Old lessons from a master...still fresh

Last night I watched Ingmar Bergman's 1957 classic film Wild Strawberries, one of his lighter bleak looks at modern life, particularly modern life in Sweden. Bergman spent most of his career rebelling against organized religion, government, and even God him (her) self. In this film we spend a day with a 77 year old doctor who is receiving a national award for his service. From his early dreams to his last dream of the evening, he relives vital and often painful moments from his life. Much of this happens as he is driving several hundred miles to the ceremony with his daughter-in-law, the incandescent Ingrid Thulin. Along the way they pick up three young hikers who provide a fresh contrast to the old man's isolated views. They are also met with a near-death experience when an arguing couple lose control of their car. These two are so obnoxious they are finally evicted from the old man's car.

The doctor's dreams are strongly influenced by familiar surreal images: clocks without hands, faces without full features, a casket falling and disgorging (no surprise) the body of the doctor himself. More important are his memories of his youth where he watches his brother seduce his intended and his unhappy wife have an affair. Throughout all of these experiences, the doctor learns that he has become a cold, unfeeling man who has passed on his coldness to his son, a man who believes in nothing.

Bergman creates a film that has more humor and light than one would expect from such a plot. Unlike his heavier films (The Seventh Seal, The Virgin Spring), Wild Strawberries holds possibilities for healing and redemption. The young hikers sing a farewell blessing for the old man, his formerly cool daughter-in-law warms to him and he to her, and his son seems more human. The last scene is a dream in which the doctor is returned to his childhood and welcomed like a prodigal coming home.

Whispers and Lies

In the past few weeks, we have witnessed a supposedly whirlwind of anger, shouting, and downright rudeness concerning the government's attempts to improve national health care. What is so surprising is that few of these protesters seem to realize several truths.

1. Medicare IS a government program and covers the majority of the senior citizens who are screaming about government interference. One woman famously shouted that she did not want any government involvement in her health care and then said, "But don't take away my Medicare!"

2. Our nation's health care system is the most expensive in the world and that cost is growing at an uncontrollable rate.

3. Of the major developed countries, the U.S.A. ranks considerably lower in almost every area of health care, including infant mortality.

4. There is no health care bill as yet. Everything is still in committee.

5. There will be no death panels, as Silly Sarah said on her face book page. Therefore, I and many other grandparents are safe!

6. Without the public option, insurance costs will continue to skyrocket and fewer people will receive coverage.

7. Under an effective system, insurers cannot deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions.

SO WHY ARE SO MANY PEOPLE SCREAMING?!