Editorial: Thumbs

To the movies.

There are some good movies out right now, and it seems this week there is something for everybody, not just the teens. If you have children who want an adventure and a laugh, take them to “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2” or “Free Birds.” Want a thriller? Several big-name stars — Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz and Rosie Perez, among others — are in “The Counselor,” a Ridley Scott film about a lawyer who finds himself in over his head when he gets into drug trafficking. The older crowd might enjoy seeing Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Kevin Kline and Morgan Freeman share the screen in “Last Vegas.” It’s about a bachelor party thrown by four 60-something friends. Science fiction lovers ought to like “Ender’s Game.” Harrison Ford stars in a plot about saving the human race from an alien attack. Asa Butterfield, who plays Ender, might become a household name. But the biggest hit with Oscar buzz at the movies now is “Gravity,” starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. It’s a true original. Reward our local cinema for having such an array of films by getting to the shows.

 

To failure to pass a farm bill.

Thanks to the failure of Congress to pass or renew a farm bill, 47 million Americans will lose part of their food stamp benefits, meaning people who need help with buying food will struggle further. Hunger is a hidden issue that strikes home for many Americans. It affects children, too. One of the basic jobs of this government or any government — even going back to ancient Egypt — is making sure the people have access to food.

The farm bill fails to be passed not because leaders in Congress are concerned about provisions that give assistance to the wealthy farm and business interests. They are fighting in Congress about provisions that give assistance to the poor. That’s what is holding it up for more than a year now. It’s sad that Congress has its priorities so backward. They have no idea what it’s like to be a low-income American. Just because people are struggling with income doesn’t mean they and their children should not eat. We are the most plentiful nation on the planet. It’s un-American to let people suffer from hunger.

 

To Shannon Steensma.

We enjoyed the antics of the Harlem Ambassadors, but we especially admired the good-natured sport that local financial adviser Shannon Steensma was while being fouled, trampled, tackled, harassed, howled at, laughed at and refitted in this clothing Monday during a humorous basketball game between the Ambassadors and Kiwanis Rockets. Steensma was the captain of the Rockets, so he got an extra dose of picking on by Ladé Majic and her squad. The game was a healthy dose of fun, and the proceeds go to benefit the children’s programs and facility supported by the Albert Lea Noon Kiwanis Club.