Now that hope has again been resold to the American people as if it had substance and meaning, I suggest that each one of us examines hope—which is, ironically, one weak passive word. This is fertile ground for me, and the understanding may be new to you.

Remember the Greek legend of Pandora and the box she was warned not to open? When her curiosity prevailed, she opened it and unleashed all the ills of the world upon mankind. But Pandora opened the box a second time and released hope, which was to heal man’s ills.

If the gods had included well-being in lieu of impotent and deceptive expectation, we could then, as the master had said, all live in fulfillment instead of hope. 

The air is ripe with politicos, promises, and planned futures. In the melee, let us remember to be vigilant concerning our own thoughts, understandings, and conclusions. Let us not repeat slogans that we do not understand or venerate those who have not earned it. True leadership promotes independence.

With deference to our feathered friends, let us not parrot words. As those reading this blog may have noted, I encourage abstinence from such weak filler words as hope and wish, and the dangers of obvious are often not apparent. 

Here is an apt repost from July 3, 2004:

We the People

In the Declaration of Independence, we read: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The ink that would soon turn blood red and now flowed black from Thomas Jefferson’s pen did not write: We hope these truths are obvious.

To its credit, there is not a single utterance of hope or any other passive word in this magical document that the Founding Fathers bestowed upon posterity.

Remember what the master from India said: “It is better to live in fulfillment than in hope.”

Art does not exist in a vacuum. It is about life and living, after all.

I’m taking an informal poll, and would appreciate your opinion.

Are adult children responsible for their elderly parents? Yes? No?

Is providing care for a parent a duty, ethical obligation, or a deep existential moral need?

Sooner or later, most will confront this issue and these questions. 

It’s well worth noting again on this day to not only remember the veterans in your prayers, but to support those still with us in whatever way you can muster.

Liberty has, for unfortunate reasons, always come into political existence for a price: blood.

While it would be stupid to ignore nefarious intentions by radical unhinged groups, it is also dangerous to willingly give up privacy and hard-earned freedoms to cast a wide net in an attempt to apprehend a few sociopaths. National security in its highest form is about not giving into fear—but ‘security’ at any price is no security at all. Each veteran who paid the price knows that all too well. Freedom means more responsibility, not less.

Repeating things, such as phrases, especially when taken out of context, without investigating its veracity, cannot lead to original art, or thinking for that matter.

Is ignorance bliss?

Does misery love company?

Many are called; few are chosen. Many of us have heard this statement. It is, however, incorrect in practice. If you’ve been doing your work as a true artist you know that it is this: many are called; few choose to go.