Excerpts From A (now) Uncluttered Mind...

Well, Mom has come through her surgery ok, and appears to be doing quite well, though I think she over did it today.  Still, she should be fine unless somehting unforseen comes up...

It has been a fairly long week, though not as tough as some, but mostly dealing with helping my Mom out while she has been out for surgery.  That was mostly from worry, because I am happy to help family out when they need me... story of my life, to be fair.  Regardless, one gets random thoughts about all the strangeness in this life and it starts to clutter up the noggin some. So, I figured, in lieu of being particularly poignant and/or obtuse (which, regrettably, can happen simultaneously... what's the point of being poignant when no one gets the point... *sigh*), I thought I would clean out some of the mental debris that has been accumulating during this week.  Also, I have a couple of writing projects I have been alternately stalling and starting on (these things happen), and the mere exercise of doing this helps now and then... 

So, some random thoughts but not necessarily random in purpose...

So, am I going to see some of that 170 million spent on the 'national celebration'?  If not, why wasn't I invited? (and it's not a question of whether I would go or not, it's the principle of the thing :)

Though it's rather cold, ice cream sounds good at the moment.

Since the new president is freezing White House staffer's salaries of over 100,000, does that mean he is taking the job pro bono(since his salary is around a quarter of a million a year)? And what if you were making 98,000... do you get the shaft, or would you be one of those real troopers and take the hit for the good of the nation?

I think Congress should follow the White House's lead... most of them don't need the money either.  If they all did it, in a couple of years we could just pay off the inauguration :)

Why is it ok to take back all the wonderful things we say in love, but it is never possible to take back some of the horrible things we might say in anger... I might argue the sting from the words in love can be worse.  How arrogant we are in the passion of love. (note: guilty as charged, and if you think you are not... then you have never been in love)

We are all responsible for the mess we have created... I wonder if the stain on our souls can ever be cleansed.

I really hope the Steelers don't get a 6th Super Bowl ring... Steelers fans are bad enough... yes, I know, so are Cowboys fans, but I am not one of those Cowboys fans.

I need to be back on a beach...

(Am I the only person that thinks in parantheticals?)

Strange, I really know what it is like to be a pebble trying to stop an avalanche... worse, when you see it so clearly, and you know what is going to happen and have no way of stopping it... feeling powerless against the tide of history is a relatively normal occurrence for me.

The saying goes, 'you are only as old as you feel'... today, I don't know how old, or young I feel... but, I was always old, sooo...

Hmmm.... still a little cluttered, but less so than this morning.  It's a start...

C.

Discourse, Dialogues and Discussions

When I start traveling again in the next couple of weeks, (or even when I am traveling here in the US) I am always keen to hear the words of others as it relates to the rest of the world. It sort of gives me an idea how well-informed we are these days. Some times I feel we are too well-informed. As the saying goes, ignorance is bliss. Regardless, I find most of the discussions to be lively and enlightening, and I suspect I will hear no end of the upcoming election, especially since I hear Kiwis are even more politically minded than Aussies (who, strangely, I visited in 2 other election years... '92 and '04... weird). Just as well, I suppose. I am not so much concerned these days with the election as I am the return to the world stage of Mother Russia, and not in a feel-good way either. Plus ca change...

At the outset of the new millennium, I had hoped for something better. From a technology point of view, I have been moderately pleased, though I see technology rampaging out of control. Of course, that could just be a result of reading too many books on technology rampaging out of control... or, I could be right... I was right about Russia, but then the nut finds a squirrel every now and then. The world simply pains me. We have so much potential, but it is squandered on petty bickering, outdated revolutionary dogma and their associated organizations, fanatical belief systems that have only caused more bloodshed, unabashed greed and lust for power, sex, drugs, money... etc. It makes one wonder who the animals of the world really are... For all our potential good, the flip side of that coin mars us... sometimes through choice, other times through chance. I hope that I can see more of that good in others as I wander throughout this world again. I admit, it is easy to see in a person, or a few people. And perhaps my quibble is with the powers and principalities of this world, or those that command the loyalties of fanatical murderers, or even those that feel one death is justified by the ends. Of course, my points are hardly pragmatic. I understand. And I know I have a long way to go myself, but ultimately, that is what dialogue and discussion is for... so we can all understand, even if, especially if, the rest of the world cannot.

C.

The Ever Popular Blame Game

I commented in the introduction to a poem once, 'We are all to blame for the world we have created' ('Kingdom of the Blind' for those that wish a reference). Of course, some are more to blame than others, since their job seems to be to deflect all responsibility toward others and not themselves. The worst offenders are, to my jaded eyes at least:

1) Hollywood: They manufacture 'entertainment' (some of it good) and raise otherwise troubled people (actors) to the level of small gods, and never accept responsibility for their conduct and perception they give off to the world. But they will buy you off if they can, especially if it is the crisis du jour or ribbon of the month.

2) Media: They create the news that is fit to print or report without clue or fact, instead reporting 'good facts' and making them sound like 'true facts' (Babylon 5 fans should get that reference :) Indeed, it is the modern world of parasitic journalism that skews perceptions so badly that one cannot even stomach watching, reading or listening to these modern courtiers begging for the leftover favors from kings.

3) Advertising Executives: What? They are only the messengers, proving to the world what really sells and what we really want to be sold. I mean, who wouldn't want a body spray that will cause dozens of hot women to assault you randomly on the street, in grocery stores, or secluded island locales? And they would still sell tobacco on the air if they could... heck, they would sell nukes for air time if it were legal. Me, I would rather have the nuke than body spray, but I am a war-mongering apocalyptic that way :)

4) People: We're idiots to consume all the hype we are fed, and we just love to watch it all fall apart. The average person would rather sit around and watch the latest celebrity scandal, 'Lost' (admittedly a good show at times), 'Grey's Anatomy', 'Desperate Housewives' (hmm, maybe ABC is to blame), 'Surviving Dancing With Surreal American Road Rage Real World White Rapper OC Idol'... and live coverage of people dying than face reality. Escapism, thou art our altar upon we prostrate ourselves... and I am as much to blame too. I would rather roll dice or write or game... anything but listen to the drone and buzz of what we have created.

Needless to say, some of this was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, but far too much of it is sad and true. Call it a little of both and take it as what you will, and perhaps a preview of things to come (a very, very distilled version of some essays/writing for the future).

C.

btw, I failed purposely to include governments... I didn't want to be too obvious :)

Australia Day

I wanted to wish my Aussie readers a Happy Australia Day whether they consider it 'Invasion' day or not :) I am sure they would wish me the best on the Fourth of July as well. Besides, most holidays these days are not that jingoistic anymore. It is all about food, alcohol, flirting, and forgetting about the government as much as possible.

But, in honor of the idea of patriotism, I leave you with some conflicting ideas about the subject from a bunch of dead people:

'Some claim a place in the list of patriots, by an acrimonious and unremitting opposition to the court. This mark is by no means infallible. Patriotism is not necessarily included in rebellion. A man may hate his king, yet not love his country.' -- Samuel Johnson

'He that accepts protection, stipulates obedience. We have always protected the Americans; we may, therefore, subject them to government.' -- Ibid.

'Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.' -- Also Ibid.

''My country, right or wrong'' is a thing no patriot would ever think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying "My mother, drunk or sober.'' -- G.K. Chesterton (who also knows the mysteries of poetry and cheese :)

'Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first.' -- General Charles de Gaulle (crazy, De Gaulle saying something interesting)

'The notion that a radical is one who hates his country is naïve and usually idiotic. He is, more likely, one who likes his country more than the rest of us, and is thus more disturbed than the rest of us when he sees it debauched. He is not a bad citizen turning to crime; he is a good citizen driven to despair.' -- H.L. Mencken

Last one:

'Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.' -- George Washington

While intentionally tongue-in-cheek, the main idea is that even those who might be considered authorities on the subject have different ideas on what patriotism was and is. Personally, I do not mind some flag waving now and then (though I am not a fan of 'God Bless America' at ballgames), but I am hardly a jingoistic nationalist crying 'America, love it or leave it you commie pinko swine' (or perhaps something less Cold War). I do think of the concept of patriotism embedded in human consciousness frequently, but when it comes to holidays, I would rather kick back with a beer or a vodka and cranberry juice (Cape Cod) and grill the carcass of a dead animal with some friends and family.

In any event, have a great day however you decide to spend it.

C.

No Return

When going through and labeling my posts, I was sort of surprised I had not added this particular piece, written after one of the many bombings and conflicts between Palestine and Israel, a conflict that, territorially, has been going on since the 9th century BCE (the idea that the Israelites 'conquered' Canaan is lacking in concrete proof) when various kingdoms and empires decided to wrestle over the region. Still, my inspiration was more recent events and those events have inspired too much for my taste. I could also write something about the hope that justice might take the place of vengeance, but I am tired of sounded like a broken record in that regard.

'No Return'

From stones and swords,
To bombs and tanks,
The result is always the same.
Neither side accepting the blame,
For the madness they have unleashed
Upon their fragile domains.

By foot and by horse,
And by car and by plane,
The message they send remains.
Both sides unable to hear
The voices of their God,
Listening instead to the cries of rage.

Because of fear and anger,
Blood and hatred remains.
The result will still be the same,
Neither side giving in,
Until no one is left alive
To inhabit their fragile domains.

C.

The Fall of Night

Ok, so I lied about posting before the weekend... still, I encourage anyone brave enough to read the prior story/posts (as well as anything else of course :) Later this weekend, I should have another terribly long story posted, so you have so much to look forward to...

I have been reading a lot about politicizing fiction, particularly science fiction, and the debates that have resulted. For my part, I am politically moderate but understand that many of my readers are not and many that I read are not. I also see a lot of politics entwined with religion, particularly extremism and how it relates to 9/11 and beyond. My position, then as now, was that things were going to end badly, no matter what because nations have not generally learned that vengeance is not the same as justice. I think I have made that pretty clear in the past in my posts Reckonings and Ruin, and in other pieces I have yet to post. On the other hand, I am not so naive to think that war is sometimes necessary...

So, I am posting the following piece, written just after 9/11 (I think the day after) which, more than five years later, at times feels as if I have just written it. Then, as now, I did not see an end in sight...

'The Fall of Night'

I watched the fall of Night
Image after image hammering into me;
No horror, no fear, only sorrow...
For I knew what had to be.

I listened to speeches under the cover of Night
Word after word pounding my head;
As the anger, the madness, the pain...
Filled my heart with dread.

I awoke in the middle of the Night
Dream after dream piercing my soul;
Seeing the rhetoric, the resolve, the retribution...
Drive us into a war we have never known.

I sat and waited for Night to end
Knowing full well that it should;
As the fear, the horror, the pain mounted...
I wondered if it ever would.

C.

Tulsa or Somalia?

I might be a little off on politics and geography, but how does one compare Somalia to Tulsa and say Tulsa is worse? I was rummaging through another board on a game I play (Nation States to be specific) and a question was asked 'Why is the US so afraid?' Most of the post was typical anti-US and anti-European stabs at each other and therefore had less reason and more emotion. Further into the thread, someone makes this post:

True story: Conversation I overheard on a Boston subway train among two American college students and a student from Somalia. That's Somalia, people. The Somalian guy was telling them about a cultural studies trip across the US that his exchange class from Somalia had taken.

Somalian Guy: So we ended up in Tulsa [OK].

Americans: TULSA! What the hell were you doing there?

Somalian Guy: I don't know, but I will never go back there. There was nothing in that place. And the country around it, it was so poor. We were driving on a road made of dirt, and it went nowhere.

One American: What did you learn about the US in Somalia? Did you think we didn't have rural areas, that it was all urban and built-up?

Somalian Guy: No, we knew there were rural areas, but we had no idea it was that bad.

Yep, that's the view from Somalia, folks.

Since this is my blog, I can be a little more critical: What?! Look, Oklahoma may be seen as backward at times by the rest of the nation (and especially us Texans), but nothing in Oklahoma compares to Somalia... anyway, what follows is my response to this lunacy and my response to the American fraidy-cat image:

Are we talking the same Somalia that was nearly starved to death in the early '90's? Also the same country that was so completely ravaged by civil war that the UN and the US had to intervene? (at times poorly I might add, but hamstrung by rules of engagement).

I doubt Somalia and Mogadishu have anything on Tulsa... seriously. I may laugh at my Oklahoma neighbors for being a little rustic at times, but nowhere in Oklahoma do I have to worry about fighting a local warlord for a scrap of bread. And yes, the GDP in OK is lower than say, Texas, but higher than every nation in Africa by a fair margin. Clearly, the Somalian was embellishing a bit.

As far as the main point, we live in a perpetual state of fear propagated by a media that is bent on creating more viewership by turning the smallest issue into a full blown end of the world crisis. Now, trans fats are being attacked as bad for you. Outside of nutritionists, who knew what a trans fat was 10-15 years ago? The media latches on to one thing, what sells. We have no national outlet for news therefore the competing interests and sometimes 'good facts' as opposed to 'true facts' of the media, meaning taking a partial truth or partial lie and spinning it as completely true. The fear is created by laziness as most of us do not have the will or want to catch up on real news, and what then is real news? Bias creeps into everything that is said and done, and we are all affected by it. If I were to say I was unbiased on an issue, I would be lying. I may not care, but that in itself is a bias toward ignorance. Apathy is as dangerous as ignorance, and history, most of the time, has borne that out.

C.

Five Questions

Just a little Q and A with myself, questions I wonder about, think about, most times not aloud, lest I get accused of a variety of PC crimes... :)

Seriously, most of these are simply lame, but some are hard questions one must ask about motives and methods of those around us, how history has affected us, and how the machine of politics and media distorts our perceptions. Some are even obvious questions with some obvious, or not so obvious answers.

1) Is cultural imperialism(or social imperialism) better or worse than actual imperialism? Let's beat them with Coke and McDonalds (or democracy) instead of conquering them, or for the anti-American crowd, let's just out breed them (ah, no stopping demographics. The US and New Zealand are the only Western nations with a sustainable birth rate at the present time).

2) Should not the 'holiday' spirit be the 'year-round' spirit? Or does being a hypocrite for only 2 months of the year make you feel better about the other 10? Needless to say, I question this every year, and get no easy answers. Some people are extraordinarily generous year round, some or not. Sometimes it is financial, other times it what is expected of them. Me, I help when I can if I can, holidays aside. I just like the holidays for the extra time to spend with family and then there's the food :)

3) Would Jesus approve of Christmas? Clearly, he might not approve of what Christmas has become. But as for remembering his birth, the Jesus of History would certainly be confused since he probably expected the Kingdom of God to be at hand before his death as he was an Apocalyptic Messianic Jew... though as a Messianic Jew he might like the idea of being remembered. As for the Jesus of Faith, I am sure he would approve of the 'spirit', but would probably like it to be year round.

4) Should the media be blamed for the perception of the problems in the world? Certainly a loaded question, for I think the media has its agenda (all media outlets want their papers to be sold, their programs to be watched and listened to, so this is perhaps obvious) and wants to press it. Anyone who reads the NY Times, The Washington Post, or even The Dallas Morning News knows this. Conversely, if you watch Fox news and MSNBC, agendas are easy to read. Now, strange thing, Fox sports is sponsored by MSN, though their news outlets are diametrically opposed... never could figure that out. So, we can blame them for perception, but we have only ourselves to blame if we cannot read between the lines and understand bias and perception in the mixed up world of media.

5) Why do celebrities get accorded the status of 'celebrity' and why should we care? I think it is something that we lack in self confidence that we have to give credence to those who can do certain things better than us whether it be act, play sports, or give speeches. I mean that generally, for there are those like myself that simply give nary a care to the concept of celebrity. Now, I do respect certain actors and athletes for their work on film, stage, or on the field, but I care little about what happens in off time. And I certainly do not like hearing about it on the news, but such is the way of modern society.

Just some odd points to ponder that might or might not make sense and an example of the random things I think about during the day.

C.

Offensesensitivity

If you have read the comic strip 'Bloom County', you might remember this phrase uttered by one of the greatest comic characters ever, Opus the Penguin. It occurs in a Sunday strip from the early 80's if I recall. Since I have been unable to find it on the web without a paying subscription to a comic site, at least without digging a bit deeper, but it is a Friday night and I have other things to do... um, sort of. Anyway, the gist of it is a bunch of people complaining about being offended about various phrases that might be construed as 'sensitive'. In the end, the bemused Opus, amid a bunch of offended people taking offense, Opus simply proclaims in a calm demeanor, 'Offensesensitivity'. Indeed, this strip was printed before the term 'Political Correctness' was even a glint in the eye of the offensible, or for that matter, offensive. When I was nine, I found that funny, now I find it prophetic, ironic, and still funny, but I always found 'Bloom County' to be at times charming, warm, political, prophetic, sensitive and insensitive all at once, and at age nine I thought the art was pretty cool and it had a bunch of cool animals that loved to pretend they were the crew of 'Star Trek'... (photon flippers and such things :)

So, my whimsical example aside, I wonder if we are less or more sensitive than in say, the early part of the 1980's, before the world of political correctness and revisionist Disney history descended upon our not so tranquil world. The current generation probably cannot remember a time without that phrase in their vocabulary. Of course, few of the Internet generation remember a time when computers were rather utilitarian and gaming was the purview of arcades (such places are getting fewer and fewer). Maybe the world needs more penguins with a sense of humor... oh wait, Opus is still around. Some good things do not end after all.

Hmm.. what started as a possible diatribe on how we might be a little too sensitive these days has turned into a flight of whimsy and retrograde naivety... must be the holidays, or maybe another memory of holidays past.

Have a great weekend everyone.

C.

Do You Remember Freedom?

The whole idea of the word freedom is an interesting concept, one that I think is misunderstood at times. For some, they believe they can do anything they want regardless of the consequences. For others, they realize the gravity and responsibility of the word. Like all things, freedom comes with a price, and ours has been the sacrifices of others for us to enjoy so many privileges that are taken for granted (and I am certainly not blameless here either). Doing what I am doing right now is the result of events set in motion by those who have sacrificed for freedom. Still, it is easy to give up freedom in exchange for other things: security, comfort, employment. It has been done, and will be done again. This is the cold example of history. History also reveals that while we believe we are all born free and have the right to be free, for the majority of our minuscule existence, this was not so. Freedom is a new concept, temporally speaking, and one wonders sometimes, when my words mean so little in ages hence, if we will, or have the right to, remember.

What follows is almost a commentary wrapped in a poem, or some slightly poetic prose that is a bit of a departure in style, perhaps more free verse than I am accustomed, and certainly a lot more sarcastic than normal. I wrote it not too long ago, but many it existed in a conceptual (meaning raw) form some years earlier

'Freedom'

At least I'm free...

Ever feel as if you're caught between right and wrong?
Or is it right and left...
The fencepost hurts.
A third way, not the way...
Republican, Democrat the only... Green!
Republican, Democrat the only way.
But it's a democracy!
Well, no. A federated republic actually.
Tired of feeling compelled to make a choice
When no choice will do?
Story of the world...
At least we have a choice at all.

At least I'm free...

Ever feel like you can't say what's on your mind?
Who to offend... why to offend...
Time to get sued!
But the First Amendment protects...
Stop it or I'll sue!
I did not harass, just said hello
That's it I'll sue!
Wonder if it is all worth it
With the power of judicial review
Judicial what? *sigh*
Want my freedom of speech!
At least if they don't sue.

At least I'm free...

Ever feel the need to question these ridiculous acts?
Is it unconstitutional, unpatriotic, treasonous
To demand removal
Of damnable laws and homeland threats?
But we need to be protected!
At what cost?
How many lives is your freedom worth?
Tired of wondering who is watching you
In those private, quiet moments...
I want freedom to live my life,
Something new in this world.

At least I'm free...

Ever feel if you're caught between right and wrong?
Knowing what you must do.
Wanting to defend the greatness of a country
From the arrogant few
Who seek more power to corrupt
To destroy... to limit freedom.
What will be the cost?
To make this place great again
What can we do?
Wonder if the struggle is worth it
With Big Brother poised to strike
Want to live free or... what?
Just want to live my life.

Hey, at least I'm free...

In two hundred years we'll all be dead...
All our words forgotten.
What, then will endure?
Perhaps a lament...
Do you remember when we were free?

C.

Reckonings

As I promised in a couple of posts prior, some malaise-filled political poetry (not really war poems as they do not discuss war per se). The following two poems are a result of my thinking the world is headed for a reckoning, whether soon, or in the near or distant future. The time is irrelevant, for it will happen. A bloodthirsty race like our own is only meant to destroy itself unless a change is effected. Unfortunately, history has shown we are unable to effect change, hence my thoughts on this reckoning. And as someone who has studied history, I understand the need for justice, and sometimes, the need for revenge; however, because I understand it does not necessarily mean I condone it. My pragmatic side sees the historical necessity, my more human side has to comment on it. Both poems ask the questions: Where does justice end and revenge begin, and who will be left after vengeance is satisfied?

'One'

One.
Is that enough?
It should be.
Ten.
Do you require another?
One Hundred.
Perhaps a little more blood?
One Thousand.
Shall I start digging the graves?
Ten Thousand.
What must the price be?
One hundred thousand.
Will there be a reckoning?
One million.
Should we stop now?
Ten million.
When shall we reach an end?
One hundred million.
Can you still count the graves?
One billion... more.
Is that enough?
It has to be.
We are all in our graves.

'Zero Sum'

They wait for justice's balancing scale.
Expectant yet patient,
Perhaps even confidently assured...
Though the answer would make one wonder.

Scars run deep upon a troubled world.
Bitter and prideful,
Certain in their judgment...
Hearing only cries which burden their shame.

We pay service to advice unheeded.
Polite but arrogant,
Set in unalterable ways...
Moving toward our righteous end.

A troubled world tires of such strife.
Though expectant and patient,
Most certainly and confidently assured,
The answer... makes perfect sense
To those who balance the scales.

C.

Complicity

I had been thinking about this over the elections and always wonder how much a difference these elections make in the face of the complicity of our times. I find it is a close cousin to duplicity and apathy, perhaps closer to apathy though I have read about plenty of duplicitous complicity in many histories. Of course, if you stay quiet due to apathy, is it the same as being a willing participant? Just as important (at least to me I guess), are you the person that is willing to sacrifice some (or even one) for the sake of many, and to that end, willingly do wrong for this good? Or does it give you pause? No matter the outcome, I should think that it would give anyone pause, yet it does not. That much is apparent in the past, present, and likely the future. Now I understand that most of us do not have to face such decisions and questions, at least on that scale. But the little things matter as scale is only as important as we feel it needs to be. So to those not really involved in world changing decisions (I might digress that every decision, no matter how small shapes our world, but I guess that is a discussion for another time), apathy, selfishness and duplicity are what actions that may, or may not matter.

In the end, I see history and the present day as rife with those who do nothing when they could do more... so, can I do more? Can you do more, and do you want to? I suppose the question remains, what can I do? Sometimes it might be as little as voting, or it can be extending a hand to those in need, simply saying 'let me help'. While we might make far reaching changes initially, it is possible that those we help might change the world, or simply the idea of right action fosters more change. My optimistic side would agree to such a premise while my pragmatic side understands the necessity of doing a little evil for greater good. And sometimes being complicit, not saying anything, has resulted in a greater good though the actual decision to do so might have been innately wrong.

I end with a strange question, but one that I ask all to consider (and I will illustrate it further in the next post), is doing right, being honest, always the right thing? Or is it ok to be complicit and let things happen, simply saying it is not my problem? To me, the latter dominates us, and it is harder to simply be the good people I know we can be. (if, of course, you feel that we are innately good... I certainly want us to be innately good :)

Decisions '06

No early returns yet, and probably not for some time, but that is ok. Other friends have already blogged about Election day and that you should go out and vote and they have said it far better than I could have. Here in Dallas, it is a lovely day and weather should not stop you from going out and enjoying the privilege and honor of voting. I think tonight will be interesting. I hope Friedman will prevail in the gubernatorial elections, but I think Perry has the edge in the end. Who knows? In Minnesota, Ventura was thought to not have a chance, and yet he won as an Independent. The returns will tell and let's hope we do not have any glitches with all the new electronic voting machines being used this year.

C.

An Echo

Sometimes you just have to write without thinking, only listening to the voice of your heart, and the voices of those who cannot speak.

'Echos'

Can I still hope?

Hands reaching to others
Smiling laughing caring
Gentle words...
Simple endearments...
An echo from a millenia gone.

Can I even see?

Sentiments lost amid posturing
Sneering biting unmoving
Harsh doublespeak...
Empty platitudes...
A spin of a sound infecting today.

Will it even matter?

Shadows occluding the numbers
Bleeding burning gone
Feigned indignance...
Shifting all blame...
A ruin of what has been
And may ever be.

Can anyone see?

C.

Migration and Election Factors

I originally thought about discussing the problems with migration and immigration in the United States (and the particularly strange laws about to be passed in one of the suburbs locally that will make it nearly impossible for an illegal immigrant to live or work in the suburb), but after a thinking about things on my trip back from Wal-Mart (the new melting pots in America), I thought I would ease off the immigration issue some and discuss the coming elections here in Texas, for that is my perspective; however, the heart of the matter is voting in general and how we ignore it, or do not.

First off, I was strangely comforted by the fact that as I drove off in the parking lot of my local Wal-Mart, I heard several languages being spoken, primarily Spanish, as this Wal-Mart resides in a part of Irving that is predominately Hispanic. Most of the time I do not care, as I am not wasting much gas in getting to this Wal-Mart. At first, I thought of the large numbers of probably illegals just in the parking lot alone, but then reminded myself we are a nation of illegals in many ways, as I am sure my Native American cousins (I'm around 40 percent Cherokee... I know it does not show) would agree. Still, I welcome most immigrants, but I would like for them to at least try and become residents and citizens. It can be done... I have two neighbors who have done it (and ironically, they somewhat turn their noses down to illegals who don't make an effort to become citizens), and know others who have. I understand that it can be terribly frustrating for them, but if they truly want the best for them and their families, should they not attempt to become citizens of the country that they effectively call home? I know I would, even with language and/or cultural barriers. How does this relate to voting, one might ask? Aside from the citizenship issue, I'm not sure. I do get tangential some times and wish to discuss a couple of subjects at once. This is one of those times, so do bear with me.

The thought process then led to the current elections and voting and how I have discussed with many an individual the responsibilities of good citizenship in this country. Primarily, if you can vote, do. To me, this gives you the right to voice your concerns. Yes, I know the electoral process is antiquated to say the least. I actually prefer the proportional electorate, similar to the German system where if a candidate wins 43% of the vote, they get 43% of the electoral vote... crazy, I know. Colorado tried to pass such a measure in '04, but failed. Anyway, I have had plenty of political discussions regarding our leaders and government, and I would take the time to ask if said person voted. More often than not, the response was no. I would then quickly end the discussion, for I feel if you do not take the time to vote, to participate in the electoral process (for good or ill), then you really have no cause to complain. Voting is incredibly easy these days. If you do not vote and have the ability to, then I think you demean your own citizenship and those who have fought and died for that right to vote. Again, simply my thought on the matter.

Oh, btw, for those of you that endured the Ventura years in Minnesota, an Independent might win in Texas, whether it is the Grandma or Kinky remains to be seen. Alas, Rick Perry will probably win thanks to these two, but I would not mind seeing something different here. (Oh, and for those of you that only know Texas' recent political history, Texas has always been traditionally a Democratic state. Only in recent years has it become overwhelmingly Republican).

One final attempt at waxing anecdotal and I will leave you good people: When I voted, the city of Euless was using a prototype electronic voting system, since the country is supposed to be all electronic by the '08 elections. I was slightly amused since I had just seen Man of the Year (if you have seen it, then you understand my amusement). When I pointed out my amusement to the voting officials, they were less amused.

C.

Ruin

This poem is a continuation of the previous post, but it is not truly necessary to read the one to understand the other (though, obviously, I would encourage it :). I actually wrote this piece right after the Passover bombings in Israel in 2002... and considering how things have gone since then, not much has changed.

'Ruin'

One more death...
A sacrifice on the altars of hate.
More blood upon the hands of the world,
Another death will be enough.

What is one more death...
To avenge the honor of nations
To quell the cries of anguished souls?
A life is extinguished,
Is their death enough?

Trapped in a circle of death...
Altars stained by the sacrifice of blood.
A world cannot suffer so many tears.
Eventually,
One more death will be enough.

Our world is a ruin...
Led by those who believe a death will be enough.

C.

The Kingdom Of The Blind

The original intro for this piece (on another writing site) read 'We are all to blame for the world we have created...'. When you continue to do 'the necessary thing' instead of 'the right thing', sometimes, tomorrow may never come.

'The Kingdom of the Blind'

In the morrow, we die.

We do what must be done.
Right and wrong made irrelevant,
Drowned in the seas of our blood.
We are beyond even vengeance;
Only victory remains.

When they die, we will not care.

What is done is done.
Their lives made irrelevant,
Crushed by the force or our will.
We are beyond even redemption;
Only the end remains.

In the morrow, they will die.

They do what must be done.
We made right and wrong irrelevant,
Fueled by the fires of our cause.
We are beyond even life;
Only death remains.

The morrow, it will not come;
For we are already dead.

C.

No Easy Answers

I always seem to be in a conundrum about something. Most of the time, it is rather mundane, simply deciding what I might eat this evening, or what book I might read before I go to sleep. Other times, it is more serious, and I suppose this evening would be one of those nights. I wonder often about our ability to know right from wrong, what makes us an ethical person, what drives us to slaughter in the name of well... anything. I want to ask these hard questions, and I know in the end, no easy answers come to me. Of course, I think many of use who do ask these questions find an answer, but find it is either too idealistic in one extreme, or too pragmatic in the other. Most compromise answers tend to enrage either side and can leave one no better, sometimes worse, than before.

So it is with me. I understand that war can be a necessary evil, but I am certainly against it in principle. I understand that every nation has the right to defend itself from harm, but where does defense end and theology (or ideology) begin? (or vice versa, perhaps) We have seen the rise of sectarian violence in recent weeks, months and years in many parts of the world, but it has been with us so long as people have been deciding Baal was better than Elohim or that Isis was far cooler than Ishtar or Astarte. Indeed, killing each other is humanity's number one or two favorite pastime, depending on who you ask (sex being the other). And for what? Well, far too many things to get into, but we all have our favorites: god, country, passion, fun, money or all of the above. Does it really matter why we kill? To me, it should only matter that we do; however, my own passions and patriotism have gotten the better of me, and while my idealism says 'stop', my pragmatism tells me 'they have it coming'. Maybe they do, or maybe, as Clint Eastwood puts it so pointedly in Unforgiven: 'Kid, we all have it coming.' I would rather not endorse that thought, yet because I am an American, do I deserve death as much as anyone else does?

I always liked to think we were born with the ability to determine right from wrong, that we did not need a holy ethics professor to tell us what should be inherent in our nature. Unfortunately, as I see more and more degradations in whatever name we choose to invoke, I find this is not the case. I suppose I should know better. I have read enough history to confirm my questions, to give me the answers. I suppose I simply do not like them.

One day, I suspect there will be a reckoning for all that we have done, in this life or some other. I hope it is not so. I would like to think we could reach out to the stars and create a destiny beyond this small world. Until the killing stops, until our bloodlust and zealotry is satiated, this world will be all we know.

C.