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ScoreKeeper Chats With John Debney About Scoring THE STONING OF SORAYA M.
Greetings! ScoreKeeper here unveiling a revealing interview with John Debney who recently composed an extraordinarily compelling score for a small, yet provocative, film entitled THE STONING OF SORAYA M. (2009). The film is in limited release throughout North America with openings in new cities each week. I haven’t yet had the opportunity to see the film; however, the music alone is so powerful and haunting that I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to discuss it with John. As always, he was unfailingly congenial and his insight into this amazing score is not to be overlooked.
Enjoy!
ScoreKeeper: Greetings John! I’d like to start off our conversation talking about the film itself. I haven’t seen THE STONING OF SORAYA M. yet so I don’t know much about it. Would you begin by summarizing the plot and then make your best pitch as why somebody should see it?
John Debney: In my opinion, it’s a very important subject matter. It’s about the unfortunate and brutal practice – which is still happening today – of the stoning of human beings. This film is a true story about a lady in 1980’s Iran who was falsely accused of adultery by her husband. The reason she is accused is basically the husband is a bad guy and wants to get rid of her. He wants to run off with this other woman. The laws were such that the charge of adultery brought with it – if you were found guilty – brought with it death by stoning. This is what happens in the film. It’s really a powerful story about this woman who is falsely accused and her aunt who is trying to save her.
People should see it because I think it’s an important subject. It is a difficult film to get through – very powerful and a bit graphic at spots – but I think it’s important because all of us in the civilized world wants to stop this practice. I think we’re hoping that will be the result if enough people go see this movie. It’s not only that we’re going to see a well crafted film, but it’s for the subject matter which is very important.
SK: The film just came out; however, you mentioned it’s based on a true story which occurred in the 1980s. Has this story been under wraps since then or has it simply taken a long time to get over here?
JD: That’s a great question. Actually, it was a best selling book and even the story behind the book is a story into itself. There’s a journal which has traveled from a small town in Iran and it tells the story by the aunt of the woman who is stoned. She basically has to smuggle the little cassette tape out of the country.
So there was a best selling book that came out in the 80s and it blew the lid off the practice of stoning. I think the author just recently passed away, but it was a very heroic effort to bring this book out back then. I think that in certain countries where this is still practiced people are wanting to keep the lid on it and don’t want to talk about it. Again, I think that’s why the film is so important that we all see it. We can stop the practice.
SK: Iran is a country that is constantly in the news. During the last several decades there is always something news-worthy going on in Iran. How does THE STONING OF SORAYA M. fit into the current political situation there? Does the recent Iranian presidential election overshadow the message of this film?
JD: You know what? I think it was an amazing stroke of luck that the film came out when it did. The film actually came out – at least out here in LA – a week or so after the Iranian election and really the events in Iran sort of punctuated and heightened what the film is about. I think it was a fortuitous accident the film came out when it did. It brought to light some of the issues that they are dealing with now and fighting for over there.
SK: Do you know if this film is going to play in Iran or in other countries where stoning is practiced.
JD: I don’t know. The strongest reaction I have seen to the film, believe it or not, has come from the Iranian community. They have been very glad this film has come out. You can imagine how much people want the truth to come out. I think there has been a lot of support in the Iranian community and the Arabic world at large. Although this is a tough film and tough subject matter, I think that many of them feel that this a good thing that it’s coming out.
SK: You have been very busy this year composing one huge orchestral score after another. I had never heard of this film or was even aware you were working on it until the CD was released by Varèse Sarabande. When did you actually work on this?
JD: I actually worked on it a while ago. If memory serves me right, I think I started to work on this early this year in January while I was concurrently doing other things like OLD DOGS (2009). This was just a tiny little movie – a labor of love – and the producer is a good friend of mine who also produced THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST (2004). I try to do all of his movies because he’s a great guy and a good human being.
This was one of those situations where he calls me and says, “There’s no money and there’s no time but would you be willing to read the script?”
I did and I fell in love with the script and had the foresight to feel what this film was going to be. I think we had three weeks total to put the score together. They were under very tight deadlines. We got it done. It was a labor of love.
SK: Let’s talk about the musicians for a little bit. At the heart of this score are unbelievably talented solo musicians: woodwinds, voice, a cello, violin. It’s the solo instrument that really shines in this score. Can you mention some of the players you were able to work with? What instruments are there and how did you utilize them in the score?
JD: Absolutely! First and foremost I’d like to mention Sussan Deyhim. She’s quite the world-renowned artist. She has done many of our albums and she concretizes all over the world. She’s Iranian and when I was first thinking about voices and vocal talent for the film, she was probably number one on my list. I was lucky enough to get in touch with her and managed to get her on board. It was really stunning. We spent a day together and all of the performances that she gave me were just amazing! She goes from being angelic to almost guttural and low. She’s an amazing performer!
We also have a couple of newcomers to the group of musicians I normally work with: a violinist named Yervand Kalajin and another violinist who pretty much adlibbed much of what you hear on the soundtrack. Most of it were first takes.
He’s an amazing player who I’m lucky to have found.
Then we have Dennis Karmazyn, a world class cellist whom I work with a lot. He was just brilliant! All of his parts were written out. He took them home and studied them and made them his own. I told him I wanted it in a Persian style. He took everything I wrote and really gave it that feeling. I think it’s a great performance.
There’s also Lilo Fadidas who played all sorts of strings and did a lot of the drum work.
Finally, there was Andrew Jay Grove, whom I work with a lot. He did the classical flute. He’s a huge part of the score too because his flute playing on this movie is just stunning. It’s beautiful and very emotional. When you hear the flute, it’s usually accompanying a very tender moment of the film.
Those were the main instrumentalists and they were gifts from God. They just came in and did what they did and we had a lot of fun doing it.
SK: There are several pieces which are so stunningly beautiful it swells your heart listening to it. The finale, “The Stoning of Soraya M.” (track 16) and “The Meadow” (track 4) are two that come to mind. The flute playing on “The Meadow” is so gorgeous you have to catch your breath.
JD: When you see the film, you will notice that is probably one of the scenes that people mention to me the most. There’s a scene with the ill-fated woman, Soraya, and her daughters that’s utterly heartbreaking and beautiful. That’s the way Andrew performed it. He did a brilliant job.
SK: What strikes me the most about this score is that these textures are not necessarily new to cinematic music. A lot of people are using solo ethnic voices, oud, bazouki, and duduk so much that it’s borderline cliché. I don't sense that here. The pieces sound inspired and sincere. This does not sound like your typical ethnic film score.
JD: Well thank you for mentioning that. I really appreciate your kind words. I must tell you, that was the intention. I guess it started really with THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST.
You are right. These types of scores are not as exotic as they were when we first started hearing them many years ago. I think it’s very important to make sure that whatever was written for these instruments is, first of all, correct and is in the right style. You can’t fake that and that’s something that we strove very hard to achieve. While some of these musicians were playing these notes I would constantly ask them “Does this sound Iranian to you? Is this stylistically correct?”
We had a nice collaboration in that regard.
You are right. I wanted to make sure that even with some of the percussion cues, I didn’t want to overdo it and have it sound like we had a loop going then just sticking things on top. The percussion in the score is sometimes rather simplistic as opposed to a big wall of it. The intention was to create a score that obviously fits this place and time. I’m always asking myself “Is this cheesy?” If it passes the cheese test, then it’s usually okay; however, I have a lot of help by referring to these musicians.
SK: Did you have to fine tune your ear a bit more in order to be more sensitive to your boundaries and limitations? We’re you consciously trying avoid these clichés?
JD: That was the intention. The intent was to try to make some of these instruments feel a little bit more than just the normal “snake-charmer” thing – to use a very crass saying – but, yeah that was the intention. To make it as elegantly as I could.
SK: When you were putting the score together, would you begin with the solo performances first and build an accompaniment around it or vice versa?
JD: Vice versa. That goes with THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST too. I will always write a piece and finish it just to get it all in the right form. Then what I do is perform either the vocal part or the solo cello myself. I use them as place holders because I know I’m going to replace them later. What I’ve done will be used as a guide. I also give them creative freedom. There are all those wonderful surprises. For instance, I put Sussan Deyhim’s voice in places in the film where I hadn’t first thought I wanted her. I’d show her and I’d ask, “What do you think?” She would reply, “I don’t know. Let me try it.” That’s why it can be a really fun way of doing a score. I have boundaries set but within those boundaries I have a lot of room to find something different. I love that.
SK: I think one of the most difficult scores to compose are the true folk music types of scores. One of the key ingredients to folk music is improvisation. How then, as a composer, can you control improvisation so that it is realistic yet controlled enough to serve the film. That’s a paradox that’s very difficult to balance.
JD: You are exactly right! And how do you put it into a form? That’s the trick. Sometimes I think it’s more successful than others, but again, that’s the one thing that I most try to achieve with this type of score…just to make it not sound like it’s written by a guy like me who was born and raised in the valley here in LA. If I can do that, then I think I have done my job as a film composer.
You’re right. It’s a tough one in some regards when you’re dealing with folk music like this.
SK: I love it when a composer can do a 180 degree turn and create something so incredibly different from themselves. Although this score is akin to your work in THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, it is still a completely different facet of your creative self. It differs so much from the majority of your work.
You mentioned you had a close working relationship with producer Steve McEveety. Was it an automatic choice for him to go with you on this one?
JD: Well, kind of. He’s an extremely successful producer in his own right. Two years ago he started his own production company and is now trying to produce films that have a social conscience which I applaud him for trying to do.
He called me. Basically the conversation was, “Look, I’ve got no money and no time, but I would love for you to do this.” The director, Cyrus Nowrasteh, was very amenable. He was like, “Yeah, let’s get John to do this!” He was very collaborative and complimentary and so it was that kind of discussion. We just said, “Yeah, let’s do this.”
I said to Cyrus, “The only thing that I ask is that you give me enough creative freedom to really create something, because honestly, there’s not a lot of time and there’s not a lot of money.” I felt this strongly. “You know, I just think it will be that much better if you let me do what I do and ultimately if you give me that type of creative freedom, I know we will have something special.”
Well, that’s what he did. It’s rare isn’t it?
SK: It’s interesting how creative freedom is one of the pillars of successful film music. When I talk to composers who have written scores I sincerely admire, it invariably comes back to “Yeah, I had the creative freedom to do what I wanted to do.”
JD: I would say my best work is when I’m left to do what I do. That’s not to say that there are very valid reasons why director A or B wants to change something. That’s fine. But musically speaking, at least with me, I want something a little bit better.
SK: Well John, it’s been my pleasure talking with you. I can’t wait to see the film and will be keeping my eyes and ears open for it. Until next time, my best wishes for your continued success.
JD: Thank you so much! It was my pleasure.
If you would like to see a list of theaters and show times for THE STONING OF SORAYA M. please visit the official web site.
The soundtrack was released on CD by Varèse Sarabande on June 18th; however, due to the limited number of 1000 copies, the title has already sold out. Hopefully Varèse Sarabande will consider pressing more copies in the near future. This is truly one of the better scores I have heard so far this year.
The score is also available on iTunes
On behalf of Ain’t It Cool News, I would like to thank John Debney for his time. You can bet I’ll be knocking on his door when scoring gets underway for IRON MAN 2 (2010). I am most anxious to speak to him about that one.
I would also like to thank Costa Communications for their assistance in arranging this interview.
ScoreKeeper!!!
ScoreKeeper!!!
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...but overall he's neck-and-neck with Joel McNeely as one of the pre-eminent temp track whores of the 90's. Here's hoping Iron Man 2 won't sound like half-a-dozen Williams/Horner/Goldsmith scores stuck in a blender (although that would STILL be better than the Ramen Noodles score for the first movie).
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Shohreh Aghdashloo is bizarely attractive. She must have been a knockout 30 years ago.
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I don't really know much about music, but find Scorekeeper's interviews interesting because they delve into a whole different aspect of moviemaking. Normally, we just get the director or the actor's perspective. I'd like to see more interviews with, oh, SFX guys, or lighting supervisors, or editing guys, or whatever.
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Up in Smoke?..
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Jul 28, 2009 11:52:10 PM CDT
I have this album, in fact I'm listening to it right now!
by the_genteel_gentile
It is just awe inspiring music. Truely stunning. Every time Debney gets involved with a film worthy of even a modicum of greatness, he more than achieves that task. He may not be the most stylishly recognizable composer but he is one of the most versatile and proficient. I keep hearing the term "temp track whore" recklessly cast about, but I have yet to hear any specific examples where his music is ripping off anyone else. Debney is capable certainly of writing in the style of somone else but I cannot recall an instance of him plagerizing another composer, so unless you can prove your point, cut out with the slander. Here's hoping his long years of working on frivolous comedy and family films are finaly behind him, because he deserves to be consistantly working on A list pictures. Iron Man 2 score will be stellar, mark my words.
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...not appointing her would be just fine. But we all know that her being a Latina woman makes her more qualified than a white man so I guess we are all enlightened that she and Obama can just take back their words magically without any backlash from the media or House or Congress. Bend over again America- here comes another enlightened leftist/socialist/racist to save the day!
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Jul 29, 2009 9:53:52 AM CDT
It's the My Dinner with Andre of throwing rocks at someone films
by toilet_terror
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Especially his comedy scores like Liar Liar. It's STRAIGHT-UP James Newton Howard, Danny Elfman, ect. Debney, McNeely and David Newman were NOTORIOUS for this kind of thing 15 years ago.
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Would you like syrup or jelly?Enjoy!Ass.
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Only a barbaric society would stone a Woman to death under accusations of adultery.And even if the she committed such a "heinous" act, it's not worth a death sentence. Maybe she just wasn't happy with a husband that was very abusive.Oh, and Tacoloft, shut the fuck up!
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i thought we had a nice 4/20 story.. like "Friday".... sad but true, the Iranian theocracy will inflict death and pain on anyone for not living as they believe the big mo told them to live.. besides stoning they also like to hang people by lift them up from cranes, one adultery case a few years ago.. about 4 people were killed that way, nice and slow so they jerk and kick for a long time before suffocated.. too bad we don't have a President who'll state that theres anything wrong with that theocracy..
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I agree, and I agree that it is in a bizarre way that she is attractive.For an older woman, she definitely has something. As far as 30 years ago...not so much. Your post made me curious and a quick Google image search popped up some old photos, most likely just family photos that have hit the net. She has aged like a man and has definitely benefited from an old fashioned Hollywood glamorization. She looks better in the last ten years than she ever has apparently
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Hit a progressive nerve did I? Yeah I am an "Ass" because I pointed out a fact. And I should "Shut the fuck up" because I pointed out a fact? Typical Liberal shun your enemy with insults without reason or explanation play book. Come on guys! ENLIGHTEN me with something instead of whiny knee jerk responses. And keep it civil or you just paint yourselves as intellectually inept reduced to using slurs and profanity as a substitute to actually showing you know something.
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I have conservative values, but am enlightened just enough that I can make attempts to look at things from both perspectives and make up my own mind. Yous post encapsulates everything that is wrong with both parties and with the people behind both parties. Do you know how mad you get when you hear people railing on Fox News and/or a religious right or warmongering far right agenda? It works both ways, it sounds just as ridiculous when you cry and bemoan a leftist liberal and socialist agenda. Do you realize that you are calling Obama and Sotomayer racist at the same time alluding to a liberal agenda that gives them a free pass. That's kind of contradictory.
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To belittle Sotomayer serves no true purpose for your Party's agenda.Instead it further subscribes to the belief (or consensous)of how obnoxous you Republicans are when your ilk doesn't get their way. Say what you wish about the "socialist liberals" at least they have more class especially compared to the various right wing hypocrites that are in office.Oh, and then there's jerk offs like Limbaugh,O' reilly, Malkin (the "flip")and FUX news of course.Sure you can call me 'thin skinned" or offensive, however your above examples have said far worse to the opposing party. (Any Senator who is hoping for the pres' health plan to become his Waterloo, obviously does not give a shit about America.)Sure Soto mayer made somewhat of a gaffe, but if you look further into her comment, she is going by the previous actions of certain White Men who have abused their power/authority via holding others back without due process or fairness.The said comment or sentiment may have resulted from her personal experiences or others that are less than privileged.Obama a racist? if so, he hates his grandmother who helped to shape him as the man he is today; Commander in Chief. :P
y'See, Taco for the most part i kept it civil, but i can't hold back a good fight. Fight fire with fire. -
THAT would be a feel-good movie for the whole family. Willful stupidity should never be tolerated.
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Firstly - I am not a Republican - I am sick of this two party system. Why are you guys sticking up for these fools we call our leaders? They are not leaders – they are the ELITE. Nothing wrong with that except that you and I and everyone else that doesn’t meet any specific standard they set up are now expendable. Obama and Sotomayor?! Come on guys! Let's hold their feet to the fire as well as every other congressmen in office! The theory of the Communists may be summed up in the single sentence: Abolition of private property.
KARL MARX, The Communist Manifesto
Isn’t THAT exactly what Obama is doing? No more private businesses. Nat ionization of Healthcare – I already pay enough in taxes! – How can I afford private property when the government wants to give me everything? (They say for free – but how is that possible? Someone will have to pay for it.)
Face it -these clowns (D or R) are leading what is left of a free America down the same road to Socialism. Socialism paves the way to communism. I understand that many of you here voted for the big Obama. But come on where is the friggin’ hope and change? I wanted hope and change too but I didn't want a gangster government in power! People are too enamored with these shallow people who are put on pedestals because of a stupid title they won in a beauty pageant. Why do you back these guys who are out to destroy using fascism/nationalism with a smiley face?! “It’s for the greater good, do it for the state, children, environment, ect…) It is total B.S.
Stalkeye- thanks for sharing- I respect that. And I agree that “socialist liberals” have class. Probably too much class…Enough class to share with everyone else perhaps? Think about it… -
OK. Nope, just more paranoid, from-the-ass ranting. Not worth a civil reply. Have fun stormin' the castle.
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I think you need to look up these terms, perhaps actually read some Marx instead of just trying to summarize him, and then come back here. What the Powers That Be are doing in our current government is evil and immoral and actually pretty fucking scary, but it's not socialism and it sure the fuck isn't communism. I think the best term for where we're headed is Totalitarianism. I respect what you're saying and understand the difference between your concern and paranoia. If you're not a little bit paranoid, you're just not paying attention. However, to imply that what is happening is a big secret conspiratorial plot is a little naive. Yes, we are heading into dangerous ground and complete government ownership and control regarding our entire infrastructure but these boobs are actually tripping and falling into the wealth, not controlling corporations and the economy into the toilet in order to acquire ownership. Our politicians truly aren't that smart and can;t see past their own self-importance long enough to formulate a master plan of Cobra proportions
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That was a summation that Karl Marx gave-- not me. I even cited where he said it. I am not Paranoid I just think anyone who is supporting these crap ass government leaders are delusional. I will quote Karl again:
“The theory of the Communists may be summed up in the single sentence: Abolition of private property.” KARL MARX, The Communist Manifesto
Pretty paranoid thing to say huh? And you thought it was I who said it! “perhaps actually read some Marx instead of just trying to summarize him” Dude- I am laughing…
I know the terms big guy -
Agreed on Totalitarianism - and agreded more accurate definition on how government operates. But to what end? Socialism and "equality" in all things - social, financial, ect... they can only do this by the obolition of private property and individual rights. They will tell us what rights we have at the end of the day...
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Without quotation marks, I wasn;t sure where you stopped and Marx started. I thought you were stating that communism could be summed up with the one quote from Marx. Now that you have clarified and properly placed quotation marks, I can stand corrected. Also, I did not call you paranoid, ebonic_plague did. My statement regarding paranoia was more a response to his name-calling then a summation of your state of mind. If you go back and re-read what I wrote,I actually said a little paranoia is justified with the current state of things.
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Stoning of woman is unfortunate but very rare in these society. Like a lot of societies including American society where black people get dragged to death at the end of a pick up truck, this is unfortunate. I don't think Hollywood gives a rats ass about this cause because at the bottom of the day its about about some yuppie shelling out bucks to watch this movie in some art house cinema while dunking down pork fat swine flue popcorn most likely Stalkeye. I dare hollywood to make a movie about the Gaza massacre by Israel or the burning of Christian nunsin Bollywood India and then i can believe Hollywood really cares.
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for this to become anti-Obama/anti-Sotomayor just because the spelling is similar. God people on this site are fucking retarded and should not be discussing politics.
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So we are to just look past the fucking stoning death of a woman because it doesn't happen THAT MUCH? As far as the Gaza massacre, I think we all know why we won't see that. We could see a film about the countless massacres that led up to the Gaza massacre though.
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You don't have to watch a movie about Murder or for that fact even make a movie about murder to show that you care. My point is that these kind of movies are made for political propaganda. The US does not give a rats ass about people in Iran,(Look what happened when we cared so much about people in Iraq and Afghanistan) especially when they are making plans to Attack that country with their lap dog Israel. I am not anti-semetic or even Anti-Israel, i am pro-Palestine though. If you oppose US middle Eastern policies or even Israeli policies you get labeled as either a terrorist or anti-semeitic. To me the Iranian government is not any more moral than the US govt or Israeli govt. But to get to the my point, the timing of this movie and its location is no coincidence. Hollywood has a history of propaganda film making. Stoning of women an evil practice is only going to go away by bringing education to these locations. But all these people tend to get are hell fire missiles. dancetothebeatofthelivingdead I would like to know what those countless massacres movies are ?
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excuse my blatant ignorance as i am not aware of how prevelant stoning is within Iran. is it really propaganda or the idea that such a practice is deemed so uncivilized, and yes so is dragging African-americans via pickup truck. the latter actocity is very rare nowadays, but that does not in anyway absolve the US of it's past treatments of people who they have often deemed "indigenous". However America has come a long way and have made marginal progress to the extent of having a Black president.now from what i gather, the practice of stoning is common and of cultural acceptance.Throwing stones at a woman regardless if she has commited adultery or no, is heinous.America has it's share of problems but there's no condoning of a public firing squad for being unfaithful.I was hoping that the Iranian president would get voted the fuck out as he is not all there.Iran needs a more democratic society, in which the iranian youth is aiming for.
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I don't think of Bam as the great savior, however compared to our last laid back dumb ass hick president, I welcome "chocolate Jesus" with open arms. His agenda on health care? somewhat imperfect, but i give him props for trying something different for a change as the system does need some kind of overhaul.Totalitarianism that's quite a strech my friend as that kind of ulterior motive would be highly frowned upon. We are yet to head in that direction.Yeah, I jumped the gun on making the assumption that you were some kinda wingnut. (My bad) I guess you may lean toward Libertarian..no? or just Independant.Anyway, let's all try to reserve total judgement until a year or two from now shall we?Yes, there's a new elite but this time the class may be more generous.(I hope.)
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I am an independent with Libertarian views yes – (stay out of my business and I will stay out of yours). I agree that Bush was a numbskull but Obama has spent MORE than 4 times what Bush spent. And all of the lefties were bitching about it back when Bush was in orifice (good for them) – but where are they now? Where are those anti big government spending, anti government takeover, anti invasion of privacy people now? Those same exact people that bitched about Bush when he ran the show are nowhere to be seen with P-Bo in office doing those very same things because he has D by his name. I understand that Obama is a figurehead and it is really Congress that needs to “get out my house!” Obama’s healthcare plan is Socialism –(call it what it is please). The problem with healthcare NOW is that we have private citizens with Insurance AND at the same time we have socialism as well in supporting everyone else who can’t afford it. Ask anyone who works at a hospital – they HAVE to give healthcare to any citizen or non-citizen ALREADY. In fact the non-citizens have more rights than citizens when it comes to questioning paperwork ect.. Because our lawyers (I mean politicians) have made it so the system cannot inquire as you may become harassing, discriminatory, racist, (fill in your hate monger label here) More harassment is given to those people who have to jump through the hoops to get their Insurance to cover the costs. The illegals or others who cannot afford it – well the hospital eats some of it, the insurance premiums (on paying private citizens) are driven up to help offset the costs for the hospital, and Insurance companies get a recoup of their loss from the government – IE: you and me in the form of taxes.
What we need to do – what we should do – is cut off free healthcare for those who cannot pay. This would drive those people to go to their families, friends, religious leaders , charity service, ect..and actually ask them to DO THEIR JOB in helping them out.
Right now we have a government who wants to supersede that interaction. We have a government that does not encourage us to rely on one another with pride. We have a government who touts FREE healthcare but in reality it is not free –someone will have to pay. Obama wants to tax the rich –this is a form of racism but instead of color Obama is using money. It is morally wrong to classify one person as rich versus another person who would be classified as poor. BECAUSE – the so called rich guy could have $1 and the poor guy 50 cents but they are both gonna have to struggle to buy that $5 foot long! It is ALL relative when terms like rich and poor are thrown around. We have forgotten what true value is: our friends, family, freedom, the right to rise and fall on our own merits, to be judged according to our deeds and not the color of our skin or the size of our wallets! Americans are being brainwashed into this crap by crap leaders who only want 2 things: 1. Re-election, and 2. our money to grow the size of government circling back to #1. The vicious circle is government run by an Elite group who could care less about you and me so long as they can garnish our wages through taxes in order to pad the pockets of themselves and their lobbyist cronies.
Don’t get me started on government takeover of businesses.
OK I am a self admitted nut job and I’m fine with that.
Anyhow thanks for your comments – (I hope too, I really hope I am wrong)
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