Date posted: December 10, 2007 - Monday
Title: What’s in a Name?
Current mood: peeved
OK, I've had it with people making fun of my name.
Alright, maybe not making fun, but at least showing a huge amount of disrespect.
I have seen a whole bunch of movies and TV shows where the name Walter is attached to derogatory people and situations. There was a TV show where Walter was the name of a bloodhound who did nothing but sleep on the porch all day. There have been numerous movies where Walter was the best friend, or the guy who was wrong for the heroine and she wound up leaving him for the 'right' guy.
But the final straw was what I saw in the newspaper this morning. Some toy company is selling a plush dog that when squeezed passes gas.
Yep, "Walter the Farting Dog."
Enough is enough.
The name Walter is German. It means "ruler of the army." Famous Walters include journalist Walter Cronkite, author Walter Scott, explorer and sailor Walter Raleigh. Animator Walt Disney was a Walter. In literature Walter was a dreamer; Walter Mitty.
So here's the challenge. I want to see Hollywood make Walter the hero. Let him be the one who gets the girl in the romantic comedy. Let him be the one who stops the threat of nuclear war by foiling the terrorists and making love to the beautiful nuclear scientist.
