Afterthought

When I woke up this morning, I realized that I would have to write a postscript to the last posting.

What I realized is that Democrats and Republicans have their own versions of corruption. With the Dems you get a much broader spread of corruption...they being the party of the people, the common man/woman. With the Repubs you get a much narrower spread. so what it really boils down to is this: if you want the "spoils" going to a few, then you're gonna want to go with the Republicans. If you want the spoils going to the "masses", then you are gonna want to go with the Democrats. And if you don't like either of those choices there are always lots of "fringe" parties.

However, if you still are unsure, try my original postulate: the whole shooting match is corrupt and only some serious cleansing is going to make it work...perhaps another American Revolution?

RD

Rust Never Sleeps

I rarely ever talk politics because I think it's pointless to argue about and also because I think that the government, from the president down to your local city officials, is totally corrupt and not to be trusted. And, no, I'm not a conspiracy junkie. If politics was an ocean, then over the years we would (hopefully) have noticed that it has gotten progressively more and more polluted. I've seen more and more crap bobbing up and down on the surface of that ocean with each succeeding year. And like it or not, there is very little that can be done about it. Sure, we can collect the junk that washes ashore and send it to a landfill somewhere, but how do we know that it isn't being dumped back into the very ocean that we just pulled it out of? Sadly, we don't.

Tonight I was listening to Ted Kennedy's opening speech for the DNC and saw that "moving" tribute to him and I was moved...but not in the way I was supposed to be (at least I don't think so). I mean sure, we've all heard the "health care speech" many times before. I think it's becoming the go to White Elephant of choice for the Dems. I mean, don't you get a little bit suspicious when the privileged start telling you that they want you to have what they have? Isn't it the nature of the "haves" to keep what they've got away from the "have-nots"? Come on people!

Over the weekend, before this hoopla replaced the Olympic hoopla, I was trying to figure out how much pain I could stand before I'd bite the bullet and go to the emergency room. I believe, tho I have no "scientific" evidence, that what happened to me was a kidney stone -- an extremely painful process for any of you who haven't had the experience (I can't recommend it unless you're freaky that way). Suffice it to say I survived the trial and saved myself from the dishonorable practice of using the ER and then ducking out on the bill (thus contributing to the further breakdown in health care system). Granted, I know that hospital bills are tremendously over-inflated and it would be cheaper to go to Mexico or Canada (if I had a passport), but it's hard to drive when you are doubled over in agony (and how many friends are you on good enough terms with to ask that favor). Maybe I need to make some new friends?

Well, long story short, I've been drinking lots of water and taking over-the-counter pain meds and it looks like I'll be able to go to work tomorrow. Whoopee! But I'll still be thinking about the changes that are creeping over the horizon, be they painted blue or red...

I have two things to mention here. One is the third issue of the Lummox Journal is now online. It contains two interviews with Nila NorthSun and Patricia Wellingham-Jones, two very diverse poets I might add. Also there are two articles on small press publishing, sort of a past & future look at what is going on; Passion & Danger by Christopher Harter (detailing the Mimeograph and it's place in early small press activities) and Amazon and the POD Wars by W.J. Higginson and Raindog. There are two reviews by John Yamrus and RD of Todd Moore's RELENTLESS and TELL THE CORPSE A STORY & Nila NorthSun's LOVE AT GUNPOINT. A batch of poetry from the likes of Lyn lifshin, A. D. Winans, Marie Lecrivain, Scott Wannberg and others; and a new feature...a "cooking" section of all things, has Athens, GA poet and Chef H. Lamar Thomas grilling up some mouth-watering burger recipes, Southern style! Check it out by going to www.lummoxpress.com and clicking on the LJ 3 picture.

The second is that El Pagano and Other Twisted tales is out and available from www.lummoxpress.com or at Amazon.com. Order direct if you want a signed copy . It's just $17.99 plus $3 postage from Lummox. Go to the website for more info and an excerpt from one of the stories. As you can see by the cover (painted by Tareq Swenson), the book probably contains some strange stories (and it does!).

RD