Greetings

I am an emerging fiction writer living in Chicago. While I am a Luddite, I am using the forum because I love to meet new people, especially fellow artists, and learn new things.

Anyone interested in reading my published work can access it through the link under the My Web Site header on this blog. My short story "Life Goes on Without Me" recently won an honorable mention from Conclave: A Journal of Chracter's 2009 Fiction Contest. I am currently working on a novel, new short stories, and a creative non-fiction essay. My friend T.E. Russell has encouraged me to write a screenplay.

And as always, I am still submitting, submitting, submitting.

I look forward to meeting and reading from you.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

With apologies to Depeche Mode: A Sadness That Nauseates



Last night I finished watching the remarkable and haunting Frontline episode entitled "Bush's War." Outside of my friends, no one reads my blog, but I am prepared to receive some nasty and, of course, anonymous "rebuttals" to my thoughts.

In full disclosure, my father was in the Marine reserves in the early to late sixties. My cousin served in the airforce. My other cousin is married to soldier currently serving in Iraq. I deeply respect the Military and love my country, despite all its flaws and sins - past and current. True love entails this. However, since December of 1999, I have been disappointed and angered at the road America has taken. "Bush's War" only confirms my greatest fears.

When George Walker Bush first ran for President, I told my friends and family that he was going to bring down America like he brought down every company he had ran. Yet the past has proved the United States's resilience. I think the phoenix should replace the eagle as our national bird.

Frontline astutely showed how an administration when left unchecked by the branches, the press, and its citizens can damage multiple countries. I know there are people who believe that America should use all means to fight "the war on terror." But the tactics used by the United States in its interrogations shame me and make me sick. Knowing and seeing how prisoners have been treated not only makes me cry but makes me want to vomit. Seeing and hearing Iraqi citizens suffer only deepens my sadness.

As Americans, we should be disgusted that this is the path we have taken. Religion has become so entwined with our politics. So why don't we all start acting like our brother's keeper? Those we bomb and torture bleed like us, cry like us, despair like us, and grow angry like us. And worship the same God as a lot of us, whether we refer to God as The Father, Allah, or Yahweh.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Happy Easter!

On Good Friday evening, I watched one of the best shows on television, Tavis Smiley. That evening he had on Anne Lamott, who was discussing her book Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith, now out in paperback. Lamott, who is a liberal Christian like myself, talked about the power of Good Friday and Easter. Even to a person of another faith, an atheist, or an agonistic, what she said rang true about life itself.

"Good Friday" often shows up in our lives. Times of loss, suffering, anxiety, stress, betrayal, depression, illness, loneliness are common "Good Friday" moments and feelings. However, future light always shines. I have had many "Good Fridays" and "Easters" in my life. Lamott's words deeply touched me. The best way to sum up this attitude is said by Mr. Smiley when he always ends his show: "Keep the Faith."