Reverend Billy and his gospel choir from the Church of Stop Shopping travel the country trying to spur awareness of consumerism around the holiday season. He parodies this consumerism and tries to get people to think about the real meaning of Christmas.
A non-religious film with a great deal of humor, the protest tactics of Reverend Billy frequently gander him the criticism of the police and a significant amount of interest to the media. Not only does the film show many of his stunts, he takes a look at how widespread consumerism is in both the youth and adults alike.
The reactions of the people interviewed in the film about consumerism is somewhat incredulous, but at the same time frankly captures many people’s view about the necessity to give expensive presents for the holiday season. As the film notes, many people find themselves so stressed out about gift giving that they are unhappy during a season that’s supposed to be an enjoyable season.
People are not finding happiness in the holiday season, they are just exchanging material gifts without meaning. Much of the happiness and family times that come from Christmas could be done without such wasteful consumption that is speeding up the destruction of our earth. Indeed, watching the film it’s amazing how much joy comes out of protesting consumerism — not just by the protesters but by the people witnessing them.
It is amazing to see how much joy comes from the song, dance, and acting by the Church of Stop Shopping. You will be laughing and finding much of the happiness that is now gone from our holiday season. After the film, you might just be feeling a lot happier and less stressed then when you where when you went in.
And no, I doubt Jesus would buy a Wii like the one kid said.
Unfortunately, unless you are in a few limited cities where it is playing, you will not be able to see it. The film only played during two showings in the Albany-area, at The Sanctuary for Independent Media. This venue while enjoyable is not on the radar of many people who would have otherwise gotten great joy from seeing this rather hilarious and enjoyable film.
Let's drink a toast to the admiral And here's to the captain bold And glory more for the commodore
When the deeds of might are told
They stand to the deck through the battle's wreck When the great shells roar and pound And never they fear when the foe is near To lay their orders down
I was told the other day, I should buy more shit. 💩
I’m like no, I’m tired of things breaking all the time and needing maintenance. I’m happy with the shit I already have. I don’t need anymore. I’d rather use the money, save and invest it, so I have a more secure retirement, and eventually can afford land that will be my own little kingdom in the wilderness.
I have to think about how much black smoke and how smelly most of that junk would be once it’s used up and you toss it in a fire to get rid of it! The best thing to do for your own life is to spend less money and invest more.
Not hiking today as I want to get to camp and get set up before the wind picks up later and the chance of lake effect snow showers blowing west becomes too great.
Just a little more, go to the bathroom, then north I will head. ⬆️Taking the Northway rather then NY 30 as it’s likely to be snow free and your farther east so less chance of Lake Effect. I need to stop on the way up north to get more bananas 🍌 and more importantly milk. 🐮 I actually might be fine without bananas but I need milk for the coffee. Then I also need fuel as I have less then a 1/4 tank left.
Tomorrow honestly looks like the best day for hiking and riding, 🚲 so that is likely what I will spend the balance of tomorrow doing. Sunday looks cold and snowy but I will probably spend that day in camp. Monday I’ll break camp, hopefully without too much shoveling deep snow and ice, then head south. Supposed to not be so snowy on Monday, I’m thinking I’ll do some of the short hikes around Warrensburg and then drive home in the evening.
I got my 10 November borrows out on Hoopla 📚 along with a bunch of other books and audio books on Libby. Looking forward to having a lot of good listens and reads while I’m up north. While I usually wait to the last day of the month to get my monthly reads, I figure I may not have cell service until December 1st on Monday when I come home, and then I’ll have ten books/audio books to enjoy both at camp and the next 3 weeks. Then I can either get more books on Hoopla from my December borrows or Libby. I kind of feel guilty getting all these Hoopla borrows, realizing now that the library pays $1 to $3 per book you borrow to the publisher, but then again I do pay a lot in taxes 💰 and I do enjoy the reads. It’s actually not a terrible deal for the local library, as it’s likely cheaper to just rent the books that are rarely read compared to popular titles where it’s cheaper to get a number of licenses for people to read the individual book.
It will be great to be off the grid for a few days. 🔕 Things are too crazy 🤪 in America and I want time to read 📖 and think in the beauty and cold of the winter Adirondacks. There is so much to be upset about these days but it will be remote without even a FM radio. 📻 But the cold ❄️ and quiet will feel great.
Off to camp in the great frigid north! To see how this goes. It will be great!
