

2.Commitment to the Black Community. The highest level of achievement for any Black person must be a contribution of strength and continuity of the Black Community.

3.Commitment to the Black Family. The Black family circle must generate strength, stability and love, despite the uncertainty of externals, because these characteristics are required if the developing person is to withstand warping by our racist competitive society.

Those Blacks who are blessed with membership in a strong family unit must reach out and expand that blessing to the less fortunate.

4.Dedication to the Pursuit of Education. We must forswear anti-intellectualism. Continued survival demands that each Black person be developed to the utmost of his/her mental potential despite the inadequacies of the formal education process. “Real education” fosters understanding of ourselves as well as every aspect of our environment. Also, it develops within us the ability to fashion concepts and tools for better utilization of our resources, and more effective solutions to our problems. Since the majority of Blacks have been denied such learning, Black Education must include elements that produce high school graduates with marketable skills, a trade or qualifications for apprenticeships, or proper preparation for college.

Basic education for all Blacks should include Mathematics, Science, Logic, General Semantics, Participative Politics, Economics and Finance, and the Care and Nurture of Black minds.

5.Dedication to the Pursuit of Excellence. To the extent that we individually reach for, even strain for excellence, we increase, geometrically, the value and resourcefulness of the Black Community. We must recognize the relativity of one’s best; this year’s best can be bettered next year. Such is the language of growth and development. We must seek to excel in every endeavor.

6.Adherence to the Black Work Ethic. “It is becoming harder to find qualified people to work in Chicago.” Whether this is true or not, it represents one of the many reasons given by businesses and industries for deserting the Chicago area. We must realize that a location with good facilities, adequate transportation and a reputation for producing skilled workers will attract industry. We are in competition with other cities, states and nations for jobs. High productivity must be a goal of the Black workforce.

7.Commitment to Self-Discipline and Self-Respect. To accomplish anything worthwhile requires self-discipline. We must be a community of self-disciplined persons if we are to actualize and utilize our own human resources, instead of perpetually submitting to exploitation by others. Self-discipline, coupled with a respect for self, will enable each of us to be an instrument of Black Progress and a model for Black Youth.

8.Disavowal of the Pursuit of “Middleclassness.” Classic methodology on control of captives teaches that captors must be able to identify the “talented tenth” of those subjugated, especially those who show promise of providing the kind of leadership that might threaten the captor’s control.

Those so identified are separated from the rest of the people by:

• 1. Killing them off directly, and/or fostering a social system that encourages them to kill off one another.
• 2. Placing them in concentration camps, and/or structuring an economic environment that induces captive youth to fill the jails and prisons.
• 3. Seducing them into a socioeconomic class system which, while training them to earn more dollars, hypnotizes them into believing they are better than others and teaches them to think in terms of “we” and “they” instead of “us.”
• 4. So, while it is permissible to chase “middleclassness” with all our might, we must avoid the third separation method – the psychological entrapment of Black “middleclassness.” If we avoid this snare, we will also diminish our “voluntary” contributions to methods A and B. And more importantly, Black people no longer will be deprived of their birthright: the leadership, resourcefulness and example of their own talented persons.

9.Pledge to Make the Fruits of All Developing and Acquired Skills Available to the Black Community.

10.Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting Black Institutions.

11.Pledge Allegiance to All Black Leadership Who Espouse and Embrace the Black Value System.

12.Personal Commitment to Embracement of the Black Value System. To measure the worth and validity of all activity in terms of positive contributions to the general welfare of the Black Community and the Advancement of Black People towards freedom.

There is good in promoting education and progress, but why the mention of escaping middleclassness for the "fact" that it is an instrument of the "captors" as if the white community is still holding the black community captive. I believe this is a delusion that cannot be allowed to continue. There is an inherent racism in this document as it would be anathema in this society to have a church indoctrinate members towards a White cause, White progress, and allegiance to White leadership. In addition I do not understand why this holds such prominence for an entity that calls itself a church. The Black Value System illustrates the means as self-reliance and the goal as self-promotion which are both ultimately at odds with the Jesus of the Bible.

Music Online

For my personal reference - music online, courtesy of PC Magazine.

MP3 search:
SkreemR.com
SeeqPod.com
Sonza.com

Playlist:
IMEEM.com
finetune.com

Streaming:
Pandora.com
Last.fm
slacker.com

Recommended:
thesixtyone.com

An Eye for Annai

Cute Vid

Little Big Planet for PS3

This is a potential system seller.
Trailer:



Gameplay:

Watched the documentary Iraq for Sale. The approach has politically left leanings though any political bias does not mar the critical information presented.

The film targets private contractors funded by our tax money in a manner of war profiteering that is destroying "the war effort" in Iraq. Haliburton, KBR, Titan, Caci, Blackwater are the guilty parties served contracts without any competitive bidding and allowed unregulated spending and waste. These companies are pepper with ex-high ranking military and governmental types with tentacles apparently penetrating deeply into the federal government.

It portrays an infrastructure set up for American troop support that is essentially crap, has endangered all involved, and is leading to countless, unnecessary deaths. If this is the infrastructure for our troops, what of the infrastructure of the rebuilding effort? I believe it is one reason why the war is going on "for so long."

Private and civilian forces involved in security and interrogation operate apart from the U.S. military's chain of command and oversight, but are in positions to direct soldiers and blur service and profit.

An example of endangerment is Titan provides the bulk of linguists as interpreters for the military. However there is absolutely no grounds to trust the interpreters as these linguists are neither testing nor certified; there is no guarantee they know Farsi or if they are accurately translating versus just saying their opinion.

I do recommend watching it just to be in the know of what has happened and ensure it does not happen again. We need to have better oversight of private contractors, their selection and spending, and perhaps staffing, training and decisions. The last three may not be feasible as that would essentially take on the role of contractors. One unpopular but practical alternative is reinstate the draft, eliminate contracting and place everything under the jurisdiction of the military.

Good Med School Humor

Obama & Faith

I cannot shake the sense that presidential candidate Barak Obama has racist leanings and is, despite the hype, another typical politician.

Why racist?
Perhaps it's only an issue of guilt by association but I fear it to be more. Obama has had the cultivation and nurturing of 20 years at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago and his mentor Reverend Jeremiah Wright. Obama's concept of American society and God must have been affected, and he must have assented or partook to have latched onto Wright for so long.
Wright preaches messages that:

1. are anti-Caucasians (including Europeans);
2. curse and vilify the United States;
3. honor Louis Farrakhan (leader of the cult Nation of Islam);
4. promote an imaginary black Jesus (not found in the Bible);
5. follow the teachings of James H. Cone (a founding father of black liberation theology and a man who calls white men the devil); and
6. perpetuate a delusion of government conspiracies (i.e. AIDS) against blacks.

In general, Wright stirs his congregation by painting nonblacks as enemies. In this way Trinity United Church is the Nation of Islam in the guise of Christianity. It is a message where the greatest sin is the poverty and oppression of blacks, and heaven is to be had now in the form of black power, influence, and wealth. Obama is a proactive accomplished man so I ask by which factor did Obama choose to follow Wright's message?


The typical politician
Only in the past couple weeks has Obama sloughed off association with Trinity when it threatens his political image. He has played a careful balancing act: defusing speculation of being Muslim (named Hussein, childhood in Indonesia) by claiming Christianity ("I attend a church"), but now distancing himself from church to deflect suspicions of racism. Like the majority U.S. politicians, Obama must reassure the middle America of his Christian "faith"; yet the faith he has followed turns out to be different from Christianity. Either he is misinformed or he tosses faith about as another tool for or obstacle to his rise.

These are days of mourning for China, the 12,000 dead and counting. The student bodies crushed in collapsed schools are made almost entirely of the sole children of family (due to the One Child Policy), the absolute devastation to parents cannot be fathomed.

The U.S. is giving $0.5 million to aid the earthquake effort which I believe is too small for the magnitude. The Yunnan province of China alone is donating $0.25 million in aid to the cyclone destruction in Burma - an even more terrifying death toll of over 30,000. Please pray and if possible offer aid, food, medicine.
(I am selfish to mourn more for the Chinese...need to grow in compassion.)


Suffering is not always the act of justice.

"He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." -Matthew 5:45b

Quote of the Day

"It's not like I'm a rocket surgeon!"

Prince Creepy

My sentiments exactly:

Beauty and a Beast by *JohnSu on deviantART

Lines of the Day

Carla: Are you familiar with the term "delusions of grandeur"?
Janitor: I believe I coined that term.

From Scrubs Season 7, Episode 9

Tibet as Polarizer

I often criticize the self-serving business practices and dangerous shortcuts that China has allowed or overlooked. This has been not out of malice or scorn, but always in grief towards the Chinese and hope that things will change with exposure to truth. The voice of media is accountability to the people.

I feel the Tibet-Olympics protests is a completely different issue. I cannot stand the irrationality of so many Chinese mainlanders and the hands-off attitude of the Dalai Lama. By consciously refusing to tell the Tibetan riots to stop or refrain from violence, the Lama effectively approves of violence demonstrated by Buddhists and Buddhist monks. Does anyone see the irony in ignoring their own tenets? I question the Lama's motive here even as he continually grins. And we see also the ugly Chinese (akin to the ugly American); the ugly Chinese now takes the form of rabid reactionary hyperpatriotism. If a Chinese person calls for dialog or rationality, many mainland Chinese turn on him or her, an act that confirms their irrationality by threating the victim's life and family.

The Chinese government and Olympic organizers believe the riots were timed to disrupt the 2008 Olympics and the actions of the world confirm it. If spectators continue to threaten the passage of the Olympic flame the ugliness will only be fed. The whole Tibet issue is out of proportion on both sides. Everyone is missing the point.

Don't destroy this event for which athletes world-over have worked so hard to reach.

Mom-ism

Searchme

Apparently taking cue from Apple's Coverflow interface, a new search engine interface arises in the form of Searchme as featured on Ars Technica.

Bad Dream

Had a nightmare:
I was driving a navy blue Volkswagen Beetle on the highway. My breaks went out and I started gaining speed towards 100 mph--crazy dodging traffic. I drove off a bridge (of course) and fell into a raging river. The car tilted downward and and rapidly started sinking but I had rolled down my window to climb out and leap off the roof of the car. The river tossed me along the current but I eventually made it to a side and pulled myself ashore... which happened to be next to my parents' house.

It was raining now but I didn't want to go inside because I feared that my parents would be angry I had lost the car. But someone with a crane happened to fish the Beetle out of river onto the opposite side. I felt so relieved but now I worried about how to salvage the wet upholstery and offer a solution that would satisfy my parents. I couldn't do anything about it now since the car was across the river so I headed inside and ... I woke up.

It is weird that I did not give a thought to my life but was overly concerned about the car and my parents' opinion. I don't drive a Beetle nor do I particularly like navy blue.

Half Empty

Despair.com has funny & mean Demotivator posters...but that's their point. Read the text for Persistence. Apparently "disaffected college students" are prime for such posters.

Edwards and Organ Transplants - WSJ.com

Edwards and Organ Transplants - WSJ.com

Nanking

Nanking, the movie, brought me to tears. As you may know it is a documentary on the Rape of Nanking (Nanjing). After seeing this, can one foolishly deny the historicity of this event? It was a history that the imperial Japanese military suppressed (even now so many revisionists deny it). Despite that, eyewitness accounts, photographs and videos of the atrocities survived and even reached the U.S. government of the 1930's. Yet the world stood by and watched the mutilation. I recommend this movie as this must be known.

This provided such rich examination into the human nature; a nature capable of unfathomably evil and so twisted as to call evil, "Good." Evil is a word used often these days, but there is such cruelty that sickens you to exhaustion.

The era encompassing WWII may well consist of the Greatest Generation to behold such vibrant heroes and villains. The rawness of existence and struggle of war is a testing ground that tears away any facade to reveal the beauty or ugliness that we are.