I have been asked on several occasions through the years a question that I have not fully been able to answer; the question of whether or not “War” is ever justified. To be completely honest, I still cannot answer this question. I find myself weighing out the pros and cons of each war history has bestowed upon us, and I find some that are and many that aren’t justified. I’d love for one day mankind in general will agree that war is never justified; however, that is only a wish. What is of more concern is a byproduct of war that I find absolutely despicable, and never justified — the deaths of innocents victims.

      Though many have perished during this conflict in Libya, there is one person in particular I’d like to discuss. Tim Hetherington, (right in photo) the late photojournalist was killed while documenting the events unfolding in Libya. I’ve been a fan of his work ever since I saw his documentary Restrepo and was honestly shocked to hear the news of his passing. Mr. Hetherinton and a group of other photographers, were attacked by a Rocket Propelled Grenade while covering the conflict, he was the only one to die. He’s last twitter post indicates that Gadhafi’s forces are killing every thing in their way.

“In besieged Libyan city of Misrata. indiscriminate shelling by Qaddafi forces. No sign of NATO.”

      Again I find myself perplexed. Is it justifiable to have NATO invade Libya to help the rebels? Does it become justifiable only when someone notable dies? Is it ever justifiable to commit “WAR”?  I may never have the answer for these questions, but I hope one day the human race will find that “WAR” is something that will become outdated, and “PEACE” will never go out of style.

     In Memory of Tim Hetherington.

            Interestingly enough, I chose the spot in which I sit at this very moment while I am writing. Sort of a quasi-sociological experiment I am preforming. Airports always allow the voyeuristic feeling in people like me to be feed. I sit now; within a bar owed by Rupert Murdock  (The Fox Sports Broadcast Bar) sipping at my fine vodka tonic with lime while watching the lemmings of the business world do their thing. It’s almost disgusting to watch these fully-grown business monsters gawk drunkenly towards one another in full accord of one another about the fate of our lovely country.  One man clearly feels that that President Obama is clearly wrong and that Marilyn Davenport the insane piece of filth that works as an elected official of the Orange County GOP is clearly right. President Obama was born from the apes.

              And it should be clear, that this man in no way is a racist, but if he had his way “ That ape would be out of office as quick as a nigger in and out of a relationship.

             The down right depravity that exists in our nation, and more considerably within the “great” state of Arizona that I am stuck in for the next three hours just astounds me.  The hatred the “Tea Party” poses upon those with uncommon views fully shows there is a fundamental problem in America, a Generational gap, schism, which is tearing the very fiber of our stability in America.  I often wonder if these people really feel the way they do, or if it is more comfortable for one not to think for ones self, but instead, pout off some bullshit they read in an Email to people who had forwarded the afore-mention email, and act in accordance to whomever is making up this bullshit. Ignorance isn’t bliss, it’s easy, and down right egregious.

           But if these good Christian’s from the conservative corner of the world really think the world is going to end this coming May, then why fight so hard against the progression of things? Why beg for the way America used to be, when blacks nor women, or anyone besides affluent white males had any choice in what they did. Why can’t people let go of the past and look to a future where we all are friends, or trying to be at least. It’s really not that hard, or I guess it is. John Lennon preached the same thing, now he’s gone because people cannot allow anyone with free thoughts to reign free.

         I for one can say I am not scared of dying for what I believe; I’m only scared that what I believed in will die.

I would like to preface this poem with an explanation to my followers and to apologize for my recent absence, however it hasn’t be with out merit. On the 28th of December I lost someone very dear to me, my Grandmother. Only minutes after she passed, I made my way down to the first floor of Shands Hospital in Gainesville FL, and on into the gift shop. They we closing early that particular day, but my red swollen eyes changed their minds, where upon I proceeded to purchase a small note book and a pen. (Typically I keep both of those items on my person where ever I go, but in the hurry of everything I couldn’t gather all of my belongings.) I sat outside the hospital, for how long I don’t remember, time has blurred these last few day. But I wrote a few things that day, and I wanted to post the short poem that I found most fitting for my beloved Grandmother.

I do hope you all enjoy, and thank you very much for following.

A selfless life devoted to
others dreams and happiness
rather than selfish ambitions 
is not a life wasted.
It’s truly a life of beauty,
a life full of love,
a life fully fullfilled.

In Loving Memory
of
Christine Koch

The picture of the guppy is in reference to my grandmother’s nick name for me. I’ll forever be her “Lil Guppy”.

Hey girl
As I’ve always said I prefer your lips red
Not what the good Lord made
But what he intended

Roger Waters: The Pro’s and Con’s of Hitch Hiking

I came across an interesting story just the other day. Not too sure where it was from but it really struck a note with me. I do hope you enjoy as well.

Washington, DC: Metro Station. Morning of January 2007.

The man with a violin played Bach pieces for about one hour. During that time approx. two thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

After three minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a fre seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

Four minutes later, the violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

Six minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to talk again.

Ten minutes: A three year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pulled hard again and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

Forty-Five minutes: The musician played continuously. Only six people stopped and listened for a short while. About twenty gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of Thirty-Two dollars.

One hour: He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth Three point five million dollars.

Two days prior, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where seats averaged one hundred dollars.

Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities.

The questions raised: in a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made…

How many other things are we missing?

It has such an important message for all of us getting ready for the holiday rush. If you find your self sucked into the bustle and go into auto-pilot, take a breath, smile, and look around you… Your missing something important, I guarantee it.

       There we stood, all crowding the starting line. The few of us in the front felt as if we were stuck in a paradox. We were fortunate that we were in an advantage being in front of everyone else, however, since the starting line was a solid wall, the force of the others behind us was so immense I thought our breath would soon leave us all together. Nonetheless our spirits were high. None of us in the top echelon knew one another, but we were friendly towards one another; however, as soon as the gate opened we were enemies just like the dilatory fools behind us. The women next to me looked at her watch, she smiled.
       “It’s almost time everyone!” She yelled to the crowd that cheered in response.
       A lone man walked up to the doors that barred us from getting any further, he looked terrified. He slowly put his hand on the lock then looked at his watch, I braced myself from the others behind me who started pushing to try and get better position.  The lone gatekeeper raised his hand, eyes still attentive on his watch. He opened his hand to show five digits… four… three… two… one… he unlocked the door then ran, we with a hasten fervor broke open the doors and ran for the goal.
      I lagged behind three people at the start, only because of the troll of of woman behind be tried to lynch me with my own collar to get a better position. She didn’t faze me for too long however, I broke free from her vice like grip and sprinted forward. The one residing in the pole position took a nasty spill, I jumped over him, I didn’t look back to see if the others had. Somewhere in the back of my mind I knew they hadn’t, but the prize this morning was way too valuable to turn back now. Only two were a head of me now, but their reign would not last. The woman that was directly in front of me was short and stout. Her pear shaped body could not keep pace nor did she have the range in her legs to stay ahead for too long. Briefly after I passed her, I was behind the last person standing in my way. He was younger than I, not even an adult, I’m sure I was at least ten years his senior, he didn’t stand a chance. As soon as I got close to him I clipped his hind running leg with mine, I’ve never seen someone hit the ground that hard before.
     Nearly out of breath I made it to the finish line, the man we were all racing to see stood before me. He handed me a ticket, a ticket that guaranteed the chance to purchase the lovely 52” Sony Bravia television. I walked to the front of the store feeling like Charlie brandishing his golden ticket. The trip back to the front revealed the carnage that I left behind during that race. Five people had to spend their weekend in the hospital, without a brand new T.V. I payed for my reward and was escorted out front with my large package. As the two men put my earnings into my vehicle, the faces of those who had lost passed me. They were illuminated by the flashing red and blue lights of the emergency vehicles, as the two men closed the back hatch and as the losers past me. I smiled at them, inhaled deeply and screamed.
     “I WON!”
     It was a Black Friday, a Bloody Friday, a Victorious Friday.

Even after all this time the sun never says to the earth, “You owe me.”

Look what happens with love like that, It lights the whole sky.

Hafiz of Shiraz

Sometimes you may posses the proper pieces of the puzzle.
Pieces that not only should, but do fit;
And still find it troublesome putting them together.