Mickey Z

Cool Observer

Monday, July 04, 2005

144 years ago in the land of the free

Posted by Mickey Z on 07/04 at 07:05 AM

Ever notice that the sounds of fireworks very much resemble the sounds of war? As I write, the neighborhood resounds with the sounds of small-arms fire, the stacatto of automatic weapons fire, and the occassional, erie whine or whistle of “incomming” heavy shells… All of this is gently bathed in the delighted screams and laughter of little children. Another generation slowly but inexorably programmed to fall in love with war. One of the fellows responsible for igniting these splendid displays is wearing a t-shirt with an American Flag, beneath the heavy black lettering: God Bless America!

Last night, our neighborhood put on its own little fireworks show. Everyone was invited. I sat for a while in a huge circle of lawn-chairs as the neighbors gabbed about this and that. At one point I asked if anyone minded if I smoke a cigarette. Everyone became quiet, very quiet. Someone laughed and said: “That stuff’s bad for you! Don’t you watch TV?” Of the thirty or fourty people at the gathering, I was the only smoker. I guess I need to watch more TV. I went out into the street and had a smoke. When I returned, some high school teachers were talking about the various budget cuts. Four or five “school days” have been eliminated from the comming school year because there’s not enough money to pay the teachers. Teachers, too, have had to accept contracts for lower pay. After listening for a while, I said: “Well, there’s no money available for schools or for children. All the money goes for war and weapons to help kill people. No money for life - lots of money for war.” Things got very, very quiet, again. Most people found some good reason to examine their toes… For a moment I was back at the point where I asked if I might smoke a cigarette. I almost expected someone to say: “Hey, you’re not supposed to think about all that stuff, Joe! Don’t you watch TV?” After a bit, one of the teachers continued with the discussion, and the neighbors turned their rapt gazes from their feet, to the speaker.

This “independence day” we might also remember the fact that we’re all imprisioned within ourselves, within walls of fear and hatred and slavish adherence to unexamined beliefs and certainties and prejudices. There are so many prisons…
-joe
(PS - Hey, Mickey. Did you make that shot? Technique looks good!)

Posted by joe on from Oregon 07/04 at 03:44 PM

It’s been remarkably quiet on my block so far, Joe...but it’s early. Sounds like you made some new friends last night.

You’re so right. Every single day, I catch sight of a new, self-constructed prison cell. I am my own warden half the time.

As for that shot, well, it was a particularly good day so it’s likely that you’re seeing a swish in action.

Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 07/04 at 04:28 PM

Speaking of Peltier, there is a world premiere coming up later this week of an original opera by Matthew J. Walton about events leading up to the trial and incarceration of Native American political prisoner Leonard Peltier. You can see more about it at my link. It will be broadcast live on the internet. I’ve seen a preview, and it promises to be amazing.

Posted by Jude Nagurney Camwell on from Syracuse NY 07/04 at 09:47 PM

Looks like link may not have worked?
Here it is:

http://iddybud.blogspot.com/2005_07_01_iddybud_archive.html#112023727700204793

Posted by Jude on from Syracuse 07/04 at 09:49 PM