horrowshow

gay, straight or what

2012-02-01T09:16:00.000-08:00

As to the question at hand, gender roles should be made to serve an individual's needs, rather than diminish what one feels and thinks. The main use of categories seems to be convenience; a mental classification that limits understanding and empathy. Once a person can be reduced to a label(or thing), the cognitive resources allotted for comprehension are much reduced. People are not so much gay or straight as they are desiginated as such; thus the squabbling over definitions produces much heat, if not much light.

Who we desire, and love depends the person, not the preconceived notions we try to impose.

Selective Morality

2012-01-19T13:30:00.000-08:00

The current political season entertains as well as informs; and few aspects amuse me more than the selective morality displayed by the Republican presidential hopefuls. Many have donned the mantel of Christian values as their treasured wardrobe; a garment cut from the cloth of American heritage and aspirations. Somehow this cloak affords protection from the admonishment of others, while simultaneously obscuring the vision of those thus draped.

Newt Gingrich may therefore speak about valuing conservative principles, while ignoring his own serial adultery. Rick Santorum rails against the immorality of secular society while neglecting to mention his wife unmarried sexual relationship with an abortion doctor. Mitt Romeny pontificates about individual initiative, while hiding millions abroad earned by inheritance and vulture capitalism.

The accusations about the immorality of others prompt derision when uttered by those unable to claim the high ground; their capacity for self deception denigrates their aspirations to the Presidency. If you want to preach morality to others, first look to your own house.

Time to be drunken

2012-01-18T09:00:00.000-08:00

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/11/americas-drinking-binge/

-------------------------

An article speaks about the binge drinking Americans; the prevalence on a massive alcohol inebriation wave sloshing through these United States surprises me not, in as much as it mirrors my own floundering. There are, of course, many types of intoxication and in this pernicious time and place the question has become one of naming your poison.

With fear seeping into the pores of our overabundant flesh, noxious fluids seem to have become the order of the day; whether a single glass of bourbon, a double shot of contempt or a six pack of bigotry. The liquid courage provides a coping mechanism for the dealing with dread marketed so deftly by the peddlers of apprehension; numbing our search for lasting solutions with the solace of short term incomprehension. From the whine of economic insecurities of an unstable and shrinking labor market, to the drone of international conflict and scrabbling for resources; the search for something to drown out the din has become ever more desperate.

Short of climbing on the wagon of fortitude, I see no other method of detox; switching spirits simply changes the nature of the buzz. Without a hand up of charity and understanding, the prospects of sobriety seem dim; but that may just be due to my own crapulence.

Cheers.

What love is this

2011-10-23T13:23:00.000-07:00

There is a propensity of late to speak of love in terms of vengeance; as if our concern for the wellbeing of others is best demonstrated by the pain inflicted upon them. The idea of "tough love" displaying unbridled compassion by demeaning and debasing an individual for aberrant behaviors certainly has an appeal for many; as it allows us to vent animosity towards those variations of conduct which frighten and repel under the guise of charity.

What we find repugnant we frame in terms of immortality; thus giving our prejudice the mantel of divine wisdom. If we can not find the energy and responsibility to treat those we oppose with respect and empathy; resorting to degradation and dismissal is not a sign of love, it is merely the convenient contempt that prevents our own self evaluation and analysis.

True love creates an obligation, a duty to others that must not be overshadowed by egotistical selfishness and cowardice. If we can't take it upon our shoulders, best not to use the name.

Post hate

2011-06-15T13:50:00.000-07:00

http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2011/06/ny-post-no-to-same-sex-marriage.html

"George Orwell, on how to avoid thinking when you speak:

You can shirk it by simply throwing your mind open and letting the ready-made phrases come crowding in. they will construct your sentences for you -- even think your thoughts for you, to a certain extent -- and at need they will perform the important service of partially concealing your meaning even from yourself. It is at this point that the special connection between politics and the debasement of language becomes clear...

It does not consist in picking out words for the sake of their meaning and inventing images in order to make the meaning clearer. It consists in gumming together long strips of words which have already been set in order by someone else, and making the results presentable by sheer humbug. The attraction of this, is that it is easy."

-----------------------------

Thus, using shopworn phrases serves the dual purpose of both obscuring the truth, and befuddling the speaker. The idea that marriage can only be preserved by not allowing people to use it, that exploiting one's neighbor best embodies the feeling of love, that expressing bigotry remains a matter of individual conscience; these exercises in holding contradictory views simultaneously serve well in producing the form of controlled insanity necessary to propagate hateful fanaticism.

As Orwell would indicate, I think, this kind of mental excrement flows trippingly from the orifices of the purposely thoughtless; not surprising then, to see it spew from wherever cognitive skills are disdained.

writing wrong

2011-01-19T13:11:00.000-08:00

[quote="SarahElizabeth"]How is it that the so-called Religious Right always seem to be wrong?

You name the issue, they always seem to be wrong.

I suppose it is Old Testament stuff. Fire and brimstrone. An eye for an eye. And so forth.[/quote]

Actually, this observation, (although perhaps a tad sweeping), touches upon a problem that I find characteristic of fundamentalist thinking; the need for certainty outweighing the need for describing the complexities of social human behavior. Most of us, I think, understand the limitations in our ability to fully encompass reality in our internal conceptualizations; we realize that trade-offs must be made between how we see the world, and how it objectively exists.

Basically, our consciousness helps us survive through what I understand as modeling; that is, by creating a reproduction of reality within our minds, we can predict probable outcomes of various behaviors in new environments. Thus, when novel situations arise, I can guide my choices by the results of various scenarios already experienced within my internal framework of reality. Nowhere near a perfect system, but a useful and viable process, none the less.

However, this construct must serve the needs of the user, first and foremost. The level of certainty needs control, lest the apprehension of the unknown overwhelm and incapacitate the individual. Ambiguities may produce a level of unease unacceptable in daily living; in such instances, something must be sacrificed if cognitive dissonance is to be kept at a workable level.

I think most of us have experienced the realization that our understanding lacks the kind of clarity we suppose we possess; the distasteful shock of ignorance seems rarely pleasing to my palate. However, for some, this recognition borders on intolerable, and threatens the very foundation of mental stability.

What I sense in the most reactionary fundamentalist belief systems, (and in all honesty, some of my less irresponsible convictions) are the willingness to abandon external evidence that contradicts dearly held assumptions; rather than risk the disintegration of the cognitive construct, the senses are to be ignored.

Unfortunately, this propensity for denial, when taken to extremes, can create fanatics of a most virulent nature. Dehumanization, destruction and extermination can follow; sweeping aside all aspirations of charity in the wave of righteousness. Dead people tell no tales, and offer much less opposition to our assertions; even the "best" of nations and peoples have deeds that they would like hidden.

I'd like to believe that I hold the sword of truth, but I'd best temper that blade with the realization that my sight is too feeble to use it for more that defense.

Purging the evil

2010-09-15T09:21:00.000-07:00

"We are doing a poor job of fighting the terrorists at home if we continue to allow Muslim immigrants, especially from Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen, into America. We won't win this war if we permit the uncontrolled construction of mosques, as well as Islamic schools, some of which already have sown the seeds from which future terrorists will be cultivated. We won't win this war if we continue to permit the large-scale conversion to Islam of prison inmates, many of whom become radicalized and upon release enlist in al-Qaida's army. We must purge the evil from among us, or else. " -Cal Thomas

---------------------------------------------------------------

When war rages within ourselves , and will not be acknowledged; we require an external enemy to engage. The conflict between our simplistic worldview, and the complex reality that overwhelms our understanding creates a fear that torments; a fear that requires mitigation lest it destroy our will to live. The temptation to trade truth for certainity may engulf the best intentions, and, in a desperate bid to master the dread of unpredictability, lead to creation of straw demons; respositories of rage and revulsion.

Thus, the outside influences of evil loom eternally, shadowing our lives and darkening our minds and hearts. One adversary falls, and another rises up to cast the pall of menace; this dimness obscures the truth of inner dissonance and leads to an continual crusade against those who reflect the evil that eminates from ourselves.

We must first purge the evil within before we can hope to deal with the evil without.

SB1070

2010-09-08T11:06:00.000-07:00

I, for one, am not surprised to see a materialistic motivation behind the current legislation. Pandering to public paranoia for private profit seems to be a far more likely explanation for SB1070 than any longing for the love of law and order. For many years here in Arizona, the exploitation of workers for less than minimum wage was a popular and accepted practice; despite the hardships caused by unregulated border crossings and unprotected employment.

Now that the economy has declined, the more expedient form of exploitation has become scapegoating; many social ills are charged to a group little able to defend themselves, thus neatly diverting anger from the financial disaster created by political/business manipulation of the Arizona economy.

As was pointed out by a local columnist in the Arizona Republic, the same sort of hoopla surrounded the passing of the Legal Arizona Workers Act (AZHB 2779), the "E-verify" act. It was purported to end the incentive of hiring workers without current legal standing in the US by imposing stiff penalties upon any employer who was in violation of its regulations. Its failure is evidenced by the new law, which I fear will do little to fix economic problems, but will prove invaluable to the aspirations of many a reactionary politician.

Hiding hate and ignorance beneath the halo of judicial reverence and good citizenship seems to work well for many here in Arizona; I wish I could say that such attitudes were confined within our borders.

dithering about differences

2010-06-30T11:27:00.000-07:00

"In the discreet white-collar realm, men and women are interchangeable, doing the same, mind-based work. Physicality is suppressed; voices are lowered and gestures curtailed in sanitized office space. Men must neuter themselves, while ambitious women postpone procreation. Androgyny is bewitching in art, but in real life it can lead to stagnation and boredom, which no pill can cure.

"Meanwhile, family life has put middle-class men in a bind; they are simply cogs in a domestic machine commanded by women. Contemporary moms have become virtuoso super-managers of a complex operation focused on the care and transport of children. But it’s not so easy to snap over from Apollonian control to Dionysian delirium.

Nor are husbands offering much stimulation in the male display department: visually, American men remain perpetual boys, as shown by the bulky T-shirts, loose shorts and sneakers they wear from preschool through midlife. The sexes, which used to occupy intriguingly separate worlds, are suffering from over-familiarity, a curse of the mundane. There’s no mystery left." - Camille Paglia,

---------------------------------------------
"In the discreet white-collar realm, men and women are interchangeable, doing the same, mind-based work. Physicality is suppressed; voices are lowered and gestures curtailed in sanitized office space. Men must neuter themselves, while ambitious women postpone procreation. Androgyny is bewitching in art, but in real life it can lead to stagnation and boredom, which no pill can cure."

People are certainly comparable, but the characterization that they are simply interchangeable parts in the machine of industry is shallow and simplistic at best, and ignorantly delusional at worst. Each individual brings a differing and diverse interpretation to their allotted tasks, even in the most menial office drudgery; and the ability to recognize and appreciate these variations lies behind the progression of the employment environment.

Far more injurious to the spirit than some sort of demonically imposed androgyny is the dehumanizing pall of materialism; the slavish pursuit of wealth that debilitates both the unique moral and personal expressions of a company's wage earners. The devitalization of empathy accompanying the mad scrabble for assets and the nullification of feelings that might inhibit ravenous acquisition seem far more likely to enfeeble individual displays of passion.

"Meanwhile, family life has put middle-class men in a bind; they are simply cogs in a domestic machine commanded by women. Contemporary moms have become virtuoso super-managers of a complex operation focused on the care and transport of children. But it’s not so easy to snap over from Apollonian control to Dionysian delirium."

If middle-class men find themselves in a "bind", it is one of their own creation; they are far more hobbled by the chains of consumptive conformity than by the demands of the family. Rather than blame women as the emasculating task masters of domestic machinery, it is more realistic to see them as architects of the supportive structures of kin and kind that allow men the opportunity to embrace their full potential. Raising children is more than just the care and transport of potential products; at best, it is the fulfillment of human potential and the realization of mature adulthood.

Family provides benefits for all its members; provided the short-sighted nature of individual egotism can be overcome, and the value of loving relationships is appreciated. Far from "Dionysian delirium", a more balanced sharing of parental responsibilities to include female decision-making insures the children have training in creating and sustaining the symbiotic spousal relationships necessary to a healthy household. In this environment, trust and intimacy may flourish.

"Nor are husbands offering much stimulation in the male display department: visually, American men remain perpetual boys, as shown by the bulky T-shirts, loose shorts and sneakers they wear from preschool through midlife. The sexes, which used to occupy intriguingly separate worlds, are suffering from over-familiarity, a curse of the mundane. There’s no mystery left."

Ascribing the lack of female arousal to the casual attire sported by the men in their leisure hours may have an appeal to the shallow minded person in search of a scapegoat,
but physical attraction based on primarily on wardrobe speaks more to a vacuous mindset of consumerism than any lack of sexual intrigue. Mundane trappings are overshadowed by the extraordinary attraction of the individual; store-bought facades are no substitute for the erotic enticements of an exceptional mind and spirit.

Whenever we limit ourselves to the purchased personalities hawked by the vendors of banality; the destruction of sensuality looms. Putting on the guise of another demolishes the voluptuous nature of distinct humanity, and relegates it to hollow, hideous imitation of itself.

The true source of desire derives its mystery from the unique nature of autonomous expression, and the ability to express it freely in an atmosphere of of acceptance and appreciation. Stagnant gender roles drape unflatteringly about the body modern; only by discarding these ill-fitting garments of convention can the display of true passion emerge.

House Divided

2010-05-19T07:23:00.000-07:00

Anti-Gay Family Values GOP Rep. Mark Souder To Resign Over Affair With Staffer

CHRISTIAN, n. One who believes that the New Testament is a divinely inspired book admirably suited to the spiritual needs of his neighbor. One who follows the teachings of Christ in so far as they are not inconsistent with a life of sin.
--Ambrose Bierce

Thus, another public figure embraces the morally abhorrent behaviors he condemned in others. When political expediency prompts an individual to proclaim their religious beliefs as justification to abuse others, it is much more difficult to empathize with their failings; indeed, using God as a tool of exploitation creates an exceeding foul form of blasphemy.

Here, by all accounts, was a man perfectly willing to debase gay people under the guise of preserving the public good, while simultaneously engaging in private debauchery. The sword of divine judgment, callously brandished against convenient scapegoats eviscerates the wielder just as effectively, and such acts evoke contempt towards those eager to embrace ostentatious piety.

Transmuting religious belief into a weapon may be an ancient art, but age by no means mitigates the foul stench of this putrid practice. If one can not display their faith though actions, words of religiosity mean nothing; and serve only to create a shaky sepulchral edifice, filled with corruption. Such a house, divided against itself, stands on the flimsiest of foundations; ever in danger of eminent collapse.

Let the ruins not prompt gloating; just the acknowledgment of faulty blueprints and a deluded builder.

Capable of anything

2010-03-07T06:36:00.000-08:00

Wilson: "You can be a real jerk sometimes, you know that?"
House: "Yeah. And you're the good guy."
Wilson: "At least I try."
House: "As long as you're trying to be good, you can do whatever you want."
Wilson: "And as long as you're not trying, you can say whatever you want."
House: "So between us, we can do anything. We can rule the world!"
-----------------------------------------------

The ability t0 do anything translates most commonly to the ability to do anyone. The lack of personal control is seen as unnecessary when one possesses the power to control everyone else.

The irony of an incapacitated conscience is that it allows the capacity for unbridled atrocities; fueled by the inability to recognize the difference between one's perception and reality. Whenever the limited abilities of any individual is coupled with (nearly) unlimited power, the devastating consequences point out the capability for evil that accompanies all collective action.

What we say and do should be not "whatever we want", but instead the best of which we are capable; this mandates that we trying not to rule the world, but to rule ourselves.

rape of the frock

2010-03-04T13:42:00.000-08:00

http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2010/03/virginia-christians-tell-women-dress.html

So instead of using their time and energy to solve the rape crime problem; they instead abrogate any responsibility by bearing false witness against their neighbors. Accusing others of instigating sin releases them from any accountability, and makes them accessories to the sin and the felony. Expedient and convenient, but in no way just nor moral.

This not the act of a love, but of a fearful, cowardly hate. The proper response to this is "It isn't my attire that causes sin, but the hearts that embrace it. Rapists don't need a reason, just an excuse... and by providing them with one, we see where your true sympathies lie".

q and or a

2010-01-25T13:28:00.000-08:00

1. Does President Obama seem to be generally more supportive of Trans folk than he seems to be of GLB folk?

2. If corporations can spend money on elections, then that means that LGBT folks can form corporations (which are fairly cheap to do) and spend money on elections as well -- stepping outside the realm of 501c3 and c4 orgs and free of the reporting requirements that burden them.

3. On the presumption of Perry making it through the full 9th cicuit -- will that overturn amendments in the other states, and if so, will it allow for a window of opportunity before SCOTUS puts a hold on it?

4. How would you define sexual orientation? Given the attempt by the defense in the Perry Trial to show that it changes and is hard to pin down, what criteria would you use to describe it?

5. How would you feel if a politician stood up and said that they were running on a platform to deny gay people the right to be in communal showers with other persons of the same sex on the grounds they could assault them? How would you feel if every major organization was suddenly silent about it?

1. Does it matter? The amount of support for GLB seems so small, surpassing it inspires little comfort.

2. Hooray. Now the financially challenged can compete with the financially grossly over-endowed without any burdensome reporting requirements. I'll be rushing out to take advantage of that real soon.

3. Doubtful, although one can hope. More likely, even a favorable outcome would be suspended while waiting for the Supreme Court to strike down equality in the name of "precedent".

4. Sexual orientation depends on one's particular location, and the points that supply both a foundation and opportunity for growth. I'd start with the criteria that promote happy, healthy and productive relationships irrespective of their correlation to gender attraction.

5. I'd feel disgust but little surprise. Politics seems based on expediency, not morality; so unless the two can be intertwined I feel little hope for policy based on the second value overriding the first.

please say something

2010-01-17T06:37:00.000-08:00

Please Say Something - Full Length from David OReilly on Vimeo.

skirting the issue

2009-11-10T14:23:00.000-08:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/fashion/08cross.html

I guess I find it hard to fathom the extent to which the fearfully ignorant feel they have a right to ban individual expression. The obscene influence of market driven forces in dictating the acceptable range of personal attire is seldom questioned, but at the merest hint of gender variance in a subservient population(like school age children), the howls of dread and distaste fills the sky; lamenting the desecration of the moral order, and the disruption of mental torpitude.

Incitements to violence, overt oppression, pernicious contempt; when clothing actively conveys these elements, I can certainly see the merit in limiting its display, but without such destructive components, such gestures of repression seem futile at best, and bestial at worst.

robed

2009-10-26T17:58:00.001-07:00

Grace Will Out

2009-10-01T13:42:00.000-07:00

Grace shifted and stretched on the plastic chair, trying to get a little more comfortable. Despite her fatigue and the oppressive stench of stale urine wafting up from the cracked cushion into her nostrils, she felt elated. Just one more hurdle to clear, and this dunghill institution was history. Oh as always, she had found distractions enough within the walls, but the tedious nature of the place took its toll on her. Toys, she mused, were more fun to break when she got them undamaged. Ticking through her list of tattered playthings, Grace could almost forget her impatience.
Marlin, the night orderly for the ward was a tad greasy for her taste, but certainly energetic and pliant enough for a little recreation. What's more, he seemed to know everyone: in the biblical as well as other senses. Despite a few veiled threats, Grace felt confident she could manage him easily, if that time came. After all, taking advantage of a resident like herself was grounds for dismissal, if not incarceration, and she felt sure that Marlin could ill afford a new job search or a prison roomie. Lucky she had the foresight to save a souvenir from their time together. Thank you Trojan Man.
Dr Thomas, the Ward Physician. Praise be to God for frigid wives, Grace mused. Flash a little thigh; add a touch of cleavage, and the poor old dear could barely keep from drooling long enough to write her recommendation for release.
The sweat collecting on the back of her neck slowly tracked its way down her back, causing Grace to squirm slightly.
"Christ Almighty, how much longer.." she began to mutter, then checked herself. Now was not the time for displays of annoyance. Plenty of opportunity for that after her release. She stretched the skin around her mouth in a toothy display, as she reflected on the target of her coming wrath, old mummy dearest, before returning to her list of toys.
Marie, the day nurse. Such a bouncy little thing, and she had the cutest blush. She was naive enough to accept the whole abused girl repentance act without much persuasion. Better yet, the graphic details of various trysts held her fixed with a perverse fascination, and Grace was never one to pass on the pleasure of corrupting the uninitiated.
Flies buzzed languidly at the windowpane, lazily bumping up against the bars. Grace studied the cracked linoleum she flexed her calf muscles. So boring... The sun-bleached magazines stared dully at her eyes, proclaiming breaking news long since broken and discarded. Another sigh passed through her lips, and Grace returned to her list of playthings; Marlin, Dr. Thomas, Marie...
Ah yes, Lillith. Little girly goth, mother of demons wannabe. Teeth flashed again as Grace focused on the memory of her latest conquest. How easy it had been to gain her confidence. A few brooding hours complete with shy, sidelong glances; some halting attempts at conversation; a little mutual commiseration at their captivity; before Lillith knew what was happening, she was being tumbled beneath the sheets. After that, Grace couldn't keep her quiet; the secrets spilled out so fast. A treasure trove of information about the indiscretions of the Deputy Director, along with some other amusing tidbits.
Poor pathetic thing, Grace had almost found herself growing attached to Lillith, the way she clung. Starved for affection, willing to do anything she asked; pleading not to be abandoned. So helpless, so hopeless, so much like...
Grace felt the breath hook in her throat. Images at the edge of her memory began to gibber for attention. Pushing her glasses up, she bowed her head and began to squeeze the bridge of her nose.
"Focus" she hissed to herself.
The interview with the Deputy Director loomed ahead; not a time for indulging in weakness. Her mind blindly grouped for the spark of hatred she felt burning within. There. Grace cupped her thoughts around it and slowly fanned it into flame.
Lillith meant nothing, a get out of jail free card, nothing more. The Deputy Director was shit, her Mom and Stepfather were shit; all useless, worthless filth, made to be used and discarded.
Raising her head, grace found Maria timidly staring at her, mouth slightly agape. Slowly showing her teeth, Grace turned her fury outward, and felt gratified to see Maria tremble visibly under her gaze.
"G-Grace, the Deputy Director will see you now."
"I appreciate that."
Smoothing the skirt around her knees, Grace rose demurely, and turned toward the faded oak door. Her strong, red tipped fingers caressed then gripped the worn brass. Exhaling gently to submerge her anger, she turned the knob and pushed open the door, hesitating only momentarily to whisper,
"Showtime."
------------------------

The door opened quietly on its hinges as Grace cautiously kept her eyes focused on the clean, threadbare carpet. Pausing on the threshold, she awaited an invitation to enter; sneaking glances at the office's decor.
African tribal art, reproductions of Aboriginal rock paintings, a Navajo wall hanging; nice color coordination, but not exactly overwhelming. Stretch that public servant's salary, doc.
"Ms. Malshear, is it? Please, come in and take a seat."

Still not raising her gaze, Grace moved toward the only chair opposite his desk, her sandaled feet dragging slightly. As she lowered herself between the ancient leather arms, her eyes snatched a quick scan of the somewhat battered but immaculately polished desk.
Coral paperweights, the brass ashtray of scenic San Fran filled with toffee caramels, metal cowboy bookends with the single volume of Putin, the crystal globe and the obligatory vacation pictures- Nostalgic clutter with a touch of tacky Americana.

"Ms. Malshear, may I call you Grace? My name is Dr. Litso."

Grace lifted her head slowly, in what she hoped was a trusting and submissive gesture. Sliding her glasses up along the bridge of her nose, she carefully began to catalogue the director's appearance as she replied,
"Yes, please do."

He sat with her file beneath his folded hands; long, delicately tapered fingers that didn't want for a weekly manicure interlaced serenely. She noted with interest the sheen from his nails, provided by a coat of clear nail polish. As her eyes moved to his wrists, she observed the charcoal grey suit coat frayed slightly at the cuffs, but it appeared to be of the Calvin Klein collection. The immaculately tailored sleeves of his jacket lead her eyes to elegantly embroidered shirt that stretched across his muscular chest. A powder blue tie accented with a diamond stickpin completed the ensemble; a deftly tied Windsor knot drew her gaze upwards.

Even at this late hour, his face showed little trace of a five o'clock shadow; just a touch of darkness above his full lips. The hawk nose rose upwards, past high cheekbones where Grace noted a touch of foundation. This seemed to confirm what Lillith had intimated; feminine wiles were likely lost on Dr. Litso. Other avenues remained open, she reminded herself, nobody's perfect.

"Miss Malshear? Grace?"

With a start, she realized her wool- gathering had left her vulnerable; this was imprudent to say the least. Grace lowered her eyes demurely, and allowed a slight sigh to escape her lips; focusing on the wool skirt that enshrouded her knees. She inclined her head slightly to catch what she hoped were encouraging words.

"According to this," slim digits tapping the file,
"You've made significant progress over the past few weeks"
"At least," he paused "Dr Thomas seems to think so."

Something about his tone seemed to add sneeringly "that pathetic, lecherous idiot!"

Grace willed herself very still. This was not going well. She swallowed twice, resisting the temptation to touch her face. Focus, focus, focus, she chanted silently while frantically searching for the words that might soften his suspicions.

"I'm grateful for the help and guidance I've received."

Deep breath, slight tremble on the exhale.

"Everyone has been most kind, and I've been trying..."

She let her voice trail off, hoping to create a sense of earnest integrity with this verisimilitude of humility.

"Ah yes" his right hand removed the glasses from his face, and placed them on the desk.

"Trying is a term I find most applicable to describe your time here."

His palm tapped softly on the desk, letting a gold bracelet slide slowly down the muscled forearm from underneath his shirtsleeve. As it settled around his wrist, Grace picked out a name in delicate cursive lettering; "Brandy".

Hand raised to face, and the heel of his thumb rubbed the left eye tiredly, before grasping the spectacles and resettling them on his nose. The Deputy Director locked eyes with Grace.

"Nothing pleases me more than helping a resident resolve their difficulties and leave us."
He placed his left index finger against his temple, and stretched the corner of his lips slightly.

"But ultimately, the responsibility rests with the residents themselves. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the matter."

Grace found herself unable to break away from his bemused gaze. Smug bastard, he'd already decided the matter, and was taunting her with this show of feigned concern. Why hadn't she anticipated this, she wondered. He dealt with dozens like her daily; manipulation was second nature to him. Dealing with defectives had made her careless. She opened her mouth with cautious hesitancy.

"I..."

Soft tones emanated from the breast pocket of Dr. Listo's suit coat. He smiled condescendingly, as he slid his hand underneath the lapel and plucked out his silver Nokia cell phone.

"Please, hold that thought."

Grace felt herself vanish as he thumbed open the lid, rested the back of his hand on the edge of the desk, and stared down at the screen. The information triggered a sudden transformation of the Deputy Director; replacing his assured smirk of superiority with a tightly clenched jaw, and narrowed eyes. To her delight, Grace noted not only the scent of vulnerability; but by peering closely; she could discern the contents of the display reflected in the dear Doctor's glasses. A name, a number, and an expletive: thanks to her ability to decipher mirrored images, she had struck pay dirt. Dyslexia, my hero.

From the reaction the message evoked, fear tinged with desperation, Grace felt confident this was a lever strong enough to insure her release. All she needed now was the proper positioning, and the door to this cage could be pried open; Litso’s better judgment be damned. In fact, a little payback seemed in order; after all, mixing business with pleasure was her forte.
----------------------------------------------------

The cell phone returned to it place of concealment; the Deputy Director struggled to return his emotions to a similar sanctuary, a less than successful attempt which Grace found amusing.

"Now, Miss Malshear, where were we?" exhaled Dr. Listo. With slightly trembling hands, he moved his glasses to the bridge of his nose as he sought to bring her face into focus.

"I believe the topic was ...responsibility." She smiled, and leaned forward to place elbows on his desk. Fingers interlaced and chin rested on her extended thumbs; Grace peered upwards at the emerging sheen of perspiration on his forehead.

"My time here has been most instructive in this regard; thanks to Marlin, among others. The esteem with which he holds you is truly uplifting. Considering your hands-on approach, I'm not at all surprised that you would inspire such devotion."

She felt the smirk beginning to show on her lips, and found little reason to care. Stupid pricks ruled by their stupid pricks; she wondered at her previous apprehension, and felt the warm glow of satisfaction as she jerked his strings.

The Deputy Director responded with a sudden raise of eyelids; the reference to Marlin had hooked them open, and he stared at the auburn haired form in front of him with a new intensity.

"Really, Doctor, such actions not only serve as an inspiration to residents such as myself, I feel certain that others would derive benefit from knowledge of your activities."

The emerging pallor of Litso's face infused Grace with a sense of elated satisfaction. Evidently, the little girl goth had been dead on in her assertion of the after hour trysting between Listo and Marlin, but she cautioned herself from outright gloating. Plenty of time later, after some careful goading had guided him along her chosen path. His chin came up sharply, as he fended off her thrust.

"I must say I appreciate the sentiment behind your offer, Ms. Malshear, but I fail to see the relevance to your own situation."

He laced his fingers together tightly, and drew back lips to expose an enameled grimace.

"Much as I value the affirmations of my staff and their positive interactions with our residents, I was hoping you would provide some more substantial evidence of your progress. What have your learned here that would justify your transition back to society?"

Grace leaned back into her chair; the ancient leather creaking woefully. With her thumb beneath her jaw, and her index finger extended to her temple, she cradled the right side of her head and stared critically at the Deputy Director.

"My association with Lilith has taught me not only the value of empathy, but has allowed me shared confidence on a intimate level. Surely that's progress in a positive direction; building trust and affirming another’s sense of self."

Grace allowed her eyes to narrow at the Doctor's sudden intake of breath.

"She really is a most observant girl; full of insight and a willingness to share, someone I would do well to emulate.”

The Deputy Director swallowed, and let the trapped air in his lungs hiss slowly outward. Untangling his fingers, he placed his hands on the desktop between them, and exerted enough pressure to make his digits appear to dig into the mahogany veneer.

“Admirable indeed. I had hoped you were making strides in improving your interpersonal interaction skills, and this conversation confirms what I had gleaned from this report. An acknowledgement of past mistakes, and the ability to learn is crucial to one’s progress, as you seem to have learned.”

The pause here rang ominous in her ears, and she braced for the implicit violence. Deal time, before we do something we’ll both regret. Left hand slipped deftly into the pocket of her skirt, she flipped the small, plastic wrapped packet on the desk between his hands.

“Yes doctor, and something even more important; the art of compromise. I trust that this indicates my willingness to make the sacrifices necessary to rejoin society. Much as I am indebted to Marlin for his contributions to my welfare, there’s a larger perspective to consider- the best interests of this institution. After all, a little protection seems the most prudent course -considering the vulnerability of the residents, Lilith especially. This should afford you that opportunity.”

Grace watched the Deputy Director uncoil, as his left hand slid over the object on the desk. Leaning back, his fist squeezed slightly before placing it into his jacket’s side pocket. Nothing like a bit of blackmail to keep the troops in line, especially backed by physical evidence. The D.D. should have little to fear from Marlin now, and with his help, Lilith should prove much more manageable. An acceptable trade?

The nearly imperceptible nod of his head did not escape her watchful gaze, as they both began to breathe more easily. Time for the wrap up.

“Well, I must say you have made my job much easier. There are times when these interviews prove painful, but an enlightened mind like yours reaffirms my faith in the process and people in general. Once I have the opportunity to confirm a few facts, I see no reason why you shouldn’t be back with family in a few days.”

“Thank you doctor” purred Grace as she rose slowly to her feet. The Deputy Director dismissed her with wave of his hand.

“No need for gratitude, my dear. This is something you’ve earned.”

Exultantly, she moved to the door, preparing to exit, only to be frozen by his voice at the point of her departure.

“And Grace?” She paused, fearing deception and betrayal at her moment of glory; dread shaking the fingers upon the doorknob.

“May I say what a pleasure it is to see one of our residents reach her full potential. Au revior.”

requiem

2009-08-20T15:59:00.000-07:00

The death of Robert Novak has prompted an outpouring of emotions- contempt and hatred bundled with regret and remorse. I know little of his work and life, almost nothing concerning his relationships with the people around him, yet the ferociousness with which he is remembered gives me pause.

Disclosing secrets curries little favor from those whose hidden truths are revealed; but one would suppose that enlightening the public might prove commendable, especially in this era of concealment. In the end, however, this "Prince of Darkness" seems to have provided less illumination than incineration; fully comfortable with the role of fire-starter if it allowed him to be visible in the glow of the resulting pyre.

Sometimes the wont for self deception arises from more noble sentiments- the search for truth give birth to the striving for self aggrandizement; as the messenger seeks to become more important than the the missive he carries. As one climbs atop a pedestal, it becomes easier to mistake detachment for objectivity; until indifference slides into disregard, distaste and finally disgust.

The mere existence of opposition implies wickedness, and those holding clashing viewpoints transform into demons; denizens the nether regions fit only for the fire of indignation and abuse. An inability to acknowledge the limits of one's own intelligence often comes with a penchant towards ascribing ignorance to the minds of others; creating an impediment to both listening and learning, and a reinforcement of smug self righteousness.

If the Requiem played for one's death is an echo of such dismal sounds, perhaps such a passing is better served by silence.

fear coup

2009-07-06T06:12:00.000-07:00

Fear can serve a useful purpose when it warns of actual danger, and prompts us to take action to alleviate the threat. The problem with much of the dread in this current circumstance is that it is manufactured solely to facilitate interpersonal manipulation.

It's much easier to push someone around when they are off balance, and the fear of imperfection leaves everyone wanting greater stability- something that proves most profitable to the shills and their masters.

Being heavy or trans or old or different isn't inherently dangerous, but the perception that these characteristics warrant abhorrence prompts not only disdain but sanctified violence; for although no one can fully attain the ever shifting standards of beauty and style, everyone can inflict pain on those who fail- if for no other reason than to defect attention from their own shortcomings. Instead of being recognized as craven behavior, public denouncement of non-conformity is lauded for affirming social values, even as it diminishes and destroy the society it purports to cherish.

When fear becomes continuous, it loses its value; the constant alarm tends to be ignored, even when the threat is real. With the inability to distinguish between clear and present danger and contrived dread, comes a lust for the one element that is seen to provide mastery of the situation : power. Perhaps control over one's self is unattainable, but with enough money, fame, violence, etc., order (no matter how dismal) may maintained by controlling others.

The problem, however, is that power creates its own fear- fear of its loss, fear of greater power- which demands ever more power to control. This path leads down into the mire of terror; where all the conformity and power imaginable aren't enough to prevent being taken over and pulled under by fear.

Mutually Assured Destruction

2009-03-28T13:38:00.000-07:00

To shape unique individuals into interchangeable components requires a willingness and desire to amputate all forms of meaningful differentiation.

The power holders delegate this function through social norms to assure that groups enforce strict compliance by means of mental, emotional, and physical violence.

People must be taught to regard their most basic reality- their intrinsic sense of self- as a criminal perversity; deserving both abhorrence and punitive measures. Self hatred that springs from the recognition of human distinctiveness creates powerful tools in the hands of the unscrupulous; a truncheon to beat down diversity, and a blade to excise confidence in one's ability to create a viable personality.

Thus, personal validity becomes linked to conformity; and the willingness to destroy uniqueness in others. One can't have an identity , but one can prevent others from having theirs. The mutual destruction assures that no one survives; only the imitations of life are left to fill the societal slots.

Existence at the price of reality; a MADness controlled by insanity of power.

disgusting

2009-02-02T07:25:00.000-08:00

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=you-disgust-me-bad-behavior

"Regardless of how they may explicitly justify their beliefs on the subject, most people who believe that homosexuality is wrong also experience disgust at the thought of gay sex. Much of this work suggests it is the gut-level feeling of disgust that leads homophobes to reason that the behavior is immoral, not the other way around. In other words, “that which disgusts me must be wrong” rather than “it is wrong, therefore I should be disgusted.”
-----------------------------------

"What had been in his far-off youth a merely aesthetic repugnance to realities that were crude or vulgar, had deepened and darkened, year after year, into a fixed refusal of everything that was in any degree other than himself."
--C.S. Lewis

-------------------------------

Thus, through pride, ignorance, and intolerance, arises the notion that personal bigotry and hatred is sanctioned by divine law. Disgust is not the litmus test for sin; it may be reassuring to believe such, but that assumption is merely a convenience of hubris. Repugnance should not lead to abhorrence, especially when it concerns other people, lest contempt be indulged for individual satisfaction; and lives be damaged or ruined.

One of the primary functions of love remains its ability to bridge the gulfs between unique entities; the power to find worthy attributes in even the most dissimilar worldviews and cherish them. Worse still, when the omnipotent power is invoked as justification for worldly revulsion, it unburdens the conscience from the responsibility to treat each other with compassion and charity. Loathing becomes a duty; a mandate that frees up the destructive powers of condemnation and vengeance to annihilate perceived adversaries. This abrogation of moral obligation proves pernicious for both the accuser and the accused; fostering derision on both sides, and leading to violence.

The need to evaluate and govern one's own behaviors can not be taken as license to castigate others for perceived differences; and certainly not as justification for destroying those whose paths vary from our own. Personal prejudice can be effectively mitigated by acknowledging bias and striving to learn from everyone.

There is little more disgusting than a closed heart and mind that opens only to hatred.

If you're mortal and you know it...

2008-10-23T19:20:00.000-07:00

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=fear-death-and-politics

SOLOMON: A large body of evidence shows that momentarily making death salient, typically by asking people to think about themselves dying, intensifies people’s strivings to protect and bolster aspects of their worldviews, and to bolster their self-esteem. The most common finding is that MS increases positive reactions to those who share cherished aspects of one’s cultural worldview, and negative reactions toward those who violate cherished cultural values or are merely different.
------------------------------------------

Thus, invoking the fear of death can pander to people's bigotry, and arouse their hatred of the socially variant. This strategy has proved profitable for many groups; especially the reactionary religious ones. Further, by invoking the "death of culture" concept, this fear can be exploited even more adroitly.

By threatening the demise of concepts deemed irreplaceable to an individual's continued existence, the triggering of abhorrence occurs, and can be channeled into useful reservoirs of repugnance. Individuals that disagree with a cherished belief become life-threatening attackers; for which violence in kind is the only proper response.

Thus, the left-leaning morph into terrorist loving madmen; the gender variant mutate into horrific child molesters; and the poor distort into capitalistic crushing parasites; all inhuman creatures bent on cultural annihilation and requiring extermination.

Meanwhile, those espousing beloved viewpoints are canonized; their words and deeds a saintly inspiration by which to fashion life and livelihood. Absolved from the constraints of human ignorance and bias, the chosen ones don the mantel of omniscience; and thus are freed from the shackles of empathy or mercy.

A god adored becomes a comfort for mortals... and those aspiring to eternity through the elimination of the abominated adversaries.

three r's

2008-10-19T12:02:00.000-07:00

http://www.slate.com/id/2202303/

You could say our lives as social beings are ruled by the three R's: respect—the sense that proper deference has been paid to our status, reputation—the carefully maintained perception of our qualities, and reciprocity—the belief that our actions are responded to fairly.
---------------------------------
Indeed, these principles of education are the most prized within the academy of society; and inculcating them our most sacred task. Without due respect, there can be no self-esteem. Without a proper reputation, one's standing in the community is compromised. Without proportionate reciprocity, public intercourse becomes unbalanced and dysfunctional.

Managing these aspects of our lives becomes of paramount importance; calling us to expend all energy necessary to insure that our persona is properly cultivated and cherished by all pertinent people. Impressing others with our prominence should occupy a central position in our daily lives; insuring a stable and predictable pattern of interactions.

To achieve this worthy goal, both the powers of persuasion and coercion are vital, and need to be applied in copious portions to the festering sores of misperception that exist in the minds of others. Only when the infection of ignorance have been salved into submission can our proper station be restored and maintained.

This education needs to be continuing, for without constant reapplication; chances of a recurrence of reality are far too common; imposing the specter of infection and its insidious consequences.

hollowed be thy name

2008-10-18T19:55:00.001-07:00

One of the most delightful procedures is the evisceration of faith through religion itself. Where virtues might be found to flourish, the application of self-righteous pride and ignorance allow individuals to forgo the tiresome burdens of charity, hope, and devotion; freeing them to tote whatever orthodoxy rides most easily.

By substituting the image of holiness for its reality, and focusing all attention and adoration towards such a graven image; there remains precious little energy allotted to the actual work of faith. Thus, the ostentatious display of pseudo-piety affords its devotees sanctimonious smugness without any corresponding responsibility; a perfect recipe for a feast of indulgent hatred.

Secure within the shell of conviction, belief in anything other than the justification of self seems remote, and one finds little danger in evoking whichever deity best serves that purpose- hollowed be thy name, wherever thou art.

certainly wrong

2008-10-09T14:20:00.000-07:00

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=the-certainty-bias

"the brain has provided us with a wide variety of subjective feelings of reward ranging from hunches, gut feelings, intuitions, suspicions that we are on the right track to a profound sense of certainty and utter conviction. And yes, these feelings are qualitatively as powerful as those involved in sex and gambling. One need only look at the self-satisfied smugness of a "know it all" to suspect that the feeling of certainty can approach the power of addiction."

"In short, please run, do not walk, to the nearest exit when you hear so-called leaders being certain of any particular policy. Only in the absence of certainty can we have open-mindedness, mental flexibility and willingness to contemplate alternative ideas."
--------------------------------------------
Indeed, the oh so admired quality of certainty bespeaks of a rather less cherished one: ignorance. Just as those dependent on chemicals derive pleasure from a source both dangerous and rarely sustainable; those who are slaves to self-righteousness wallow in a destructive and debilitating bliss.

The mental warping from the intoxicating effects of unwavering dogmatism prevent the lucid evaluation of any position; indeed, the requirements of feeding such an obsession demand a reckless disregard for reality, even at the cost of integrity and happiness.

When leaders crow about their ability to "stay the course", they boast of an inability to think objectively, or reason coherently. Such esteemed madness may be acceptable for the zealots of the faith; but for the rest of the population, it is simply a fanaticism unworthy of public office.

Bad credit risk

2008-10-06T16:58:00.000-07:00

Currently, there has been a substantial amount of searching for a scapegoat in the financial meltdown. Indeed, there are many who have contributed to the difficulties, but one charge that I find particularly odious is the insinuation that loans to minority people crashed the system.

Somehow, the argument implies that those evil poor persons got too uppity; and started acting like they should be having mortgages like the real citizens of this great union. This, of course, transgresses the laws of God and man, and for such a violation of the natural order, a crisis of international proportions occurred. The architects of the global chaos were purported to be, as usual, the people with the least ability to effect beneficial change in their own situation; while the power brokers were again the helpless pawns of the paupers.

Watching the wealthy squander the economic future on their insane lust for present gain has become an American pastime over the last thirty years; with each disaster providing less entertainment value, and more hardship. As greater amounts of control are funneled into fewer and fewer hands, the wielders of influence become increasingly divorced from the mundane reality of average life; and grown progressively less sane in their dealings with politics and economics. The short term advantage has become an idol of epic proportions; worshiped with fervor equivalent to biblical malfeasance.

The golden calf of capitalism now requires sacrifice; the life blood of taxes and future prosperity should do nicely. Perhaps it is time to acknowledge the truth- the obscenely wealthy are the worst credit risks, and need to have their borrowing privileges revoked before they bankrupt us all.

owed to joy

2008-09-22T14:30:00.000-07:00

This is the land of debt, where the deficit of one's worth creates the sum of existence. The failure of capital to finance realistic self esteem leads to a flow of red ink washing any person caught in its wake to the gutter. For this then, praise sought and found by a lack of assets, compounds daily without interest in the principles of values. Give thanks for the shortfalls; in the long run, this gross is the only product equaling ecstasy.

lgbt community

2008-09-07T12:46:00.000-07:00

At best, we are more than the bearers of a common burden; we are united by wisdom and love born from a suffering of self.

The recognition that gender roles can not encompass the totality of our lives, and the fact that these tools of social structure have been used to try and chisel away those portions of personality deemed unsuitable to the community, have left us scarred but cognizant of the confines that limit the less aware.

The task before us lies in accepting the totality of ourselves and others, while teaching the balance of liberty and responsibility; we seek not to destroy those who would harm us, but to obliterate the ignorance that fuels their hatred.

This is not just a question of sex or gender; of intimacy, ecstasy, or indifference; of solidarity or isolation; it is a exploration of the equilibrium between society and self, and we have been made stewards of the standard most feared.

What unites us is not the pain, but its transcendence through wisdom; not common enemies but uncommon courage; not being despised but loving despite it. For many, the unwanted onus of self actualization in the glare of public eye would not be our first choice, but it is a responsibility we can be proud to bear.

We are the cast out stones that seek to build bridges with those who would discard us; and in doing so create foundation for a society built on strength rather than weakness. What binds us, in the end, are our virtues; not an adversary's vices.

If we can recognize and accept our variations as the individual decoration of the shared neighbor of values, we can live and work together in a community of inclusion and acceptance; thus inspiring others to leave the slums of unenlightened intolerance.

sucker into saint

2008-08-18T15:14:00.000-07:00

http://www.newsweek.com/id/151158
--------------------------------------------

"People can't stand the idea of being a fool; it's cognitively intolerable. So they mentally "reframe" the situation to make their behavior not only acceptable but superior: They moralize their spinelessness, transforming it into altruism, community spirit—saintliness. They become "holier than thou."
--------------------------------------------
For many, the specter of bigotry terrifies; the thought of appearing an ignorant, hate-filled fool propels them towards whatever cognitive contortions will sanctify their base impulses. Rather than take responsibility for the price of such prejudice, it feels much more pleasant to blame the objects of their intolerance; shifting the shame of hatred to those that are despised.

This is especially true for those that abhor gender variant people; whether by religious cant, or social convention, distorted rationalizations provide a convenient cover for loathsome behavior. Assaulting people in nonconforming attire becomes "upholding traditional social norms"; exploiting gay compatriots morphs into "exercising the will of God"- vices in any other context are transmuted into virtue simply by using fallacies bolstered by fear and dogma.

Cherished habits are not purified by time alone; it is a willful pride that prevents a reexamination of values in the light of affirming acceptance. The ability to change, especially when it comes from the recognition of ignorance; is not weakness, but a courageous strength much under appreciated in the realm of rigid mindsets. Loving one's self allows the extension of charity towards all, even those most feared. The importance of building realistic self esteem, and sharing this gift with others creates a society where hatred need not be hallowed, and allows each individual the opportunity to contribute their gifts for the greater good. Admitting to wrongs, and changing them is the path to righteousness.

Between a king and jack

2008-08-18T15:08:00.000-07:00

Gangsters and world leaders
Require the same protection from attack
From this distance it's hard to tell the difference
Between a king and jack
Between a poet and hack

-----------------------------------

All those besotted by power become indistinguishable, their forms are dimmed by the warp by which they are adorned. Legality becomes inconsequential, the morality abandoned far overshadows any vestiges of humanity bestowed by conventionality; distending the figures into caricatures of humans.

The pretense that assumes societal sanction prevents depravity provides a twisted amusement, but no real comfort for anyone possessing even the rudimentary powers of discernment. Adoration surpasses any judgment concerning virtue; notoriety becomes justification for existence, and allows depravity its own special acceptance.

The artists of the airwaves need only create a following to insure their passage to salvation; hacking to heaven denotes the norm of abnormality. The success of excess canonizes carnality; the paragons of anything but virtue are enshrined by rapt attention and indiscriminate adoration. What man has deified, let no one debase.

poisonous light pours from the picture palace

2008-08-18T15:07:00.000-07:00

While the poisonous light pours from the picture palace
And it flickers on, tries so hard to be scandalous
-E. Costello
--------------------------------
The unfortunate aspect that bedevils most modern media circles around the lack of shock and shame; the jaded skin of the public has become a nearly impenetrable armor that affords all to be viewed without any discernible impact. Any transitory emotions evoked by displays of horror, gore or vile cruelty dissipate like sweat, evaporating into the ether; leaving the observer a fraction cooler and a portion slightly less fragrant but otherwise untouched.

Feigned indignation has superseded actual outrage in common expression, and with it, has further corrupted the integrity of feeling that prompts interpersonal connections; empathy seems unobtainable when one is separated from their own emotions. The search for sensation becomes ever more desperate and elusive; from vicarious killing to indiscriminate intercourse, bemused indifference overwhelms even the extremes of behavior, and leaves the pursuer increasingly empty in the quest for fulfillment.

The graven self images created for consumers by the magic of the marketplace fit ill, and invoke illness; the offered objects of desire has little relevance for the targeted humanoids, and sicken those that don such shabby costumes. Like tainted cloth spreading disease into those cloaked in such unsuitable attire, the media-draped roles are incompatible with mental health; no matter how accessorized, these polluted vestments usher in an infection of self negation.

The pandering of palatable poisons has become pandemic, and this affliction can not be cured by the nostrums of contemporary culture; they are the toxins responsible for such ailments. The truth lies within the realization that the pursuit of power has caused corruption, and all the flickering pictures can't hide that fact; no matter how scandalous or from what palace the pour.

Sophistication

2008-07-08T18:02:00.000-07:00

With all his heart he wants to come close to some other human, touch someone with his hands, be touched by the hand of another. If he prefers that the other be a woman, that is because he believes that a woman will be gentle, that she will understand. He wants, most of all, understanding.
--Sherwood Anderson "Sophistication"

There is perhaps no communal experience that is more isolating than death. In its contemplation, with all the unknowable aspects to awe and frighten; there arises a need, primal in nature, to mitigate the horror by sharing the burden with another. Such sharing may take many forms, with many people, but love remains the most intimate, and meaningful manifestation.

Love forms from the trust built around exposed vulnerabilities; an appreciation of the complex and imperfect gestalt of personality as an artwork; not less desirable for its deficiencies, but all the more uniquely beautiful. To share our own weaknesses with someone who will both acknowledge and accept these shortcomings with candor and grace creates a relationship that can fashion a more complete person; one able to bear the responsibilities of conscience and charity required to fashion healthy society.

This bonding underlies the principle of betrothal; the foundation of human civilization. Such participation between individuals towards a common goals of unification, where a mutual goal outweighs private needs, must start on a personal level to afford everyone the necessary strength required for self sacrifice. Robbing individuals of this essence threatens the stability of the entire social structure, for depleted elements render the edifice unstable.

Thus, when society denies its people the right to bond with those who they love, it engages in self destruction. Each being needs the liberty to develop themselves and find others who will accept and cherish them. Government that defrauds it citizens of this process, whatever the motivation, degrades those it must seek to serve, and threatens its own integrity.

As the world becomes more interdependent, the price of ignorance and prejudice towards our neighbors rises. The antidote for the venom of fear that flows through the veins of an uncertain society is not a cowardly hatred, but the courage to learn and understand the differences in our compatriots. Accepting the humanity in others not only decreases the trepidation inherent in personal interaction, it also allows one to forgive the personal failings basic to all. Reaching out to touch another betrays not a weakness, but a strength too long underutilized. It is a sophistication to which everyone must aspire.

Slobber is fit badge for his breast

2008-07-08T17:40:00.000-07:00

The abundant blasphemy which bubbles over the lips of many reactionary religious fanatics is a corsage most culled by the August Assembly; this self-donned adornment of subtle and gross depravity masquerading as embellishment remains an achievement of the first order.

Corrupting sanctimonious bigots has never been overly difficult; indeed, their ignorance and moral cowardice provide a fertile ground in which to plant the seeds of hatred and contempt. Cultivating such germs into the full flower of divine usurpation, however, takes careful tending; requiring the careful application of copious amounts of both flattery and condemnation to raise narcissistic self-aggrandizing to its full ripeness.

Only when the unctuous have deluded themselves into believing that their personal prejudice is synonymous with heavenly abhorrence will this sacrilegious bloom be pinned to the breast, and watered with the bile of disdain. By rejecting charity for the hubristic pleasures of proscription, the quest for righteousness becomes perversion; displayed by the drool encrusted blossom riding over the heart.

Thus, by careful pandering to intolerance and selfishness, a creature may be created; one who will not only vilify others for his own satisfaction, but will do so under the guise of aiding his fallen brethren. Such appropriation of celestial power without corresponding responsibility, concern and love corrupts delightfully; rendering the wielder incapable of helping others or himself. Should self doubt rear its head at the desecration that abounds, he need merely glance at his slaver-caked chest for affirmation that all is well. After all, this badge of courage is well fitted to such a noble breast.

Dr. Mordacious "Deceit as a tool of statecraft"

Elasticity

2008-06-16T16:38:00.000-07:00

There are only two mistakes that inhibit your success. One is a lack of initiative, the other is overstepping your bounds. Between these two poles of error, the entire range of failure is bound. Thus, whatever deficits of achievement occur beneath your watch, you and you alone bear full culpability for the negative outcomes. Those above you can not be held accountable for disasters caused by your negligence and incompetence, and will swiftly met out the most severe retribution that suits our needs.

Thus, the degree of ruthlessness with which you discharge your duties becomes of paramount importance; not only to future prosperity, but more significantly, to your present existence. Understanding this will prove invaluable in realigning your values; for if any principle should limit the effective attainment of the task assigned, it is to be summarily discarded, and subsequently dismissed as immaterial.

Maintaining the utmost degree of elasticity when dealing with moral imperatives is not a sign of degeneracy, rather, it bespeaks of a dynamic, practical nature; one well suited to the progressive mindset needed for the betterment of the social structure. Any atavistic factions that cling to such notions as duty, honor, truth, justice and/or love are thus reactionary to the most appalling degree, and must be dealt with in the manner appropriate for such evolutionary dead ends- extinction.

Dr. Modacious- Deceit as a Tool of Statecraft
(from C.S. Lewis)

The peculiar form of clarity

2008-06-16T16:37:00.001-07:00

For most of my adult life, I have striven to mitigate my perception of isolation and suffering. The methods have been varied, as have my degrees of success, but the drive has remained constant and corrosive. At last, after nearly 48 years, the cumulative corruption has reached a point where a semblance of goal has been reached; I no longer have the ability to be fully aware of reality. Unfortunately, this has not lead to an alleviation of my pain; rather it has simply added a new layer of trepidation to the burden of dread I already carry.

I willed with all my being to be insensible to reality, and in doing so condemned myself to dwell in a realm beyond the grasp of sense. Here, the terror may be unreal, but not less terrifying for that; my growing horror unreasonable, but past the reach of reason. My apprehension lies slathered with just enough apathy to permit me to shamble between moments without being frozen by fear, but I lack the discernment to navigate towards any worthwhile destination. Eviscerating my soul has left me a shade that wanders through an indistinguishable labyrinth of shadow and illumination, substituting motion for progress.

In rare moments of insight, I retain just enough perception to ascertain the depths of desperation in which I dwell, and comprehend the utter hopelessness of escape. It is this peculiar form of clarity that remains my last link to humanity. Once it is severed, I know not what will be.

Casting out the Kindly Ones

2008-06-06T19:46:00.000-07:00

"Justice belongs to those who claim it, but let the claimant beware lest he create new injustice by his claim and thus set the bloody pendulum of revenge into its inexorable motion."
-Gowachin aphorism

Within the framework of society, conflicts between individuals must be effectively managed to insure a cohesion conducive to cooperation. The struggle to reconcile differing interests takes many forms; the most contentious and potentially disruptive may be that of addressing injuries among competing parties.

Unless all participants share a minimum of trust in the system of redress, the impetus provoked by emotional forces towards chaotic impulses threaten to rend the social fabric; as vindictive claws shred the binding ties of community. Fostering faith in such a process depends largely upon a perception of equality and impartiality; a projection of common good that overrides private concerns needs to demonstrate that the low and high share in civic responsibility, irrespective of their social status.

Thus justice compels an evenhanded distribution of punishment and rewards for those engaged in public conflict; an agreed upon framework of rules that limit acts of retribution, and supply a system of compensation for violations of communal law. When this exists, or at least is perceived to exist, maintaining social order remains a matter of application and adjustment; when such a perception fades, the maintenance becomes much more problematic.

For justice to exist, and moreover flourish, it must be valued; not merely with words, but by the allocation of resources in a manner shared by its benefactors and conspicuous in its application. Further, without a demonstration that individual power is subordinate to the demands civic interests, the burden of due process becomes untenable to those whose lack the influence to manipulate such a system.

Thus, an unwillingness to provide adequate funds to support justice or a lack of moral will to enforce justice lead to a erosion of public faith in the system, and portend a regression to more atavistic forms of redress. Taking the law into one's own hands means removing it from the social grasp, and shifting the grip from common good to individual benefit. Such a shift opens the way to the passionate clutches of vengeance, displacing the hand of due process with the claws of vindictiveness.

When reason is abandoned for a reversion to instinctual fury, the Kindly Ones are cast out from their place of honor, and condemned to roam afield; the spilled blood stains not only the talons they posses, but the digits of all who abandoned their homage.

Grasping Relics

2008-02-26T18:54:00.000-08:00

There are certain elements of the past that encumber our lives; pieces of a bygone era that threaten our ability to adapt and change. While we hold these fragments dear, we deprive ourselves of the opportunity to come to grips with the present.

When we sanctify memory due solely to the nature of remembrance, we consecrate delusion by enshrining an surreality with in the temple of truth. The lack of reality endues the past with a halo most appealing in many eyes, but our worship of such images become graven in our minds, displacing the actual history with the idols of idealized yesterdays.

The room needed for change thus becomes crowded by tchotchekes, our mental attics cluttered with baubles no longer serving an function but that of nostalgia; prohibiting growth by binding us to the departed times and places. For experience to serve, it must not remain a hallowed icon, untouched by reinterpretation, but a material upon which to build a clearer and more truthful present awareness.

Lest we devolve into dust covered memento ourselves, we need to relinquish the cherished relics of the past, and bend our digits to grasp a more solid, if slippery contemporary existence.

Of this time, of that place

2008-02-26T18:51:00.000-08:00

The instruments of precision fail to serve when they supersede their designated purpose; the fear of uniqueness impairs the creation of the self that fulfills the deepest need of the individual. For the sake of conformity and acceptance into the society of achievement, machines degenerate the organic distinctiveness by denying soul spawned thought and feelings.

The enticements wailed by clockwork sirens befuddle all sense of navigation, sending the ship of reason yawing towards the shoals of desire; wrecking the voyage of self discovery. For want of certainty, for lust of security; progress is abandoned upon the rocky shallows of technology; the spirit left to bleach into a hollow carcass, bereft of beauty and life.

Here then lies the most terrible of all temporal and spacial junctions, the nowhere all-encompassing both self and situation; the negation defining existence that relegates humanity to an inanimate object, forever confined to this and that time and place.

As dead as You

2008-02-26T18:50:00.002-08:00

Mutually assured destruction is a form of madness both readily understood, and strikingly perverse. When applied to the field of thermonuclear warfare between nation states, this balance of terror menaces even the irrational into immobilizing their aggressive tendencies; but when such forces loom over ideological factions within a community, they may prove insufficient to curtail the havoc wrought by divisive worldviews.

When compassion and respect for alternative viewpoints becomes viewed as weakness; when empathy and understanding towards those who differ is cast as capitulation; compromise and accommodation are deemed as intolerable vices, suitable only for the morally depraved.

Pride infuses doctrine with unassailable righteousness, and arms its adherents with the weapons of hate and intolerance. When the cause itself becomes the end, no sacrifice becomes too great; even those that nullify the moral obligations supposed to be the basis of such action. To prevent violence; violence must be used. In the name of truth, deception becomes viable. To prevent the death of innocents, the innocents die. The price of victory necessitates the desecration of the values which initiated the conflict, and the combatants become as expendable as the principles they pretend to cherish.

The death of ethics may prove just as ruinous as a corporeal demise; when the cultural becomes irradiated by the release of animosity's armaments , the resulting toxicity ushers in a moral carnage both devastating in scope and indiscriminate in its victims as any atomic blast.

Just a swallow away

2008-02-26T18:50:00.001-08:00

The cartoon head gapes an open mouthed grin while sporting a large white tablet atop his cherubic head. Captioning the character, who is designated "Speedy", read the words -"Relief is just a swallow away." The tang of irony tastes bitterly metallic to one grown accustomed, and accustomed to groan at the burden of addiction.

The inability to regulate one's emotions without the use of chemical agents signifies more than just inexperience or innocent ignorance; it becomes indicative of an endangered individual. For some, organic causes indicate biochemical alterations; without which, the means to a healthy and productive life are elusive, if not most improbable.

For others, the use of such agents result in a pattern of maladaptive behavior which renders a worthwhile existence nearly impossible, and threatens those with which they interact.

Forces remain, however, that reinforce such self destructive habits; whether they consist of a lust for personal profit, or a need to foster a vulnerability to manipulation, the impetus towards cultivating pharmaceutical dependencies carves a swath of carnage across the body of society.

By limiting the analysis of this problem to that of the individual and their personal responsibility, one risks overlooking the benefits others may derive from such actions, and hinder the development of effective solutions. It is never a simple chain of weakness that binds the chemically dependent to their habit of degeneracy, but an web of interlocking gain and loss the that captures both society and its members in a sticky grip.

Relief is forever fleeting, no matter the number of gulps; hawking debasement remains a constant that the community should find increasingly difficult to swallow.

The most incorrigible vice

2008-02-12T18:13:00.000-08:00

The evil that is in the world always comes of ignorance, and good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence, if they lack understanding. On the whole men are more good than bad; that, however, isn't the real point. But they are more or less ignorant, and it is this that we call vice or virtue; the most incorrigible vice being that of an ignorance which fancies it knows everything and therefore claims for itself the right to kill. The soul of the murderer is blind; and there can be no true goodness, nor true love, without the utmost clear-sightedness.
--Albert Camus The Plague

The murder of Sanesha Stewart is more than an individual atrocity and personal desecration, it is a crime of collective malice and cowardice. Her homicide and subsequent debasement by the The Daily News indicate the abhorrent ignorance embraced by many of the general public, and the joy with which it is cherished.

Casting aside even nominal standards of decency and empathy, the killer becomes kindred in the eyes of onlookers; a pitiable victim ensnared by the web of fraud, overcome by a revulsion to act in an understandable fashion. Mindless fear and a craven aversion to those beyond their feeble ken lead the mob to gawk and snicker while mumbling incoherently about "retribution"; righteous outrage is reserved only for "real" people.

In asserting the right to kill, Sanesha's slayer lays claim to the most incorrigible vice; an ignorance that supposes it knows everything. The hubris in proclaiming to know the "true" identity of another, and thus invoking the right to exact the ultimate penalty from anyone transgressing such an immutable state bespeaks a blindness fetid with profanity.

Yet, such excremental views are spread across the tabloid press, and consumed with relish by those spineless individuals who cower at the thought of personal realization. Embracing such filth, besmeared by the putrefaction of moral responsibility, they seek to stifle the stench by burying the desecrated beneath mounds of derision and defamation; as if belittling the corpse would render the crime less heinous.

The exultations of the great unwashed may today drown out cries for justice; it will not always be so. Blindness, even one so cherished, leads into a ditch; leaving the road available for clear sighted to travel with goodness and love.

soddenly, last summer

2008-01-14T19:42:00.000-08:00

The sum of his artistry centered around his talent to draw a bottle empty. A common skill, and one not particularly beneficial, but practice did enhance his abilities, and he did embrace the task with ardor.

It provided a limited sense of accomplishment; accompanied by an increasing lack of inhibition, and/or coordination. One of the fortunate byproducts centered around his diminished capability to perceive his lack of perception. Painting a portrait in venom, he etched the flesh canvas with brush strokes of dissipation; determined in the delusion that this endeavor would stand the test of time.

Succumbing to the corrosive nature of his chosen media, the artist never fully completed his masterpiece, despite the endless hours of arduous labors within the brass-railed studio. Under the blaze of the intemperate elements, his flame was extinguished; leaving only the stone hewed review of some quarried critic --

Work in Progress
R.I.P.

externalized self loathing

2008-01-14T15:54:00.000-08:00

One of the major problems I see in many religious systems is the propensity for self esteem abasement. Hating the perceived imperfections present in the human condition becomes a precondition for entrance into the religious order, and the subsequent destruction of confidence produces a need to alleviate chronic anxiety.

Unscrupulous manipulators realize that dominating people becomes much easier where self loathing resides, but the side effects of a self-destructive mindset pose a significant problem. Thus, internalized individual abhorrence is directed outwards towards an endless parade of enemies, diverting the attention from the real problem; a lack of self acceptance and love.

Sometimes, the reluctance to face our own despised characteristics spawns the most virulent animosity toward others who display them. The reflection of our own imperfections arouse a violent revulsion; as if smashing the mirror can cure us of the traits we find repulsive.

I believe that many in the gender divergent community have struggled to obtain a realistic and compassionate understanding of themselves, and therefore have much to offer the misguided in respect to the importance of acceptance and empathy.

A house divided against itself can not stand, no matter how many props of hatred try and support it; perhaps only a foundation of loving embracement can build the people that our fractured and fracas-loving society requires.

insignificant others

2007-12-29T17:19:00.000-08:00

In much the same fashion with which the society at large diminishes, demonizes and dismisses the gender variant community, the predominant elements of the genderqueer populace deride those outside the boundaries of comfortable delineation.

Transpeople and those with whom they bond fracture the framework of gay and straight; and the splintering leaves slivers of animosity lodged underneath the skin of those framing the rigid castes of gender.

For those whose lives are invested in the proposition that gender is an immutable manifestation of self, the concept of fluidity may seem threatening; an undermining of the foundations of identity. While biological differences are indisputable, the relationship of physiological distinctions to social asymmetry is neither clear cut, nor without mitigating factors.

Society has fashioned roles based upon the supposed flesh dichotomy; and many have mistaken those constructions for elemental forms of the human condition. True, there is comfort in the belief that gender is preordained, and thus beyond our ability to effectively alter; but our lives demonstrate changing roles- from infant, to child, to adult- and these shifting behavior patterns are accepted as normal. Why then should the adoption of another form of conduct be judged impossible and offensive?

To diminish the validity of another's identity to shore up one's own smacks of definition by negation; it demonstrates a lack of self- understanding, and an empathetic ignorance of others. To link individuals or groups to undesirable attributes, and by disassociation from them claim personal virtue-this is neither logical nor prudent; it merely exhibits a lack of clear values by hoping to pander to common fear and revulsion. Morality comes not from a lack of vice, or a deficit of malignancy; it is derived from acts of charity and compassion, behaviors that demand personal risk and loss in pursuit of uncertain and nebulous gain. One can not build an ethical identity upon the razed ruins of another's respect, there must be a delineation of personal principles and a list resources allocated to raise such a foundation.

The unwillingness to sacrifice others to found ones' self, especially in a culture fond of cannibalizing what it considers outsiders, remains one of the greatest challenges for the gender variant to master. Hopes for a constructive, inclusive society however, depend on mastering such skills, and extending a gracious benevolence towards those fixated upon destroying people who fall beyond the pale of fearful cowardice they have erected within their own minds.

Without an appreciation of the mental and moral shackles that bind the craven to their destructive bigotry, and a willingness to perceive and acknowledge those failings within our own lives, we insure the creation of insignificant others, especially ourselves.

Addled essence

2007-12-27T09:12:00.000-08:00

Contorting the transition from child to adult, intoxicants prevent humans from becoming their essential selves, leaving instead a muddled shell of exploitable potential. Whenever heartfelt passions are deemed inappropriate, and their expression results in abuse and censure, the inclination towards suppression leaves one especially vulnerable to the emotional distance afforded by inebriation.

Outward displays of affection and empathy violate one of the supposed virtues of adulthood; the impartial, detached appraisal of interpersonal relations deemed vital to the rites and rituals of acquisition. Worse still, if one exhibits emotional attributes regarded as incongruent with an assigned role; the rendered judgment often implies not mere immaturity, but a deviant depravity.

The castigation that accompanies these perceived infractions of social convention may be exceptionally damaging when applied to adolescents; in striving to refashion their identity, the tenuous foundation of self worth leaves an acute vulnerability to criticism. Overwhelmed by the cascade of new responsibilities and obligations, besieged by alterations of form and physiology, battling internal and external conflicts; the need for an expeditious resolution to such troubles bears down with excruciation force. Thus, the temptation of chemical desensitization coupled with the economic incentive inherent in suppling such emotional obscuration lead many to the realm of synthetic negation.

Here, obliviating pain and contention denotes maturity; transitory annihilation of unique attributes and viewpoints serves the public welfare. The bogus comradery assumed by a shared burden of intoxication, coupled with the repression of genuine sentiment, lead to spurious conformity; baseless and debasing. Fleeting moments of fellowship couple with unremitting self reproach; feigned kinship dissolves into isolated contempt, furthering the schism between public and private self.

The void created by a desecrated spirit tears into the fabric of being, demanding ever larger amounts of dissolution to cloak the cavernous interior. When the hole has become more than the sum of its parts, the person implodes; suicide- intentional or by default. Standing at the edge of the chasm, spectators and specters mumble about incomprehensibilities behind their veils of imperceptibility.

Another muddled soul; the mystery invokes the customary denouncements that blinker the public from self reflection and culpability.

Another muddled soul, the prey of poison on an addled essence.

Pallid drone

2007-12-27T09:08:00.000-08:00

Draining the individual life force from humans remain a primary concern of all gainful employment. By reducing a thinking, feeling, caring person into a drone who merely reacts to the given stimulus, a creature is created which has great value for the means of production.

The difficulty lies in the degree of dehumanization which will prove most beneficial to the demands of enterprise, and means by which it is to be achieved.

Certainly, the simple reduction of self worth remains one of the most useful tools for any situation. Destabilization of personal affirmation allows the creation of a gaping void, one that demands to be filled by outside forces. Thus, the individual finds itself beholden to outside powers for validation, and therefore unable to resist the guiding hands of manipulation.

Materialistic society at large furnishes much of this insecurity by way of consumption driven culture; an adroit profiteering of such insecurity entails linking self esteem to income production, especially at the individual's expense. The more efficiently the employee engages in their own exploitation, the "better" they are proclaimed to be. The epitome of this relationship occurs when the worker literally deconstructs themselves in a futile attempt to gain validation. Their families, spirituality, and outside interests all are to be discarded in the pursuit of affirmation; leaving them ever more unstable, and dependent on the approval of their economic masters.

Thus, the striving forwards leaves them backward, and their backwardness leaves them no way forward. Drained of life by work, and of work by life, they are running back to an emptiness in either direction.

Selective inattention

2007-12-27T08:57:00.000-08:00

Growing up in a society burdened with incessant hawking makes protective ignorance an invaluable skill. The constant drone of the advertiser's demands wears thin the coat of kind attention, and demands instead a thicker cloak to shield the mind from scrabbling greed.

Ignorance thus becomes a cherished friend, a protective patron to dim the clamoring hordes demanding attendance on their petitions for time and money. One learns to circumvent the ever more insistent cries with an polished indifference that shines; battle hardened and nearly impenetrable to the daily onslaught.

Such armor comes at a price, however. The insulative properties isolate not only the malevolent but the deserving as well. One equates empathy with vulnerability, and vulnerability with weakness; thus measuring strength as the impregnability to the emotions and concerns of others. Eyes watch, ears hear, but neither perceives the import of the input, thus reducing sensory perception to unimportant static, irrelevant data that may be summarily discarded.

The same indifferent ignorance soon overwhelms one's own self; disregarding the soul's entreaties for human sustenance by squandering attention on trivial diversions. Growing the void with meticulous apathy, a headful of hollow becomes the goal rather than the byproduct one's life; leading the intentionally unwary beyond the pale of morality and humanity.

What you want

2007-12-04T12:27:00.000-08:00

What you want is not what you want; or more precisely, what you desire is not what you require.

It is much harder to manipulate the satisfied person; as long as the perception remains that needs are not met, there is room for outside domination. Thus, one basis for interpersonal control rests upon the perception of internalized inadequacies; convince an individual that their qualities are insufficient for humanity and the fear of destruction can drive them to desperation, grasping at any supposed "cure" for their monstrous condition.

Cultivating the dearth of confidence needs to be coupled with the disdain for diversity; when only the proclaimed perfect are allotted the right to exist without derision and damage, the penalties for any deviation become accepted as just and desirable.

People embrace the pleasure of dismembering the defective, equating it with the privilege of dismantling the inanimate possessions that inhabit the lives of the acolytes of materialism. Things are made to be broken and discarded when they cease to suit the whims of the owner; and the humans that fall short of the social standards of sufficiency transmute into objects of reproach, whose proper place becomes the rubbish bin.

Such a terrifying fate leads many to allow any form of control, any contortion of self that prevents the devolution from human into manikin; allegiance to whomsoever promises protection from the ravages imposed upon the designated failures of humanity. Seeking security leads to the adoption of a more deadly peril; an identity divorced from reality, a continuous refashioning of self to suit the capricious demands doled out by the consumptive culture.

The pleasure of rending others replaces the joy of being one's self; the lack of said joy reduces individuals to automatons devoid of the ability to informed consent. Desire has destroyed what one requires.

fear and cowardice

2007-10-16T20:43:00.000-07:00

Fear is not the problem, the problem is cowardice.

Reason provides the tools to allow one to acknowledge the unknowable. It can be conceptualized, but not experienced, and its unfathomable nature defies the reach of reason.

What reason cannot grasp inspires emotion; the imperceptible evokes uneasiness. That which dwells in the darkness of ignorance threatens the serenity of the world view; that which lies beyond illumination menaces the ramshackle foundation of mind.

For many, the world is a fear fulled place.When one's understanding is limited, uncertainty looms within the shadow of every tower of ignorance. In such dismal gloom, the flame of hatred brings comfort; warming fear chilled innards, but providing scant light with such heat.

When seeking to deprive another of such comfort without offering suitable replacements, the reaction is often anger. Hatred becomes seen as a right, not a privilege; and thus coveted with fierce intensity. Anyone that would deny this emotion becomes the enemy- and becomes subject to whatever violence seems suitable.

To look beyond fear, to see it as normal and human; rather than a fatal weakness, lessens the grip of dread, and allows other options besides hatred to be seen as acceptable. Inflicting pain upon others to mitigate terror speaks of contempt and cowardice; not courage.

Accepting the limits of both reason and knowledge afford a more realistic view of the unknown, and a way to face it without harming others.

Faith trumps pride

2007-10-04T15:07:00.000-07:00

Anger arise when an image owned is associated with people hated.

It is not the messiah who is debased; blasphemy harms the perpetrator , not the divine.

When the materialistic find their property linked to unwanted associations, it becomes a personal affront; fear couples with cowardice, yielding hate.

Flesh made wo/man

2007-10-04T14:50:00.000-07:00

Self determination is a laudable goal- so long as it doesn't extend to the boundaries of gender roles.

The social structure is comprised of many roles based on anatomical differences - boy, girl, man woman, father, mother, etc- but in a world where uncertainty threatens many a psyche, immutable boundaries have become a placebo for accurate and descriptive terms of individuality.

Society trumps biology in human society- the species spreads across the globe into environments lethal to the individual through the use of group cooperation, rather than genetic changes. To ignore this reality, and instead demand that physiological attributes are the sole determination for one's societal role not only degrades the individual, but the culture as well.

My reality becomes yours

2007-08-21T16:14:00.000-07:00

What is power? On the interpersonal level, it is the imposition of one world view over another. In society, the shared reality dictates actions, behaviors, values and beliefs; but if the collective vision derives its structure from a conglomeration of individual perceptions, which will rule?

Is it force of will, or the proximity to truth that determines the adoption of a particular perspective? Viability or verisimilitude? Does the mindset that serves today lead to an increased probability for survival, or convey the human caravan to a cul-de-sac? The propensity for personal expediency to exploit public opinion is acknowledged by most, but will truth out in the final analysis? Are some delusions so palatable that they supersede rational thought and objective observation? Will the derived comfort of deception prove great enough to dull the sense of survival, and dictate demise?

Surrendering one's self hood to the demands of societal commandments becomes a delicate balancing act; too little, and one is denied the benefits inherent in cohesive group actions; too much, and one is denied the self which seeks enrichment.

It is the use of force to make one's will manifest in all that poses the true moral dilemma. Doing with might under the pretext of doing right entices, but corrupts; to cower or coerce others into conformity negates the virtue sought by such adherence.

When I make my reality yours, it becomes something less than becoming- you become less.

Girls, what are they good for?

2007-08-20T17:40:00.000-07:00

This oft repeated phrase from the lead mechanic at work is meant to convey a sense of fear and anger at gender variation and femininity in general. He hopes for an answer that will confirm my allegiance to the cult of men, but my unwillingness to conform remains a puzzling sore spot for him to ponder.

It's all in the game of gender play, the roles produce stilled scripts that seem unsuitable to individuals, but pretense insists that these learned behaviors are biologically predetermined.

Swish one day, swagger the next; these are the two sides of the same coin that most people refuse to flip over. What kind of security does self destruction provide? At least the decimation seems consistent; better the hell you know.

Hate of uncertainity=certainty of hate

2007-07-27T13:51:00.000-07:00

Fear is a shared condition; necessary and productive in limited doses, but corrosive in large quantities. That in a life of increasing complexity we should seek to minimize dread- invoking uncertainty surprises few, however, the methods utilized for such ends may prove debilitating.

Denying others the right to self determination may prove useful in fixing one's beliefs in righteous ground, but such a planting ground of cement becomes sterile; unable to support growth. Without an openness to allow people to change themselves in the hopes of becoming more productive; stagnation and decay begin, subverting strength and solidarity.

The cost of stability derived from denunciation and dehumanization is a loss of love and respect; contempt stains the skins of all involved.

Not this nor any other...

2007-07-26T13:53:00.000-07:00

It's not just the fog that comes in on little cat feet, its the pitter patter of dread. I'm watching the light fade from my eyes, and I wonder at the break point- when the perception of loss is overcome by the loss of perception. Trust in objects and chemical reactions leads to objectification and a reaction to chemicals; the path of least resistance has lead to me without resistance to my least.

The craving for creature comforts creates a creature that derives comforts in craving, and lacks the ability to be comfortable. Between stimulation and sedation, asphyxiation and intoxication, obsession and stupefaction, the space for clarity and reflection has narrowed to the razor's width; not so much a place to stand as an edge to slice off any delusions of sensing sensibility. My mind has lost its perspective, leaving me adrift in the confusion of a sea of my own spawning.

Full groan

2007-07-24T13:44:00.000-07:00

Not that I will ever reach maturity; juvenile paralysis seems to be much more my style. There's a deep resentment for the destruction of self that imposed itself upon the form and function I felt my own; a warping that continues to this moment.

A basic cowardice created from a want of security; a lack of courage concerning the value of my persona; I drag these destructive thorns through my flesh without hope of absolution or release. Full of pity for a pity full soul; too frightened by the thought of a higher hell to look for some lower heaven; the space I haunt holds all the shades of fear needed to color the spectacles of a quivering specter.

If there exists any life to live within such unhallowed hollows, it continues to elude; leaving me to the deadening spirits from without to within.

2007-06-05T18:15:00.001-07:00

Almost human

2007-05-22T15:17:00.000-07:00

I am reminded of what my wife told me about our first correspondence; that her trepidation was mitigated by the fact that I didn’t ask about her anatomy. To me, such inquires would denote an objectification bordering on schizophrenic sadism; but from her accounts, it was the norm.

A lack of respect for another is indicative of contempt for one’s self; the notion that transpeople are unworthy of human compassion and love demonstrates the kind of depravity inherent in many individuals notions of a “normal” relationship.

My wife’s transsexuality enhances her natural attractiveness; it augments her beauty with a gentle, gorgeous empathy that I find irresistible. Would that the culture at large could forgo their beloved ignorance long enough to appreciate the beauty of personal integrity.

cherished malice

2007-05-20T15:50:00.000-07:00

Where anger is seen as strength, a sign of courage and power, hatred becomes a virtue most prized. The corrosive debasement of abhorrence corrupts one's personality, and the bitter rust of rancor weakens the moral foundation of ethical behavior.

The love with which contempt is lavished upon enemies speaks to the inversion of virtue into vice. The damnable traits of one's adversaries become a source of joy, in that they afford the opportunity to despise. Any turning of horror from the creation of self becomes cause for celebration; a momentary obscuring of the vile visage the mirror wears.

Rather than learn to love one's self and be forced to accept the less pristine reality; detesting the world for revealing the lack of perfection helps maintain the illusion of immaculate existence. As the gap between the inner and outer realm grows, is it any wonder that malice becomes ever more cherished?

attract/shun

2007-05-09T02:00:00.000-07:00

When defining the nature of desire, ignorance and emotional blindness play a distinctive role; but there are means by which such short sightedness may be overcome.

Understanding the elements which define our attraction to another is complex and fraught with difficulties; especially when they fall outside the bounds of convention. Most often when searching for a life partner, people use the customary parameters for guidance; regardless of their applicability.

When hearts yearn towards those who traverse the barriers of gender, different problems arise; both in self awareness and relational compatibility. What perversity rules the heart when it longs after an unknown; is it merely a lust toward the inhuman or a seeking of a kindred spirit? To search for the ambiguous may be a reflection of our own nebulous nature; an exploration of the facets that conventional society obscures.

When we strive to love, we embrace the elements outside our awareness, and move to expand the parameters of self that confine our consciousness. Accepting attraction to the unique compels us to look beyond lust, and temper base desire with a tenderness that cools the fevered heat of passion.

The danger lies in denial of our longing; a negation of what we truly feel by dampening our emotions into fetishes that debase ourselves and objectify those we might love. Only by embracing passion can we hope to create the compassion a beneficial relationship requires.

yes, virginia tech, there is an insanity clause

2007-04-28T13:29:00.000-07:00

Madness imposed from without becomes the mania which flourishes within. The controlled insanity that leads us to derive pleasure from the pain of an another creates chaos; a consuming anarchy that revels in destruction of self, others and society.

To expect individuals to derive sanity from the psychotic interactions they experience denotes a complete divorce from reality; a social schizophrenia that seems logical only in the light of fanatical hubris. To torment and expect gratitude for such mental dismemberment denotes a lust for moral detachment; a hunger for convenient outlets to disperse fear and pain without regard for the consequences.

Takes a village

2007-04-27T14:42:00.000-07:00

It takes a village to raise a child; it takes a culture to raise a mass murderer.

The fevered desperation with which the general public seeks to deny responsibility for the murderous rampage of Cho would be amusing, if the pathetic cowardice were not so disturbing.

Abused and debased during his life, he now bears the distinction of being fodder for all the scapegoating customary in these cases; those who exploited Cho during his life are superseded by those who would exploit his death for their own political purposes.

A thousand contributions to depravity helped mold the killer of Virgina Tech: degradation, isolation, negation all provided the elements necessary to form a vicious and disturbed individual. As we cast about for someone to blame, will no one claim credit for creating this work of homicidal genius?

hate crimes

2007-04-27T13:22:00.000-07:00

It is important that we take individual responsibility for our actions, but it is equally vital that we hold other accountable for their behaviors as well.

This Act would also provide much-needed resources for local law enforcement agencies, so they can investigate and prosecute hate crimes. This is not an issue of condoning behaviors that conflict with moral values, it is a question of controlling the destructive bigotry that tears at the social fabric of our society.

This legislation has long been supported by 31 state Attorneys-General, former U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh, the National District Attorneys Association, the National Sheriffs Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Police Executive Forum and many other law enforcement organizations.

Please vote for the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. I ask that you understand that for my wife and myself, this is not only a question of principle, but of personal safety.

We have no desire to force others to accept the viability of our lives, but we demand that their beliefs should not be used as justification to imperil our bodies, homes and livelihoods. This act, in our opinion provides the tools to create an equality that is both desperately needed, and sorely lacking.

in (never) cold blood

2007-04-27T12:51:00.000-07:00

The idea of the mass murderer being someone who kills, not in the heat of passion, but in a cold, calculating fashion tends to ignore the reality of hatred- the blood that never cools.

Some of the most destructive emotions we possess are the unreleased ones- that which remains unexpressed increases its power a thousand fold. In the cult of masculinity, the inability to show the true nature of one's feeling exacts a toll, sometimes a gross and terrible one.

Anger becomes , to quote Pickard, like old leather; so comfortable one can not remember feeling any other way. More devastating, however, is the belief that the emotional pain of the present experience will never abate. This fire of hate, fear and pain congeals into a rage that burns unceasingly; and its flame consumes the portions of humanity that would prevent acts of atrocity.

With blood at a perpetual boil, cooler heads can't prevail; once the liquid evaporates, the scorched flesh begins.

imus shocked as hue

2007-04-11T22:30:00.000-07:00

Ignorant hatred plays palatable; the sweet flavor of bigotry finds favor upon many a tongue. Imus certainly pandered to the basest level of many a patron; he cloaked himself with the mantel of political respectability in the hopes of offsetting the despicable prejudice he loved to espouse.

The extraordinary monetary compensation he received demonstrates the love society has for such filth; moral pornography spread thick on the daily bread of media consumption.

The reactionary apologists howl plaintively at the demise of one of their own; personal responsibility is fit for anyone besides themselves. For the rest of the rational public however, it's nice to see this decrepit hatemonger put out to pasture, all hail Media Matters for their good works.

duking it out

2007-04-11T21:57:00.000-07:00

http://www.nostatusquo.com/ACLU/Porn/orgasmpol.html
How Orgasm Politics Has Hijacked the Women's Movement
by Sheila Jeffreys
The sex of prostitution has become accepted as the model for sex.
"Tabletop "dancing" tells us something we must understand about "sex" as constructed under male supremacy: The men bond through shared degradation of women. The men who frequent such clubs learn to believe that women love their sex-object status and love to sexually tease as they are examined like slaves in a market. And the women, as they told us, just cut off from what they are doing."
----------------------------------------------------------------
The veil of purity has been restored; the hymen reconstituted for those brave and exploited bastions of masculinity, the lacrosse players of Duke. Today all charges against them were withdrawn, and the new lawman in charge went so far as to declare them victims of horrible injustice. This lead others to howl in glee that any and all derogatory designations made towards these academic stalwarts must be the false ravings of the demented feminists and liberal hellspawn. The saints of sanctioned striptease have had their reputations restored; rich, objectifying brothers bound by the shared degradation of women for entertainment.

I breath a sigh of relief that wealth and power can triumph in a justice system; I feel palatable relief at the assurance that the elite will be spared the injustice of a misguided and malignant prosecution.

I exult further with the pronouncements of the pundits that no racist sentiments could have possibly been involved; at least not on the part of the stick wielding sons in question. Since the charge of rape has proved unprofitable to prosecute, the oppressed have likewise had their sins expunged; for how could such a cuddlesome fraternity possibly be culpable in anything so dire as racist slurs and epitaphs?

Born again, by the grace of the holy dollar; free again to frequent the institutes of anatomy where the gratefully groveling girls compete for the glory of removing their garments. Love undiminished, affording their beneficence an outlet in the form of garter belt stuffing, the Christian decency reigns supreme in this happy victory for the forces of rightousness.

power flavors

2007-04-04T18:13:00.000-07:00

The question is not whether a man is privileged over a woman of “similar class” but whether he is privileged over a woman who is incomparably wealthier than he is. - Tom Nolan

I disagree. The pertinent question here, in my opinion, is whether the male gender role dispenses a type of power unavailable to those in the female gender role. I would assert that it does; and with this power, those ascribing to the gender role of male have the responsibility to demonstrate that said power is not being abused.

I feel that this responsibility has not been met by the assertions thus far; furthermore, I find the examples by Q Grrl and others of exploitation based on gender roles compelling. Those inhabiting the male gender role can certainly point to certain patterns of behavior in it that they find personally destructive, but to assert that this means that the role itself cannot be considered oppressive ignores the inherent culpability of the dominant interactant.

The dichotomy of gender has helped to create a superior and a subordinate class structure- demonstratively debasing, in my view; but one that must be acknowledged to be rectified.

If you inhabit the role, then assume the inherent complicity in its destructive actions; find the courage to change it instead of discrediting those who demonstrate its abhorrent nature.

"common people" by pulp

2007-04-04T18:03:00.001-07:00

From a comment on Feministe concerning a youtube video with william shatner covering this pulp song.

I had never heard this song before, but I think it’s wonderful.

Joe Jackson and Ben Folds Five performance is phenomenal, can’t say I care much for Shatner’s snarkiness.

I bought the original version, and my interpretation differs somewhat from Mnemosyne’s. I hear it as a comment on the rich slumming for entertainment; playing at poverty with the commons.

“You will never understand
how it feels to live your life
with no meaning or control
and with nowhere left to go
You are amazed that they exist
and they burn so bright
whilst you can only wonder why”

The grit and grime of lower class packaged into a weekend fling, minus the tedious despair and hopelessness; readily abandoned whenever it grows tiresome. The cultural convenience of disposable deprivation makes for a lovely holiday, but you really wouldn’t want to live there.

Of course, wealth is relative; even the east end might seem like paradise to many in this world, but the reduction of people into social-educational tools is demeaning no matter where it occurs.

Group Q Bench

2007-03-17T12:40:00.000-07:00

I mean I'm sittin here on the Group Q bench
'cause you want to know if I'm moral enough join the army, burn women, kids, houses and villages after giving a blowjob?.

WASHINGTON - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday he considers homosexuality to be immoral and the military should not condone it by allowing gay personnel to serve openly, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Marine Gen. Peter Pace likened homosexuality to adultery, which he said was also immoral, the newspaper reported on its Web site. -

Delicious. Here is a man whose chosen profession comprises of death and destruction, yet he feels compelled to denounce, in a public forum no less, those who choice of sexual partners does not coincide with his own. Somehow, the act of homicide has become so virtuous that it may be defamed by orgasmic ecstasy outside the heroic hetro norm. Further, those who have sworn to defend this country with their lives serve with the distinction of being good enough to die for this land, but not good enough to live honorably in it.

The ignorant hatred that would condemn one's subordinates to censure and denunciation while they offer their very lives in service speaks to the moral defects inherent in such a system. The contempt for human life inherent in the military mindset even extents to its own personal; freedom's fodder becomes expendable and is discarded irrespective of their contributions. Whenever the powers that be decree, service becomes expendable, and the service men and women with it.

In the same vein, the veteran's needs are ignored; purpose served, they are deemed unworthy for adequate medical care. The disregard for life and limb on the battlefield extends to the hospital ward; crippling injuries are treated as if they were examples of moral deficiencies, and thus those maimed may be neglected and shunned.

The embrace of contempt displays a bankrupt conscience; the coin of compassion has been squandered, and with it, all hope of honor is spent.

The roar of the greasepaint...

2007-03-08T11:35:00.000-08:00

Gender roles have become progressively more malevolent; they are tools whose propensity for abuse increase exponentially with the size of the groups that utilize them. At their core, their ability to guide complex interactions can be useful in providing structure between unfamiliar individuals; the problem arises when the roles themselves supersede the people they were designed to serve.

Many unscrupulous manipulators would use gender roles as a standard by which to impose judgments concerning self worth. An inability to conform equals a lack of humanity, and thus is equated with a right to impose punitive measures.

The uncertainty that plagues modern existence promotes fear, and with this fear comes a resistance to change, and a propensity to search for scapegoats. With identity in flux, the social interactions that once seemed sound have many floundering; an ever increasing desperation for stability leads to a rigid adherence t0 convention, even at the price of personal integrity.

The transformation of people into objects allows many to detach themselves from the bonds of responsibility that prohibit destructive actions. Thus, a transgressor of traditional gender roles can be labeled a freak, and be abused verbally and physically without causing the perpetrator guilt for their criminal behavior. Indeed, such cruelty may well be painted with the brush of virtue; as sustaining order and preserving social cohesion.

Forcing people to perform roles for which they are miscast not only destroys the actor, it sabotages the play entire. Everyone has unique attributes, and if these increasing diverse talents are to be fully utilized, there must be greater allowances made for the individual interpretation of the human condition. To demolish the characters for the sake of show only insures dismal windowing of such a presentation to the point where the final curtain is a merciful release.

2007-03-04T23:32:00.000-08:00

2007-03-03T19:48:00.000-08:00

2007-03-03T19:12:00.000-08:00

The warping of the American political system surely stands as the crowning achievement of the august Assembly, for not only has it managed to render voter apathy as the normal mode of operation of the voting public, it has also precluded the induction of any qualified candidates into the upper echelons of the process.

Consider- the vast quantities of capital needed to mount a successful campaign necessitate the candidate's prostitution of themselves to procure the required funds. Like the corner call girl, the seeker of public office must pander to the fantasies of the constituents - blowing the horn of security through strength, or spreading wide the orifice of governmental giving; slathered in warpaint or rouged in charity; clad in butch warrior's armor or demurely adorned in the flowing skirts of compassion. The whore of identity stand ready to spread wide their selves for all comers: so longs as payment remains predictable, and doesn't frighten off the other clientèle.

Dr. Mordacious "Deceit as the tool of Statecraft"

We, Them, and Us

2007-03-03T18:59:00.000-08:00

Although discrimination breeds many perils, there are instances where selective inclusion becomes not only acceptable, but desirable. I see it not as a permanent fixture, but as a means to address the injustices created by social inequalities.

Where identity expression is suppressed by coercion, not only are individual gifts diminished, but the collective loss of confidence creates groups ripe for the ravages of bigotry. Allowing self exploration and freedom of expression unfettered by the constraints of fear can be a vital tool towards healing and self reconstruction.

There are, however, difficulties made manifest due to previous exploitation; a lack of trust and reluctance to extend acceptance towards those whose differences are misunderstood.

I would argue that abiding by the wishes of such a group can be accomplished without becoming ensnared in the exclusionary viewpoints they espouse.

Amour de animosity

2007-03-03T18:24:00.000-08:00

It is always a source of intense gratification to be party to the petty squabbles between the lower caste lewdies over the castoff crumbs of the Assembly.

The viciously small-minded prove entertaining in their stupefying callousness, and unlike other animals, need little prompting to provoke such altercations.

The zest with which they slaver over the slander of the designated enemies is fit fodder for those whose palate has become accustomed to the flailing of the less gifted, but an over indulgence may rob the astute observer of the insights implicit in such interactions.

Lest the organ of analysis become besotted by the manifest pleasures thus afforded, let a careful dissection of the relevant elements involved guide an appreciation thereof, and allow manipulation in the most efficient manner.

To begin, an examination of hate filled rhetoric itself is in order. The purpose of such putrid speech is two fold- degradation and incendiary.

First, the perpetrators seek to debase the adversaries, hoping that by diminishing their foes, the can likewise diminish their fear. Thus, instead of striving to understand the dread and master the apprehension, they become enslaved to the Sisyphean task of obscuring that which cause them to cower, hoping that through the veils of cruelty they will find courage. In truth, however, such sight dimming merely increases their apprehension, allowing that which is viewed darkly to maintain a most fearsome visage, perpetuating the vicious cycle of fear and debasement.

Secondly, by using such speech to incite strong emotion, they seeks to dampen the intellect. Stoking the flames of hysteria provides an excellent screen of fire and smoke, the better to obscure their opponents' powers of reason, and their own. Once mired within such a pit, the ensuing ash soots the forces and faces of all, leaving sense smoldering in the cinders. Pandering to baser emotions not only allows an emotional intoxication that proves addictive, it removes the likelihood that any substantive cognitive progress will be made on the subjects under discussion.

Therefore, the indulgence in hate speech must be promoted by whatever means necessary- under the guise of "justice", "fair play", or "truth". Affixing these cherished labels prevents the gibbering jackanapes from the sort of self examination that might prevent the use of detestable rhetoric; and allow the simian simpletons the delightful delusion of virtuous action.

Dr. Mordacious "Deceit as the tool of Statecraft"

2007-03-03T15:46:00.000-08:00

It is encouraging to note the use of chastity by the reactionary forces in mitigating personal responsibility. A brief outline should serve to delineate the reasoning behind such a stance, and keep the participants from straying into anything approaching virtue.

On its most basic level, the lust for abstinence allow the dehumanization of all the participants. Whenever a particular behavior is deemed more valuable than those who would engage in its practice, it reinforces the belief that things are to be prized above people. The means becomes an end unto itself, rather than a tool for individual improvement, and open those who fail to conform to degradation. A lapse in chastity becomes a lapse in humanity; inviting a painful condemnation from anyone willing to compromise their own human charity for the opportunity of denunciation.

The joys of slut shaming pander to the degenerate instincts under the guise of righteousness; lynch mob mentality wrapped in purity.

Next, framing the issue in negative terms helps deflect any honorable intentions that might otherwise pose significant problems. Teaching charity between sexes; the affirmation of giving; the positive esteem enhancement; all these potentially hazardous behaviors are avoided by focusing on abstinence. Thus, it's the denial that rises to the fore; the want of action that occupies their attention, The question becomes not "what may I offer to assist my kin in improvement" but instead "what denial is in their best interest". Withholding rather than giving keeps the focus on the struggle for power; the obsession for control that overrides all other concerns.

Compatibility and Christianity

2007-03-03T15:38:00.000-08:00

Recent events exemplify the dangers of using one's religious beliefs as justification for personal prejudice.

When a someone designates themselves as the voice of God, such hubris eclipses any illumination that his faith may be said to provide. At best, one can hope to perceive the will of the Lord for one's own life; the presumption that our limited knowledge empowers us with the ability to prognosticate the action of Deity speaks of an ignorance and arrogance unmitigated by charity.

God is commonly used as an authority to sanctify our most odious bigotry; first comes the fear and hatred, then the rationalization to justify it. We stride better to seek our salvation when unencumbered by the weight of ignorance; the souls we save may be our own.

2007-03-02T11:59:00.000-08:00

Most ideology ages in a fairly predictable fashion. What once prompted new lines of thought and inquiry becomes increasingly entrenched in convention, until the well worn ruts of orthodoxy inhibit and deflect new ideas and the reevaluation of old ones.

That which challenged, now conforms; that which confronted, now comforts. Worse yet, a guiding and supportive philosophy gradually contorts into a weapon against those outside its borders- the staff sharpens to scimitar, the crutch becomes cudgel.

Too often, the path to utopia ends littered with the corpse of charity and compassion, the map of righteous way obscures the people under foot in the journey. A representation of reality is infinity more lovable than the actual earth we traverse, why mar the trek by glancing about us?

In truth, such blinkering seems based less in malice than malaise; world weariness begs us to conserve whatever resources we can in hope of completing the sojourn intact. O course, there are those whose debased nature leads them to disregard the reality of others out of fear and rage; but even this seems understandable, if lamentable.

How best then to avoid the confines of a cadaverous ideology? Perhaps by a transfusion of new blood; an acceptance of intellectual donations without condemnation for a lack of purity. Yes, screen out infectious agents, but don't reject wholesale the life sustaining properties such a gift may offer. If ideology is a success, but a person dies, who exactly is being served?

The object of torture

2007-02-20T12:25:00.000-08:00

This slate article speaks about the nature of torture in modern society. I found it interesting, but I think that it misses an important point. Although it states "The opportunity to inflict torment gives absolute power to the otherwise powerless", it fails to relate this idea to the reason that a wide range of the human population find torture acceptable; given the proper circumstances.

The solace that torture provides to an individual who feels powerless is two fold. First, the inflicting of pain on others obscures our own; it furnishes a distraction of delusional superiority where our discomfort can be enshrouded by the agony of another. Second, torture affords the illusion of control; the ability to cause suffering to others promotes a sense that despite the unpredictability of our existance, our manipulative abilities will enable us to master the situation.

Despite the reversvations many might posess towards torture in a personal setting, the use of such actions fullfill an emotional need that supersedes the intellectual qualms. Thus, the search for situations where torture becomes justifiable, and can even become a form of entertainment; whether in Guantanamo or on "24"

Sadly, I feel that the true object of torture is toture; just as Eric Blair would have O'Brien tell us; and the soon we face the need for such depravity, the better chance we have for preventing such abuses in the future.

2007-02-17T12:07:00.000-08:00

Amor Est Magis Cognitvus Quam Cognitio" ( We Know things better by Love than by intellect ).

There is an inherent conflict between the tools we use and ourselves. That which may be limited is more easily grasped, more easily manipulated and thus makes a convenient substitute for a complex and varied individual. Reason can become a surrogate self, rather than an instrument by which one is revealed.

Our emotional bonds, however, speak to the deepest and most elemental levels of being we posses. Without a clear understanding of how somethings feels, and why; we lack full comprehension of its relevance.

2007-02-16T15:26:00.000-08:00

We are supposedly granted the right against self incrimination, but mirrors are not included in the protection. Betrayal by appearance, a face unable to conform to beauty's standards speaks condemnation to public eyes.

Plumbing the depths of skin with a glance, the cursory judgements of kin and character reign, their edicts exacting a toll that strands many.

Unable to transverse the paths of facade, the lack of motion reads as failure for a culture equating movement with progress. For want of a look, a life is lost; left to wander the wilderness of the unbecoming.