Eliot* was a crusader. He stood for justice, truth, and consequence. He presented a virtuous face to the world. But behind his words there was an opposing story. It was not a story he wanted made public. It was conducted in secrecy. It violated the principles he presented to the world. He hoped his words […]
The Déjà Vu of Eliot Read More »
Please, let us be honest. Yes, we can love America. We can cherish her foundational principles and democratic ideals, but to say that one has always been proud of America is to demonstrate: 1) a woeful ignorance of the documented facts and patterns of U.S. policy and action over the past 200 plus years,* OR2)
A Memo to Cindy McCain, et al. Read More »
by SMSmith Curried greenAnd seen if seenIn the hasteOf a summer’s morn. Not seenIn winter daysIn the overcastted lateOf dream-spent spendersCaughtIn the nightOf artificial light. From body-tiredTo mindless easeFrom consuming, routinedHours to pleasePowers and privilege. Weekend escapesVacation leavesPast miles unseenFrom abodes unseenDouble-locked and alarmed. Embellished wallsWide, mortgaged hallsAllVaulted silence. Emptied In the endless searchFor enoughOf
Poor Jeremiah, the First! Forty years he spent trying to stem the flood of national self-deception. He was stoned with insults, from the lowly mob through every class, rank, and commentator (through the reigns of three kings Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah). At last, when insults were not enough his detractors resorted to the real thing.
“My Country, Wright or Wrong” Read More »
by SMSmithOnceLaid upon the altar of the worldThe innocent child of the Hinnom wildKilled amidst the groves.[1] NowLaid upon the altar of the worldThe neglected child in pursuits reviledFor things laid up in store.The ciphered child in perversities defiledBy addicts demeaning, ever demanding more.And the embryo child in a world beguiledBy rights of all but
Offering Up The Children Read More »
by SMSmith Listening to the Pam Fessler piece about Jack Bauer on NPRs Morning Edition (March 17) raised some disquieting remembrances from the book of Isaiah. Thus I am given to wonder if perhaps Jack Bauer is not so much a “quintessential hero for a … frustrated nation,” but rather a quintessential anti-hero of a
A Hypocritical Nation? Read More »
“I am so bummed,” the usually elegant Sondra said before I even had a chance to say, “How are you?” We were meeting for our monthly Cheesecake luncheon and I had never seen, let alone heard, her so disturbed. “You should see our neighborhood!” she exclaimed in disgust. “It looks like a war zone! Our