Phantom of the Opera

Two of the people I live with are, at this moment, watching "Phantom of the Opera" on pay per view. This is the most ridiculous, and possibly the most disturbing film I've ever seen.

If a dog, cat, ferret, monkey, squirrel, rat, zebra, camel or other animal lived under a building and had a disfigured face, and occasionally came out and scared people, that animal would be taken away and shot.

But in this story, just because the heinous, disfigured creature living under the building happens to be a guy with a good singing voice, he's some kind of a hero. And the woman in the story is just as wack as the guy. This guy has no job, and no prospects at all, yet because he's got the voice, she falls for him!! What does he have to offer her? Where are they going to live? What about kids, and what about finding a house in a good school district? No matter - he's got a great voice. Let them live like disease-ridden sewer rats under the building; at least they can sing.

Generally, I try to live peacefully around people. I try not to entertain thoughts of jealousy or discontentment. I try to heed the words of St. Paul in Romans 12:18 - "Live at peace with everyone." (What can I say, I live in a pastor's home).

But sometimes, I just get frustrated at the double standard. Animals, specifically dogs, can't sing. And because of that, we're denied the freedom to live under buildings, and we're just not always properly valued for the unique gifts we have to contribute.