Comics, Why I Love & Hate Them

Over the last few months I have been following the Marvel Comics “Civil War” saga. Yes, it is true I have always loved comics… and after a few years of not collecting, this series really got me back into them. Comics have always been a form of social commentary, but over the years they lost a lot of that and became far out stories about unbelievable things. This series, on the other hand has gone back to the discussion of what is going on currently in our world. (See also: Red Menace series, Nightly News series, & even somewhat the DC comics series Kingdom Come & 52).

Another thing this series has done is awakened a love for a character I always thought was a boy scout at best, Captain America. I don’t think I can reveal anything specific about the series here, but I have greatly enjoyed his struggle with an America that no longer wants the ideals he (and others) fought so hard for.

This series reflects the current political climate in modern America very well. Particularly, in the area of civil liberties and personal freedom. Today, due to violence, terrorism, & many other things it seems the majority of people are more concerned with being protected than having rights. Part of me really understands that. Having a wife, family, friends, & dog that I love; I can see why people want to protect what they have… But, the other part of me wonders how far we are willing to go to have protection? Truthfully, my answer would be “Not very far at all.” I know a lot of people would say that I am not a patriot for that… but I disagree (see my entry: Patriot or Not?). You see, it is my firm belief that when we react to one idea in such a fashion (from one extreme) we usually end up going too far the other way (to the other extreme).

I am not saying that I can predict the future, but just that I have read a lot of history and here is what I have come up with. Rome, Greece, & the British Empire have all fallen (to some extent) in the past from being “glorious” kingdoms. Why should we as Americans think that we are any different? History does repeat itself, and just because the U.S. is the “ruling kingdom” now, does not mean it will be around forever. My point with this is that I could truly see our government making the same mistakes that so many have made in the past. Cracking down with an iron fist when the kingdom starts to crumble… it has happened in the past and will happen again.

So you may ask, “then what do you want, chaos?” No, anarchy is not a good idea… people running around doing whatever the hell they want is obviously not good. But, I also don’t want anything like what our government is moving toward. A literature reference like “Big Brother” or “The Party” might be overused, but what about something from history like the “National Socialists”? It scares me to think of what we, as human beings are capable of. Don’t worry, I am not advocating overthrowing any government, I just think it would be best if we the people of this country studied our history a bit more. All of this, just because of comics, sheesh!

Oh, and just incase my overactive imagination is right… if I wind up dead for any reason, this article is probably why. hahaha

Planet of the Apes was Right!

So, Yesterday I heard this amazingly scary report about evolving chimps. Apparently some West African Chimpanzees are sharpening sticks and stabbing smaller monkeyes! The smaller primates have always been a source of food for chimps, but now they are being stabbed to death. The report said that chimps are using sticks and sharpening them with their teeth, but the tool making can take up to five steps. If you don't believe me, go to NPR.org and look it up yourself!

To all the humans, start killing these damn things before they start killing/eating us. You knew this was coming from all those informative movies in the 1970's.

To nicer primates, I am sorry but I can't tell the difference between you & them. If you see me coming, run... that is your only warning!

To the chimps, well you have finally started to catch up! A little late don't you think? Bring it on, I am just itching to fight you!

Today in review

Two (not really new) songs that I have enjoyed as of late and the discussions that arose from them:

Artist/Album:
Tim Barry (Avail's frontman) came out with the album Rivanna Junction last fall. When I recently heard my friend's favorite song off the album, I was sold! In the song, "Avoiding Catatonic Surrender" Barry states, "I throw empty beer cans at the TV when I watch the news. I hate Republicans, I hate Democrats, I hate Liberals too/ I think pacifists are weak and violence is wrong but I go limp for police and I fight when it's called for." I am blown away from these lyrics, that mixed with the gritty vocals & simple guitar is beautiful.

Discussion:
So when I played this song for my wife, we started talking about pacifism & politics. We spoke about how so many people seem to have picked a side on a lot of issues and left us out in the open. It seems a lot of my friends have made their minds up about politics, and other issues... but I still feel divided. I like characters (real or not) who are split, people who know right from wrong but don't claim to have all the answers. Two-faced sounds bad, so maybe a better term would be double-sided. I love to see the chaos raging inside people, and their calm as well. I guess the friend who let me borrow this album knows me far too well. If you enjoy the troubled hero of books, movies, & song check this album out.

The other discussion this album brought up was that only in the world of the Conservative Christian Right are liberals & democrats the same thing. It cracks me up... I guess that is fitting for them, the same (and only) group that finds me (chubby, outspoken, tattooed kid) threatening!

Artist/Album:
Dustin Kensrue (Thrice's frontman) came out with a solo guitar album entitled Please Come Home. The first two songs are fantastic! "I Knew You Before" & "Pistol" have all the makings of great songs. Whitty lyrics & well-played guitar make this screamer's more rootsy music side emerge. The songs are truly inspired, but then you have the rest of the album... the other songs are lacking... and they sound like they were written in youth group.

Discussion:
I do not mean to pick on youth groups in general... and I have a lot of respect for the artist (who is an Evangelical Catholic). Yet, when I hear worship music, my stomach starts to ache and the "spider-sense" in my neck starts to tingle. I am not saying it is bad, I have just never enjoyed (modern) worship music. On the other hand I love hymns! Older Hymns have poetic meaning, when (to me) modern worship choruses seem trite and more like Beatles songs... you know, kinda "I love Him, yeah yeah yeah, I love Him, yeah yeah yeah, and with love like that I'm surely saved from Hell." Sorry, poor attempt to illustrate my point. I guess I just wanted to know if anyone else felt this way?

The American Church & Why it is Dying Part 2

Since when in Church history have we started showing such distain for our elders? In the early church from what I have studied, those who were along in their years were in one of two categories (sometimes both). Either they were put in leadership positions so the young could glean knowledge from them or they were taken care of by those in leadership positions. Both of these categories were respected and cared for to some degree. The early church looked to the elderly for wisdom and understanding.

In the modern American church I have not seen that. But some of the things I do se are ignoring the older generation (financially & physically), disrespecting them, and even situations that seem downright abusive! Money goes to missions and the youth. Not that it is a bad thing to fund them, but why isn’t there more financial attention on the elderly. A common answer for this is that Missions & Youth are the future of the Church, but I will make this one warning. People (that is all of us) go nowhere when we forget our past. Why can't some of the money a lot of churches spend on other things go to care for these people? The elderly are there to help guide us, despite the fact that they are ignored. It makes me think, what else is the Church at large ignoring… answer: A LOT!!!! But, back on track.

Ignoring the people who have a lot of experiences under their belts is a bad idea. These people are here for a reason! The Church should be set up so that the elderly mentor the youth (not the youth hog all the money). I have seen a lot of big churches go almost belly-up because they can’t find enough people to volunteer. Maybe because they haven’t tried to enlist this entire population that sit alone in the back and are not seen!

So, what if elderly people were youth sponsors in your youth group? Well, I’m glad you asked. Here are some things that could take place: Actual mentorship could happen, loud music & videos would be replaced with interesting conversation, hype & emotional highs would probably be replaced by actual learning, and maybe, just maybe… your teenage girls wouldn’t come to church dressed like whores! Wouldn’t that be great!

I know what some of you may be thinking… “But old people hate me!” Here to tell you that is not true! Try to get to know them, you know… spend some actual time with them and you will find out they are amazing people… full of stories and experiences. For Pete’s sake, my arms are filled with tattoos and one of the closest people to me is a 78 year-old man. Not all of the elderly are angry, judgmental people.

I know this entry is ripe with sarcasm and most will likely ignore what I am saying. But, just give them a chance okay? A youth minister friend once told me not to worry about the elderly in the church. He said, “don’t worry, they may be a problem now… but they’ll be dead in a few years anyway.” That is a shitty way to view our elders. I have come to realize it is not a general population of old people in the church that are the problem it is attitudes like that.

I pray for a church someday that gets back to its roots on so many levels. A church with no programs, paid staff *, or ignoring of the elderly. Instead, a loose organization of people who long for community and want to grow together in service.

*Spoiler for the next issue I will attack!

Patriot or Not?

I recently came across a quote that used to bring me hope, thought I would share:

"In a republic who is 'the country'? Is it the government who is for the moment in the saddle? Why, the government is merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn't. It's function is to obey orders, not to originate them. Who then is the country? Is it the newspaper? Is it the Pulpit? Why, these are mere parts of the country, not the whole of it; they have not command, they have only their little share in the command. In a monarchy, the King and his family are the country; in a republic, it is the common voice of the people. Each of you, for himself, by himself, and on his own responsibility, must speak. It is a solemn and weighty responsibility, and not lightly to be flung aside at the bullying of Pulpit, Press, Government, or the empty catchphrases of politicians. Each must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, and which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide it against your convictions is to be an unqualified and inexcusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country. Let men label you as they may. If you alone of all the nation shall decide one way, and that way be the right way according to your convictions of the right, you have done your duty by yourself and by your country. Hold up your head. You have nothing to be ashamed of."

-Samuel Clemens

The American Church & Why it is Dying Part 1

I haven’t been to church in a long time. That isn’t shocking to most people, but I grew up in church… and part of me (not a big part mind you) misses it. My family would find this fact quite disturbing. You see several of my (and my wife’s) family members are in the ministry in one shape or form. I even studied to be a minister. Being in the ministry has always been a passion, but as of late I have become too jaded.

When I meet someone, I can usually tell if they are a minister or especially a youth minister right away. I guess that is a curse for going to a (nameless, to protect the innocent) Christian College. But I, like a lot of others, are almost immediately frustrated when meeting “church people.” Now don’t get me wrong, I have many friends who are involved in churches and even a lot who feel the same way I do and still manage to go. What I don’t understand is this pit in my stomach if I do actually try to get up on Sunday morning.

From what I can tell, we (most people in the world) have had our share of assholes in the church. And I too am an asshole on some levels, no better than anyone. But what separates me from those who have the courage and will to get up and face the music (literally, because I hate worship music) on a Sunday morning? Is there such a thing as having your fill of church? Am I all churched out? And really if I feel this way… what about those who haven’t had any good experiences with church people? I have been blessed with quite a few, but what about those who haven’t? You see, there are a lot of hurting people who need a lot of help. And I will tell you some things they don’t need:
Welfare & more programs (in their corrupt form)
Food & Clothing (traded for forced Bible study or Chic tracks)
Or anyone else trying to take advantage of them!

Not trying to be mellow-dramatic… just food for thought!

The hopelessness of social security

Does anyone really believe that Social Security will make it past the baby-boomers? The twenty and thirty somethings now are paying into a system that cannot financially make it! Yet, no one seems to be doing anything. A choice to opt out for those who wish could be risky, but I believe at least then some of us will have a fighting chance when it comes to retirement (and not in the Blade Runner sense either).

I realize there are many other problems facing our nation and the world, some that are much more pressing currently. But, paying into a plan that will not be around when I need it doesn’t make sense. I recently received a statement from our SS friends, saying that I have put over $10k into their pockets in just my short lifetime!!!

I'm not trying to be selfish, but I am really trying to be a good steward... and every time I get a paycheck I look at the chunk taken out by SS and I think of all the better ways that could be used!

Quarter Century Man

To be completely honest, I guess I have been hiding out for a few years now. Slowly cutting off some friendships (even close ones), not picking up the phone when family calls, and finding meaningless hobbies to waste my time with. Not that I feel the last few years have been a complete waste. I know that some amazing things have happened, but I cannot shake the feeling that I am still hiding out.

And don't get me wrong, I do miss certain friendships... but when you let things go for too long, it is hard to pick up the phone and ask for forgiveness.

Is this what happens when you are a quarter-century old, married, and work all the time? Maybe… but recently I have looked around our house and realized all the stuff I have and ultimately how much I hate it! Time to start cleaning… and looking forward to hosting several yard sales this summer.

Come buy my crap... or better yet, don't!

In the beginning there was blog?

Is anyone else tired of reading blogs where the person is trying so damn hard to be counted in the “smart group”? (from the back of the class, “YES, we are!”) Maybe it is just because I work with people who have a hard time forming sentences. But, seriously when did we all become so self-absorbed when talking to the internet??? Okay, I seem to have lost my cool and over-simplified already.

These issues always seem so intense on blogs, but they are just as annoying in real conversation. Last week I was trapped in a conversation with an old friend who has always been quite the wordsmith, but I think he lost me 5 or 6 times. I believe he talks like most people blog... so I will refer to him as "blog-talker."

I promise to try not to loose you in this. Although, I doubt my intellect is above yours! If anything, I might loose you in a far-flung tangent. For that friend, I apologize!

Oh yes, I write with both run-ons and fragments… so get over it!