“We want people to know that it exists, and they can join it.”
– Pastor Doug Pagitt, founder of a left-leaning religious organization called “Vote Common Good”, about obliterating the myth that leftist or liberal-minded people can’t also be religious.
Filed under News
I’m excited to announce that a global literary and free speech organization, PEN International, has established a new chapter in Dallas, Texas. Founded in London in 1921, PEN International has a very simple mission: preserve literature in all its forms and ensure everyone can engage in free speech and freedom of expression. These are core elements in any truly democratic society, but they are constantly being challenged and even threatened by self-appointed guardians of writing, journalism and speech; people who seem to think they have the right and the power to determine what the rest of us can say and read. It’s a never-ending battle and, sadly, it never will be won. Those of us who advocate for a free press and free speech will always have to confront the oligarchical bullies who feel they – and only they – are blessed with inalienable rights to speech and literature.
Pen International felt the need to establish the Dallas / Fort Worth chapter in the wake of the fraudulent 2016 U.S. presidential election, which has given us an arrogant, foul-mouthed, womanizing, reality TV star in the White House.
“At a time of exceptional threats to free expression and open discourse, our chapters will bring years of mobilization, activism and organizing among writing communities across the country to the next level,” PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said in a statement. The Dallas/Fort Worth chapter, as well as others around the U.S. will be vehicles for “pushing back against the breakdown of civil discourse, the marginalization of vital voices, and encroachments on press freedom.”
This shouldn’t be a surprised to anyone familiar with U.S. politics. I’ve noticed over the years that, any time a conservative Republican lands in the White House, free speech and freedom of the press come under attack. They have no problems loosening gun laws and sending our military to fight stupid wars (as if there’s such a thing as a “smart” war). But, when it comes to education, health care and even voting, conservatives suddenly feel the need to debate the matter.
Regardless of how hard we have to fight to ensure the rights to free speech and freedom of the press, we will always take up the torch of liberty and justice.
Everyone has a story and everyone needs to be heard.
Filed under News
Dearest Followers:
Allow The Chief to pull his Stradivarius from behind the toilet paper and bathroom cleaning supplies and attempt whole-heartedly to extract a bit of sympathy from you. This past Monday, October 21, I awoke feeling disoriented. I can’t explain it exactly, but I simply felt…weird. Yes, I realize you folks have come to expect that from me, especially since I’m a writer, and a troubled mindset is one of the drawbacks of the creative spirit.
I’ve encountered this sensation before – only once previously, though. But, on this past Monday, it felt more intense and painful. I kept feeling that anything and everything I did – no matter how small or mundane – wasn’t right. I couldn’t open a door in the right way. I couldn’t even pick up a piece of trash the right way. I mean, EVERYTHING I did wasn’t right.
I keep thinking it might be related to my allergies. The summer to fall transition is almost always the worst for me. But, every few years, I have a period like now, where it hits harder than freight train striking a vehicle stuck on the tracks. Simple over-the-counter and / or home-based remedies won’t help. I have to visit my family doctor and get some high-caliber, prescribed medicine. This year, he gave me three. Feeling tired and lethargic comes with the territory. I’ve always said my worst allergies follow the hurricane season in the Atlantic / Caribbean basin. And, this time around, the storm was a Category 5.
I’m pretty much over all that mess now. But…that overwhelming disoriented feeling. Is that related to my allergies and / or the prescribed medicines? I know some high-octane medicines have a myriad of potential side effects. In fact, reading the list of side effects – diarrhea, fatigue, nausea – makes me wonder if they’re worth the trouble. Let’s see, what do I prefer? A runny nose or a runny ass? Too many choices! Like trying to find a book to read while eating cereal.
Then again, are my years of frequent alcohol consumption finally coming back to haunt me, like the fact I never attended a high school dance? I consider myself a recovering alcoholic, but I still haven’t given it up permanently. Smoking, yes, but I can’t resist a good screwdriver or wine cooler! I just watch myself.
Perhaps, this is what life is like headed towards age 60 – meaning the seventh decade of my existence. As a youth, I recall my parents – mainly my mother – opining that life begins at 40. At that time, people, indeed, seemed to have reached the apex of happiness with family, career, etc. Now, I hear that 50 is the new 40. Medical advances have made it more likely people will live into their 80s and 90s. Thus, 50 really is becoming middle age for many Americans.
I just don’t know. But I feel friends and family are likely to scoff at me, if I mention aloud that I’m feeling incredibly disoriented. ‘So, what’s new?’ they might say. ‘Tell me something I DON’T know!’ Okay, okay! You don’t have to rub it in, like sandpaper mistaken for…well, toilet paper.
I’m only putting this out there – to this audience, my faithful followers – because I’m not really ashamed of it. It’s just frustrating and annoying. Okay, it pisses me off! It interferes with my daily activities. I can’t even work on my creative writing. That disoriented sensation blocks my artistic mind from producing anything. So, I just go to sleep.
As with the last time this happened, I realized I just needed to stop trying so hard to understand it and merely take a shower and plunge into my bed with its 10-year-old mattress. I’m curious to know, however, what you folks think. Has this happened to you and, if so, how did you deal with it? Remember, if you don’t take this seriously, we’ll hear about more drama from the British royal family!
Image: Gary Larson, “The Far Side”
Filed under Essays
“My life is based on pain, passion, and purpose.”
– Elijah E.Cummings, U.S. Congressman from Maryland who died unexpectedly on October 17
Filed under History
“Get over it. There’s going to be political influence in foreign policy.”
– Mick Mulvaney, Acting White House Chief of Staff, admitting Faux-President Trump expected concessions from Ukraine in exchange for financial aid
I’m starting to realize it’s actually possible Trump’s own staff will make the impeachment inquiry proceed more quickly, as the rest of us watch in shock and awe.
Filed under News
“There is a conflict between the politics of Jesus and the politics of Trump. Racial bigotry is a deal breaker for the Gospel. White nationalism, which Donald Trump embraces and champions, isn’t just racist — it’s anti-Christ. Dehumanizing immigrants isn’t just racist — it’s anti-Christ. Demeaning women isn’t just sexist — it’s anti-Christ. At some point, Christians have to ask themselves: Are the teachings of Christ going to be followed or not?”
– Rev. Jim Wallis, founder of “Sojourners” magazine and Sojourners Community
Filed under News
Apparently, New York City has lost love for its former mayor, Rudy Giuliani, along with the rest of the United States. As personal attorney to Faux-President Donald Trump, Giuliani has found himself in the unenviable position of defending his psychopathic client. How sad. Giuliani’s staunch leadership during the horrific 09/11 cataclysm got him dubbed as “Mayor or America.” Now, he’s like a neophyte lawyer handling public drunkenness charges.
Recently, a series of mock posters have been appearing on New York City subway’s noting (emphasizing) Giuliani’s tragic descent into madness.
Filed under Curiosities
“Everyone who wants to do good to the human race always ends in universal bullying.”
Filed under History
“If Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey. I’ve done before!”
– Faux-President Donald Trump, about his policy towards Kurdish fighters in northern Syria.
I have to admit it’s really tough – almost painful – to watch someone so delusional make a spectacle of themselves in public.
Filed under News
“Contraception is seen as harming the gifts God gave us. You can’t put in physical barriers like condoms or chemical substances that are going to obstruct the natural design of the ovaries.”
– Theresa Notare, assistant director of the Natural Family Planning Program at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, after the Christian-themed Obria Medical Clinics received $1.7 million in federal funding to promote its abstinence-only family planning policy.
With a global population fast approaching 8 billion, I actually see the idea of contraception as humanity’s gift to itself. And the fewer devoutly religious people we have in our midst, the better!
Filed under News
Chief Writing Wolf 