From Non-Violence And Civil Rights To Brutality As A Form Of Global Entertainment

in the past 24 hours, i've watched 2 amazing stories unfold on television... and those 2 things would be the movie "gandhi" and super bowl XLII. that's right, you read that last line correctly...i just compared one of the most selfless men to ever walk to face of the earth with a silly football game! but, what sticks out to me is that there's important lessons to be learned in all things, not just deep and impactful events.

in the movie "gandhi", you can't help but be moved and humbled by watching the story of a man who gave up everything he had to stand up for what he felt was right. through countless beatings, multiple imprisionments and near death through fasting, gandhi never waivered and never lost sight of the way to live. he could have sat back and gone about his day for the betterment of himself, but instead he dedicated his entire life for all his people, even if it meant dying for his cause. he was a living symbol of determination and a reminder to all of us that life could always be much harder.

now, on the opposite end of the spectrum, super bowl XLII was an event full of glitz, glamour, inflated egos and fat paychecks. in other words, not gandhi. there was some ridiculously big production thing with the reading of the declaration of independence by current and former players and coaches and a couple of their wives. there was a fly-bye of like 6 or 7 military planes; but i'm not sure why; seeing as the retractable roof was closed and all. i guess someone just wanted to waste a few hundred thousand taxpayer dollars. the halftime show featuring tom petty was large, over the top and entertaining. the new york giants played an amazing game, tom brady was knocked down about 2,582 times, david tyree made one of the most amazing catches that i've ever seen, eli manning finally got the recognation he deserved as a premier quarterback and the patriots head coach bill belichick looked like a complete jerk by leaving the field with 1 second remaing and giving a rude and sarcastic post-game interview. and in all, pretty much what i'd like to see in a super bowl and a game that i'll remember for quite some time.

so, to sum it up...there was fighting, hitting, fasting, pain, victory, defeat, walking, death, joy, crying and love. like i said, an amazing 24 hours!