Thursday, August 17, 2006

Double Feature Night

Last night was Tivo double feature night at Jody’s.

Feature #1…..Python vs. Alligator. Complete with forensic scientists armed with digital x-rays and seriously gruesome pictures, National Geographic succeeded in bringing out my inner 8 year old barbarian who screams neat-o at the sight of a 15 foot Burmese python that “mysteriously” exploded after eating a 6 foot alligator. Like an episode of CSI Everglades, a group of biologists pieced together the mystery of exactly what went down when an introduced python was introduced to a native alligator. The conclusion seemed to be that while the python was digesting the alligator, a second alligator attacked and ripped open the snake. The local ecosystem has been taking a beating for years from aggressive introduced species. Australian pines, Brazilian pepper and meleleucas have overtaken thousands of square miles that used to be dominated by a diversity of native trees. Tilapias, cichlids and oscars ate most of the native freshwater fish. Huge poisonous cane toads from South America are killing native animals as well as backyard dogs and cats. And now, thanks to the irresponsible exotic pet trade, we have to contend with wild Burmese pythons and water monitors – which are slightly smaller cousins of the Komodo dragon and are apparently reproducing like crazy in the suburbs of Miami. When the piranhas and spitting cobras set up shop, I’m done.




Feature #2…..30 Days. What a cool show. Created by the “Supersize Me” guy, Morgan Spurlock, 30 days delves into contemporary social issues by arranging and documenting the experience of someone from one side of an issue living with a family on the other side of said issue. Kind of like a political foreign exchange program. A nice follow up to Python vs. Alligator, the episode we watched examined religion and tolerance by having a born-again Christian family from Texas host a suburban Atheist mom from Lawrence Kansas for 30 days. Non-believing mom attended church services and bible study, and calmly defended her ability to live morally and ethically without fear of retribution from the supernatural world. The faithful family reached out of their comfort zone to have dinner with a group of Atheists and hear a perspective that they had never encountered before. This show was thoughtfully done – not at all based on shock-value and with neither side being a caricature. Next week’s episode looks at the abortion issue
.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Listening to old Pet Shop Boys and thinking of you..

Cyrus said...

I Love You. You Pay My Rent.

Ryon said...

That is some crazy stuff man. Crazy.
Um, ever been around that Miami Ink place that is on TLC? Just curious if it is just some front or whatever.

Oh, I posted...yep, Jesus is coming back and he is bringing his lawyer.

50 cool points for naming the song...

Ryon said...

That certainly did not refer to you, since the entire time you have been on my links I have always said that you are not regularly updated. However, thanks for sticking around and leaving a comment.

Cyrus said...

Vegas...

Yes, the Miami Ink place is real...it's near the corner of 14th and Washington. I actually got a tattoo there many years ago when it was called Art Attack.

And, since no one else is posting, can I have my "not updated regularly" removed? : )

Julie said...

I LOVE Morgan Spurlock and have seen every episode of Thirty Days since it started last year. I love how thought provoking it is. I just wish it were more publicized so that a broader audience could benefit from the many different faucets that it exhibits.

I hate to think about how selfish we have been with our environment - just purely careless. I really thought you were describing a B movie horror flick that was made up at first. We are horrible stewards of this gifted planet.

Valerie - Still Riding Forward said...

Glad to see a new post, even if I did get here late!

Cyrus said...

Julie - Hello there, and welcome to the Lair. Could not agreee more with ya.

Val - Glad to see you made it back in one piece!!