Points of View

"I don't like your point of view.

I can't change minds, so I'll change you."

That's pretty much what's it's all about,

it's just what both sides do.

You say you don't like my opinion.

I think your facts are all pure fiction,

hid behind your bombast diction.

Bogus - quite like you.

We never stop to consider

the verbal barrages we deliver

as nothing more than common litter;

temporary - as the dew.

Words unleashed as deadly arrows

cut just as quickly to the marrow.

It could be "we" who's hurt tomorrow;

take care in what we do.....

Photo of Salton Sea in California.

Fourth of July - Every Picture Tells a Story

Okay- It's the Fourth of July- Independence Day. I'm not going to lecture you on the Patriotic stuff. Not going to wave the flag at you. I'm going to tell you the story of this photo. And maybe even what it means to me.

The photo itself was taken by Michael held, a friend since departed, in 1974 at Penn Station in NYC. These guys didn't know it at the time, and probably aren't aware of it to this very day- but they are one of many reasons I joined the Service a year or so later.

One of the men shown is a "Lifer". That is someone who enlists and stays in for 35 years or so versus someone who does his 4 years and gets out. You can tell by the "hash" marks sewn on the bottom of his sleeve. He is the one smiling and shaking my hand. Vietnam had ceased the year before and these guys were returning home from overseas due to the winding down of the military at the time. Mike and I were in Manhattan that day to get concert tickets, get stoned and just generally play around.

Now in all of Penn Station you would have been hard pressed to find two more divergent looking groups of people. Naturally they were staring at us and vice versa.This led to some good natured bantering along the lines of "Why don't you get a haircut?" to "What have you been doing while we fought for your freedom?"  Our replies were along the lines of- "We just had one" to "Dating your wives."

Now the point of all this is that this photo, to me, represents the America I love and one that has become increasingly rare. One in which we don't have to agree on everything to get along. We just have to get along. The Powers That Be would love to keep us polarized- but it's up to each one of us, as individuals, to back off a bit- tone it down a notch and learn to tolerate one another again. Just like the photo.

We're all different, but really one and the same. E Pluribus Unum. Happy Fourth everyone! Happy Birthday America! And hell, here's that flag...

"Flawless" with Robert DeNiro and Phillip Seymour Hoffman

In "Flawless" Robert DeNiro is out of character as a former cop who lives alone and works as a security guard. He is a bitter and homophobic man. He lives in a flophouse hotel inhabited by whores, transsexuals and drag queens. Phillip Seymour Hoffman plays the Drag Queen. He is also Robert DeNiros' worst nightmare. You might even say they hate one another.

Against the backdrop of a drug rip off gone bad, Robert DeNiro becomes involved in an incident late one night after hearing the violence coming from an apartment upstairs where his despised neighbor lives. In spite of their differences he goes to help, and suffers a stroke while doing so. (He plays the stroke victim to perfection.)

Initially unaccepting of his physical state,he tries to shut out the entire world in a bath of self pity. But his needs, as well as those of Phillip Seymour Hoffman,will not allow it. Through singing lessons by Hoffman to help him regain his speech, DeNiro's character forms an unlikely bond with Hoffman that is tempered by the fallout from both his own stroke as well as the drug rip off which has deeply affected his neighbor, whose friend was killed.

As DeNiro's character struggles through recovery he learns about himself as well as the people he always thought of as friends. His relationship with a woman dance partner also leads DeNiro to discover that love is not what it always seems to be on the surface, and that true love comes in many forms.

This film has a great supporting cast and fantastic direction. The plot is fast and the movie has deep meaning concerning what we each owe one another as fellow human beings; respect.

Pendulums / It's That Time Again

It’s that time, once again, for a short talk about Pendulums and how they work. A pendulum is attached to a fixed point, which, for the purpose of this discussion, we shall label the 12 o’clock, or, “noon” position. The pendulum, when left alone, hangs straight down, in what we shall refer to as the 6 o’clock position. That is the center of its gravity. It is also the beginning point for any deviation which might occur, causing the pendulum to swing to either the left, or right. This is healthy, as that is what pendulums do. They swing, in a predictable arc. But what happens when it swings too far, either to the right, or to the left?

In politics, we have the Pendulum of Democracy, which works best when swinging back and forth, over a period of time, while never exceeding a point further than half way up either side. Think of it as a clock face. When the hour hand goes too far right, passing the 3 o’clock position; or too far left, passing the 9 o’clock position; we are in trouble.
Examine the role of the Pendulum in history. When the Pendulum is straight down, at 6 o’clock, things are going well, though a bit stagnant. Kind of like the 1950’s. When the Pendulum swings to the left there is usually some kind of social change driving that motion. And, when that Pendulum starts to swing too far to the left, the gravity inherent to that situation is usually enough to bring it back to the six o’clock position. The same is true of the Pendulum when it swings too far to the right.

Two great examples of the Pendulum swinging out of control occurred in the 20^th century, and as such, should still be fresh in most people’s minds, if not their memories. The first example is the Russian Revolution, which put the Communists in power for 70 long years, plunging that country into a darkness which overtook all thought and reason. That out of control swing was to the left, and gave us leaders like Joseph Stalin and the millions of deaths at his hands.

The second occurrence was the rise of the Nazi’s to power in Germany. That event also sucked all thought and freedom from the population. It also gave us Adolph Hitler, who; with his out of control swing rightward; also piled up millions of deaths.

So, the question is this; which is best; a swing too far to the right or a swing too far to the left?

The answer, of course, is that neither extreme is healthy.  What is the difference between Stalin and Hitler? A few million bodies is all that separates them.

Are these extreme examples? Not really. Just look back through history and you will see that the Pendulum has been an indicator of freedom for thousands of years. And how does this apply to us, here and now?

This election year will take its usual course, with folks on both sides urging you to support a swing to either the far left, or the far right. They will disguise their intentions; clothed as they are; behind the flag, or the Bible. You will be bombarded with vitriol concerning Gay Marriage Amendments, Abortion, and all manner of other social issues, designed to take your eyes “off the ball”, so to speak. Don’t be fooled.

The issues which concern us most, as a nation, go far beyond those “window dressing” topics. The economy, the wars, the health care debate; these are the real issues. And, as you ponder your beliefs, be sure to think about that Pendulum of Democracy. And remember this; when the Pendulum has swung too far in either direction, you may not be allowed to think at all.

The Conundrum of Tolerance

I wasn’t going to weigh in on this one until my intelligence was insulted by the drivel in the media concerning the recent events surrounding the “Imams” being denied service aboard a major airline. The insult to my "limited" intelligence, having been pre-determined by the media and many of the “knee-jerk” crowd, consists of telling me that I am politically incorrect in showing concern about Muslim clerics aboard a plane. These transgressions are based on “facts”, as reported by the media, and then regurgitated as gospel by those who place such trust in the “news.”

The first thing I’m told is that none of the 9/11 hijackers were dressed in Islamic garb. This is true. And I want you to remember that.

Now, throwing all politically, and apolitically views aside, let us examine the situation concerning tolerance. When I was a boy I frequently went to church with my Dad, and on occasion, with my Aunt and Uncle. I am Jewish and when in the presence of God, or in his house, I am commanded to cover my head in respect to God. But in church, I removed my hat.

When my Dad would go to temple with me, he would, likewise, cover his head, with either a yarmulke, a hat, or on occasion, his hand. So, this is my frame of reference concerning tolerance.

Tolerance doesn’t have anything to do with who’s right or wrong, or what the other fellow’s belief system might be. It all comes down to being sensitive to the feelings of others. That is what should guide us all in our daily actions.

But this latest complication, where Muslim clerics wearing their traditional garments, and through no fault of their own, have the ability to frighten other passengers, is a true conundrum.

Now remember, NONE of the 9/11 hijackers were wearing traditional Islamic dress. This, as I’ve said, is true. They were disguised as one of us. That’s why we get searched.

So, remember, that ALL Islamic’s who dress traditionally are not plotting to kill us. But, by the same token, never forget that the man who sent out the disguised radicals to kill us WAS.

Martin Luther King and "The Dream."

Today is Martin Luther King's birthday. Although the holiday is still mired in controversy, it would be wrong not to note the occassion of his birth with a few words about the man, as well as a few words by the man himself.

Few people in my lifetime have had as profound an affect upon a generation as did Martin Luther King. His personal lifestyle choices aside, this man put himself at great risk, and his family in grave danger, to achieve something lasting for his own people. His work within the system gave birth to some of the most sweeping legislation concerning Civil Rights in 100 years. This is a feat worth noting.

Here is the text of the "I Have Dream Speech", which was delivered in August of 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The text is taken directly from the audio of the speech, which is viewable at the bottom of the page. I hope that, even if you have seen it before, you will watch it again. It is one of the greatest speeches ever made, in defense of any cause.

"I Have A Dream" by Martin Luther King

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.

In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."

But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.

We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.

The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.

We cannot walk alone.

And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.

We cannot turn back.

There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: "For Whites Only." We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."¹

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest -- quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."2

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:

My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,

From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.

And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.

Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.

Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.

Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that:

Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.

From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

Free at last! Free at last!

Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

Below is the video of the the speech. It's well worth watching and really listening to. It is as applicable today as it was in 1963.

The Secret Ballot

When I was a kid people wore campaign lapel buttons which carried the names of the candidates of their choice. This led to some lively political discussions, maybe some harsh words were thrown around, but basically everyone went about their own business and voted without fear of alienation.

Lately, things have changed. The 24/7 news media has turned most folks into political hacks, willing to crash friendships, and even family ties, over issues in which they never will have a direct say to begin with. We all seem to be shilling for the positions of the politicians, sometimes at the expense of civilized discourse. Wouldn’t it be nice to shut off the noise?

It’s still not too late for this election, so let’s try. When you are asked who you’re voting for, say “it’s none of your business.” Or, to be more kind, you can say, “I’m sorry, but in this country we have the secret ballot.” The reactions you get, and the people who object to this the most, will surprise you. They will rage, they will rail against you. Because these types of people, both Left and Right, will never admit that they may be wrong about anything. They cannot countenance a civil discourse on an issue, without the guarantee that their point of view will prevail.

I have lost several friends of long standing recently, due, not to any untimely demise, but to political differences. What a shame it is, that the Powers That Be, can turn us, one against the other, while they continue to carve up the spoils. And what a shame it is, that we do nothing to turn that tide back.

We don’t have to agree. We just have to Vote our individual consciences. And if your side loses, then you have only to accept, for a short period of time, that it may be someone else’s turn. The beauty of the system under which we live is that we get to do it again and again, ideally with everyone getting a turn at the helm. It’s called a Republic, which is a form of Democracy based on the Greater Good, rather than one’s individual desires.

So, as we ramp up to Election Day, remember this, we are only unified by our divisions. Our right to differ is the trait that unites us. Now go quietly forth and Vote.

Newspapers - Forums for Exchange

This is why I love newspapers. Ever since the first one rolled off the press several hundred years ago, people have been exchanging ideas and learning from one another. A large amount of this interaction has taken the form of "Letters to the Editor" - or in the case of the Charlotte Observer, the "Forum."

Last Sunday I read a Letter to the Editor with which I totally disagreed. Sitting down at my computer I tapped out a few words in response. Yesterday morning my letter appeared and I got to have my say. This is what it's all about, an exchange of opinions and ideas. No rancor or disrespect. Just two people differing, yet respecting, one another's opinions.

I called Mr. Kniegge last evening to let him know that while I do not agree with his opinion, I certainly respect it. He was unavailable and I spoke with Mrs. Kniegge. She assured me that they both felt the same way about it. And that was so comforting, to hear a voice of reason while all around us the Powers That Be do their best to pit us against one another. Lincoln said it best, "A house divided cannot stand."

Mr. Kniegge is a rare example of the ability to agree to disagree without rancor. The principles on which this country was founded will remain in force only as long as people like he and I can show tolerance for one another. Even when we disagree. Once again, it's all about respect.