The fascinating discussion/debate about the heart of conservativism:):):)...

There is a TERRIBLY FASCINATING debate/discussion going on right now about the heart of conservatism that I have been following for some time, now:):):)...

Andrew Sullivan has been hosting a REALLY WONDERFUL and LIVELY discussion about conservativism on his website that you've got to check out:):):)...

Andrew Sullivan's Crisis of Faith: A Debate (about the heart and soul of conservativism:):):)...

Please check out his most recent email of the day, today, by the way, to see a REALLY BRILLIANT little commentary from a reader about the elements of less than ideal liberalism and conservativism in the context of that conversation on his website today, by the way:):):):):):):)...

...or just read it below:):):)...

"Your description of the real faultline in American politics is right on the money. What's troubling is that so many people on the left have lined up with the Theocrats on the same side of the faultline without even realizing it. By deeming empirical and inferential truth as ultimately subjective, the postmoderns and multiculturalists have essentially conceded that all values constitute a leap of faith. Logic and reason have been effectively removed from public debate. This plays right into the hands of fundamentalists, who are perfectly willing to wage the battle on these grounds: If the left is only willing to offer a kind of watery faith in a secular welfare state, the religious right is happy to rebutt them with a profound faith in Judeo-Christian tradition. Individual freedom then becomes a kind of collateral damage: In arguments of faith, neither side brooks heretical points of view. The real key, as you suggest, is a return to the healthy skepticism of liberal democracy. Damned if I know how to accomplish that, however. There are so few of us on this side of faultline. Every time I try to steer discussions over to skeptical ground, the two faith camps accuse me of spying for the other side."

BRILLIANT:):):):):):):)...BRILLIANT:):):):):):):)...

...and ANY and ALL of David Brooks' work:):):)...but especially this brilliant little NYT piece about sexual freedom and the culture wars:):)...

As I said at the time:):):)..."David Brooks' BRILLIANT -- BRILLIANT!!!!!!! -- commentary in the New York Times:):):)...Andrew Sullivan...you've got competition:):):)"...

...or David's commentary on the no-win for either liberals or conservatives looking come out of the culture war as heroes:):):)...

David Brooks on why neither liberals or conservatives will come out of this thing as heroes:):):)...

Also:):):)...I, AGAIN, highly recommend the book that I've been reading and borrowed from my very, very good more liberal, and still more very open and broad-minded friend, Ned Robertson, The Right America, by John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge:):):)...two BRILLIANT conservative writers for Great Britain's and the world's, likely, most respected and celebrated conservative periodical, The Economist magazine:):):):):):):)...it is the MOST IMPRESSIVE and BROADTHINKING analysis of conservativism in America THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE:):):):):):):) (and I've read AN AWFUL GODDAMN LOT about conservatism and American conservatism:):):):):):):)...William F. Buckley:):):)...eat your incredibly intelligent and broad-minded little heart out:):):):):):):)...

...and be sure to check out this BRILLIANT little article by John Derbyshire which references Mickelthwait's and Wooldridge's book:):):) (I'm hoping tha Mickelthwait and Wooldridge become a part of my memory as easily and readily as SO MANY American contemporary conservative authors that I so easily recall because I so regularly turn to their ideas and writings to learn more about the world:):):):):):):)...

John's newest piece I found on Andrew's site:):):) (Andrew Sullivan, that is, who's Derbyshire Award has traditionally used John as a poster-boy for homophobia and far right conservatism:):):):):):):)...but a John Derbyshire who has been writing BRILLIANTLY, as of late:):):):):):):)...

...and his piece can be found:):):)...here:):):)...

John Derbyshire's soul-searching (kind of:):):) brilliant piece on the heart of contemporary conservativism:):):)...

...and please be sure to check out John's post-mortem on Pope John Paul II, another BRILLIANT little piece on Catholicism -- especially contemporary Catholicism -- and, at it's heart, conservativism:):):):):):):)...

John Derbyshire's BRILLIANT critique of the legacy of Pope John Paul II:):):):):):)...The Rearguard Pope:):):)...

...and George Will's best piece in a long time:):):)...

George Will:):):)...The Christian Complex:):):)...

...and, of course:):):)...please check out other really wonderful conservative blogs/forums on the internet:):):)...

Like Ala's Blonde Sagacity:):):)...

Ala's Blonde Sagacity:):):):):):):)...a wonderful little conservative blog and forum:):):):):):):)...

Dean Mundy's Musings of a Thoughtful Conservative:):):)...

Dean Mundy's Musings of a Thoughtful Conservative:):):):):):):)...New and Improved:):):):):):):)...

And, Bigandmean's and Jen's ~Relatively Unbalanced~:):):) (what a FANTASTIC TITLE for a very thoughtful and tongue-and-cheek conservative blog:):):):):):):)...I love these folks:):):):):):):)...

~Relatively Unbalanced~:):):):):):):)...Jen and Bigandmeans' really WONDERFUL, and TERRIBLY SWEET:):):) father and daughter joint blog:):):):):):):)...

And the blog of one of my best conservative friends, Brian White, who I can't quite find at the moment but, who, if I find, I'll post (if I think he'll be ok with that:):):)...but who's review of The Red Masque's 2001 album, The Death of the Red Masque (Brian is a HUGE progressive rock, fan:):):)...here:):):)...

Brian's review of The Death of the Red Masque...The Red Masque's 2001 CD release:):):)...

...and, of course, Glen Reynold's wonderful little conservative political blog, Instapundit:):):):):):):)...Instapundit:):):):):):)...Glenn Reynold's great little conservative political blog:):):)...

...perhaps a more public discussion/debate about liberalism (and academic and activist and somewhat theological one has been going on for some time, now:):):)...and always does, really:):):)...that's the great thing about a largely more liberal academia:):):) (and by liberal, I mean "small l"...meaning both liberty loving:):):)...and, by definition, an ongoing open discussion/debate/argument about the nature of humanity:):):)...

...often a more "big l" liberalism is present in academia, too:):):)...meaning a more POWER-FOCUSSED and TOO POWER OBSESSED liberalism:):):):):):):)...though academia, generally, is a more open community to diversity, in my study and experience, than almost any other institution, period, nevertheless more conservative institutions, like, say, the military or law enforcement or business, especially it's most conservative institutions, like banking and insurance:):):)...

...save conservative media, academic and philosophical circles, which also overlap with liberal media, academic, and philosophical circles, largely BECAUSE of a more "small l" liberal commitment by most or all of these folks to open debate and discussion:):):)...that's where the life of any society is at:):):)...and I am SO UTTERLY PROUD to be a member and a heartfelt proponent of that kind of liberalism/conservatism/whatever the hell you want to call it:):):):):):):)...

It's my favorite place in society:):):)...the ongoing, more open, more free thinking and speaking, more engaged, more insightful, more free thought and expression defending, more thoughtful, more scientific and empirical, more decent, more honest, clearer, more humble and apologetic and forgiving, more positive, constructive, responsible, optimistic, and hopeful...

...the BETTER:):):)...

...circles of discussion and debate and disagreement and free thought and speech and writing and expression and communication:):):)...

...that make up what I think of as "small l" liberalism and perhaps what conservatives might identify as "small c" conservativism...and what we all just might call the GREAT CONVERSATION ABOUT HUMANITY:):):):):):):)...

I have to say that Joseph Campbell's celebration of "The Open Life," as one extended interview/semi-biography of him that I read on end in graduate school is titled...and Abraham Maslow's and many others' celebration of an open society:):):)...and classical conservativism's celebration of classical liberalism:):):):):):):)...

All of these things are what have so endeared and sustained me in the intellectual, open debating/discussing worlds of liberalism, conservativism, Marxism, anarchism, libertarianism, radicalism, environmentalism, feminism, civil rights, gay rights, disability and mental health rights, fiscal and economic conservativism, media-based and philosophical conservativism, and even Evangelical conservatism:):):):):):):)...

...is the BIG, BROAD, OPEN discussion...writing... reading...engagement...in each and between and among these circles:):):):):):):)...

It's one of my life's finer delicacies, really, to be able to go to a book store or look at a magazine rack:):):)...or turn on the internet, more often these days:):):)...or go to a library:):):)...or borrow or lend or give a book from/to a brend:):):)...or to discuss at length with a friend...any and every friend:):):):):):):)...

To live life by talking about it:):):)...and reading about it:):):)...and discussing it:):):)...and disagreeing about it:):):)...and agreeing about it:):):)...and changing one's mind:):):)...and changing it back:):):)...and changing it back, yet again:):):):):):):)...

THINKING:):):):):):):)...I LOVE IT:):):):):):):)...

And I love what's happening in contemporary conservative circles these days:):):)...

And I think it could/should inspire more and more public and more open discussion similarly about liberalism...and about open societies...and about liberal/conservative/other overlaps in those circles/discussions:):):):):)...

And about humanity:):):)...and it's nature:):):) (the grounding around the answer to that question that is THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON, really, for why I identify as a liberal, rather than as a conservative:):):)...because, fundamentally...down deep...down really, really deep:):):):):):):)...in addition to being COMPLETELY and UNCONDITIONALLY committed to free and open and engaged and perpetually imperfect and learning and growing and developing thought and speech and discussion and debate and conversation:):):):):):):):)...

I love...and trust...and see and trust and actively nurture and support and work to enlarge the overall growth and learning and progress in humanity:):):):):):):)...and in a freer, more open, more engaged, more intelligent, more talkative:):):)...more authentically human and humane form of humanity:):):):):):):)...

I love humanity:):):)...I love learning:):):)...I love thinking:):):)...and talking:):):)...and engaging:):):)...and disagreeing:):):)...and agreeing:):):)...and disagreeing and agreeing some more:):):):):):)...and some more still:):):)...forever and forever:):):)...without end:):):)...without any final victor:):):):):):)...without any one person dominating the rest:):):):):):):):)...

I love the idea and the thought and the reality of a more authentic humanity:):):):):):):)...one where WE ALL take these ideals more and more seriously:):):):):):):)...

The one that I watch become more authentic -- almost on its own accord:):):)...almost ORGANICALLY, you might say:):):)...and still with human will and volition and responsibility and constructiveness and need behind it as well:):):):):):):)...

I am TOTALLY celebrating humanity at it's finest, today:):):):):):):)...it's open, engaged, perpetual, neverending, always more free, always more thoughtful (and mistaken:):):)...and thoughtful:):):)...and mistaken:):):)...and thoughtful:):):) conversation about itself:):):):):):):):):):):)...

Amongst conservatives:):):)...amongst liberals:):):)...amongst us ALL:):):):):):):)...

I have been talking and celebrating and acting like a boyish mad-man today:):):):):):)...ask Melissa:):):):):):)...I've been CRAZY:):):):):):):)...all day:):):):):):):)...

Loving life:):):)...loving humanity:):):)...loving thinking and writing and talking and discussing and debating and disagreeing and agreeing and being uncertain and being certain and being uncertain and being certain and having doubt and having faith and having doubt and having faith:):):):):):):):):):):)...

I have TOTALLY BEEN CELEBRATING BEING HUMAN ALL DAY LONG:):):):):):):):):):):)...

As The Great and Mighty Molly Shannon might say:):):):):):):)...

"I love it...I love it...I love it...I love it...I love it...I love it":):):):):):):):):):):)...

Here's a GREAT BIG SMOOCH to humanity, at this moment:):):):):):):)...

And here's a great big smooch to conservatives, everywhere:):):):):):):)...ESPECIALLY conservatives engaged in the kind of free and open and engaged and thoughtful and disagreeing and agreeing and full of doubt and full of faith introspection that so many conservatives are engaged in today:):):):):):):):):):):)...

Gracias, senor y senora y senorita conservativos/as del mundo:):):):):):):)...Thanks to the conservatives of the world:):):):):):):)...

For the keeping the discussions and debates OPEN and HONEST and AUTHENTIC and ENGAGED and FREE and THOUGHTFUL and REAL and supporting the learning and growth and development of all us:):):):):):):)...humanity:):):):):):):)...

...EVERYWHERE:):):):):):):)...

And for doing so amongst conservatives as much as amongst all of us:):):):):):):):):):):)...

What does it mean to be a liberal?:):):):):):):):):):):)...

Keep reading:):):):):):):):):):):)...

Love,
Ben

P.S.:):):)...if you haven't heard the Decemberists, yet:):):) (I've been listening to tunes like 16 Military Wives:):):) and Los Angeles, I'm Yours:):):)...The Engine Driver:):):)...Here I Dreamt I was an Architect:):):)...and definitely try to listen to the original Decemberists song that TOTALLY sold me on this brilliant little left wing political band:):):)...My Mother was a Chinese Trapeze Artist:):):):):):)...

I have to blog about another blog:):):)

{Listening to: The Dixie Chicks:):):)...Top of the World:):):)...More Love:):):)...Godspeed:):):)...and just about ANYTHING Judy Garland and Wizard of Oz I can get my hands on thanks to Rose:):):):):):)...}

I spent all evening at work thinking about this brilliant little post that I was going to write on how President Bush and Pope Benedict (as my conservative friend, Thomas, reminded me was the "PROPA" way to refer to ol' Ratzy:):):)

...how they both teach HAVE ONE REALLY IMPORTANT EXAMPLE FOR ALL OF US TO FOLLOW:):):):):)...

That being conservative means that you NEVER have to say you're sorry:):):):):):):)...(Pope Ratzinger oversaw the BIGGEST COVER-UP in modern Vatican history, and he has the fucking gall to fire Father Thomas Reese?...the implication being that it was liberals like Reese who created the climate for pedophilia in the church...and not the COVER-UP of top officials in it, like Ratzinger...what a disgusting pig, frankly...Pope Ratzinger has A LOT OF FUCKING GALL, I have to say...and so do conservatives and conservative Catholics who defend him...

But I don't want to blog about the Pope and the President quite yet:):):)...I'll get to them:):):)...don't worry:):):)...

Because even though I SPENT ALL NIGHT THINKING ABOUT WRITING THIS POST:):):):):):):) (especially when my conservative friend, Thomas, DEFENDED the Pope's decision to fire a liberal Catholic of conscience precisely because he was liberal -- do conservative Catholics realize just how INCREDIBLY ARROGANT AND UGLY a move like that is/was?)...

Even though I thought about it all night:):):)...

I got to my blog and my email and the internet this morning:):):)...

And I visited one of the sites I visit first every morning that I sit down at my computer:):):)...

Rose's GORGEOUS little blog:):):)...Anonymous Rowhouse:):):)...

I've REALLY, REALLY, REALLY enjoyed blogging and visiting blogs:):):)...and getting to know folks through the internet:):):) (Melissa and I MET through blogging:):):)...she lived in Milwaukee, safely behind her computer, there, going to school and knowing NOTHING about our beautiful little university town, Lawrence, Kansas -- which she now calls home and has met a REALLY GREAT friend of mine -- before I found her blog:):):):):):):)...

And I've made A TON of REALLY, REALLY, REALLY GREAT FRIENDS through blogging:):):)...and chatting:):):)...the internet:):):):):):):)...

But I don't think I've ever read a blog that quite moves me like Justrose's Anonymous Rowhouse...

Ever...

That's for you to know, more than anyone else, Rose:)...you write BEAUTIFULLY, hon:):):)...and you need to hear it:):):):):)...

I had a friend in Seattle:):):)...Sarah Sweeney:):):)...who's blog...

Laughsingsmile, Sarah Sweeney's My Thoughts on the Matter:):):):):):)...a REALLY BEAUTIFUL BLOG:):):):):):):)...

...she stopped writing in last October:(...to the TOTAL disappointment of very big fans like me:):):):):):):)...and Sarah's writing did/does move me INCREDIBLY:):):):):):):)...

Sarah...if you're reading this:):):)...I still promise to be THE VERY FIRST PERSON to buy one of your novels, if you ever publish one:):):):):)...

But Rose just is something special altogether that I think you'll find equally impressive:):):):):):):)...

She wrote two entries in the last day or so that I was just TOTALLY FLOORED by:):):):):):):)...

Please check Rose out when you get a chance:):):):):):):)...I GUARANTEE you that you will not regret it:):):):):):):)...

I'll write more on the President and the Pope, later:):):)...

For now:):):)...

Just Rose...

Go check out Rose:):):):):):)...

Love,
Ben

A Day in Iraq:):):)...

Michael is the first name/psuedonym? of the American soldier who writes the BRILLIANT and REALLY TERRIFIC online journal of events in Iraq...

..in his really awesome blog, A Day In Iraq...

...a military blog that my friend, Ala, from Blond Sagacity, who's AMAZING conservative blog and forum for discussing and debating hot political issues I will give as much publicity as I can:):):)

Blond Sagacity...Ala's blog:):):)...

I spent my morning with Michael's blog, today:):):)...and it was an honor:):):)...I must say:):):)...I've thought for about a year and a half about signing up:):):)...and Michael's blog was DEFINITELY the most reassuring blog to reinforce that thinking:):):):):):)...

It is VERY ENCOURAGING to see that I might some company amongst other generous and caring soldiers:):):):):):)...soldiers whose concern about the Iraqi people transcend politics or differences of policy:):):):):):)...

Michael's description of New York is almost EXACTLY as I remember it when Brandi and I visited there almost 7 years ago, now:):):):):):)...brilliantly lit:):):)...exciting:):):)...filled with adventure:):):)...and ALWAYS something of interest:):):)...I told Michael about Brandi's and my trip to see the Broadway musical, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown:):):)...how I was afraid that it would epitomize EVERYTHING I HATED about musicals, at the time:):):):):):):)...but how it turned out to be a really AMAZING experience:):):) (if you haven't seen You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, you definitely should:):):)...and if you have kids:):):)...you definitely SHOULDN'T miss it:):):):):):):)...

What struck me most about Michael's blog...in addition to his generosity with water and with needed money for Iraqi children selling swords to make money for their families to buy food and basic needs...

Was Michael's description of walking through New York giving money to homeless folks, there:):):)...

When Brandi and I lived in Washington D.C. for the three months of the summer that I visited her in Summer of 1998 (the same summer that we took the quick trip to New York City:):):), I would get ENDLESS shit from our friends, Alex and Mike, about how I always wanted to give money (and still do give money whenever I can:):):), to the homeless folks, there:):):):):):)...

And it was SO SWEET to read Michael's really wonderful story about the mix of feelings anyone always has when giving money to homeless people:):):)...especially when you are giving so absent of expectations for how that money is spent, as Michael did and as I do:):):):):):)...

Michael's story of finding a way to get Iraqi soldiers water even though they're not technically allowed to give their own bottled and purified water, since it is in short supply and often leaves them asking for water from their fellow soldiers, and arranging with a higher up to get unpurified water for them is REALLY HEARTWARMING:):):):):):)...that one soldier will show that kind of decency and risk the face with his commanding officer to make sure that soldiers in the desert without water can get it is a real testament to the most genuine compassion and concern that should and often does drive American soldiers as they work to liberate ordinary Iraqis:):):):):):)...and bring freedom and democracy to a people that are long overdue for it:):):):):):)...

His story of giving money to Iraqi children who sell swords from old bayonets to help feed and house and clothe their families is really very beautiful:):):):):):)...

And Michael's story of searching -- desperately -- for anything of substance...to read...or listen to:):):)...and finding Johnny Cash's album where he cover's Trent Resnor:):):) (and Depeche Mode's My Own Personal Jesus:):):):):):):) (THAT is why I LOVE Johnny Cash:):):):):):):)...this Pope could learn A LOT from the example of Johnny:):):):):):):):):)...and from Michael:):):):):):):)...

Michael is an excellent example of what kind of ideals need to lead this war:):):):):):)...and many Americans would do well to heed the example of this heroic young man:):):)...

Please take a moment to check out Michael's blog:):):)...you won't regret that you did:):):):):):)...

I also want to give mad props to Rose's Anonymous Rowhouse:):):)...the sweet and beautiful blog of the woman who found my blog and got me in touch with such a really lively and wonderful little crowd in New Jersey and throughout the blogosphere:):):)...

http://anonymousrowhouse.blogspot.com/

...and, of course, Colby Buzzel's really wonderful military blog which he has had to stop posting personal narratives to because, military personell say, of security concerns...but which still includes many articles about the situation and words of support from fans of Colby's blog:):):)...

My War...Spc. Colby Buzzell's military blog

Thanks, Michael:):):)...for your service and risking the ultimate sacrafice to bring peace and freedom and democracy to peoples' in desperate need of them:):):):):):)...

And thanks, Ala, for working so dilligently to keep folks like Michael and Colby near to our hearts:):):):):):)...

Have a good everyone:):):):):):)...

And when you get a chance:):):)...check out Josh Turner's Long Black Train:):):):):):):)...the brilliant little country ditty that I'm listening to right now:):):):):):):)...

Have a great day, everyone:):):):):):)...

Love,
Ben

Building a Better World:):):):):):)...The Original Recipe:):):):):):)...

Please take a moment to read about TWO very important pieces of news on Building a Better World...My Very First Blog:):):)...

Building a Better World...The Wonder Years:):):):):):)

First...two very important milestones for our little Kansas City poverty lobbying group, a chapter of the most effective lobbying group I've ever been a part of, RESULTS International:):):)...and...

Second...an important story about the Vatican ouster of Father Thomas Reese, the liberal editor for the moderate and most influential Catholic magazine in the United States, I believe, America...and what it means for free and independent thinking people everywhere...

Hope everyone's having a great Mother's Day:):):):):):):)...and hope the moms out there enjoy a much deserved day of appreciation and, hopefully:):):), rest:):):)...

Happy Mother's Day, everyone:):):)...

Love,
Ben

The edict from the Vatican has inspired me:):):)...

I've got lots more that I've got to write about...and, eventually:):):)...when I have a teaching job:):):)...to teach about:):):):):):):)...in my short little lifetime:):):)...

More elaboration on principles of Least Possible Necessary Aggression:):):)...and their implications for a WHOLE HOST of domestic and international policy areas:):):)...intrapersonal, interpersonal, social, organizational, and insitutional relationships:):):):):):)...

I have SO MUCH to share about these principals and so many other topics:):):):):):):)...

But...right now:):):)...at this very minute:):):):):):):)...

I am in TOTAL AWE and FEELING TOTALLY APPRECIATIVE of my opportunity to THINK AND EXPRESS MYSELF FREELY:):):):):):):):):):):):):):)...

THE most important virtue that a person and a society can have and nurture in its people:):):):):):):)...the most important freedom for any and all of us to have and to use:):):)...as much as possible:):):)...as often as possible:):):):):):)...and as much as we need:):):)...saying thing that are foolish:):):)...and wise:):):):):):)...and wiser the more we say both foolish and wise things:):):):):):):)...

The more we think and express our thoughts and feelings and give them voice:):):)...the better we get at understanding this crazy little universe:):):):):):):)...and this crazy little planet:):):):):):)...and this crazy little species:):):):):):):)...homo sapiens:):):):):):):)...humans:):):):):):):)...

...people:):):):):):):)...

I'll write more soon:):):):):):):)...you can be sure of that:):):):):):):):):)...

Love,
Ben

Amazing Grace:):):)..and Judy Garland:):):)...

When everyone gets a chance:):):)...

You should download/check out the REALLY AWESOME version of Amazing Grace composed by John Newton performed by the Walela Cherokee Nation group that I am listening to now:):):)...

It is a native drum and a capella vocal version that is OUT OF THIS WORLD:):):)...

And just for the record, Rose:):):)...I am now...at this very moment...listening to one of about 10-20 Judy Garland songs I downloaded from Bearshare, including all of the ones you mentioned (except I Can't Give You Anything But Love, which I couldn't find on Bearshare...BUT:):):)...including a Judy Garland/Liza Minelli duet of Hello, Dolly that I am SO EXCITED TO HEAR? (have you ever heard them perform together, Rose?:):):)...how's THAT for an unexpected little Mother's Day gift?:):):)...Judy Garland sings SO BEAUTIFULLY:)...I'm listening to Somewhere Over the Rainbow, right now:)...and I'm MELTING:):)...what an TOO-AMAZING-FOR-WORDS voice that woman had on her:):):)...

Happy Mother's Day, Judy:)...and Happy Mother's Day, Rose, and to my moms, of course, and to all of the moms in the world who do all of the REALLY HEAVY LIFTING in this world that takes all of you FAR TOO MUCH FOR GRANTED...

Sweet dreams, Judy:):):)...

Love,
Ben

The terribly tragic case of Lyndie England...

Traveling Soldier, More Love, Godspeed, and Top of the World...by one of the greatest country music bands and some of the greatest musicians of all time...Natalie Maines...Emily Robinson...and Marty McGwire:):):)...and the band -- other than Maximumsuck:):):) -- that I would most want to play at my wedding:):):)...The Dixie
Chicks:):):):):):)...

I was ESTATIC this morning when I heard the news on NPR:):):)...

Lyndie England's case declared a mistrial:):):)...

I have said from the first time I saw this story that there are so many multiple mitigating circumstances in this trial -- especially of Lyndie -- that justice would not be done if this 21-year-old does time...

In addition to the fact that not only is she 21 YEARS OLD, folks...and following orders of a commanding officer (as you can imagine ANY 21 YEAR OLD soldier would do)...

There are MANY, MANY mitigating circumstances in the cases of ALL of the Abu Grahib soldiers...

Andrew Sullivan...

Andrew Sullivan

...has followed this case for some time...and the level of confusion created, ultimately -- BY THE ADMINISTRATION...President Bush, his attorneys, Don Rumsfeld, and other major players -- in the open-ended definitions of torture and what was permissible interrogation techniques -- leaves MANY, MANY unanswered questions about where lines of culpability lie...

And the President has A LOT to answer on this matter...

I don't want to see the President or any of his staff to see any charges for ANY of the alleged crimes they have been accused of during this war...

It is important to note that they likely violated international law by sidestepping a U.N. resolution to go to war in Iraq and by sidestepping even U.N. Security council approval or even NATO leadership on this effort...

And the President can try to INTERPRET his way out of that one ALL HE WANTS...

And in the end, it's just ways to avoid dealing with the fact that he and his administration seriously bended, at the very least, and seriously broke, at most, SEVERAL IMPORTANT international and military laws and rules of engagement in both Abu Grahib and in the course of the law itself...

And I don't want to see ANY OF THEM face ANY ACTION for that...
I do have to say that it is QUITE IRONIC that the party of Iran-Contra (support for the Contras that I supported, by the way...at least in retrospect:):):)...I was like 12 when it happened:):):):):)...would TODAY be the party of law and order, CONVENIENTLY and ALWAYS ignoring all of the places where it commits and, in the case of Iran-Contra, PARDONS crimes:):):):):):)...

But the last thing that needs to happen to some 21 year old soldier who was following orders from folks higher than her who, as Charles Granger tells it, believed that THEY WERE WITHIN ORDERS/REASON OF HIGHER UPS, is that she should somehow face 11 years taken from her life...

And NOT ONE OF THE GODDAMN COWARDS in the Bush Administration HAS THE FUCKIN' BALLS to take some responsibility on her behalf...

I can't believe that those sons-a-bitches almost watched a 21-year-old girl take an 11-year-nosedive and NOT ONE OF THOSE MOTHERFUCKERS stepped up the fucking plate and said, "You know...when I think about it...we did blur the lines of what was permissible and what wasn't...and since we're the folks in charge in all (and one of us happens to be THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, FOR GOODNESS FUCKING SAKES) MAYBE...just MAYBE we might have some responsibility to take on this one...

Fuckin' cowards...

Instead ALL OF THEM let a 21-year-old girl take one for the team...one...I'm sure...that she would NEVER see repaid...

WHAT A LOAD OF FUCKING BULLSHIT...FUBAR (Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition) in the EXTREME...

And good for this judge to FINALLY be one person in the goddamn military establishment to put this girl's life above all their own fucking careers...

Goddamn...

Lyndie England should be let free...and there should be WAY MORE than a trial of Charles Granger or whomever else to deal with what happened at Abu Grahib...

There needs to be a MUCH MORE INVOLVED DISCUSSION of the organizational features, attitudes, military culture -- including a basic training culture that basically COMPELS and BRAINWASHES young folks JUST LIKE LYNDIE ENGLAND to FOLLOW ORDERS IN EXACTLY THE MANNER SHE DID...without question...without challenge...without criticism...without anything but a "Yes sir...anything you say, sir" etc. that lead to this kind of stuff and FAR WORSE in almost EVERY WAR SINCE THE DAWN OF HUMANITY...

It is a little known open secret of warfare that terrible things happen in war...

And, yet again, I find myself agreeing with John Derbyshire of the National Review, that kids like Lyndie should neither be scapegoated nor sacraficed to this fact of warfare that needs to be dealt with constructively over time within the ENTIRE MILITARY SUPERSTRUCTURE, not on a case by case basis, as if it's more isolated than it really is, if we are ever going to make some headway on it...

And what keeps ALL OF THIS KIND OF BULLSHIT in place is the both the refusal of folks in positions of authority to talk about it openly...and A TERRIBLY HARSH AND CONTROLLING MILITARY CULTURE -- from basic training on -- and VERY HARSH SENTENCES that are typically handed down in military court-marshalls that keeps EVERYONE very self-interested and VERY QUIET...

Which keeps the whole goddamned mess in place...

Which is exactly what needs to be discussed and dealt with if ANYONE is SINCERELY interested in preventing this kind of thing in the future and not just in papering over its most recent scapegoat...

I, for one, am tired of the scapegoating...the silence...and the UTTER REFUSAL of folks with the most authority and who CLEARLY have some responsibility to take on this one keeping both their mouthes shut...

And simultaneously, selfishly and without remorse, openly calling for, developing legislation for, and enforcing the VERY KINDS OF HARSH PUNISHMENTS that MAINTAIN THIS SILENCE...

And the terribly tragic scapegoating of 21-year-old kids like Lyndie England...

The military is SUPPOSED to make men and women of the folks who escalate through its ranks...

But noone -- except for a lone military judge -- has the BALLS to speak honestly about what happens in warfare and what has happened and may still happen to 21-year-old Lyndie England...

I say ENOUGH OF THE DENIAL...

The military needs to FACE UP TO ITS BULLSHIT...and stop scapegoating individuals for what is a much bigger matter of the heart for just about EVERY SOLDIER who's ever risked their lives to protect our freedom...

Congratulations to Colonel James Pohl for having some of that kind of courage...

And here's to the American military engaging in one of it's most difficult missions yet...

To talk openly about itself...and to start cleaning up some of its messes...

Lyndie has plenty to take responsibility in this case...

And contrary to the UTTER BULLSHIT AND DENIAL voiced by one of the mothers in this case that the behavior of these soldiers reflected TOO MUCH IDEALISM (is there any end to the irony in the conservative case for military-style justice in America's civil life)...

It is QUITE CLEAR that these soldiers' behavior reflects a pretty serious FAILURE OF THEIR IDEALISM TO TAKE HOLD WHEN THEY NEEDED IT TO...

When we accept lower standards for our humanity rather than constantly striving for higher, more liberal -- meaning small l, meaning open society, open-heartedness, open-mindedness, open arms -- more AUTHENTICALLY progressive idealism...

Abu Grahib is the kind of consequence we get...

And have ALWAYS gotten...and FAR WORSE...in wars...since the DAWN OF HUMANITY...contrary to the terribly mistaken and rose-colored and subsquently dark fantasies of so many conservatives and liberals...

And the ONLY way to correct it is NOT to scapegoat 21-year-old soldiers...

But to open our hearts...to get underneath it...to seek to understand it...to seek to deal with it HONESTLY (and not shove it under the rug, as the Administration has done up until now)...and to work OPENLY and WITH AS LITTLE FEAR OF RETRIBUTION as possible to deal with the underlying issues here...

The emotional consequences of warfare...

The fear of dying and being killed...the emotional consequences of killing others...the pain associated with watching friends and soldiers die...the accumulated pain and fear on the hearts of soldiers and civilians, alike, amidst the most dangerous centers of war...and all of the pain and fear inflicted in a WAY HYPERPUNITIVE AND HARSH MILITARY CULTURE that still hasn't quite figured out that IT -- as much as any one soldier -- is responsible for so much of the ugliness that we see year in a year out in war and out the military establishment...

As the Dixie Chicks sing...though the realities are far more complicated than their song...

The answer is found in more love...in more compassion...in more understanding...

The kind that Bobby Kennedy spoke up as he announced the assassination of Martin Luther King...the kind that he had to summon up as he forgave the murder of his own brother and as he talks about in his speech to Indianapolis in April of 1968 and to the country...

The kind that the Central Park jogger who was raped and left for dead almost two decades ago spoke about in her book...

The kind that Desmond Tutu speaks of in his work on truth and
reconciliation and truth and reconciliation commissions to replace or, at least, compliment, the International Criminal Court, that conservatives are so RIGHTLY weary of, especially when it comes to the welfare of U.S. soldiers and officers...

Like 21-year-old Lyndie England:):):):):):)...

I have more to blog:):):)...

But that's enough for now about Lyndie:):):)...

Maybe, now, Lyndie can believe again -- a little bit more -- in a country that was ready to abandon her when she had signed up to sacrafice her life for them...

What a terrible, terrible, ugly tragedy it would be for Lyndie England to have 11 years of her life WASTED...while those with most culpability for these awful things that happened at Abu Grahib remain silent, more worried about their own hind ends...

...than about the fate of the significant bulk of the life of a 21-year-old girl...

Godspeed, everyone:):):)...sweet dreams:):):):):):)...

Love,
Ben

Ala's school discipline and higher education forums:):):)...and Bigandmean's girly liberals forum:):):)...Part Deux:):):)...

A MUCH BETTER VERSION of this post is on my other blog:):):)...

Building a Better World:):):)...Original Flavor:):):)

WITH LINKS to Ala's and Bigandmean's (and Jen's) blogs:):):)...

Which I will post, again, here:):):)...

Blonde Sagacity:):):)...the random thoughts of an old-school conservative with a porn star twist:):):)...

~relatively unbalanced~:):):)...Bigandmean's and Jen's very sweet, very funny daddy/daughter blog:):):)...

Enjoy, everyone:):):)...

Love,
Ben

Ala's school discipline and higher education forums...and Bigandmeans' girlie liberal forum:):):):):):)...

For whatever reasons:):):)...

My comments for Ala and Bigandmean on their Blogspot blogs have not

been going through:):):)...

So...I'm reproducing them here since I thought we were having some

pretty decent discussions that I wanted to continue but wasn't able to

on in their comments' sections:):):)...

First...my response to Ala's most recent response in her school

discipline forum:):):)...

"Ala:)...

You're right:)...there are A MILLION great teaching movies to inspire

efforts to improve schools:):):)...

And the ONE thing that ALL of those movies have in common, without

having to parse out of the particular situations that schools face is

that teachers who build good RELATIONSHIPS with students are far more

likely to make a difference than teachers who are either unengaged,

discouraged, or who treat students like the enemy rather than as those

they are responsible for caring for...

Let's start with the movies, Ala...and then we'll move to where this

conversation needs to move...to the most engaged THINKING about schools

in universities and elsewhere:):):)...

I LOVED Stand By Me:):):):):):)...still do:):):):):):)...

And much of this movie was kind of candy, really:):):)...

Stand and Deliver, on the other hand, was a TERRIFIC movie about a

teacher who, BY AND LARGE, built strong relationships with his students

rather than bullying them...Jaime Escalante stood up to bullies...but

he did not bully them like principal (I'm forgetting his name, right

now...Joe...something:):):) in Stand By Me:):):)...

And remember, Ala...the superintendent in Stand By Me STANDS UP to Joe,

the principal -- Morgan Freeman's character -- FOR EXACTLY THAT

REASON...

As Ben Guillaume's character says in the movie, "Because contrary to

the conventional wisdom around here, I AM THE HEAD NIGGA IN CHARGE

around here"...

Meaning that not even Stand By Me romanticizing Joe's bullying as much

as your post might suggest...and even that movie romanticizes it too

much...

Stand and Deliver, on the other hand, romanticizes such nonsense almost

NOT AT ALL, as much as it is critical of the mindsets of teachers in

neighborhoods like their's where teachers assume that kids cannnot

achieve and create self-fulfilling prophecies...

The REAL POINT, Ala, is that there has always been and ALWAYS will be

plenty of "blame" to go around for who is responsible for failing

schools and failing in schools...

But the most constructive approaches to improving schools need to come

from OUR BEST efforts to think through alternatives to improve school

situations...

Many of these -- like school choice, vouchers, charter schools, etc. --

come from conservatives like Terry Moe and Chester Finn (though I love

Chester's work on charter schools, I'm not a big fan, AT ALL, of his

poorly-conceived ideas about school discipline...he wants to pattern

American life and American schools on SINGAPORE for God's sakes...I

say, Chester, you want to live in Singapore...go live there, you

ungrateful fuck...and leave the freedom of America to stay in

America)...

And many of them come from liberals --
like all Rich Simpson and Tom Skrtic -- and their ideas on least

restrictive environment and schools taking responsibilty for their own

too restrictive practices and the ways that this creates many problems

that they might otherwise ignore...

There are GREAT THINKERS ALL OVER THE IDEOLOGICAL SPECTRUM...

But the thinking is what we are FAR TOO BEREFT of in public school

discussions...as well as enough opportunities for parents and teachers

and students and others to get involved in such discussions to improve

schools...

It's crazy to me, Ala, how so many conservatives can embrace "tough

love" approaches and not see that all those liberal professors who

graded them down for expressing different ideas were also engaged in

"tough love" as much as anything that conservatives or anyone might

engage in with kids or liberals:):):):):):)...

The truth is, Ala, that we are ALL a bunch of bullies...looking to

limit discussion that we don't like...with one another...with

kids...with other parents...with teachers...with just about everyone...

Because we're all so GODDAMNED SURE that we know what's best...

It's self-righteous...and it's bullshit...and a more engaged discussion

of ALL of the complex issues in schools is the best antidote, I

think:):):):):):)...

I'll write more, later, Ala:):):)...

Talk with you later:):):):):):)...

Ben"...

...next...my comments for Ala on her higher education forum:):):)...

"Ala:):):)...what a crazy picture, huh?:):):):):):)...

Not the picture you want to show or see on the campus tour, huh, as

you're checking out those dumpy little dorm rooms?:):):):):):)...

No offense, y'all...but I think most people here are missing the

point...

Professors...teachers...administrators...none of

them...left...right...far left...far

right...libertarian...anarchist...socialist...theocratic (I'm quite

surprised that folks are not as outraged about a lot of the bullshit

that pretends to be a genuine pursuit or knowledge that shows up in

religious colleges and universities)...

None of these folks are perfect...

And the WHOLE POINT of democracy -- especially for a more authentic

democracy -- is that it accounts for the fact that people are

imperfect...the unique thing about democracy is that it openly

acknowledges that it is far from ideal and all of the discussion and

debate that takes place within it is far from ideal...always seeking

and searching out better and better ideals...that's the nature of free

and engaged thought and expression...

Meaning...that EVERYONE has to stop being such whining little pusses...

And start writing good papers and making good arguments and engaging in

good discussions NO MATTER WHO your professor is...

Because I GUARANTEE that -- as a general rule -- you will have FAR MORE

FREEDOM to do so in UNIVERSITIES than you will in almost every other

area of life...business, included...but much more than institutions

like, say, the military or law enforcement, where heterodoxy is treated

with MUCH less respect, in my study and experience, than in

universities...

So, contrary to the little dark fantasies of less capable folks like

David Horowitz (whether he was a radical liberal or a radical

conservative) is not to CENSOR the views of liberal or conservative or

WHATEVER professors we might have...

It's to stop whining, for goodness sakes...and start engaging the

discussion with MORE INTELLIGENT ARGUMENTS, if you got them...

And whoever said that universities are not the same as they were in the

old days are RIGHT...

They are FAR MORE OPEN:):):):):):):)...FAR MORE

EGALITARIAN:):):):):):)...FAR MORE READILY and FINANCIALLY within reach

of FAR MORE PEOPLE:):):):):):)...there are FAR MORE AMERICANS who go to

college today than any other time in American or probably humanity's

history:):):):):):)...which has EVERYTHING to do with the EXTRAORDINARY

efforts of all of those liberal, conservative, radical, anarchist,

libertarian, unaffiliated, and otherwise bright folks who teach and

work in universities...

The fact is that everyone who has been to a university needs to be a

hell of a lot more GRATEFUL that those folks helped create as many

opportunities for them that they did...

And if you want SMARTER ARGUMENTS to be taken more seriously in

universities...

Then START MAKING THEM...

And STOP WHINING...

It's unbecoming:):):):):):)...

In my experience...though I've dealt with FAR MORE than my fair share

of liberal, conservative, radical, religious, anarchist, libertarian

and other professors giving more hell than was good for my education...

Most if not ALL of these people...will...as a general rule...listen to

GOOD ARGUMENTS BETTER than almost anyone else in the

culture:):):):):):)...

Universities don't have the reputation of having the smartest folks

among them for no reason at all, for goodness sakes:):):)...

A bit of conventional wisdom that I'm surprised that this forum engages

in so much CONSPIRACY THEORY to ignore:):):):):):)...

(Nonsense conspiracy comes from ALL DIRECTIONS, folks:):):):):):)...not

just from the left:):):):):):)...

Universities have that reputation...

Because they, generally, ARE the places where the SMARTEST PEOPLE hang

out...and teach...and get hired:):):):):):)...

And Lefty is right:):):):):):)...

If you want to change them...I suggest you study up...and become a part

of one:):):):):):)...

Or study up...and become a part of one of the HUNDREDS of think tanks

that CRITIQUE them:):):):):):) (fairly

and...often...not-so-fairly:):):):):):)...

But the thing that the right is FAR OVERREACHING itself on these days

is in the terribly deceptive and awfully-conceived effort by folks like

David Horowitz to CENSOR people they disagree with (and it becomes

clearer the more you read and listen to David that what he means is to

censor the LEFT, not the right, as he DEFENDS -- rightly -- Larry

Summers -- against efforts to impose political correctness from the

left...and DEFENDS -- WRONGLY -- efforts to impose political

correctness on folks like Ward Churchill or this professor that Ala

features, from the right...

What EVERYONE needs to learn how to do is to BE A GROWN-UP, write GOOD

PAPERS...make GOOD ARGUMENTS...and STOP THE WHINING, for god's sakes...

I thought the point of the best of conservatism was to LEAVE BEHIND THE

LEGACY OF VICTIMHOOD...NOT EMBRACE IT AS CONSERVATIVES' OWN CAUSE, for

goodness sakes...

Really...y'all...

Victimhood looks unattractive on liberals...and it looks EQUALLY

unattractive on conservatives:):):):):):):):):):):):)...

The secret to improving Universities...always...perpetually...

Is really no secret at all:):):):):):)...

In fact, it is the MOST OPEN SECRET in the culture, all taken

together:):):):):):):):):):):):)...

It is to think...

To think more...

To think better...

And to subject your thoughts to the criticisms and constructive

suggestions of everyone...

Including and ESPECIALLY people you disagree with:):):):):):)...

Which means all of those KOOKY, CONSPIRACY-SPEWING, liberal AND

conservative professors that you or I might run across in a university

setting:):):):):):)...

And even they -- in my experience -- will tend to treat you

fairly...roughly speaking...if you have good ideas:):):):):):)...

So bone on the studying, folks...because a culture cannot sustain

itself on WHINING, I guarantee you:):):):):):)...

It can only sustain itself on GOOD IDEAS:):):):):)...and if you got

em'...offer 'em up:):):)...

And if they're good:):):):):):)...

I GUARANTEE:):):):):):)...THEY WILL STICK:):):):):):):):):)...

Because THAT...by definition...is what a GOOD IDEA

is:):):):):):):):):)...

It is an idea that gets picked up:):):):):):)...because it is just TOO

GOOD TO PASS UP:):):):):):):):):):):):)...

Have a great day, everyone:):):):):):)...

Love,
Ben"...

...and...finally...my post to Bigandmean's roughly paraphrased

question, "How do you stay so open-minded in a liberal university

town?":):):):):):) (Bigandmean is a conservative law professor who I

PRESUME does NOT live in a liberal university town:):):):):):)...

"It's a great question, bigandmean:):):):):):)...

I ask myself that question ALL THE

TIME:):):):):):):):):):):):)LOL:):):):):):):):)...

My undergrad experience was in my home town of Wichita, Kansas at

Wichita State University...which is a much more open university to

conservative ideas...MANY of my professors were conservatives and

Republicans...and I was more of libertarian, really, going into college

from high school...I read and argued with my liberal professors about

authors like Ayn Rand, and Nathaniel Branden, and Murray Rothbard, and

ALAN GREENSPAN:):):) (did you know that Alan was an Objectivist and

SERIOUS libertarian, back in the day?:):):):):):)...that was the FIRST

encounter I had with the name, Alan Greenspan:):):):):):)...on the

cover of an objectivist newsletter way back in my last years of high

school researching for debate rounds at the nearby university

library:):):):):):)...

WSU was also MUCH MORE involved with the business community in Wichita

than the University of Kansas is, here in Lawrence, I think...MANY, of

the business owners in Lawrence are KU grads...but...in Wichita...not

only were many of the folks Wichita State grads...but the university

made a proactive effort to connect the university with the local

business community...

A MUCH DIFFERENT OUTLOOK than a liberal university town campus

perspective:):):):):):)...

So when conservatives criticize liberals as not being REALLY in favor

of diversity -- meaning ideological diversity:):):) -- I know EXACTLY

what they mean:):):):):):)...

I had ONE HELL of a time in grad school trying to voice conservative,

libertarian, Christian, and religious viewpoints in a radical/liberal

graduate program dominated by two radical Ph.D.'s/professors who showed

FAR TOO LITTLE tolerance for viewpoints different from their own...

But it was good getting all of the experiences...the good ones and the

bad ones...

I call myself a liberal because of my deepened theological perspective,

lately...

Meaning...I grew up and was a youth leader in a little liberal church

in Wichita, Kansas called Unity Church...which was, generally, a REALLY

WONDERFUL spiritual/religious experience for me:):):)...

And...fundamentally...for me...this meant living a life of authentic

love and compassion and understanding for all people...no matter

what...just like Christs' example...

This doesn't mean you let people murder you, of course...that you don't

take terrorists seriously...or murder seriously...or crime...or

violence...or whatever...

It just means that -- as Bobby Kennedy spoke about after the

assassination of Martin Luther King --that you reach past your pain to

find compassion and understanding that helps to better deal with these

and other serious problems in a society and a community:):):)...

And I do that to the best of my ability every day of my

life:):):):):):)...

Desult has counciled me on keeping these posts shorter,

Bigandmean:):):):):):)...so I'll do that now and we can talk more

later:):):):):):)...

Talk soon:):):):):):)...

Love,
Ben"

Thanks...Ala and Bigandmean...for offering such great forums to discuss

important stuff:):):):):):)...

And thanks to everyone else for being patient with the little

technological snafu that we encountered, here;):):):):):)...

Love,
Ben

Listening to country music...hanging out with the person who supports me best:)...ME:):):)...

Maybe the reason I've been listening to so much country music, lately, is because it reminds me of the period of my life where there was someone around when I most needed them who supported me better than anyone else:):):):):):)...

Me:):):):):):)...

When Jenny and I broke up when I was a senior in college, I was a lost little puppy...I had several groups of friends...but...you know the routine...when you break up with someone, your friends can, often, be kind of dicks about it:):):)...noone wants to hear about it very long:):):)...or at least not as long as you need to be heard on it:):):)...

That is...all of my friends...except one:):):)...

Brandi:):):)...

...which is EXACTLY why I -- eventually...not right off:) -- fell MADLY in love with her:):):):):):)...

...because she supported me better than any friend I had ever had:):):):):):)...

...and that's what love really is, I think:):):):):):)...

...and I am proud to say, today, that the person that supported me best through my last break-up and who I can depend on for the rest of my life -- including times like these when I'm feeling a little more distrustful of all my friends than hanging out with Rascal Flats and the Dixie Chicks:)...and U2:):):)...and Toby Keith:):):)...and Darryl Worley:):):)...and Diamond Rio:):):)...and a lot of good movies:):):)...and Melissa, of course, since we talk every day:):):)...living together will do that:):):)...

...and...right now:):):)...The Scissor Sisters:):):):):):)...

...I am proud to say that the person that supported me best during that time and who I can still count on best to be supportive when I need it, rather than bitchy or taking their shit out on me:)...

Is me:):):):):):)...

And that's who I plan to hang out with until I feel like I can trust that when the turtle sticks his head out from his shell, that the monkeys are not going to throw their shit at him:):):):):):)...

I know...a crude analogy:):):):):):)...but one that works, I think:):):):):):)...

I love the Scissor Sisters, by the way:):):):):):)...even if they're not Rascal Flats:):):):):):)...or Diamond Rio:):):):):):)...

Last night I realized that I think the most important virtue for ANYONE to have is not to be good, in any particular way...or perfect (which is impossible and an illusion and a dangerous and self-righteous illusion at that:):):):):):)...

The MOST IMPORTANT VIRTUE CAN HAVE, I think, is TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES:):):):):):)...to make up their own minds:):):)...independence of thought:):):):):):):)...

And it is the ONE VIRTUE that we spend MORE TIME UNDERMINING than any other...

Because people who don't respect it enough do too much running of shit around these parts...

Planet Earth, that is:):):):):):)...

It is the ONE VIRTUE that is more important than any other...and which is taken for granted more than any other, I think...

Sadly...for all of our sakes...

That will changing soon enough...I'm confident...

But in the meantime...it's a big pain in the ass to have people lord over me/you with threats of all kinds if I think too much for myself or express myself too honestly that I can hardly stand it sometimes...

People need to stop being such FRAGILE LITTLE BITCHES and to to give all us...everyone...more room to live...and grow...and learn...and make mistakes...

And those who do, will live better lives...

Guaranteed...

Societies which do so, now, have individuals and groups of folks who are, by and large, FAR HAPPIER and live lives of FAR HIGHER QUALITY than those who don't...

And for whatever stupid, dumbass, foolish reasons...

So many of them are working BACKWARDS along this principle and simultaneously FORWARDS (where forward looking, freedom-loving people assert their need for freedom) for their own sakes...

And my society is no exception...unfortunately...and it tires me the fuck out...

Talk with everyone later:)....

Love,
Ben

Thank god for great country music...the next generation:):):)...

...a better version of the post below can be found at my other blog:

Building a Better World...Original Flavor:):):)

...oh:):):)...and don't forget to download/play some of the music while you read to get the FULL EXPERIENCE:):):):):):)...

Have a great day, everyone:):):)...

Love,
Ben

Thank god for great country music:):):):):):)...

Top of the World:)...Dixie Chicks:):):)...

Beautiful Mess:):):)...Diamond Rio:):):)...

These Days:):):)...Rascal Flats:):):)...

I Miss My Friend:):):)...Darryl Worley:):):)...

A Home:):):)...Dixie Chicks:):):)...

Long Black Train:):):)...Josh Turner:):):)...

Godspeed:):):)...Dixie Chicks:):):)...

American Soldier:):):)...Toby Keith:):):)...

More Love:):):)...Dixie Chicks:):):)...

I've watched the video for Darryl Worley's I Miss My Friend three times, this morning...

And I've balled twice...

I miss my friend:(...

When Brandi and I broke up almost 4 years ago, now (we broke up the first August of 2001...about a month before 9/11)...it was temporary...

It took 6 months for Brandi to figure out that she wanted to make it permanent...

And...so...in the spring and summer of 2002...I fell in love with root beer and country music:):):)...

With songs like I Miss My Friend...by Darryl Worley:):):)...These Days...by Rascal Flats:):):)...Beautiful Mess...by Diamond Rio:):):)...

...and later:)...

The entire Home album put out by the Dixie Chicks...the one that got them in so much trouble:):):)...and one of the most beautiful albums, period, I've ever heard...and definitely the best country album I've ever heard in my life...

Songs like More Love...A Home...Top of the World...Traveling Soldier...Godspeed...Tortured, Tangled Hearts...White Trash Wedding:):)...I Believe in Love...Truth No. 2...Long Time Gone:)...the Chicks' AWESOME cover of Landslide:):):)...Little Jack Slade:):)...

It's an INCREDIBLE album...beautiful...smart...compassionate...loving...funny:):):):):):)...

And uniquely the Chicks:):):):):):)...

I repeat:):):)...it is one of THE BEST ALBUMS I've ever heard, period:)...but it is definitely the best country album I've ever heard in my life:):):)...

Has anyone ever heard any of these songs?:):):)...Am I the only country music geek among us?:):):)...

I hope not:):):)...because these songs are BEAUTIFUL:):):)...and should be appreciated by everyone, I think:):):):):):)...

These songs are so authentic:):):)...these really beautiful reflections on relationships gone awry:):):)...for grown-ups who know that they have to pick themselves up and move on to new loves and new dreams:):):)...

The best that country music has to offer, I think:):):)...no matter how many people say that they like old country better than new
country:):):)...

It's pretty clear to me that the life in country music is derived from wonderful, new, progressive country music bands like these:):):)...

These Days is this GORGEOUS song about a couple running into one another after having broke up years earlier:):):)...

"Hey, baby...is that you?...wow, you're hair got so long:)...yeah, yeah, I love it...I really do":):):)...

"Norma Jean, ain't that the song we'd sing in the car, driving downtown, top down, making the rounds, checking out the bands on Dulhemy Avenue"...

"Yeah...life throws you curves"...

"But you learn to swerve"...

"Me...I swung and missed...and the next thing you know...I'm reminiscing...dreaming old dreams...wishing old wishes...like you would be back again"...

"I wake up...and teardrops...they fall down like rain"...

"I put on that old song we danced to and then"...

"I head off to my job...guess not much has changed":):):)...

"Punch the clock...head for home...check the phone...just in case...go to bed...dream of you"...

"Yeah...that's what I'm doing these days"...

"Yeah that's what I'm doing":):):):):):)...

AMAZING song:):):):):):)...I must have listened to that song a hundred times after Brandi and I broke up:):):)...

I listened to a lot of country music after Brandi and I broke up:):):)...sat in the driveway...drank root beer:):):)...

I did have one night of whiskey and Darryl's "I Miss my Friend":):):)...another GREAT country song:):):)...

And "The Good Stuff":):):)...by Kenny Chesney:):):):):):)...

A lot of REALLY GREAT love stories that got played a lot (I'm not sure when they came out since my following of country music is only very recent:):):) about the time when Brandi and I broke up:):):)...just post 9/11 (Brandi and I broke up in August of 2001, just a month before 9/11:):):)...

And...then...just like every other area of music and
entertainment:):):)...

With the exception of the Dixie Chicks' AWESOME album, post 9/11, Home...from which Top of the World came:):):)...

I later learned to love Toby Keith and Josh Turner and more conservative country singers:):):)...I would sing American Soldier at the top of my lungs in my car when it first came out:):):)...and Josh Turner's Long Black Train was some comfort and a healthy antidote to the slight mean streak I could feel coming on when I was out of work, after Community Living Opportunities (I just want to go on record to say that I have been fired twice...and both times -- 100% -- the folks who fired me were soon fired afterwards...which was little comfort to me while I slept in my car in Milwaukee, scared to death of where I was going to sleep, eat, work, etc)...

And only very recently did I find Leann Rhimes' GORGEOUS version of Amazing Grace:):):)...

But, recently, the creative juices in country music just didn't seem to flow so easily:):):)...Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying" is beautiful:):):)...but his "Drugs or Jesus" is just one of the shittiest country music songs I've ever heard in my entire life:):):):):):)...

And just not a lot of songs like these really beautiful love songs that seemed to be playing more in 2001 and 2002:):):)...

I was just having this conversation with my friend, Angela, last night:):):)...

The Academy Awards, I think, have just been much shittier in the last few years (as has mainstream cinema, as well, I think, relative to some recent past years -- like 1993 and 1994, when the Unforgiven and Schindler's List won Best Picture awards) for whatever reasons:):):)...

I mean...Lord of the Rings was good...but Best Picture of 2004?...I don't think so...Lost in Translation was nominated that year...and there were at least 10 and as many as 20 movies I named for Angela that I thought should have been nominated and/or won over Lord of the Rings:)...

The Cooler?...Monster?...Girl with the Pearl Earring?...

I have my normal beefs with the Oscars...not nominating Glengarry Glenn Ross for Best Picture or the rest of that cast other than Al Pacino for Best Supporting Actor in 1993...or Denzel Washington in Malcolm X losing to Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman that year for Best Actor the same year ...Al DESERVED Best Supporting Actor, for Glenngarry Glenn Ross:):)...but Denzel deserved the Best Actor award, and was robbed, I believe:):):)...

But my problem with the Academy runs deeper the last couple of years...

The movie selection, generally, just hasn't been as good these last couple of years:):):)...

...and then the Academy's just been making these really poor choices, lately, I think:):):)...

Like Rene Zelwigger for Best Supporting Actress in 2004 for Cold Mountain, a TERRIBLE movie, that she tries to save like a sinking ship...when there were 20 actresses, at least, who did better jobs with good scripts and deserved that award:):):)...that pick was THE BIGGEST EMBARRASSMENT in recent and maybe all-time Oscar history, I think:):):):):):)...

...or Lord of the Rings for Best Picture in the same year when Lost in Translation is nominated:):):)...and when a ton of other movies...

...Monster...House of Sand and Fog...The Cooler...In America...Finding Nemo...the Barbarian Invasions...The Girl with the Pearl Earring...even
American Splendor...are all probably better movies:):):)...

I think my favorite, that year, amongst all of those (there are still a couple like Seabiscuit or Master and Commander: The Farther Side of the World that I still have not seen or, as in the case of Seabiscuit, which I've only seen in part) was Monster...which didn't get nominated...but deserved it more than Seabiscuit, I can tell just from what I'm seen of that cheesy little flick:):):)...and certainly more than the cold, dark, helpless landscape painted in Mystic River...

...and Monster is a fairly decent-sized budget movie...with two stars, Charleze Theron, who was BRILLIANT and TOTALLY deserved the Best Actress Award, and Christina Ricci, who WAY deserved that Best Supporting Actress Award far more than fuckin' Rene Zelwigger for Cold Mountain...

The Oscars and the movie world, generally...and the music world (U2, in particular)...and the entertainment, world, generally, I think...they've all just not been putting out their best stuff in the last couple of years...

And it's just kind of disappointing when you compare it with really great stuff from earlier periods:):):):):):)...

A lot of it I think is money...people rationalizing and compromising quality with profits...I think that explains the Lord of the Rings pick for Best Picture in 2004, which was DEFINITELY NOT the best picture of 2004:):):)...

And a lot of it, I think, may be politics...war and uncertainty...a conservative push that was scaring a lot of the liberals, in particular, in Hollywood, that the Appocalypse was near:):):):):):)...

And...I don't know what...exactly:):):)...

I just know that a lot of the best movies and performances were/are not getting recognized:):)...and a lot of shittier movies/performances ARE when they don't deserve it, as much:):):)...

I'm sure the Academy will sort through it, over time:):):)...

But it's just sad and frustrating to watch it happen in the meantime, as people rationalize why they don't do GREAT WORK:):):)...and why they, far too often, do a lot of SHITTY WORK:):):):):):)...

But it's great work, in the end, that really innovates in the field:):):)...

50 years from now...very few people will remember Under Siege:):):):):):)...one of the candy movies that made big bucks in 1993:):):)...or Stephen Segal, probably:):):):):):)...

I mean...we all will:):):)...

But not like Stephen Spielberg:):):)...and Schindler's List:):):)...which won Best Picture -- rightly -- that year:):):):):)...

Spielberg makes a lot of silly candy movies:):):)...But he will, ultimately, be remembered for his greatest movies:):):):):):)...

Two of which, I think, are two of the greatest movies, if not THE TWO GREATEST MOVIES OF ALL TIME:):):)...

Schindler's List...and Saving Private Ryan (I can't decide, any more, which I like better:):):):):):)...they're both AMAZING:):):):):):)...

But no movies like those last year...or the last couple of years...

I haven't seen Million Dollar Baby or Ray, yet...so I'm probably speaking too soon on this one:):):):):):)...

Because I'm really looking forward to seeing both of them:):):)...

I hope this is all just a blip on the America's and the world's cultural screen:):):)...because we need the life that great music and movies and TV and journalism and media and culture, otherwise, breathes into our lives and into the culture...

For all of his whining...

Does David Horowitz...or Newt Gingrich...or Jerry Falwell...or Pat Robertson...or other pushers of the culture war, feeding America's addiction to blame someone else for the sorry state of our lives...

Do these folks really believe that the culture could really sustain itself on their culture war or their ideas or their words or voices, alone...or primarily?...

The truth is that I doubt these folks have thought VERY MUCH AT ALL ABOUT ANYTHING except for THEIR HATE OF LIBERALS...and just about everyone else, as well, I would bet...

What piss poor culture it would be if the growth of the culture was based on the whims or the permission of folks like David Horowitz:):):)...or Jerry Falwell:):):)...or Pat Robertson:):):)...or Newt Gingrich:):):)...

...or as it already is, far too much, on the whims of my Senator from Kansas, Sam Brownback, as his modern day crusades from the FCC:):):):):):)...

What does it say about the future of the Republican party, by the way, that the only two people flirting with running for office amongst Republicans and conservatives, right now, are Sam Brownback and Newt
Gingrich?:):):):):):):):):)...

That's like a Democratic race between Al Sharpton and Dennis Kucinich:):):):):):):):):):)...

What a shitty race that would be:):):):):):):):)...and then you get a fairer idea of what a shitty selection Republicans have in front of them, right now:):):):):):)...

I think I'd rather elect Mandy Moore -- who I'm listening to right now and who's about as candy as red licorice, though her most recent
performance in Saved -- which I have not seen but am DYING to see:):):) -- looks like a nice break from that old typecast:):):):):):)...

...or the Five Blind Boys from Alabama:):):):):):)...

...at least we might get some authentic soul into Congress:):):)...

...instead of all the same old power-wrangling that tries to play itself off as more honest soul-searching:):):):):):)....

In the meantime...

I have a message for conservatives still engaged in the culture war:):):):):):)...

YOUR CULTURE WAR IS GETTING IN THE WAY OF MY/OUR CULTURE:):):):):):)...

You need to take a seat and find a place within it...rather than trying to control or hurt or limit it:):):):):):)...it's doesn't need your control or regulation, thank you:):):):):):)...

It needs room to grow and live and breathe...and create:):):)...

Including...and especially:):):)...

Room to criticize what sons-a-bitches you are for trying to herd something that, fundamentally, needs to be out from under your thumb:):):):):):)...

Because I'm tired of shitty "Drugs or Jesus" songs from Mr. McGraw:):):):):):)...

I want great music, again:):):)...

And I want new stuff all over the airways:):):)...

Not having the find old stuff from a downloading service because new stuff gets squeezed by an unforgiving, ugly, nasty inversion of everything that authentic religion and spirituality does or should stand for:):):):):):)...by this stupid little culture war, that needs to take a break, pick up a book (preferably one by someone whom you DON'T AGREE WITH:):):):):):)...

...and LEARN SOMETHING ALREADY:):):):):):)...

In the meantime:):):)...

I've got my Chicks:):):)...and my Rascal Flats:):):)...and my Diamond Rio:):):)...and Darryl Worley:):):)...and even Josh Turner and Toby Keith:):):):):):)...

And I need them during times like now when...

...when I miss my friend...

It took an awful lot for me to open up my heart after Brandi and I broke up...

I think Brandi and most of my friends just totally take that for granted, really...

But Brandi, especially...

I'm so thankful to have these songs:):):)...

...to help me let it all out...and all of the love in:):):)...

Have a great day, everyone:):):):):):)...

Love,
Ben

Baby steps:):):):):):)...

I don't know what's been happening recently...I'm trying to figure it out...

But I haven't been trusting people a lot, lately...

I trust myself...

But I've just had some people REALLY FUCK with me, lately...at work...among my friends...suprisingly not among family, lately:):):)...but some of my closest friends in the world, lately...

And it's been really fucking with me...

With some it's been distance...

With others it's been bullying...

At work it's definitely been bullying (one girl in particular...even as my immediate team seems to be gelling better, lately:)...

I don't know what people think that they can sustain relationships through bullying...

Or why they don't take seriously that there's a problem when they're being distant...

They just do...

I take my relationships seriously...so I take very seriously when these things happen...

It's a sign of problems...that need resolution...and none of the more foolish ways of handling those problems will sustain themselve, any more...

And something else has to be developed...

A lot of the things that make relationships work, I think, are pretty straightforward...love...being assertive without being aggressive or exclusive...talking through problems as they come up...being emotionally and socially open so you can know what's going on with folks as they are happening...and so they can know what's going on with you:)...being open to others without sacraficing yourself...taking on the challenges of relationships, even when they seem painful and difficult...

One of the major problems that I've had in my relationships, lately, is that I have a lot of folks in my life who do their best to avoid the really difficult stuff...

Not my style...

I confront problems, head-on, as much as possible...

Unless I just don't have the energy to take them on in the moment:):):)...and then I'm just waiting until I do:):):)...

And then I want to take those problems on with as much honesty and openness and love and authentic feeling and thinking and relating as possible:)...

But an AWFUL LOT OF PEOPLE, I'm learning, both avoid this kind of open relationship...and, subsequently, they aren't as experienced at handling it, perhaps...

I don't know...I'm not trying to be "the expert"...just trying to understand what's going on right now:)...

Maybe that's what it is...maybe folks are just stumbling through some difficult issues and I just need to be more supportive while also being on the look-out for back-sliding, where folks want to bully their way through problems rather than deal with them assertively but honestly and sensitively...

If anyone hasn't figured it out, yet...I am not an easy person to bully, AT ALL:):):)...in fact I'm probably more aware of ways to work around it than most folks I know:):):)...and am better at identifying it, much of the time, I think, than a lot of folks who want to rationalize it and the rest of their bullshit rather than being responsible for it:):):)...

Me...I know that bullies -- like all people -- only respect strength:):):)...so that's what I offer, as much as possible:):):)...

Authentic strength:):):)...

...the kind that doesn't have to bully to address issues:):):)...

Bullies, as the old cliche goes, are just scared little bitches:):):)...bullying is a resort of the weak to deal with their fears of an unpredictable, complicated world:):):)...

But bullying only creates MORE problems:):):)...it doesn't resolve the original problems:):):)...

And the best evidence of that is the PERSISTENCE of the very problems that bullies often want to rationalize as the indication of the need for their presence:):):):):):)...

Because the thing that kind of sucks about bullies is that they NEVER WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR BULLSHIT:):):):):):)...they're self-righteous by nature:):):)...because self-righteousness is a common reaction to the fear that one doesn't know what the hell one is doing:):):):):):)...

You see it all the time:):):)...those who have no clue what they're doing generally scream the loudest that they do know:):):)...

Fred Phelps:):):)...Osama Bin Laden:):):)...Eric Rudolph:):):)...Black Panthers:):):)...Al Sharpton:):):)...David Horowitz:):):)...Andrea Dworkin:):):)...Noam Chomsky:):):)...Terry Randall:):):)...

And the truth is that the more you're shrilling asserting that you know EXACTLY how the world is, the less you're open to learning and understanding and growing:):):)...the less open you are...the more self-righteous you are:):):)...the less you learn:):):)...

A sure sign of someone who shouldn't be trusted with someone's faith:):):):):):)...

I don't know exactly what's going on lately...if folks are just having a hard time facing that about themselves...or if they're just being shitheads...or I don't know what:):):)...

I just know people have been acting really wierd, lately:):):)...so many of my liberal friends have been acting more self-righteous and angry and proud...sometimes this is great:):):)...being proud of being a liberal:):):)...

I have to say that it's great living in a liberal city in the middle of conservative Kansas that just voted to ban marriages amongst my gay friends and being around a lot of folks who all think and voted (Douglas County voted very differently than the rest of Kansas on this matter...and on many matters, for that matter:):):) that a ban on gay marriage is a giant load of shit:):):)...and everyone feeling solace in the fact that though this battle was lost, that it will eventually be won...because you know that you're on the right side of the question:):):)...

But something else less constructive is going on as well, I think:)...my conservative friends are sometimes being more authentically open to liberal ideas -- which I LOVE and think is REALLY GREAT...especially when it involves being open to really good liberal ideas:):):) (bad liberal ideas can and should be left behind just like bad conservative ideas or bad Marxist ideas or bad libertarian ideas or bad anarchist ideas or bad radical/socialist ideas or bad theocratic ideas or whatever:):):):):):)...

But then...other times...my conservative friends are acting like they're just waiting for liberals to start beating them over the head with liberal orthodoxy...too quick to compromise, even when the compromise is not what they authentically think or when it's just not good for them or anyone else, for that matter:):):)...

Like the tide is turning, in some ways, and that liberals are getting ready to take advantage of their new influence...and conservatives are just waiting to get beaten over the head with it...

This is not a good state of affairs...and doesn't deal well enough, I don't think, with the authentic issues that need to get resolved...either politically...or between us as in our personal relationships...

Compromise...as Stephen J. Covey of the Seven Principles of Highly Effective People fame states, accurately, I think...is a lower trust way of resolving a problem...

It doesn't build the kind of trust that needs to happen in a relationship that really supports growth:):):)...

It breaks down because it's not authentic:):):)...

Or as all the young people are saying these days:):):)...

Compromise means that you're not "keeping it real":):):)...

And...as much as possible in our relationships -- political, personal, or otherwise -- we need to be "keeping it real":):):)...

That's why, fundamentally, a gay marriage ban is such a BAD IDEA, in addition to the fact that insults my gay friends, for good reason...

It insults my gay friends because it tells them to go back in the closet...or that you can be out of the closet...just don't expect that your bedroom will ever been seen as "as good" as my bedroom...because it won't, so this line of reasoning goes...I'm better than you and there's nothing you can do about it except for stop being such a fag and sleeping with people of your own sex...

It's bullshit, is what it is...and it asks gay folks to live bullshit lives that are not them...it tells them to stop being what they are so that heterosexual folks and conservative Christian folks don't have to deal with the fact that their difference does not constitute a threat to their own marriages...

That the problems in heterosexual Christian marriages are THEIR OWN RESPONSIBILITY...and not ones that will be resolved by ganging up on some minority group who can deflect attention away from those problems, temporarily, while they quietly freak out that they have NO CLUE how to deal with a lot of the complicated problems in their own relationships -- with spouses...with kids...with immediate and extended family -- and that they are constantly afraid that they will fall apart, as a consequence:):):)...

I have learned -- no offense to a lot of my conservative friends -- but that AN AWFUL LOT of my conservative and conservative Christian friends spend a lot of time LECTURING others about taking responsibility and FAILING to and AVOIDING taking responsibility in their own lives:):):)...

As this REALLY GREAT political cartoon in the Lawrence Journal World, this morning, parodies:):):)...

Tom Delay spends the early part of his day lecturing judges that he is going to hold them accountable in Congress:):):)...and then the greatest proportion of his day trying to AVOID responsibility for his own messes in Congress:):):):):):)...

Now...Tom Delay is one man:):):)...who is responsible for himself and his own life and his own choices:):):):):):)...and liberal and unaffiliated folks avoid responsibility, as well:):):):):):)...

But they just don't lecture others about it quite as much:):):)...

Many of my friends are open hypocrits:):):)...and then some of my friends are just less open hypocrits:):):):):):)...being hypocritical:):):)...but just not taking any even quiet responsibility for their hypocrisy as they do so:):):):):):)...

Which is kind of ironic, I think:):):)...

Since Jesus Christ's MOST IMPORTANT lessons in the Bible, I thought:):):)...were about the splinter and the beam:):):)...

...that we should pluck the beam from our own eye...before we pluck the splinter from our neighbor's eye:):):)...

Now THAT's authentic responsibility:):):)...THAT's authentic humility:):):)...and leading by example:):):):):):)...

And a lot of my conservative friends seem to be learning this, more lately:):)...while a lot of my liberal friends are all pissed off that they're getting their asses kicked, I guess...and are just in a mood to kick someone else's ass, maybe...

I don't know...

I just know that people are acting wierd, lately:)...

And I know that I've been shoveling a lot of the bullshit in the meantime:):):)...

And I'm just kind of confused about it all:):):)...

Wondering what's going on:):):):):):)...

I guess we'll all need to communicate much more honestly and openly for that to happen:):):):):):)...

And I guess some of my friends and I are just stumbling through that, right now:):):):):)...

But it's been awfully confusing, lately, I have to say:):):)...

I just hope it gets easier in the next couple of weeks or so:):):)...with some experience:):):)...

Because the fights, lately, have been BIG FIGHTS...not small ones...

And it's just REALLY OVERWHELMING to have so many BIG FIGHTS, recently, ALL AT THE SAME TIME...

It's made me a little paranoid and a little less trusting, lately...even as there are places where things have gotten more open and more trusting...

Strange, huh?...

I don't know...that's just what I'm seeing, right now:):):)...

Some common themes in the fights?...People saying they want...

No politics...

Less talking...

Less intellectual discussion...

Fewer mistakes...

None of which are possible or legitimate requests, I don't think...

So I don't know what to tell people...

Mistakes are NECESSARY for learning...learning CANNOT happen FOR ANYONE without them:):):)...

Politics is a part of me and a part of my life...and if you have an issue with that...then you need to deal with that issue and stop putting your shit off on me...I don't ask you to stop talking sports or music or about your family or what the fuck ever...

And I'm never going to stop talking about politics...

Ever...

Ever...

Ever...ever:):):)...so go fuck yourself and get used to it, you big pussy:):):):):):)...

Less intellectual discussion, by definition, makes you DUMBER, not SMARTER...and I'm not interested in EITHER OF US getting dumber instead of smarter:):):)...

And talking is how I stay open about me and my life:):):)...which is healthier for me:):):)...

I'll try to be sensitive if folks don't feel like talking:):):)...and I spend an awful lot of time just thinking quietly to myself:):):)...

But the less sensitive you are to my feelings, then, likely, the less sensitive I'm going to yours, you fuckin' dumbass:):):):):):)...

So if you DEMAND that I do a GODDAMN THING:):):):):):)...

Then I feel nor do I demonstrate any obligation in the least to be sensitive to your feelings, really at all:):):):):):)...

And if you don't like that:):):):):):)...

Then you can stop being such a fuckin' prick, you fuckin' self-centered asshole:):):):):):)...

And if you still don't like that policy, then you can go fuck yourself, dumbass:):):):):):)...

Because if you play low trust with me, then I'm likely to play lower trust than normal with you:):):):):):)...and we can go as low on that as you want until you've decided that you've bottomed out and that you want to get to higher ground:):):):):):)...

Where there's a lot more sunshine:):):):):):)...and where it's better for everyone:):):)...really:):):)...

It'll just take some work on your part and on my part:):):):):):)...

And so goes ALL GROWN-UP RELATIONSHIPS:):):):):):)...

And if you're having problems with that:):):):):):)...

Then I suggest that you GROW UP:):):):):):):):):):):):)...

Goodness sakes, people:):):):):):)...

Hope everyone's having a great Sunday:):):):):):)...the weather here is BEAUTIFUL:):):):):):)...and Melissa and I have had a great time just exploring Lawrence and Massachusetts Street where all of the fun shops and diverse Lawrence business is at:):):):):):)...

I love this town:):):):):):)...

...but I especially love Mass St.:):):):):):)...as I think most people in Lawrence feel:):):):):):)...

It's a place of openness...and authentic diversity:):):) (we've had TWO Christian book/clothing stores open up on Mass in the last couple of years in liberal, univerisity-town Lawrence, this year:):):):):):)...it's VERY EXCITING:):):):):):)...

And energy:):):)...and life:):):):):):)...and growing:):):)...

...and living:):):):):):)...

It's great:):):):):):)...

If you ever get to Lawrence:):):)...I HIGHLY suggest strolling down Massachusetts Street:):):):):):)...

When my dad was last in town:):):)...I took him to Paradise Cafe, which was still open then and was and hopefully will open again as my favorite breakfast place in town:):):) (Paradise went bankrupt a couple of years ago...and Vermont Street Barbeque opened up in it's space...it's still kind of wierd for me to go by Vermont St. BBQ and think, "I used to be able to order gingersnap pancakes there":):):)...

I took my dad there because it was my favorite breakfast place in town:):):):):):)...but I guess some bank decided that profit was more important than a really great breakfast place:):):):):):)...someone had a trip to Fiji to finance:):):):):):)...

...so the gingerbread pancakes had to go:):):)...

But, hopefully:):):)...Paradise will open up again soon enough:):):):):):)...

In the meantime:):):):):)...I still love Mass:):):):):):)...

And we had a sweet little day just walking in the beautiful weather:):):)...walking and talking:):):)...eating at Mass St. Deli:):):)...checking out albums at the Love Garden:):):)...the really AWESOME used music store in town:):):) (and quickly becoming my FAVORITE music store in town, really:):):)...

I saw an American punk album there that I was thinking that I should tell Jas that he could try to trade the History of British Rock album that I got him for his birthday for:):):)...I got it because Jas HATES the British:):):)...and I thought it would be funny:):):)...

...but he might enjoy the American punk album, instead:):):):):):)...it's got a bunch of bands that used to play at the CB-GB in New York back in the day:):):)...I remember some names:):) -- the Miamis, is one:):):) -- but I didn't really know the bands very well:):):)...

But...anyway:):):)...I was just thinking that maybe Jas might want to trade his album there sometime:):):)...

I love this town:):):)...even with all its bullshit:):):)...it's like a really wonderful dysfunctional family that's just LESS DYSFUNCTIONAL that most other towns/families:):):):):):)...

I imagine this period will pass...as it always does:):):)...

Just right now it sucks...as people get figured out whether they want to build authentic trust:):):)...

Or whether they want to deal with all the bullshit that comes with trying to bully and compromise and play all kinds of games in life that just leave people feeling upset with you and leaving noone feeling happy:):):)...

Maybe it's a better idea to just search more authentic connection with one another:):):)...to live our own lives more authentically...and more decently:):):):):):)...

But I guess we all have to work through all the bullshit, in the meantime:):):):):):)...

We'll work through it, I hope:):):)...

Because if we don't, I'll have to find new friends:):):):):):)...and that's always a bitch:):):)...

I don't want to trade in my friends:):):):):):)...I like them just the way they are:):):):):):)...

...and maybe just a little bit more open to growth and learning and exploring life than they've been in the past:)...

...which...when I think about it...is exactly where they're/we're at now...

Right now...we're just exploring:):):)...

We're just stumbling along:):):)...like little babies learning how to crawl and then how to walk:):):):):):)...

It just takes time:):):)...and a lot of mistakes:):):)...and a lot of stumbling:):):)...

...before you finally learn to walk on your own:):):)...

...and maybe hold hands along the way:):):)...

Hope everyone's having a great day:):):)...

Love,
Ben

Well...I guess I was right:):):)...

I do think that I've been watching a bunch of friends basically dare me, in recent weeks, to a battle of wills...a battle of who can beat one another socially...

I do not, as a rule, engage in such nonsense...I, generally, avoid it...

But sometimes it's unavoidable...

And if I have to engage...

Then let the games begin, motherfuckers...

Because if you fight me...you will likely find out VERY SOON that I am one of the TOUGHEST MOTHERFUCKERS YOU'VE EVER DEALT WITH IN YOUR ENTIRE FUCKIN' LIFE...

I don't fight often...in fact, I avoid it as much as possible...

But what makes me a scary and crazy motherfucker to deal with should you choose to pick a fight with me on something of critical importance to my life that you are wrong on and that I've engage all my other options to resolve the issue...

And you still choose to fight me...

Is that I am one of the most DETERMINED and UNYIELDING OPPONENTS that you will/have ever had the misfortune of fucking with...

I've been thinking about military service for the last couple of years...and partly because I WOULD BE A TERRIBLY EFFECTIVE FUCKING SOLDIER...

I'm the most loyal and cocky son-of-a-bitch you've ever run across...I'm smart and socially-attuned as ALL FUCKIN' HELL...I work my ass off...I keep a great fucking attitude when morale is low:):):)...

But...most importantly:):):)...

Because I'm not scared of much:):):):):):)...at least not when and where it counts:):):):):):)...

And when I HAVE to fight -- because all other options have been and progressively more so rather than less so are expended or do not make themselves available -- then I am ONE DETERMINED AND TOUGH SUM BITCH...

And I will make your world a LIVING FUCKING HELL until it gets resolved...

I don't think that's going to happen any time, soon:):):)...

Because you watch a cool motherfucker who you know's not a pussy...take several hits on the jaw...

And you know that that motherfucker must be pretty fucking confident that he can level your fucking world, if he needs to...when the time and situation calls for it...

Here's a warning...if you're ever thinking about fighting me for real...

I would take a step back...take a deep breath...count to ten...

...and THINK about that one LONG AND FUCKING HARD...

Because I am not the brother you want to be fucking with...

And I don't say that with any hint of insecurity or defense...

I am stating a simple, clear, and confident fact...

I would think twice than to fuck with me...

I'll pick you up after I'm quite convinced that you won't be fighting me anymore...

But I'll fight as long as the fight needs to happen till I'M THE ONE PICKING YOU UP...and not the other way around:):):)...

:):):):):):):):):):):):)...

:):):):):):):):):):):):)...

OK:):):)...that's just my little vent/warning to those who are thinking about fighting/fucking with me any time soon:):):):):):)...

Glad I got that out:):):):):):)...

Now I can focus on more important things:):):):):):)...

Like the really beautiful version of Top of the World performed by the Dixie Chicks that I downloaded today...

...that I'm listening to, right now:):):)...

It's the namesake of their VERY BEAUTIFUL album written in the days leading up to President Bush's badly mishandled invasion of Iraq...with songs -- More Love and Traveling Soldier...the TWO BEST ANTI-WAR SONGS DURING THIS ENTIRE PERIOD...that were rightfully cautionary and critical of that tragically engaged war...a war that caused and still causes FAR TOO MANY unnecessary deaths among American soldiers, aid workers, commerical workers from America and other countries from the international community, Iraqis, and anyone else who might be lost in this too tragic situation in Iraq...

Top of the World is this REALLY BEAUTIFUL SONG about a man who's own insecurities lead him to bully and verbally shoot down the dreams of his still too insecure wife...for their entire lives together...and his hypothetical lament and apology for wasting the potential and the life of his little songbird...whom he could have taken to the top of the world...

Natalie Maines -- the Chick's lead singer -- sings this INCREDIBLE cover/version of Patti Griffin's powerfully written song about the laments of a bully too busy wallowing in his own self-doubt and low-self-worth to recognize just how badly he had hurt his wife and potential soulmate, had he not chosen to treat her like his emotional punching bag, instead, all those years that he spent treating her like shit so he wouldn't have to face what an ASS he had become...

Marty Maguire play a violin solo at the end of this song like you've never heard before in your life...

And Emily Robinson sings, along with Marty, harmony vocals that will melt your heart like you've never melted before:)...

Please check it out:):):)...I'm listening to a download from Bearshare right now:):):)...I HIGHLY recommend it:):):):):):)...

Fighting should be avoiding as much as possible...

But make no mistake with me...

You don't want to fuck with me...

Really...

We all probably should take a moment and listen to the Chicks instead:):):):):):)...

Have a great day, everyone:):):)...I've got a violin solo to attend to:):):):):):)...

Love,
Ben

I am -- literally -- on top the world, this morning:):):):):):)...

I'm listening to this AMAZING song library Melissa and I have hear on this computer:):):)...a lot of They Might Be Giants:):):)...my new favorite rap/pop song, Akon's Lonely:):):)...some gospel:):):)...a little of everything:):):)...

And I am having the most AMAZING day:):):)...

The issues at work all seem to have gotten resolved:)...and our work is running more smoothly than ever before:):):)...we are becoming a team:):)...and it is exciting to watch it all happen:):):)...

The guy I'm training, right now -- Kevin -- is EXCELLENT:):):)...he's smart:):):)...he's cool:):):)...he's got a great sense of humor:):):)...he's a great guy:):):)...

And we make an awesome team, I have to say:):):)...we're quickly becoming best buds in short time:):):)...

At work, a lot of people know me as "Right on":):):)...it's because I say, "Right on," just about every other fuckin' phrase out of my mouth every day:):):)...it's just an all purpose phrase, you know?:):):)...you can take it with you no matter where you go and it just fits just about every situation:):):)...

So, Kevin, this week, has been saying "Word up" a lot:):):)...and it started to occur to me that "Word up" is very much like right on:):):)...but more progressive since it's 80's retro, rather than 70's retro:):):)...so I told Kevin that the regime of "Right on" that currently rules Amarr -- everyone says it ALL THE TIME...at lunch...over the intercom (ALL THE TIME:):):)...when they're referring to me:):):)...it's this one really long running joke at my work:):):)...

I told Kevin that the great and powerful Oz had decreed that the regime of "Right on" had ended...that we were initiating regime change:):):)...and that the regime of "Word up" was taking it's place:):):)...

...and Kevin says, "Long live the king":):):):):):):)...

Then Madeline -- who had avoided saying "Right on" for weeks, it seemed, because she had been pissed at me and didn't want to utter anything that might, in the least, indicate any kind of tacit approval of my presence:):):)...

Madeline says, "Milkshake"):):)...so now that's part of our vocabulary as well:):):)...

And Chris...our press operator:):):)...say's something Snoop Doggy Dogg-esque like "Fashizzle my dizzle":):):):):):)...

So now that's part of the Amarr dialect:):):)...

Marty says "Two pumps and a hickey":):):):):):)...

And Rodney always says, "Hey guys...why don't you clean up your area and pick things up before we have to go, here":):):):):):)...

And these are all just becoming a part of the Amarr lingo:):):):):):)...

We're developing our own language:):):)...

...who knows:):):)...maybe we'll put out our own dictionary:):):)...

Have you ever had a crush on someone and they don't know it?:):):)...I have one of those, right now:):):)...there's this girl with a really great smile that I've got this killer crush on right now:):):)...and I get all giddy inside when I think about her:):):)...

"I just want to be loved...is that so wrong?":):):):):):)...

God...I haven't been in love in so long:):):)...I wonder what that might feel like again?:):):)...

If you haven't heard "The Alphabet Lost and Found" yet, you really are missing out:):):)...HIGHLY recommend it:):):)...

Is is possible to feel really powerful feelings for someone without even knowing them, really?...only that they have this really great smile and heart?:)...

I'm a mature adult so I know that all of our crushes don't always translate into real love:):):)...

But it sure is fun to crush, isn't it?:):):)...

To bite your lip and think, "Maybe":):):):):):)...

"Maybe":):):):):):):):)...

Have a great day, everyone:):):)...

Love,
Ben