Robin Hood = Tea Party?

I've been watching the BBC series "Robin Hood" on Netflix instant viewing. Maybe I'm a bit slow on the uptake, but my take away as a kid from all the different "Robin Hood" movies and stories was that Robin was robbing from the rich and giving it to the poor. Politically, I've heard more than 1 liberal democrat state that Robin Hood is a democrat. Over the last couple of days of watching this series and thinking back, I've come to realize that characterization is not true at all.

Who does Robin Hood steal from? He steals from the Sheriff of Nottingham and the many lords and other nobles of the land and gives the money and food he takes to the peasants. That's where democrats stop me and say "see, he's stealing from the rich...you mean, cold hearted conservative!" But, think for a moment. In that time, who was the government? You got it...the sheriff, the lords and the nobles. So, Robin was really rebelling against an oppressive, tax hungry government that cared very little for it's people and was more concerned about it's own power.

This brings me to today, where I would argue the Tea Party and it's members are playing the role of Robin Hood and his band of merry men. The Tea Party is standing up against the bloated government in Washington D.C., and letting them know that the size and scope of government needs to be reigned in. It's telling our representatives that we pay enough in taxes! The Tea Party is telling Washington to do what is allowed by the Constitution, and otherwise, leave us alone and let us live in freedom!

I for one support the Tea Party movement. I've never been to an event, but I think they have a good message. And, contrary to what the media and the liberals would have you believe, the Tea Party goers aren't raving lunatics bent on the destruction of our country. They are simply men and women who are concerned that Washington has forgotten what this country is all about and they are using the only means they can to get Washington to stand up and take notice. Although the method is different than the story book hero, the Tea Party goers really are modern day Robin Hoods.

TV Series Review: Castle, Season 1

I loved season 1 of "Castle." I think I am pretty much predisposed to like anything Nathan Fillion does after "Firefly" and "Serenity", so this statement should be taken with a grain of salt.

"Castle" pairs mystery writer, Richard Castle (played by Nathan Fillion) with NYPD Detective Kate Beckett (played by Stana Katic). Castle is one of the most popular mystery writers in the world, and he has recently killed off his recurring character. After a string of deaths that appear to be re-enactments of the murders in Castle's books, Castle is called in to consult on the case with the NYPD. In Detective Beckett, Castle finds the muse for his next set of books. So he pulls a few strings with his influential friends to land a semi-permanent gig consulting with Detective Beckett. The rest of the season flows out from there.

I loved this series because I really liked the characters. The mystery almost becomes secondary to the interaction between the characters. Richard Castle is the perfect character for Nathan Fillion. Witty, somewhat arrogant, but underneath the immature facade is a caring person who really wants to do the right thing. Detective Beckett is played very well by Stana Katic. Beckett sort of brings a calm to the show that includes some other off the wall characters. A couple of nice additions to the series are Susan Sullivan, who plays Castle's mother, and Molly Quinn who plays Castle's 15 year old daughter, who happens to be more grown up than her father in most instances.

If you are a Nathan Fillion fan, I think you'll find that you like this series. Both my wife and I think this is a 5 star series. Also, consider that season 1 is not a huge commitment, at only 10 episodes. Give it a shot if you are a Netflix subscriber or just like to buy random TV series at Barnes and Noble.