Tuesday, November 29, 2005
A Gay in the Life: The Vatican's Most Unholy Decision
The Vatican's latest document and it's statement that homosexuality destabilizes society is not only bigoted, inaccurate and offensive, it is morally wrong.
The Roman Catholic Church is dying and may have just lapsed into critical condition. I love the RCC and think that it is often unfairly attacked, this is one instance where it should be criticized. History will look back on this in a manner akin to how we view Plessy v Ferguson as a day when discrimination was institutionally codified, except this is possibly even worse.
The fundamental problem here is that the RCC is condemning gays FOR WHO THEY ARE and not what they have or have not done. That is the unacceptable kind of discrimination that makes me livid because that is exactly the kind of discrimination that I experienced growing up in this country because of my ethnicity. It is the essence of bigotry and intolerance.
But most of all it is one of the more un-Christlike things imaginable.
Personally speaking, some of my closest friends, loved ones and confidants have been, and are, gay. I find this latest turn of events sickening. Again, it smacks of the very discrimination that I have faced my whole life being viewed as something of a subhuman Arab. Except again, this is worse because it isn't just a product of a societal malaise born out of a need to differentiate the West from the East, as in my case, instead this comes ostensibly from the highest authority that many people recognize: God!
Further, and among many other things, I wonder: What is the difference between a gay man looking at another man and desiring that man and a heterosexual man, say, looking at a young girl and lusting after her? After all, how old was Britney Spears in that video where she's wearing the Catholic school girl dress and dancing around? How many straight Catholic men lusted after her or other underage women? How many married men have gazed longingly at their child's 15 year old female babysitter? Are these men somehow to be excluded from the Church too, for their own uncontrollable AND UNACTED ON sins of the mind?
Perhaps most disturbingly though, all of this comes on the heels of a recent move by Benedict that appears indicate that he may want to cut down on the recent ecumenism and progress that I personally have been both impressed by and of which I've been a beneficiary. An especially frightening decision in these dark days of separation of the faiths and fundamentalism, in short, when we need discourse, openess and this kind of spiritual maturity the most.
As with President Bill Clinton and his middling successor, all of this stands in such sharp contrast with the great Pope John Paul II, as Andrew Sullivan wisely puts it:
"If the guiding mantra of the last Pope was "Be Not Afraid!", the lodestar of the current one is, arguably, the opposite. Everywhere, there are reasons to be afraid: the great work of celibate, faithful gay priests, the insights of independent lay women, inter-faith communication, theological debate, the new frontiers of science, and on and on. . . Eventually, the darkness will be perfect."
These decisions and decrees on the part of Benedict are reprehensible and the RCC is all the worse for them.
I, for one, will look long and hard at the Episcopal Saint Bart's tomorrow as I pass it on my way to Saint Patrick's Cathedral. As much as I loathe the idea of Church hopping to suit one's whims, I think that this may be the extreme example I've awaited to reject a faith completely. Something that I had previously never considered before.
It's a very, very sad day for the Church as it is for me and several of my dearest friends.
I read the news today,
oh boy,
Moses
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The Vatican's latest document and it's statement that homosexuality destabilizes society is not only bigoted, inaccurate and offensive, it is morally wrong.
The Roman Catholic Church is dying and may have just lapsed into critical condition. I love the RCC and think that it is often unfairly attacked, this is one instance where it should be criticized. History will look back on this in a manner akin to how we view Plessy v Ferguson as a day when discrimination was institutionally codified, except this is possibly even worse.
The fundamental problem here is that the RCC is condemning gays FOR WHO THEY ARE and not what they have or have not done. That is the unacceptable kind of discrimination that makes me livid because that is exactly the kind of discrimination that I experienced growing up in this country because of my ethnicity. It is the essence of bigotry and intolerance.
But most of all it is one of the more un-Christlike things imaginable.
Personally speaking, some of my closest friends, loved ones and confidants have been, and are, gay. I find this latest turn of events sickening. Again, it smacks of the very discrimination that I have faced my whole life being viewed as something of a subhuman Arab. Except again, this is worse because it isn't just a product of a societal malaise born out of a need to differentiate the West from the East, as in my case, instead this comes ostensibly from the highest authority that many people recognize: God!
Further, and among many other things, I wonder: What is the difference between a gay man looking at another man and desiring that man and a heterosexual man, say, looking at a young girl and lusting after her? After all, how old was Britney Spears in that video where she's wearing the Catholic school girl dress and dancing around? How many straight Catholic men lusted after her or other underage women? How many married men have gazed longingly at their child's 15 year old female babysitter? Are these men somehow to be excluded from the Church too, for their own uncontrollable AND UNACTED ON sins of the mind?
Perhaps most disturbingly though, all of this comes on the heels of a recent move by Benedict that appears indicate that he may want to cut down on the recent ecumenism and progress that I personally have been both impressed by and of which I've been a beneficiary. An especially frightening decision in these dark days of separation of the faiths and fundamentalism, in short, when we need discourse, openess and this kind of spiritual maturity the most.
As with President Bill Clinton and his middling successor, all of this stands in such sharp contrast with the great Pope John Paul II, as Andrew Sullivan wisely puts it:
"If the guiding mantra of the last Pope was "Be Not Afraid!", the lodestar of the current one is, arguably, the opposite. Everywhere, there are reasons to be afraid: the great work of celibate, faithful gay priests, the insights of independent lay women, inter-faith communication, theological debate, the new frontiers of science, and on and on. . . Eventually, the darkness will be perfect."
These decisions and decrees on the part of Benedict are reprehensible and the RCC is all the worse for them.
I, for one, will look long and hard at the Episcopal Saint Bart's tomorrow as I pass it on my way to Saint Patrick's Cathedral. As much as I loathe the idea of Church hopping to suit one's whims, I think that this may be the extreme example I've awaited to reject a faith completely. Something that I had previously never considered before.
It's a very, very sad day for the Church as it is for me and several of my dearest friends.
I read the news today,
oh boy,
Moses
He's "Fell on Black Days"
Musical genius Chris Cornell is suing his ex-wife and former Soundgarden manager in what is looking like it's going to be a nasty little battle. . .
Whatsoever I’ve fought off became my life,
Moses
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Musical genius Chris Cornell is suing his ex-wife and former Soundgarden manager in what is looking like it's going to be a nasty little battle. . .
Whatsoever I’ve fought off became my life,
Moses
Monday, November 28, 2005
Sports Droppings
HUGE WIN for the Chiefs yesterday, going into this final stretch against nothing but good teams that win game was a MUST win for KC. The defense looked good and LJ is has almost now certainly proven his NFL mettle, it's an exciting time for the Chiefs who are basically in win now mode with the future uncertain after this year and the Vermeil era probably over. . . Conversely, I haven't read as much NY media on the subject but I am sure they are flipping out about the Giants, having watched the game I can say that it wasn't that bad a loss, sure it was painful and the game was eminently winnable but the Giants basically lost because Feeley had a bad day, THAT'S GONNA HAPPEN FOLKS and when it happens with an otherswise great player (think: Mo Rivera in the 2001 WS) you just chalk it up to bad luck and move on. As far as I am concerned the Giants showed that they could hang in there on the road against the class of the NFC and that's worth just a little less than a victory in that spot. As a Chiefs fan I am worried about December 17th already, this is a fun, exciting and very talented Giants that's ready for the big time as far as I can tell. . . The Panthers are crazy to even consider trading Luongo who they should be building around. . . This Heat team has all the talent in the world but something just doesn't feel right about them, could it be a hangover from last year's postseason disappointment? They better get it together soon, because the big man isn't getting any younger. . . The Blue Jays did well in landing Ryan who looks to be damn good for a long time. . . The Yankees better start making some moves but I heard from someone in the medua that Cashman's been saying things like don't be surprised to see Crosby in CF next year. . . I think Nomar's the way to go myself, it's a no brainer and you know the Boss would love it. . . I've always loved the Egyptian Nomar and would be thrilled to see him pinstripes, not to mention I'd love for the Yankees to have their third best SS at the position. . . Finally, the Mets acquired Wagner today. Excellent pickup. Between Delgado and this their starters must be downright ecstatic. If this team gets Manny watchout!! I think even without Manny they are situated well as far as winning the division. . .
Six o'clock tv hour,
Moses
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HUGE WIN for the Chiefs yesterday, going into this final stretch against nothing but good teams that win game was a MUST win for KC. The defense looked good and LJ is has almost now certainly proven his NFL mettle, it's an exciting time for the Chiefs who are basically in win now mode with the future uncertain after this year and the Vermeil era probably over. . . Conversely, I haven't read as much NY media on the subject but I am sure they are flipping out about the Giants, having watched the game I can say that it wasn't that bad a loss, sure it was painful and the game was eminently winnable but the Giants basically lost because Feeley had a bad day, THAT'S GONNA HAPPEN FOLKS and when it happens with an otherswise great player (think: Mo Rivera in the 2001 WS) you just chalk it up to bad luck and move on. As far as I am concerned the Giants showed that they could hang in there on the road against the class of the NFC and that's worth just a little less than a victory in that spot. As a Chiefs fan I am worried about December 17th already, this is a fun, exciting and very talented Giants that's ready for the big time as far as I can tell. . . The Panthers are crazy to even consider trading Luongo who they should be building around. . . This Heat team has all the talent in the world but something just doesn't feel right about them, could it be a hangover from last year's postseason disappointment? They better get it together soon, because the big man isn't getting any younger. . . The Blue Jays did well in landing Ryan who looks to be damn good for a long time. . . The Yankees better start making some moves but I heard from someone in the medua that Cashman's been saying things like don't be surprised to see Crosby in CF next year. . . I think Nomar's the way to go myself, it's a no brainer and you know the Boss would love it. . . I've always loved the Egyptian Nomar and would be thrilled to see him pinstripes, not to mention I'd love for the Yankees to have their third best SS at the position. . . Finally, the Mets acquired Wagner today. Excellent pickup. Between Delgado and this their starters must be downright ecstatic. If this team gets Manny watchout!! I think even without Manny they are situated well as far as winning the division. . .
Six o'clock tv hour,
Moses
Iraq, Bush, Cheney, Republicans, etc. . .
I haven't posted much about politics lately so here goes: Iraq, it's clear that the situation has devolved into what most of us predicted: total disaster. For the record, I was never completely opposed to invading Iraq, I merely thought that it would behoove us to go about it in a more intelligent manner. That said contrary to Murtha, I have to say that it would be impossible for us to withdraw from this morass at this point. In short, this entire situation has been bungled to no end. Now we must manage the disaster that we created. . .
Meanwhile, Bush continues to get pounded in the polls here as his incompetance is exposed more and more by the day. Cheney is such deep shit he's basically returned to one his secret hiding lairs to wait all this out (I wonder if the Myers nomination would have happened with him around) . . . Rove's pretty fucked too. . . On top of all this the Duke was exposed today for taking bribes which must leave Republicans wondering when the proverbial hits will stop coming. . .
Things are pretty bad and the mid term elections right around the corner this long national nightmare may be coming to a merciful close. . .
You can't always get what you want,
Moses
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I haven't posted much about politics lately so here goes: Iraq, it's clear that the situation has devolved into what most of us predicted: total disaster. For the record, I was never completely opposed to invading Iraq, I merely thought that it would behoove us to go about it in a more intelligent manner. That said contrary to Murtha, I have to say that it would be impossible for us to withdraw from this morass at this point. In short, this entire situation has been bungled to no end. Now we must manage the disaster that we created. . .
Meanwhile, Bush continues to get pounded in the polls here as his incompetance is exposed more and more by the day. Cheney is such deep shit he's basically returned to one his secret hiding lairs to wait all this out (I wonder if the Myers nomination would have happened with him around) . . . Rove's pretty fucked too. . . On top of all this the Duke was exposed today for taking bribes which must leave Republicans wondering when the proverbial hits will stop coming. . .
Things are pretty bad and the mid term elections right around the corner this long national nightmare may be coming to a merciful close. . .
You can't always get what you want,
Moses
South Florida Sports
Sports in South Florida are in a bad way right now. First, the Panthers are rumored to be shopping Luongo their brightest young star to Colorado. The Heat are Shaqless and not playing well. The Marlins have traded away a ton of talent and may not even be in So Florida in a few years!!! And the Dolphins are pitiful. So Fla is heaven on earth as it currently is, I would hate to see them lose one or more of their teams.
That said So Fla remains something of sports balck hole. This is surprising, especially in the case of baseball, where you'd think it's the perfect market for baseball what with the Latino community and all the retired NYers, instead no one seems to care about sports. . . Maybe there's just too much good fishing. . .
Down to the Florida Keys,
Moses
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Sports in South Florida are in a bad way right now. First, the Panthers are rumored to be shopping Luongo their brightest young star to Colorado. The Heat are Shaqless and not playing well. The Marlins have traded away a ton of talent and may not even be in So Florida in a few years!!! And the Dolphins are pitiful. So Fla is heaven on earth as it currently is, I would hate to see them lose one or more of their teams.
That said So Fla remains something of sports balck hole. This is surprising, especially in the case of baseball, where you'd think it's the perfect market for baseball what with the Latino community and all the retired NYers, instead no one seems to care about sports. . . Maybe there's just too much good fishing. . .
Down to the Florida Keys,
Moses
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Worst Movies of the Year: 2005
I noticed that the NY Post had a worst movies of the year list and because I often discuss cinema on my blog I thought that I would chime in with my own opinion. I think that the worst of the year was "The Hours". "But Moses" you might say, "The Hours didn't come out this year". I am aware of this, however, the movie is so terrifically bad that it actually transcends time and space and is my perpetual worst movie of the year. Name any year, past, present or future and ask me what the worst movie of that year was and I will tell you the same thing: The Hours! The Hours! and yup you guessed it: The Hours!!!!
The same pretty much goes for the English Patient, but even the interminable English is a delight compared with The Hours. At any rate here's my list of the top ten worst movies of 2005:
10. The English Patient
9. The Hours
8. The Hours
7. The Hours
6. The Hours
5. The Hours
4. The Hours
3. The Hours
2. The Hours
and the worst movie of 2005 (and every other year. . .):
1. The Hours
20, 20, 20-FOUR hours ago,
I wanna be sedated,
Moses
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I noticed that the NY Post had a worst movies of the year list and because I often discuss cinema on my blog I thought that I would chime in with my own opinion. I think that the worst of the year was "The Hours". "But Moses" you might say, "The Hours didn't come out this year". I am aware of this, however, the movie is so terrifically bad that it actually transcends time and space and is my perpetual worst movie of the year. Name any year, past, present or future and ask me what the worst movie of that year was and I will tell you the same thing: The Hours! The Hours! and yup you guessed it: The Hours!!!!
The same pretty much goes for the English Patient, but even the interminable English is a delight compared with The Hours. At any rate here's my list of the top ten worst movies of 2005:
10. The English Patient
9. The Hours
8. The Hours
7. The Hours
6. The Hours
5. The Hours
4. The Hours
3. The Hours
2. The Hours
and the worst movie of 2005 (and every other year. . .):
1. The Hours
20, 20, 20-FOUR hours ago,
I wanna be sedated,
Moses
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wishing you all a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving! It really is a wonderful holiday. Probably one of my favorites!
Nice, fun, happy holiday. No gift pressure. Secular so everyone is in on it who's American. Just a great day to reflect and appreciate everything you have.
One thing though: How weird is it that they pardon a turkey and then go eat another one?
Today is the Greatest;
Day I've ever known,
Moses
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Wishing you all a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving! It really is a wonderful holiday. Probably one of my favorites!
Nice, fun, happy holiday. No gift pressure. Secular so everyone is in on it who's American. Just a great day to reflect and appreciate everything you have.
One thing though: How weird is it that they pardon a turkey and then go eat another one?
Today is the Greatest;
Day I've ever known,
Moses
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
The Next Italian in Queens
Being the freak that I am, I am completely titillated by this rumor of Paul LoDuca coming to the Mets. How odd!! He followed Piazza in LA, then he goes to the Marlins (briefly, not as briefly but briefly) and now he may go to the Mets, during a Marlins fire sale shortly removed from a Series win (extra year here though) to be their new catcher to take over for a damn good catcher (Hundley in the last case, Piazza himself here)!! Plus he's Brooklyn born!! What an oddity. . .
I'm ready to play,
Moses
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Being the freak that I am, I am completely titillated by this rumor of Paul LoDuca coming to the Mets. How odd!! He followed Piazza in LA, then he goes to the Marlins (briefly, not as briefly but briefly) and now he may go to the Mets, during a Marlins fire sale shortly removed from a Series win (extra year here though) to be their new catcher to take over for a damn good catcher (Hundley in the last case, Piazza himself here)!! Plus he's Brooklyn born!! What an oddity. . .
I'm ready to play,
Moses
From the NY Times:
No. 25
What does the number 25 have to do with steroids? Ten-year-old Conor Cassidy points out that some of the most prominent steroids figures wear or wore No. 25 on the backs of their uniforms: Jason Giambi, Rafael Palmeiro, Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds.
Your dear narrator actually sported #25 as a high school footballer. . .
Put me in coach,
Moses
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No. 25
What does the number 25 have to do with steroids? Ten-year-old Conor Cassidy points out that some of the most prominent steroids figures wear or wore No. 25 on the backs of their uniforms: Jason Giambi, Rafael Palmeiro, Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds.
Your dear narrator actually sported #25 as a high school footballer. . .
Put me in coach,
Moses
Sunday, November 20, 2005
A Very Special Album Review, The Best of the Best: Gold
On November 15, the greatest "best of" album that you will likely ever hear was released in the form of Gold, by Pete Townshend. The double cd contains 34 tracks of unadulterated pure genius that will absolutely blow your mind. With an exception or two (most notably the brilliant Let's See Action and the transcendant Pure and Easy) every song is a true Townshend classic, which is to emphatically NOT a Who song in any sense and never sung by the greatest of all rock and roll bands.
The album features the incredible Let My Love Open the Door, the song supposedly written from the perspective of God, Slit Skirts one of the best and most songs written by a songwriter whose catalogue rivals anyone's in rock and roll, the beautiful Sheraton Gibson, the heartwrenching Heart to Hang Onto and the profound Sea Refuses No River.
If you buy only one album this year, do yourself a favor and make it Gold, it'll undoubtedly be an eternal gem in your collection in the sense that you will listen to it for the rest of your life. . .
You're so lucky I'm around,
Moses
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On November 15, the greatest "best of" album that you will likely ever hear was released in the form of Gold, by Pete Townshend. The double cd contains 34 tracks of unadulterated pure genius that will absolutely blow your mind. With an exception or two (most notably the brilliant Let's See Action and the transcendant Pure and Easy) every song is a true Townshend classic, which is to emphatically NOT a Who song in any sense and never sung by the greatest of all rock and roll bands.
The album features the incredible Let My Love Open the Door, the song supposedly written from the perspective of God, Slit Skirts one of the best and most songs written by a songwriter whose catalogue rivals anyone's in rock and roll, the beautiful Sheraton Gibson, the heartwrenching Heart to Hang Onto and the profound Sea Refuses No River.
If you buy only one album this year, do yourself a favor and make it Gold, it'll undoubtedly be an eternal gem in your collection in the sense that you will listen to it for the rest of your life. . .
You're so lucky I'm around,
Moses
Saturday, November 19, 2005
In a bit of bitter immaturity the Republicans have refused to honor the Boss. More pathetic behavior by your friendly neighborhood right wing lunatics. . .
I WAS BORN IN THE USA!,
Moses
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I WAS BORN IN THE USA!,
Moses
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
"When we first heard that Dick Cheney was hunting pheasants, we thought that it might be a misspelling of 'peasants,'" PETA rep Jen McClure told us. "His hunt for Osama failed, so he's now reduced to hunting small birds."
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Esquire's named Bill Clinton the "World's Most Influential Man", oh that he were still President. The world would be a much better and safer place.
A Nation Turns It's Lonely Eyes to You,
Moses
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A Nation Turns It's Lonely Eyes to You,
Moses
A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
AUDIOSLAVE will be the featured musical guests on NBC-TV's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on Tuesday, November 22.AUDIOSLAVE are currently on their first headlining trip through North American arenas in support of their second album, "Out of Exile". In addition to songs from both AUDIOSLAVE albums, the band are also playing material from their members' previous groups, SOUNDGARDEN, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and TEMPLE OF THE DOG. SEETHER and 30 SECONDS TO MARS are the opening acts.
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AUDIOSLAVE will be the featured musical guests on NBC-TV's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on Tuesday, November 22.AUDIOSLAVE are currently on their first headlining trip through North American arenas in support of their second album, "Out of Exile". In addition to songs from both AUDIOSLAVE albums, the band are also playing material from their members' previous groups, SOUNDGARDEN, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and TEMPLE OF THE DOG. SEETHER and 30 SECONDS TO MARS are the opening acts.
Monday, November 14, 2005
Sports aren't only for the straight anymore check out this site. . .
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One of the legion benefits afforded us by the internet is the ability to read non-local papers. This little perk allows me to read the Kansas City Star to follow my Chiefs, or read the Miami Herald to find out what's going to be going on there when I am down there, etc. Nothing new here, most people know all this. But one little perk that I am less sure people are aware of is the ability to "follow" your favorite band on tour by reading the local reviews as I have been doing with my current favorite band Audioslave. Earlier tonight I read a review of their show from Milwaukee. Of course, now I am dying to hear Cornell's solo acoustic rendition of "Fell on Black Days" but it's still pretty neat. . .
Sunspots have faded,
Moses
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Sunspots have faded,
Moses
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Mother Love Bone
I just posted a mini review on iTunes about the self titled album by Mother Love Bone under my iTunes name: The Nightwatchman (ripped off of Tom Morello WHO STILL HASN'T E-MAILED ME BTW!) . Here is my review:
Good stuff! This album is a very interesting mishmash of early proto grunge (discerning ears can definitely hear Stone and Jeff's nascent grunge riffs and licks) but there's certainly more than a hint of late 80's, sort of cheese, to it. Think Guns N Roses meets Pearl Jam with a hint of Alice in and Chains and the slightest whiff Poison. This band wasn't ready for superstardom, but when they hit on all cylinders as with Chloe Dancers/Crown of Thorns. . . well let's just say that's when you really wonder about what could have been. . . At the very least this is a very interesting piece in the history of American rock. . .
A Couple of Years Difference,
Moses
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I just posted a mini review on iTunes about the self titled album by Mother Love Bone under my iTunes name: The Nightwatchman (ripped off of Tom Morello WHO STILL HASN'T E-MAILED ME BTW!) . Here is my review:
Good stuff! This album is a very interesting mishmash of early proto grunge (discerning ears can definitely hear Stone and Jeff's nascent grunge riffs and licks) but there's certainly more than a hint of late 80's, sort of cheese, to it. Think Guns N Roses meets Pearl Jam with a hint of Alice in and Chains and the slightest whiff Poison. This band wasn't ready for superstardom, but when they hit on all cylinders as with Chloe Dancers/Crown of Thorns. . . well let's just say that's when you really wonder about what could have been. . . At the very least this is a very interesting piece in the history of American rock. . .
A Couple of Years Difference,
Moses
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
For a real treat check out this phone video made of Robert Plant singing with the great Eddie Vedder and the legendary Pearl Jam! There's a lot there, the quality is crap, but it's at least very interesting. . . Man! I wish I was there. . .
And the storm that I thought would blow over,
Clouds the light of the love that I've found,
Moses
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And the storm that I thought would blow over,
Clouds the light of the love that I've found,
Moses
Ran the NYC Marathon on Sunday. Still pretty sore and a bit run down. What an experience though!! The program for now is to take better care of myself this year in the wake of the race than I did last year. I have resolved to do it every year that my health allows me to from now on. I definitely intend to train for the next one though!
More on this later, I am incredibly busy these days. . .
Baby we were born to run,
Moses
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More on this later, I am incredibly busy these days. . .
Baby we were born to run,
Moses
This new gay cowboy movie is certain to ruffle more than a feathers. Another interesting Kulturkampf on the way apparently. . .
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Tuesday, November 01, 2005
The Future of Disease and Poverty
I've always been a U2/Bono fan, but I've been a little circumspect about his altruism ever since I heard about the McCartney U2 Live 8 kerfuffle and for some reason the idea of him getting a Nobel Prize just rubs me the wrong way. Further, although he's an amazing talent he's become something of a characterture of himself. Don't get me wrong I just saw U2 two weeks ago at the Garden, but I sometimes get overwhelmed by their, and Bono's in particular, pretentiousness.
So it was with a jaundiced eye that I read his closing article in Time Magazine last night. Basically in it he discusses the possibility of our conquering disease and poverty. Coming off a little pollyanna, even to someone like me who has yet to be bitten by the flies of pessimism as so many around me have been. He writes:
Beating AIDS and extreme, stupid poverty, this is our moon shot. This is our civil rights struggle, our anti-apartheid movement. This is what the history books will remember our generation for--or blame us for, if we fail.
Strangely, as I had this my mind today I managed to find two very encouraging articles, about AIDS and cancer that lead me to think maybe he isn't so far off. Maybe if we stick together, if we remember that government has a role and that government can make our lives better if our tax dollars are well spent. If the necessary research done. . . Maybe just maybe if we all stick together, maybe there is hope that we can defeat cancer and AIDS and poverty. . .
And I smiled and felt that feeling of "it really may be a lot better in a little while. . ."
In a little while,
This hurt will no hurt no more,
Moses
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I've always been a U2/Bono fan, but I've been a little circumspect about his altruism ever since I heard about the McCartney U2 Live 8 kerfuffle and for some reason the idea of him getting a Nobel Prize just rubs me the wrong way. Further, although he's an amazing talent he's become something of a characterture of himself. Don't get me wrong I just saw U2 two weeks ago at the Garden, but I sometimes get overwhelmed by their, and Bono's in particular, pretentiousness.
So it was with a jaundiced eye that I read his closing article in Time Magazine last night. Basically in it he discusses the possibility of our conquering disease and poverty. Coming off a little pollyanna, even to someone like me who has yet to be bitten by the flies of pessimism as so many around me have been. He writes:
Beating AIDS and extreme, stupid poverty, this is our moon shot. This is our civil rights struggle, our anti-apartheid movement. This is what the history books will remember our generation for--or blame us for, if we fail.
Strangely, as I had this my mind today I managed to find two very encouraging articles, about AIDS and cancer that lead me to think maybe he isn't so far off. Maybe if we stick together, if we remember that government has a role and that government can make our lives better if our tax dollars are well spent. If the necessary research done. . . Maybe just maybe if we all stick together, maybe there is hope that we can defeat cancer and AIDS and poverty. . .
And I smiled and felt that feeling of "it really may be a lot better in a little while. . ."
In a little while,
This hurt will no hurt no more,
Moses
