Barry Manilow - Hits 2022 Tour, Philadelphia

And so, it came to pass, 8/14/2022… 

My wife and I are both longtime fans of Barry Manilow. We had his LPs growing up – as a matter of fact, the first album I ever bought was a Barry Manilow album, One Voice. A few months back I was able to procure two tickets (section 102, seats 7 & 8) to see Barry in Philadelphia. The day came and we started to balk. We did some hemming and hawing, but we went to see Barry Manilow on 8/14/22 for the Manilow: Hits 2022 tour. The hemming and hawing were not because we don’t love him or his music, no; we were concerned over the ravages of time. We did not want to behold a cherished singer from both our pasts not be able to do what he did so well – sing the truth from his heart. It would have been a stark reminder of the toll the passage takes – of what was and is now diminished or even gone.

Well, that is not living in the moment, is it? No. We are given only so many of them and we must make them count for something while we are here. We went and beheld a 79-year-old Barry Manilow knock us dead. What a GREAT SHOW! There he stood on stage at the Wells Fargo Center in all of his modest glory performing the songs that we know so well, and he was so good. Hearing those songs, sung by Barry, and sung so wonderfully, defied time. His performance declared, we are still here and we have a voice. So use that voice. He celebrated all the moments from the 70’s to now and we celebrated them along with him.

Here is the set list…

1. It’s a Miracle
2. Can’t Smile Without You
3. Looks Like We Made It
4. Brooklyn Blues (w/ Dave Koz – who opened the show)
5. This One’s for You
6. Daybreak
7. Even Now
8. The Old Songs / Ships / Ready to Take a Chance Again
9. Tryin’ to Get the Feeling Again
10. Weekend in New England
11. Let’s Hang On
12. All the Time
13. Could it Be Magic
14. I Made It Through the Rain
15. Mandy / Could It Be Magic
16. I Write the Songs
Encore:
17. Copacabana
18. It’s a Miracle (Reprise)
Encore 2:
19. Old Friends
20. Once Before I Go

I’ve seen a few shows in my time but this one touched me. There were moments that brought tears to my eyes. I’m a softy and the tides of time and of nostalgia rose over their banks. He told a story of his grandfather recognizing that a 4-year-old Barry was musically inclined taking him to Brooklyn every Saturday to record his voice in a sound booth designed to cut records that could be taken home to play. There were pictures and samples from one of the actual recordings. He told of how years later – the first time that he played Carnegie Hall, how his grandfather led the standing ovation when he came on stage and how he kept standing and clapping when everyone else started to sit down. He said, “I think of him every single time I play…” and then he started This One’s for You. There were tears.

With, Could It Be Magic he did a duet with himself from 1974 via archive footage. Yes, it was magical.

Within this bag is glow stick that was handed out to everyone upon entry, one of the streamers that blew out into the audience at the end of the show, and, of course, this write up.

Thank you for defying time and reminding us that we are still here, we must appreciate the moments we have, and that we are – still after all these years able to hear that one voice singing in the darkness.

For a life’s worth of memories, songs, and feelings, thank you, Mr. Manilow. 

Rehumanize Yourself

We are an angry nation.

Why is this so?

One could write several doctoral dissertations on the topic of how humanity coped or did not cope during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Most recently, I am reminded of a tweet that I saw and saved for posterity a few days ago on 8/26. Josh Moon said…

“One thing that about this pandemic that I’ll remember forever is the way many people got irrationally angry at people who were trying to help them. Angry at scientists. Angry at teachers. Angry at doctors. Angry at anyone who told them helpful info they didn’t want to hear.”

He is not wrong. This underlying anger, fueled by fear and hate, serves the darkest angles of our natures. The anger, fear, and hatred are real. These emotions need to be acknowledged. Emotions are a natural, human response; we all have them. It is, however, what we do with them that defines us. Is our reason swept away, robbed from us by serving some mob mentality? Or do we ask ourselves the deceptively simple question, “Why?” We, as thinking, rational human beings must search ourselves and ask the hard questions, why am I angry? Why does what I do not understand frighten me? Why do I hate?

If we can examine ourselves, if we can be honest with ourselves, and if we can reason for ourselves, then we can channel these negative emotional responses into something better – something positive. This takes an act of will, an act of humanity on the part of each of us. Do we join the unthinking mob, or do we join humanity and ask ourselves the hard question of “Why?”

We need a mass re-humanization, sooner rather than later. As human beings, we have the capacity to be so much more than what we are. The capacity to look beyond ourselves, beyond our own needs & desires – to look and see how we can lift others up instead of tearing them down, to help instead of hinder, to do what is right for everyone and not simply for ourselves.

Here, in the United States, our humanity has been compromised by politics. The simple act of wearing a mask and getting a vaccination to help stop a world-wide pandemic that has claimed over 4.5 million lives – 637,280 of them right here in the United States – is questioned by those who have chosen the whims of the mob over betterment of humanity.

Those who cry, “My body, my choice!” I hope you remember that phrase when it doesn’t only apply to your own situation – your own ‘needs’. I’ve seen some ugliness from people who have only been thinking of themselves for the last year and a half – we all have. Today, you could make that choice to rejoin humanity and do what is best for all, instead of acting or not acting out of selfishness due to anger, fear, and hate.  The excuses only go so far - the vast majority of them have no footing in reason.

It is past time to grow up.

It is not a political issue. It is a public health issue.

The Delta variant is filling hospital beds, taking such beds away from others who need them. Vaccinating would ease this pressure. It would be good for you, good for them, good for everyone. The mob destroys, humanity builds.

It is time to build.

Rehumanize Yourself.

"It Belongs in a Museum"

“Archeology is our religion, yet we have fallen from the pure faith. Our methods have not differed as much as you pretend. I am but a shadowy reflection of you. It would take only a nudge to make you like me. To push you out of the light." – Rene Belloq

Belloq said that to Henry “Indiana” Jones Jr. FORTY years ago today. “Raiders of the Lost Ark” is one of my all-time favorite films. The prequel and the sequels are fun (although Crystal Skull has some…issues), but there will never be another, Raiders. I remember begging my family to see it. My dad relented and 40 years ago cinematic history blew me away.

This original movie poster hangs in an undisclosed location – somewhere in the bowels of New Jersey…

Principal photography for Indy 5 started earlier this week in Northumberland, UK. The working theory is this one takes place in the sixties. The fifth installment is being directed by James Mangold and not Steven Spielberg. Mangold directed “Cop Land”, “Walk the Line”, and “Logan” – he is Indy worthy. I’m rooting for this project – Indy deserves an excellent closing act.

Harrison Ford will be 80 years-old when part 5 is released. I hope that they play to the character’s age – Indy’s is supposed to be 37 in Raiders, 39 when he and his father thwart the Nazis in “The Last Crusade”, and 58 in “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”, which takes place in 1957. Using this as a baseline, Indy is going to be in his sixties in the sixties. Not only do I hope they play to his age, but I also further hope they remember that Dr. Jones must lose an eye (as per, “Young Indiana Jones Chronicles”). Continuity matters.

It turns out that Harrison is, at this moment in time, 78 years old. George Hall, the actor above who played a 90 + year old Indiana Jones, was 74 when he shot his bookend scenes for “Young Indiana Jones Chronicles”.

However, it pans out, “It’s not the years, it’s the mileage.” Raiders is in my top 5 films of all time. It has a bit of everything and proudly wears its Saturday morning cliffhanger cereal roots and fedora at the same time.  I can't wait for opening night.

Happy Birthday, Indy.

 

Fear and Loathing

A member of the GOP recently said...

"Democrats want to use the criminal process against president Trump because they fundamentally fear him running in 2024, obtaining the republican nomination, and reasserting his time in the White House."

I saw one Twitter user, Stonekettle, answer quite appropriately...

"OR Maybe it's because he's a goddamn criminal."

Circa 2015, when asked about what real power was, candidate Trump said... 

“Real power is – I don’t even want to use the word – fear.” 

And that, at the end of the day, is what he inspires his devotees to do, to live unquestioningly by his example and try to spread fear.  He gave them a permit – a license to intimidate. This is why we have seen such an upswing in white supremacy, Nazis, domestic terrorism, intolerance of people of color & LGBTQ+ citizens. 

 People were given the go-ahead to let the darker natures of themselves out to that the darkness could see the light of day and spread like a cancer. Fear? Perhaps. Men do evil things. But there is good, too. “Fear” of what another Trump presidency would do to our citizenry, his cult, domestic terrorism, our sensibilities, our ability to reason for ourselves, reality, our constitution, the rise of an autocracy which replaces our republic, our very union through violence or seduction of those who cannot or will not think for themselves or treacherous souls who wish to scoop up some of that “power”. That is what scares me. 

We should all be terrified of these things. It is a testament to candidate Trump’s words that this manipulation has worked so well and so far. He inspires those who want to make others fear and by doing so elevates himself. This is how he has always been. Some contractors don’t get paid for their work – no problem, I’m too big to touch and those around me will be able to brow beat them down. I have bigger lawyers. I don’t pay my taxes – “I’m smart,” and my brain-dead minions will say out loud, “Trump is sticking it to the government!” I don’t win a legal election for the Presidency of these United States. “The election was stolen and I am going to march down to the Capitol and let them know that – who’s with me!”

- Real fear of being sued out of business because you can’t afford the lawyers that Trump can.

- Fear used as a tool to manipulate people into thinking not paying one’s taxes is the “smart” thing to do and – amazingly – the concept that “Trump is for the little guy!”

- Real fear of our democracy crumbling due to insurrectionists defiling the Capitol & fear as a tool of manipulation to control a mob just waiting to be told what to think – what to do next.

Yes, fear has been used quite effectively by Trump. There are two all too real quotes from two fictional characters that come to mind. Simply because a character is not “real” does not negate that power of their words, the power of myth – the power of story…

“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” – Master Yoda

“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over and through me. And when it is past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path. When the fear is gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” – Bene Gesserit teaching, the Litany Against Fear

Fear is a natural emotion and like any emotion it is up to us to determine if we have the emotions or if our emotions have us. Fear easily leads to anger, hate, and suffering. We must be mindful of not only the fear in ourselves but also the fear in others for we do not know where they are on the scale; is their fear passive or active or rather, is the outside world affecting them or are they affecting the outside world? Has anger and hate brought suffering? Were you the recipient of the suffering or the one who caused it? Emotions can lead us to be motivated and manipulated. We must, as the Litany Against Fear states in its mantra-like way, make a foothold against fear so that we are not swept away by it. So that we face it with our minds instead of being obliterated by the emotion itself.

So, back to point. Rule by fear is what tyrants and dictators do. Trump is still - even after losing a legal election - a wannabe tyrant and dictator. Those who do not see this and support him are either easily manipulated or are people who want to be the tormentors or oppressors themselves – to scoop up those little bits of power wherever they can find them. That is the character of today’s Trump supporter – from those in high places to the hundredaires who defend the billionaires with their Trump flags-a-flyin’. Fear brought them to where they are now and power by fear is that little thrill that they need to keep feeding – from the low to the high. 

I don’t buy into what they are selling. Those who pedal in fear are usually very afraid and emotional themselves. They will call you a “snowflake” or accuse you of being, "triggered" whenever you say anything against their regime or their perceived power. They crumble when faced with logic or reason. As an effort to save face they will emotionally exclaim, “fake news!” or “Bengasi!” or “her emails!”, still to this day. As a squid releases ink to escape a predator a Trump supporter will start spewing agitprop when confronted with reality. They do so in fear. They do not like it when the predator becomes the prey.

I wouldn’t mind if their ideals and goals didn’t mean the fall of decency, our republic, and democracy but here we are.

Until such time that critical thinking returns to a populous that chooses to use reason and reality as a base of operations, I will keep the Litany Against Fear close at hand. I will fight against tyranny, fascism, and ignorance of fear with the meager tools at my disposal – my voice and my keyboard. 

I will support the oppressed and not the oppressor. 

I will be part of the future and not a slave to the past. 

I will try to make things better not simply for myself but for my/our children and my/our children’s children.

We need more kindness than we need brutality. This is how you fight fear and tyranny. One must “Be the change that you want to see in the world.” Deeds, not words. I don’t have to change the world, I need to live a life that inspires by example, that builds people, ideas, and concepts up instead of tearing them down, a life that was worthy of being remembered for more of the good and less of the bad. Robert Louis Stevenson said, "Every heart that has beat strongly and cheerfully has left a hopeful impulse behind it in the world and bettered the tradition of mankind." At the end of the day that is my desire.

Fear happens. It is part of being human. It is what we do with that fear that defines us. Who do we want to be? 

I choose the light.

I choose to let the fear pass through me.

We have a serious battle ahead of us in the 2022 mid-term elections.  The GOP must not take control of either the House or the Senate.  They have taken major steps to ensure that their proto-autocracy grows akin to a cancer.  They are doing so through voter suppression laws and through gerrymandering.  They do not wish to live in a representative republic or a democracy - they only crave power and they have stacked the deck in their favor by exploiting voting laws in individual states.  The Supreme Court of the United States has already said that they will not hear any case on gerrymandering, placing the onus on the states themselves to be fair.  This is giving the wolfs the key to the hen house and, rest assured, the republicans will carve up districts that do not represent the people but will only represent their lust for power.  What is happening is disgusting, corrupt, and - literally - un-American.  Our vote is our voice and they want us silenced.  

During the last administration, decency, reason, reality were all sacrificed to the object of their worship or for most of them, a means to an end.  That's what Trump was to the career republicans in the House and Senate.  It did not matter how low everything sank, how close to fascism we came, or even when their very lives were threatened on January 6th during the insurrection of the Capitol - as long as they remain in power they don't care who the next republican demagogue is in the oval office.  Presidents come and go but a gig in the Senate can be lifelong.  

Yes, term limits should be a thing, too.

Fear is healthy.  It is natural.  But it is what we do with that fear that makes or breaks us.  Now, we must prepare to VOTE come 2022 and that means getting people excited about voting in each and every election from schoolboards to sheriffs to fire chiefs, to representatives on a state lever, and to representatives on a federal level.

"Our vote is our voice."  

Use it now for there are those who want to take it away and they are known as republicans.  

One Year Ago, Today

I wrote this on my calendar one year ago today...

My daughter and I happen to work in the same building within the same organization.  We were sent home from work early on March 16th, 2020 for an undetermined length of time. 

I have been keeping a journal since this - the coronavirus started - widespread, here in the United States of America.  This is my entry from, exactly, one year ago today...  

“3/16/20

Disneyworld shut down last night due to the threat of the Corona virus. Today, there were 80 more cases diagnosed in New Jersey. The governor put in place a soft curfew of 8:00 pm for people to be home. The casinos in Atlantic City shut down at that time, too. Restaurants and bars are switching over to take out status and closing earlier. There are several closings—come to think of it tonight, at 8:21 pm, my supervisor texted our group saying that if we were, “non-essential” personnel, that we did not have to report to work tomorrow. So, in other words, my job has been postponed due to COVID-19.  My daughter and I are off until further notice. When we return is anyone’s guess.

This shutdown makes sense. There are those who feel otherwise, but they are wrong. The best way to contain this is to, “flatten the bell curve” and to practice social distancing (limiting one’s own movement and avoiding public spaces). The spread can be slowed but people must be open to making this happen. The universe has given us time off so that we do not contract and/or spread the virus. Who are we to argue with the universe?”

My daughter and I now work from home.  It is the same with my wife.  My wife is looking forward to returning to her routine and her office.  My daughter and I, however, are happy working from home.  But all that is a tale for another day - a different journal entry altogether.  

That journal, by the way, is now over 3,300 pages long.  A lot has happened in a year's time.  I thought that I would document it as best as I could.  You should know, Gentle Reader, that it is not all me and a lot of it is not fit for human consumption.  There are hundreds of pictures and articles - all sited mind you - and, of course, there is commentary and observation from yours truly.  An everyman's view of this time in history.  It has grown long but the work must continue.  It will continue until I feel that we have either placed COVID-19 behind us or we have adapted to a "new normal" where COVID-19 remains with us, but due to vaccines and personal responsibility it will be kept at bay.  Personally, I believe it will be the latter.  There is no magic bullet for the coronavirus.  I believe we will have to adapt.  When we do, I will call the journal complete.  

There are better days ahead.  The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter.  We will get there.  

Until then, get vaccinated.  Wear a mask.  Wash your hands.  Practice social distancing.  Be good to each other.  Perhaps if most of us can do these simple, unselfish things, I will not have to write another 3,300 pages come this time next year?

Stay safe.

Today is a Good Day

After our democracy was tested its breaking point – both figuratively and literally – Joe Biden has become the 46th, President of the United States. 

“Today is a good day.”

I recall hearing those words before and for the very same reason that I use them today. It was 11/7/20. The time was 11:28. My wife had been wanting to go out, after all it was a beautiful day, but I was working in my journal that I have kept since the beginning of quarantine and I had my eye on the Electoral College numbers. Was today going to be the day?

“Come on,” she urged, “Get ready. Let’s go. I want to head to the bank, and they close soon.”

“I’m just finishing a thought…” I said as I typed away. “…There.” I said, let me get dressed and we can go.” I went into our room so that I could get dressed. I was just pulling up my pants when she exclaimed from the other room…

“The AP called it!” she said, “Biden is the winner!”

And so, he was. We both sat down at our computers to glean as much information as possible. God knows the states had been careful in counting and, therefore, had not had a clear winner until 11:28 am. My daughter came downstairs and joined us. Linda found a linked site on CNN with the banner, “BIDEN WINS” in large font across the top of the page. 

We watched, Van Jones started speaking, live to the world. What he said, brought me to tears because in two minutes he was able to describe and give a glimpse into the dystopia that the last four years have been. A two-minute microcosm of TRUTH. With all the noise, chaos, and shameless lies being on the menu these past four years, hearing the truth brought me to tears. It did so because the last four years have been bad. Worse than bad. Across America the spark of our negative impulses, hatreds, and inherent selfishness were kindled to near conflagration by the occupant of the White House, 2016 – 2020. Now the occupation of the People’s House – the White House, was near an end. Mr. Jones’ words hit me when I saw them happen live. Later, I took the liberty of transcribing his words…

“It’s… um… Well, it’s easier to be a parent this morning. It’s easier to be a dad. It’s easier… It’s easier to tell you kids, ‘character matters’. It matters. Tellin’ the truth, matters. Being a good person, matters. And it’s easier for a whole lot of people. If you’re Muslim in this country, you don’t have to worry if the president of this country doesn’t want you here. If you’re an immigrant, you don’t have to worry it the president is going to be happy to have babies snatched away or send dreamers…. Back for no reason. This is vindication for a lot of people who have really suffered. You know, “I can’t breathe” – you know, that wasn’t just George Floyd – that was a lot of people that felt they couldn’t breathe. Every day you’re waking up and you’re getting these tweets and you just don’t know, and you’re going to the store and…and people who have been afraid to show their racism are getting nastier and nastier to you. And you’re worried about your kids and your worried about your sister and can she just go to Walmart and get back into her car without somebody saying something to her. And…and, you’ve spent so much of your life energy just tryin’ to hold it together. And this is a big deal for us – just to be able to get some peace. And…and to have a chance for a reset. And the character of the country matters. And…and being a good man matters. You know, I just want my sons to look at this – look at this. You know, it’s easy to do it the cheap way and…and to get away with stuff. But it comes back around. It comes back around. And it is a good day for this country.

I’m sorry for the people who lost. For them it’s not a good day. But for a whole lot of people, it’s a good day.”

Your vote is your voice.

The noise and the lies have been rejected.

I am not exaggerating, Gentle Reader, when I say that I feel lighter. It is as if a weight has been lifted. The occupation is over. The hate that has been a hallmark of the last administration has been exchanged for HOPE.

I am not gloating. I am telling you the truth. And the truth is something that we have grown unaccustomed to hearing. God knows we have problems, but the first thing one must do is acknowledge them so one can do something to fix them and move on.

The reset button has been pressed.

I’m ready to for better days.

The First Step to Recovery

One of my closest friends posted on Facebook concerning it being Martin Luthor King Jr. Day, that we have major underlying problems with racism, and that the problem is worse than normal & has been emboldened these past four years.

He is not wrong on any of these points. The mob mentality of certain disappointing Venn diagrams of people I know has been eye opening. It is one of the reasons I have cut back as much as I have concerning Facebook – the people. Now that I have seen their true faces – the ones that they used to hide – I find I cannot tolerate them for extended periods of time. If their transgressions are too much they are banished and blocked, which is mutually beneficial I don’t miss them and they don’t miss me. Is this how echo chambers happen? Sure – but I am DONE with entertaining flat-out racists & radicles. If that means I’m in an echo chamber at least I know its not in theirs.

But, getting back to my friend’s post…

I used to think so much better of us. I thought that we were better than who we are as a people – as a nation. I thought that people were treated fairly no matter what shade of the rainbow their skin was. It turns out I was in a cocoon – a comfortable, white chrysalis – wearing my rose-colored goggles. I was wrong. I didn’t know any better. I grew up. I matured a bit and was able to see the cracks in everything around me & I began to question myself about those cracks & everything I took as indefatigable truth. The world is a much larger place than the one we are presented with as children or adolescents.

We have a MAJOR underlying problem of systemic injustice right here in the United States of America. COVID-19 exposed a great many of our most dirty secrets. Fears, superstition, racial injustice, hidden hatreds, civil rights, healthcare, science denying, selfishness, conspiracy zealots incapable of maintaining a baseline reality, domestic terrorists – yeah, this is America. Not all America – but the America that we are presenting to each other and to the world. When people do not feel as if they are in “control” they are susceptible to wrong thinking – susceptible to falling for opinions rather than thought; because, if anything, social media has taught us is that opinions are so much easier to have than thoughts. BUT there is hope. I truly believe that this is a time where we can do something we need to do as a society – recognize that we have problems – SERIOUS problems; because if we can recognize that there are problems – identify what they are – then we can do something about them and start to build a nation where we can TRULY say that we stand for “Liberty and justice for all”. That words such as, “We The People” stand for ALL people, because they must or they mean nothing. We need the courage of our convictions. Not the situational ethics that have suited us for years.

Things are changing – COVID-19 saw to that. Our dirty secrets are not secrets any longer. They have been laid bare. Since they are in the light let us work together to make them better, to fix them – all people of good will working together for not simply our own benefit but for the benefit of all. We are at a unique point in history where we can & must recognize these issues – our problems and do something positive to change them. We owe it to ourselves, we owe it to our country, we owe it to the world, and most of all we owe it to the future – to our children. This was part of Martin Luthor King Jr.’s message, “There is nothing to keep us from remolding a recalcitrant status quo with bruised hands until we have fashioned it into a brotherhood.” That is from his book, “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” I’ve had enough chaos. It’s far past time we started truly building that community.

Common Ground

There are agents of chaos. To them – the true believers, the ones who have embraced hatred to the point that they wish to commit violence for no rational reason whatsoever against our fellow citizens. Stop. Think of what you are considering over these next few days. It is not hard to see on social media, I mean there are some of you who are not even bothering to cover your tracks, which in itself is a cry of desperation. The truth of the matter is none of these threats or plans that you have made need to happen. There is no sense in it.

You may be excited to be going to the “Rally for Trump” but 1 + 1 still equals 2. He lost, at this point we are looking at basic math. 60 lawsuits later – each without merit. He lost. I do not say this to gloat. It is what it is. Four years ago, the Electoral College voted him in, and he won. Four years later, the Electoral College voted him out and he lost. As I said, it is what it is. It is not the end of the world and, you never know, perhaps things will not be as bad as you expect them to be. I hope that is the case. I hope for another one of the pillars of our democracy to work as it has these past 244 years – the peaceful transfer of power.

We have consisted on a diet of lies & fantasies told by madmen and manipulators for far too long. Some of these claims have been repeated and accepted by some to the point that they are not only believed but taken to heart as gospel truth. We cannot base such serious actions, which are being discussed openly on social media, upon these delusions. We cannot. We are better than that. We must unplug from the big voice that reassures us, that keeps us warm and safe in our comfort zones – telling us what we want to hear. No, the voice must be rejected.

“What are you talking about?”

Smoke and mirrors are what I’m talking about. The illusion may be comfortable but there are two things that I challenge you to do: 1., Think for yourselves. This is not an insult – this is a calling. Voltaire said, “Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” We need a baseline reality that we can all work from. For that to happen we must think for ourselves. 2., Think of others. It is not all about me or you. We share a world with a great many different types of people in it. Wanting to hurt, maim, or kill others because they don’t look, worship, or vote like you or I do is not only illegal, but it is also ethically bankrupt. Doing so to any level cheapens whatever cause you believe you are fighting for. We are Americans & entertaining such plans is at its very core un-American. We are better than such things. We have more in common than we don’t. But, in order to see that, we have to consider that there are other people in this world and, thankfully, here in the United States of America it is this diversity that continues to make us all the stronger.

My girl lost and your guy won in 2016. My guy won and your guy lost in 2020. It is what it is. Society and our representative republic need come to a baseline reality – a balance that we can mutually accept as the truth. We need at least two political parties who can abide by reality. This is not an insult this is real. Denying reality only goes so far until reality doesn’t move any longer to fit our own personal narrative. Let us seek the truth together – standing on common ground. Let us work together for the betterment of all. We are all in this together, Americans – We The People of these United States. Together we can make a better world for our children and, at the end of the day, I think that is something we can both get behind – it is that common ground.

We are in this together – as we should be. Great things are possible if we realize the potential in ourselves and lift those around us to realize theirs. Hope is one of my favorite four-letter words. Let us be the people we are called to be and move into that future together – a future found on common ground.

I Can't Wait for the Vaccine

Yes, I can’t wait for the vaccine. I’ll take either the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine – I can’t wait for that RNA to do it’s thing.  I feel this way for two reasons; 1., the obvious - this is the light at the end of the tunnel that will usher in our new normal.  And 2., protection against the non-science believing rubes who don't care about anything but illusions. 

I saw this out there on the internet...

I can't wait for the vaccine for it will protect me and mine from people like Stacey, here. I’m tired of having to depend on Stacey’s ability to grasp common sense or for the common health & welfare of others. She is lacking.  Stacey has proven herself a danger. The concept of other people and their needs escapes Stacey. You may want to brace yourself, Stacey, but it’s not all about you. It is because of the Stacey’s in this world that we – right here in the United States – have well over 300,000 DEAD due to COVID-19. 

Yes, Stacey – the vaccination will free me and mine from the likes of YOU. The stupid, the ignorant, and the evil – a trifecta of protection in a series of two shots, each 21 days apart. There are precious few moments in life when one can get a shot in the arm and be protected from the ineptitude of others. It will be refreshing - liberating really. 

I cannot wait. I cannot wait to embrace the light at the end of the tunnel. I know that the Staceys and Karens of this world may not take the vaccination. If it was only about them, which as we have previously established – it is not, BUT if it was only about them, I wouldn’t care. The trick is our actions, or our inactions affect others - we know this, this is beyond them.  Yes, the Stacey or Karen will refuse the vaccination, contract COVID, and take it to their parents, their friends, and their coworkers. They do not care since it is all about them – it always has been. People like us? We are background actors – non-player characters in Stacey’s or Karen’s world. Therefore, the onus is up to us to outthink and/or outmaneuver the Staceys and the Karens. I can only hope that those around them knows them for what they truly are – the stupid, the ignorant, and/or the evil and they get vaccinated as soon as possible so that they too will be protected against their Staceys and Karens in our selfish, unkind, unenlightened world.

Again, how many times in history can we point at where a vaccination can not only save lives but offer protection against indiscriminate killers - spreaders like the Staceys & Karens?

Not too many. When it becomes available, get vaccinated.

Until such times, wear a mask, wash your hands, and maintain social distance. We will never know how many lives have been saved by these simple measures. Conversely, we will never know how many lives were lost because such measures were ignored.

Do your part and, when you can, get vaccinated.

MARVEL 616

 Let's talk a bit about, MARVEL 616.

“What’s that?”  It’s a show on Disney+.  I just finished the first season and I loved it.

There are 8 documentaries about Earth 616.  And, in the MARVEL Universe, World 616 is us – it is our home-world.  These documentaries, filmed by 8 different documentarians, examine, “the intersections of storytelling, pop culture and fandom within the Marvel Universe.”

Brief breakdown of the documentaries…

1.       “Japanese Spider-Man.”  There were 41 episodes of Spider-Man that were produced in Japan that the western world didn’t know of until about 2009.  Interesting story. OH, and if the rumors of a Spider-Verse movie are true Shinji Tôdô NEEDS to one of the Spider-Folks.

2.       “Higher, Further, Faster.”  Representation matters.  It is important that kids can look around and see a hero that represents them.  It matters a lot.  Further, there are more women working as writers, artists, and editors, too.  Worthy episode.

3.       “Amazing Artisans.”  Technology has made the world all the smaller.  This episode follows two Marvel artists – contributors to Miles Morales and Moon Girl, both live in Spain and both meet their deadlines.

4.       “Lost and Found.”  This one made me giggle and then laugh out loud.  Paul Scheer is on a search to reboot a forgotten team of Marvel superheroes.  Good luck with that.

5.       “Suit Up.” Is all about cosplay at the New York Comic Con. 

6.       “Unboxed.” This one explores, “the relationship between toys and comics.”  Seeing the inner workings of Hasbro and Funko was fun.

7.       “The Marvel Method.”  This is how Stan Lee wrote.  He would come up with characters, a villain, and a plot and then he would give it to artists to tell the rest of the story.  Most comic writers these days use a script, which makes things easier for artists, pencilers, letterers, and editors.  Dan Slott, who had a 10 year run on, “The Amazing Spider-Man” is not one of them.  He uses the Marvel Method.  I loved this episode.  If you like to write – you too will LOVE this episode.

8.       “Spotlight.”  I didn’t know that Marvel produced high school plays for the stage.  This final episode of the first season follows two classes of kids producing two different plays – Squirrel Girl and Ms. Marvel.  This one is all about theater and the process of collaborative storytelling.  I loved those kids and their teacher - but I speak too much - go see it for yourself!  I dug it.

I am looking forward to season two of, ‘MARVEL 616’.  And Disney+, if you're out there, PLEASE greenlight Season Two!  You must do so, for there are still so many stories from Earth 616 to tell.

 

Unus Annus - a Momento Mori

I stayed up with my oldest daughter and my son to watch it all end – Unus Annus, that is. We were there when it ended. At 3:00 am, EST, the timer hit, “00:00:00:00” and with a click of a button, it was gone.

A moment after this image - everything went black.  Unus Annus, was gone.

What am I talking about? Well, therein lies a tale.

I discovered Unus Annus through my kids. They were there from the start – they have seen EVERYTHING. I would hear them laughing in the next room and the voices of both Ethan & Mark and from time to time I would join them to watch, enjoy, and to spend some time together making memories.

“So, what was Unus Annus?”

Well, Wikitubia (https://youtube.fandom.com/wiki/Unus_Annus) says this…

Yes, Ethan and Mark are…or were, Unus and Annus, however there is a third member who is only heard or glimpsed from time to time and that would be Amy. To paraphrase Mark, ‘Amy is a creative force unto herself and Unus Annus would not have been the force that it was if not for her presence.’ And what a creative force the channel was.  Over 365 videos, at least one a day, this past year.  I now take you to IMDB for three screen grabs – one from the beginning, one from the middle, and one from the end…

In the beginning…

At the meridian...

At the end...

It was fun while it lasted. But all good things… no, that’s not completely correct… ALL things must come to an end.

Unus Annus went live with a retrospective on 11/13/2020, at 3:00 pm, EST – or noon PST, where the live stream is happening on YouTube. Before midnight, all the Unus Annus social media accounts were deleted, one by one.

“But why would they do this?” you may ask. “They must be making a huge amount of money – 1 million views per video, advertising revenue, and merch – WHY?”

Money was not what Unus Annus was really about. Unus Annus was an art installation. Ahead of its’ time or, perhaps, the first product of its’ time. Mark, Ethan, & Amy created something that was not meant to last. But, in all reality, what is? It was built to illustrate that time is precious. Moments count. The message – pack life into the time you have for time is precious. Use it.

They never forgot their mission and they saw it through to the end. True to their word, at 12 am PST / 3:00 am EST, time ran out for Unus Annus. The only record of it exists in the viewer’s minds – in the memories. You either watched their videos for the time the channel was alive, or you did not. You either participate in the time you are given, or you don’t. ...So, participate. Do. Create. Dance. Take that Chinese archery or drum lessons you’ve always wanted to try. Try sipping different fluids through a Life-Straw. Search for the mighty HEE HOO but beware of the GONGOOZLER! Know in your bones that the search for each is a memory made. DO NOT PUT IT OFF. This is not a dress rehearsal. Go and make memories. Let us all remember that, for a short time, WE WERE HERE.

Congratulations for the tremendous Momento Mori of Unus Annus to Ethan, Mark, Amy, and all the other’s behind the scenes.

Thank you for the memories.   

For everything there is a time. Make your time count.

It is Sunday Morning

The dawn of a new day across America. 

All votes have been counted. Joe Biden will be the next President of these United States. Pulpits from sea to shining sea will be delivering messages concerning this very development.

What that message says will tell everything about where their hearts have been over these last four years. Did these last four years reflect the Gospel, love, compassion or was another message sent to a watching and waiting world – something else entirely?

Speaking for myself, before yesterday I felt that if Trump were to get in, that things would become worse than these dark, past four years have been. Entropy. I felt that if Biden were to get in, that things would begin to get better, but I knew that it would not be easy. There are so many things that we as a people need to recognize, fix, and move forward on. I knew that there would be the true believers, those susceptible to Trump's cult of personality were still there just waiting for some ‘word to be given’, to sow violence and discord. Those who would want to see things get worse.

God help us all.

This is purported to be a “Christian Nation”. I have serious doubts about that for over the last four years I have not seen the evidence of that faith. I have not seen the fruit in the walks or lives of those who profess the name and calling of “Christianity”. This may be a watershed moment, in that, now that Biden is in, Christians will have to have the courage of their convictions.

Romans 13:1, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” Therefore, now that Biden is considered to be the President elect, it is God’s will. A Christian will accept that. A “Christian” (with quotation marks), will not.

The reaction from the “Christian” evangelical right to Donald Trump, shook my faith even further than it was shaken prior to the election of 2016. Watching the American “Christian” evolve over these last four years has demonstrated to me the principal of the duck. That principal? “If it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck, it’s a duck.” The American “Christian” neither resembles nor sounds like a follower of Jesus Christ. No, American “Christianity” resembles idolatry to me. American “Christianity” has taken the Gospel and has misused and mistreated it as a means to praise, elevate, and worship Donald Trump. It was not that long ago that Romans 13:1 was used to defend Trump. Well, the Gospel is a double-edged sword. Come what may, God is still in control. Biden won the election, American “Christians” will have to come to grips with that. Christians will understand that God is the ultimate authority. American “Christians” will not, for they have been too concerned with Trump’s kingdom and have ignored God’s.

What damage has this done to the representation of the Gospel? On this side of the veil a Christian is the only Bible some people will ever read. What is that example? Where is the fruit? Can anyone look at an American “Christian” and honestly think to themselves, I want what this person has in their life? No. People are stepping away from the church due to the fact that people see that American “Christians” are not people who have joy, peace, or love in their hearts. They do not practice what they preach. Loving one’s neighbor, feeding the hungry, housing the poor, seeing to the sick – these have been branded as, “socialist” by American “Christians”. They have formed the message to their own ends. They have remade God in their own image to suit their needs. Jesus speaks of this in Matthew 7:15-20…

“15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”

There has been a endless parade of false prophets during the last four years. People making spectacles of themselves for a larger station in Trumps kingdom. So much damage has been done. So much continues to happen. To them, I can only say, stop what you are doing. You are misrepresenting the Gospel that you are claiming to represent. If you claim to be what you claim to be, repent. Repent of your sin. Go, and sin no more.

Repent.

Forgiveness is a watermark of the Christian faith. I have boatloads of issues and forgiveness is one of them. That is my cross to bear. However, those who can recognize the evils that have been committed, the ones that continue to happen, and now want to work to change them & make things right – forgiveness is a given. For those who cannot understand this – those who simply will not or cannot recognize just how far we have fallen, I can only offer up Matthew 7:21-23…

“21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

“…I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

As a Christian, that should terrify you. As an American “Christian”, ambivalence is to be expected but you should know that if you ever, truly want to get rid of those quotation marks, “”, the current marks of the Beast, put your faith in Christ and not man – certainly not Donald Trump.

The American “Christians” lost me for good at Charlottesville. I saw their true face then. Christians know that we are only saved by the Grace of God. It is that grace that I hold onto, not the flawed and twisted doctrines of man or of American “Christians”.

If you ever where what you have claimed to be, repent – and return to the Grace. The nation needs love and healing right now. We are called to be the light. Repent and be that light that our world so desperately needs.

Shine. Let people see love, let them see the Gospel, through your life. Make sure the message that you are sending as a Christian is one of love. Do not diminish the Gospel. It is not about man’s kingdom, but God’s.

It is a new day.

God is on the thrown and he has seen fit to have Joe Biden be our President.

Let us have the courage of our convictions. It is time to heal, to unify. It is time to represent Christ in this world by our example.

Anything less is window washing.

It is time to shine.  

It is, after all, a new day. 

Dawn

The Lincoln Project, which was created by conservatives & republicans to turn away from the cult of celebrity that is Donald Trump put out a video, Dawn, that reminds us that our vote is our voice and that with President Joe Biden in office, better days are ahead.

"The end is coming.  The end of the noise and lies.  The end of the chaos and division.  The end of the hate.  In it’s place a new America is ready to stand tall again.  Ready to restore the goodness in the heart of our nation.  Ready to put people before politics.  Ready to lead, to innovate, to grow, to heal.  It won’t always be easy.  There are tough times to come, COVID to be defeated, an economy to restore, but that new day is coming.  A day when words like, ‘caring’, ‘competent’, and ‘professional’ won’t be insults.  A day when compassion and character mean more than celebrity.  A day when every American’s rights are respected and valued.  That day is coming because of your hard work.  Your commitment, your energy, and passion.  That day is coming because of your vote.  Joe Biden – our President."

 

A Simple Hope

I changed my Facebook cover photo to this… 

Spider-Man reminding us all to check our pride.  “…We need to give each other the benefit of the doubt, or there won’t be anything left of us but our pride.”

“When you walk around only expecting the worst, that’s all you’ll ever see.” – George Scully

I have grown weary seeing only the worst.  That’s why I am not on social media as much as I was at one time, these days.  I have trained myself to see the worst.  In my defense there have been some very good examples of the worst given by my peers and friends.  And I have cut some people off for the simple reason that I don’t need the additional head noise.  Some had to go because I do not do conspiracy theories on my own time – nor white nationalist agendas.  That bullshit had to go.  In the wake of their exit I have become sensitive to seeing ‘the worst’.  I can’t live there, though.  I need to believe (apart from glassy eyed believers and Nazi sympathizers) that we can give each other the benefit of the doubt.  I need to believe this because Spidey is right, if we can’t, “there won’t be anything left but our pride.”

A simple hope.  The return of normalcy, of dignity, of unity.  No cults or bigots.  A place where confirmation biases are recognized – both yours and mine – where we can set them aside, rationally discuss issues, compromise, and move forward towards a common good – towards a future.  A future for all.  A future worth having.

A simple hope, I know.  But a worthy one.

I look forward to a time when this election is behind us.  I hope it is a future without the current occupant of the White House for reasons found on the previous 1,367 pages of this tome*.  The future I see is after this dark time in history.  It will come – eventually.  When it does, may we have the eyes to see our mistakes, the ears to listen, the hands to help, and the heart to change.  We will need them all for healing to happen but happen it must.

It will.

We owe it to the future – to pass on to them a world worth having.

Perhaps, one day, we will look back in remembrance of the lessons learned from this time – a time then far behind us and wonder at the changes that have come to pass and how far we have come.    

I hope so.  It is a simple hope – for a better future.

Simple but worthy.   

Selah.

 

*Gentle Reader, I have been keeping a journal since the beginning of the quarantine.  This humble blog post is part of a much bigger project.  The project is growing.  I will keep doing so until the new normal is established as, well, the new normal or, probably, for another 1,300 pages.  It is not fit for human consumption at this time, but it is doing exactly what it needs to do – mark this time in history, document day to day life, and keep me sane.

 

Happy 54th Birthday, Star Trek.

 

It was a show that ran three seasons and launched a narrative that is still expanding.  It premiered today, September 8, 1966.

I was born during the original series run and truly discovered it by watching reruns in syndication with my dad.  Star Trek had a startling impact on me and generations of others, too.  We were born into it.

The real promise of Star Trek lies not in the technology, or the intergalactic travel, although those are great, but that’s not it.  No - the real promise that Star Trek presents is a world where people have learned to live together and constructively move into the future united...as one.  It is a future that is there to be explored and understood for the good of all peoples - whether they hail from Earth or not, whether they are human or not. 

So many of the technological predictions have come to pass as reality - communicators to cell phones, tricorders to iPads, high capacity computers that run starships to laptops at home.  BUT the real promise of the future is a sociological one.  A promise that has yet to become a reality.  That promise is our capacity, as a species, to work together, unselfishly, for the good of all.  A world where all races and creeds are all part of a human family, united.  A future where the needs of the many are more important than the needs of the one.  A future that has learned from our successes and from our failures. That is the real promise of Star Trek.  The promise of a future worth having. 

I hope that we boldly go towards such a future …someday.

Happy 54^th Birthday, Star Trek.  May you live long and prosper.

There. I Fixed It.

A blog in two parts.

There are two parts to this.  Part one consists of words verses words and it is a bit incendiary.  Part two is about the power of words and the stories that we choose to believe.  It is a bit less provocative, but then again it’s hard to get the toothpaste back into the tube once one squeezes it onto your brush.

Part I…

So, I came across a political meme that has been making the rounds on social media, yesterday.  That’s really not a hard thing to do these days.  Pick a side and run with it to your hearts content.  There’s something for everyone.  Pick something that fits your world view, your confirmation biases and there you are.  Just try not to get too carried away.  This meme gets a bit carried away with itself.

I decided that I was not going to cut & paste it here as it is presented.  No, that wouldn't be proper, it needs some fixing.  Perhaps it’s part of my own confirmation bias, but I believe the truth should still mean something.  So, instead of just cutting & pasting, I’m simply going to describe it for you, Gentle Reader.  There is a picture of Trump glaring at the camera and pointing a finger.  The words surrounding his precious little head read…

“In reality they’re not after me they’re after you.

I’m just in the way.”

At the very top, above the postcard picture of that man of the people are those words.  Words written by a peeved Proud Boy(s), a Trump cultist(s), a campaign writer(s), or some combination, thereof.  Words specifically designed to strum all the strings of manipulation at once.  Words designed to divide – it is an election, after all, but, regretfully, the last four years have gifted us with nothing but division.  The words used here are marching orders.  Words that say, in no uncertain terms, that Trump is the conduit to a golden future for the United States and if you think differently, you’re simply wrong, you Godless, leftist, Democrat, and you deserve to be crushed. 

I have taken the liberty to address the points raised by this patriotic young lad(s) or lass(es), wherever your pronouns may be.  I wrote in the brackets – emboldened.  Here we go!   

To answer all of those of you who would say “I can't believe you would vote for Trump." Well folks listen up! I'm not just voting for him. I'm voting for the second Amendment (because they’re coming for your guns!  SPOILERS, no – that old chestnut is not true, no one is coming for your guns unless there is a good reason for it). I'm voting for the next supreme court justice (due to me being jaded and chocked full of biases also I don’t like balance), I'm voting for the electoral college (how do I feel about gerrymandering? Hold on, I have to look that up), and the Republic (dystopia) we live in. I'm voting for the Police (the good ones, the ones who kill people that are not the same color as I am, or the stormtroopers who make people disappear?  There are so many to choose from these days!), and law and order (I do not like protesters and my second amendment rights are more important than their first amendment ones). I'm voting for the military (you mean the estimated U.S. military spending is $934 billion*. It covers the period October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021?), and the veterans (who are having problems getting their medications through the mail since Mango Mussolini tried to kill the United States Post Office) who fought for and died for this Country. I'm voting for the Flag that is always missing from the Democratic background (another contrived lie; also, I’m beginning to think you don’t like Democrats). I'm voting for the right to speak my opinion and not be censored (Come now, you have never had a problem voicing your opinion – whether it’s not wanting to wear a mask during a global pandemic or just the casual refusal of science, voicing your opinion is not one of your problems.  But, hey, if you could lay off the conspiracy theories, though? it would be appreciated). I’m voting for secure borders (and against Mexicans because they don’t look like me – any other people who also do not look like me). I’m voting for the right to praise my God without fear (Come now, let’s not be coy, you praise your God without fear already. As an American your idea of religious persecution pales in comparison to the real thing.  But, God - which one are you referring to?  Hard to say – there are so many.  Playing the odds, 74% of the U.S. claim Christianity. Out of curiosity, if you claim to be a follower of Christ, which title do you prefer, Capitalist or Christian? Asking for a friend). I’m voting for every unborn soul the Democrats want to murder (this, too, is a lie). I’m voting for freedom and the American Dream (as long as it is for people who think and look like I do). I’m voting for good and against evil (No, you’re really not & horribly, horribly mistaken in this case). I'm not just voting for one person, I'm voting for the future of my Country! (Trump gave you a voice. You’ve kept so many things bottled up inside of you; poor dear.  But it’s different now - now it can be your boot on the throat of those you think are your enemies. Your taking your country back!  You’ll show ‘em all, won’t you, Sport?)

What are you voting for?!?! (I am voting to cancel yours. That’s a true story, right there).

In God we Trust; One Nation Under God (added to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954, BTW)

Copy and paste. I did. (Of this, I have no doubt. There is no way you came up with this. It must fit your assumed world view.  Fortunately for you, there are hosts of people out there – the Alt Right, Nazis, KKK members, run of the mill Karens oblivious to their own white privilege, etc. – who will give you all the opinions you should have and, after all, “It has always been easier to have an opinion than it is to think”, hasn't it?  Yes, it has.)

There – Fixed!

It could be fixed better, but it holds water – depending on the intentions of the words. 

Look, I get it.  It is an election year, that’s one of the reasons it’s so slanted.  The fact is, neither of us - the author(s) of this meme or I, are going to be changing our minds on the topic of Donald Trump.  I can't speak for you, author(s), I can only speak for myself, and I can honestly say that if you identify as a republican or a democrat, that I'm fine with that.  It's the way it is here in these United States.  Third, fourth, or fifth parties are swallowed by the political machine so, effectively, we have a two-party system – republicans and democrats and, leaving the extremists out of the conversation for a moment, we can find common ground.  I can work with either.  But if you identify specifically as a Trump supporter, flags start to go up for me.  Just being honest.  Not that I write you off completely, that’s not the case, but it tells me a lot about what you, your priorities, and the stories you believe.  Perhaps I’m mistaken.  It has happened on occasion, so I am not blindly casting my nets out into the waters and saying, “All Trump supporters are wrong.”  No, I'm not doing that.  But, with God as my witness, you are suspect. 

You have earned it. 

I have my own reasons for this. 

You wouldn’t care about them if I told you.  But, I have my reasons.

You can shout, “God bless, Donald Trump,” all you want, but try to understand, when you do so, I have deep and serious misgivings as to whether you know either party.

But, hey, that’s my confirmation bias.

I have said this before and I can still say firmly, and without a shadow of doubt, it does not matter what side of the aisle you find yourself sitting on politically – we all lost on Election Day 2016.  All of us.  He found a way to unite us at last and right there at the very beginning. 

We all lost.

SPOILERS, this precludes Donald Trump…

 

And now, for Part II…

“All I suggest is a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest…” Simon & Garfunkel, The Boxer

Part II…

Words mean things.  That shouldn’t be a revelation.  The old adage about ‘sticks and stones’ is a lie.  Words can hurt you, and in the wrong hands and they can be deadly.  Language, written language especially, is a funny thing.  Words come together – a noun here, a verb there, and, before you know it, there’s a sentence.  Those sentences become paragraphs.  Those paragraphs become chapters.  Stories are saved and told and repeated and those stories – the ones that are accepted and believed, hold everything together.  Is the story true or is it something else?  Words and their resulting stories can unite, uplift, and inspire.  The opposite is true, as well.  Words can build up or they can destroy.  Therefore, critical readers – critical thinkers, are essential.  As a society, we need to be able to sift words through the filter of the truth.  It has always been important to chose the stories we hold closest to our hearts, wisely.  

Unfortunately, we focus more on the story and, more often then not, lose focus on the words that are used to tell it.  Case in point.  I could tell you that I believe in the 2^nd amendment but that I wouldn’t mind mental health background checks before you are able to get one.  You may say to yourself, “Well, that’s not so bad.” Or you could say, “That is an infringement on the right to bear arms”.  Or you could ignore the words altogether and go right for the story, “They’re coming to take your guns!”  In two out of three of these options there is room for discussion – for give and take, room for, dare I say, compromise.  In the other tale, the story that the gun lobby has woven is the only thing you need to know, there is no room for debate or for thought.  There is no rhyme or reason, it’s an opinion gone wild.  Discussion or compromise?  Sorry, there's no room.  That’s how you get people who deny things like Sandy Hook – they believe the story that the NRA has seeded and some twisted souls mutate it to fit their own sick narrative.  Lobbyists tell such great stories and their pockets are full so they can pay off as many politicians they can.  That is corrupt and disgusting but it is the way of American politics.  It will collapse due to internal rot one day, but for now, it’s business as usual in Washington, DC.  This is why there is never discussion about reasonable gun laws.  And there never will be.  People go immediately into DEFCON 2 in defense of this story – the one where they are the lone patriot and the government is coming to disarm them.  It’s really not going to happen, but the true believers don’t hear that.  They can’t.  There are too many defense perimeters to plan for, too many ammo caches to stock up on.  “Molon Labe,” baby!  Compromise and reason do not fit into their narrative.  They don’t fit into the story they believe about themselves, because – after all, it is all about them and compromise is for the weak.  Never mind that here in the United States there have been at least 2,654 mass shootings since Sandy Hook, with at least 2,908 killed and 11,088 wounded**.  When new facts are presented the story must adapt.  At Sandy Hook Elementary School 26 people were slaughtered, 20 children, six adults, and the shooter who took his own life.  That doesn’t fit the overall narrative from the NRA, so the story must evolve – “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.”  The story feeds itself.  There is no room for reason or rhyme, no discussion, no compromise.  Nothing happens.  The story is a fantasy spun by a lobby group that speaks to the internal narrative of some heavily armed civilians who have their guns oiled, magazines full, with one in the chamber.  Who knows, in the next chapter, maybe a few of them will get to shoot some, "bad guys" and all those fantasies can become a reality.  

So, is the government coming for your guns?  No.

Will there be any meaningful discussion about practical gun laws?  No.

Will anything change concerning this issue in the United States?  No. 

There will be no change with gun laws until people start caring about the lives of other people and, let’s face it, if we didn’t do anything after Sandy Hook, we are not going to do anything.  We have listened to the wrong stories for too long.  There is too much money to be made.  Our fantasies that fuel our personal narratives were more important than the lives of those school children, their teachers, and the lives of all who have fallen since that dark day in December, 2014.   

What we believe – our stories, can be dangerous things.  How many people have died because of an ongoing narrative or narratives through the years?  People die for stories every day, let alone in the sweeping epics of the history of mankind.  Even before the discovery of gun powder.  History has devoured their bodies and all we are left with are the survivor’s stories.  As for what we believe – the stories we hold dearest, we latch onto the ones that appeal to our vanities or our hopes, and we take them with us as far as they'll go.  As I said in Part I, opinions are much easier to have then thoughts.  Opinions are preconceived and accepted.  A data-set, so to speak.  The idea is that the individual no longer has to think about any given data-set because it has worked for them in the past and it is presumed that it will work for them in the future.  Right up to the point it doesn’t.  Right up to the point where new data becomes undeniable and it is there that two things will happen – the narrative will evolve or it will be abandoned for a different story altogether.  Perhaps it is a tale that fits best with what the believer once held as gospel truth.  Perhaps not.

I took the first point from the manipulative political meme introduced in part one and examined it a little closer.  I could have kept going down the list of unscrupulous presumptions found in the meme, but to what end?  The meme is pure biased opinion that is the narrative it serves.  It is supposed to not only preach to the choir but also to let the people sitting in the back pew of the church know where the speaker stands.  It's a rallying cry for those who prefer to have opinions rather than thoughts.  The meme deliberately attaches itself to a host of other stories that fit the personal narrative of about 40% of the population of these United States.  We can’t ignore the words and just accept the stories we are being told any longer.  We must challenge ourselves to find the truth behind the stories that we have been told and the ones we choose to believe.  The truth should mean something, the same is true for words, and for people’s lives. 

So, here’s to the truth, Gentle Reader.  Find yourself a good story, one you can believe in - one that is worthy of your faith.  There is an abundance of false prophets and ravenous wolves running around these days, right here and right now in these United States.  Learn to spot them and turn them away.  Stand in the truth and move forward from there.   

Until next time, stay safe, wear a mask, and wash your hands.

Peace.

 

*Source: https://www.thebalance.com/u-s-military-budget-components-challenges-growth-3306320

**Source: https://www.vox.com/a/mass-shootings-america-sandy-hook-gun-violence