What do you do when all the news is bad and the Fourth is already gone by and you know you have to cover both party conventions later this month and you're totally sick of politics? You could cry your eyes out, but I recommend watching Disney movies. They're pretty much the same thing anyway. Don't believe me? Consider:
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
Plot: A gang of hapless but lovable dorks fail to prevent the wealthy guy in their midst from doing pretty much whatever he wants. Also: people prefer the big obnoxious guy to the bookish one with the good voice.
Cinderella
Plot: A talented and beautiful but unfortunately overlooked sibling makes friends with small animals.
Peter Pan
Plot: A lad with elfish good looks thwarts evil at every turn, albeit only in a magical parallel universe.
The Sword in the Stone
Plot: A sweet-faced boy of humble origins is bullied relentlessly.
Robin Hood
Plot: A kindly gang of rapscallions pledge to redistribute wealth in the name of justice.
The Black Cauldron
Plot: Child warriors prevent the forces of evil from obtaining the ultimate weapon—for now.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Plot: An odd-looking, probably delusional man convinces the world that he is decent and trustworthy but not good enough to get what he really wants.
Frozen
Plot: An icy ruler-to-be surrounded by toadies breaks a bunch of rules and asks "What difference at this point does it make?" Ends up winning anyway.
Maybe next week we can talk about Studio Ghibli.