Writing is addictive

Writing is an addiction. If you've ever written something that received someone elses' attention, you are hooked. The need to write something else that gets commented on, or read by someone else is your spur to write more.

It almost doesn't matter if the response is complimentary or uncomplimentary, it's the heady rush of "hey! someone READ what I wrote!". That's what gets you hooked.

Now that I think about it, I may be MORE excited about someone who disagrees with something I've written about than with someone who compliments me on what I've written. Reason being, when someone disagrees, you can pretty well bet they've read at least most of what you wrote. They usually quote you on a sentence or two and nearly always take your salient points to refute, all of which tells you they read on a more than cursory level, and with some degree of depth, your entire piece.

The complimenter on the other hand, can be pretty empty with their words. You often don't get that indication that they read past the opening paragraph or so of your composition. (reminder to self to include some points upon which I agree or note some particular turn of phrase used in writings I want to compliment).

So, disagree away with me. It serves to spur me on to greater literary (cough, cough) heights.

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Amazing People

As is my habit, I was listening to NPR radio and an article they were airing about a contest in California for Braille readers. While the contest in and of itself is mildly remarkable, the woman who won it fired my imagination.

The winner, Claire Stanley, says she wants to major in law and eventually become a politician in Washington, DC. When asked how she became blind, she matter-of-factly reported the facts. Her complete acceptance of her condition (I will not call it a handicap as her blindness apparently has NOT handicapped her at all!) is not only inspiring to those of us who have no "condition", but her goals and clear-sighted advancement towards them is inspiring!

I only wish I had half her "gumption"! What an admirable lady and one whom I expect to be hearing about again in the future.

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Two-faced hypocrite!

While I confess to being a registered Republican, I am more and more disenfranchised with the Republican Party as a whole and with President Bush in particular. Mr. Bush's latest veto has pushed me way over the edge.

Although he sent our troops to Iraq -- a clear act of "allow human life to be destroyed to save others" which he now decries as "immoral" when talking about stem cell research, Mr. Bush has revealed to all his hypocracy in his politics. He has long struck me as being egotistical and overbearing; now revelations that he holds himself exempt from the very laws he signs into being for this country exemplifies this very thing.

It's absolutely necessary for a President to be accountable to his constituency. Mr. Bush endeavors to play God with his. He will "strike down the sinners" while sinning himself.

The elections of 2008 will not occur soon enough to suit me. This man needs to be removed from power before he plunges our country into some turmoil we cannot extricate ourselves from. He's not only flirting with this plunge with his actions towards Iran, but also his dialog with Russia. In the 7 years he has been in power, our once fairly peaceful world has erupted into unceasing and unspeakable violence.

People have polarized into factions on extreme sides and there seems to be no compromise that will bring them together again.

Politicians take note -- my vote will go for the man who exhibits the ability to bring people TOGETHER. You have my challenge, Mr. Giuliani, Mr. Obama, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. McCain, Mr. Romney and all the rest of you -- make peace -- with each other, with the world and with your country.

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Dissapointment

I am very dissapointed in my country.

It has gone from being an advocate of fair human rights for all to a country that is percieved as being two-faced and elitist. While we demand a certain level of treatment of our citizens out in the world, we do not afford foreigners the same treatment.

I'm not talking of illegal immigrants, either. The detainees at Guantanamo Bay, our treatment of Iraqui captives at Abu Grabe are just tips of the iceberg of the filth and horror the US dishes out with blessings by their commander-in-chief on a daily basis to peoples not of US citizenship.

I place the fault at the feet of the current administration. While much went on in years past, it's the current administration that is supporting and "justifying" the abominations by citing "we must take these steps in order to stop terrorisim". I don't believe that even terrorrists -- even someone who is dedicated to killing ME deserves to be shut away, tortured and kept from family and legal counsel.

How far the mighty have fallen from grace...

Sadly

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What's in a name?

Names are just labels you know.
They merely help us go on with the flow.
It's silly to set our credit rating based on name
It all seems to be such a stupid game!

Whether your name is Donald, Rachel or Russ
Arthur, Mohammed, Abdul or Jesus
You shouldn't risk stoning, abuses or curses
Loss of a job or stealing of purses.

Call me friend and be one to me
Both of our lives will be better can't you see?
Love grows while hate destroys
Doesn't matter if your're girls or boys.

"Do unto others" doesn't ring hollow
It's always been a good rule to follow
You'll never go wrong being honorable and fair.
It isn't too late! If you only would dare.

Create a new group or a new clique.
Make "love one another" become the new chic
Stop hating and fighting and hurting each other
It truly will be worth all the bother.