Reply #7: Ok boys [View All]

[The Traveler]

The so called "warrior movement" is old news in the so called "men's movement". Good relevant books on the subject (I might have some of the references a little off ... this is off the top of the head)

"Fire in the Belly" -- Sam Keane
"The Rag and Bone Shop of the Heart" -- poetry compilation Robert Bly
"The Awakened Warrior" -- a collection of essays

and my personal favorite

"The Art of Jheet Koon Do" -- Bruce Lee

for the best introduction to Buddhism and martial arts I have ever encountered.

Braveheart is a story of a man who chose to lay it all on the line for the freedom of common people, his people. Why, oh why, does that bother so many people around here? Bush reminds me so much of Longshanks. We may soon face our own choice ... to bow before our masters, run to another land, or bleed for what we believe.

The problem is, Gentle Reader, that most people simply aren't the warrior type ... no matter how many retreats they go to or fake swords they buy. It's not a matter of bravery. The courage of a firefighter is quite different from the courage of a warrior, though by no means less valuable. Running into a burning building requires something a bit different from facing a dozen screaming well armed men whose one thought is to kill you before you kill them.

Keep that in mind. Most of us, really, are clerks and shop keepers. And there is nothing wrong with that. It is, actually, a good thing.

Wildness has its own virtue. Heh. I guess that's why I'm on my fourth marriage, eh? Wildness can be a pain in the ass of the people you love. "Legends of the Fall" is cool and all, but they need to check out "A River Runs Through It". There is, you see, a downside to this wildness thing.

But if you feel too little of it, of the wildness of your own heart, then you are indeed a boring drone and probably useless to the hearts of any around you.

My manifesto consists of a simple statement and a fragment of poetry (not my own), and a quote from Malcom X.

1) In the mirrors of the many judgements, my hands are the color of blood. But don't expect me to apologize, repent, or let my hands hang useless the next time I see the strong abuse the weak.

2) A fragment of poetry:

Though you think sweet, yonder in your church, the gentle talk of your students, sweeter I think the splendid talking the wolves make in Glen mBolcain.

Though you like the fat and meat which are eaten in the drinking halls, I like better to eat a head of clear water-cress in a place without sorrow.

3) Malcom X: "No one will give you your freedom and dignity. If you are a man, you will take it."

No offense folks, but I think we in the Democratic Party ... and especially in the DNC and DLC ... need to cowboy up a bit. Malcom knew what he was talking about, and so did Martin. The freedom and dignity of everyone we know is at stake. Are you willing to bleed, if that must needs be?