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The Christian Nationalists are a real threat to American democracy. Led by a convicted fraudster, convicted felon, known liar, and twice-impeached former president who desperately wants a return stay in the White House as a dictator with complete immunity. It would be unbelievable if this were fiction. But it is true.
Number 45 evokes similarities with the multi-headed serpent, Hydra. There are so many people who thought 45 would be finished by now. Hercules thought he could remove the deadly serpent with one swipe of his sword. But with each slice that removed one ugly head, two heads grew back. In 2024, we thought today’s version of the serpent would be long gone by now. We are amazed as to why the modern day Hydra remains in the public eye. Our last great hope to dispatch the menacing serpent remains with our votes. Vote accordingly. Please, vote while conscious.
Number 45 was indicted in Florida on felony charges for mishandling top secret documents at Mar-a-Lago. He was indicted in Washington D.C. on felony charges for plotting to overturn the 2020 election as a leader of the MAGA morons at the start, middle, and end of the deadly, riotous insurrection in the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. In New York, on May 30, 2024, a jury found Trump guilty of falsifying 34 invoices and Trump Organization general ledger entries to hide a $130,000 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign to avoid allegations of extramarital sexual encounters in an effort to illegally influence the 2016 election. He was indicted in Georgia on felony charges for violating the state’s anti-racketeering law by scheming to illegally overturn his 2020 election loss. Yet, the Christian Nationalists embrace this man as if he is a MAGA messiah.
Christian nationalism is a selfish, misguided ideology that claims America was founded as a Christian nation. That America should be a Christian nation today. That America should be a Christian nation in the future. They want to obliterate all notions of separation between Church and State. That notion is historically inaccurate and theologically blasphemous. Make no mistake, though, their threat is real, as evidenced by those who stormed the U.S. Capitol, killing police officers while carrying crosses and signs that read “Jesus Saves.” Then there are the U.S. Supreme Court’s religiously-biased, ultra-conservative majority, our Speaker of the House, and too many members of Congress. Let’s also remember the Christian Nationalist billionaires who fund and work toward dismantling our public education system in another effort to thwart democracy. These people extol the Bible as the literal word of God. They worship power. They want more power.
Humanists and Freethinkers reject the claim that the Bible is the word of God; we’re convinced the book contains many errors and dangerous teachings, having been written and rewritten over a long cruel period of time by ignorant, unenlightened, superstitious, and fearful men. Not one woman is credited with contributing her free thoughts to the “good book.”
Let’s note that the Bible does not mention abortion or gay marriage, but it does go on and on about forgiving debt, liberating the poor, and healing the sick. Like student debt forgiveness, universal healthcare, and an assurance that each person would be clothed, fed, and housed.
America was clearly founded as a secular nation. The United States Constitution is clearly secular. America is a blended society inhabited by people, cultures, lifestyles, and religions from around the world. To claim America is a Christian nation is at best willful ignorance, or at worst a blathering, blatant, manipulative, harmful lie that seeks to treat as insignificant, or worse, remove from society, all those who do not share Christian beliefs.
Would you like some motivation? Shortly before Easter, 45 entered into a new business arrangement where he is likely collecting royalties from sales of the Bible. Watch here: https://youtu.be/noezEB6BKno?feature=shared

Please vote to rid ourselves of the serpent.

Frederick Nietzsche: “Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”  
                     _  _  _ 
Ken Hurley

I do not know his first name. He was known to me as Mr. Monster. The abysmal shadow who lived under my bed was only heard at night. His legend was exacerbated by stories told to me of the things Mr. Monster would do if my behavior did not change. My imagination would run wild with fear of Mr. Monster. I was four years alive.
      In the mystical realm of childhood fears, there may dwell a creature of imagined terror, a sinister entity that lurks within the unsuspecting innocence of a child's mind. You may know him by a different name. Boogeyman, perhaps? 
      The eerie horror of Mr. Monster embodies the essence of darkness. His form is a shifting mass of ebony tendrils that writhe and twist with malevolence. His eyes are twin orbs of obsidian, gleaming with a desire to inflict evil that pierces through the veil of my dimly lit bedroom night.
     Mr. Monster is a nightmarish terror in the shape of a human. His sleek, sinuous body slithers noiselessly through the shadows. His movements are silent as the whisper of a ghostly breeze. The air would grow cold and heavy in his presence, sending shivers cascading down my spine if I dared to glance at his dreadful visage.
      Mr. Monster's skin is a tenebrous rubicund of inky blackness, adorned with grotesque checkerboard patterns that seem to contort and pulse of their own accord. His fingers are sharp talons as deadly as a rattler's fang. Mr. Monster's breath is a noxious miasma, suffocating and foul, casting a sickly pall over my small room. His hair is a stiff orangey gray that grew all across his pale leathery body. 
     I was frightened.
     Yet, it is not the physical form of Mr. Monster that inspires the most dread, but the insidious nature of his presence. His abomination fed upon my fears, drawing strength from unseen terrors that plagued my effort at happy dreams. Mr. Monster delighted in weaving nightmares, twisting my innocent thoughts into phantasmagoric horrors that frolicked at the edge of reality.
      Mr. Monster is a master of deception, able to cloak himself in the shadows of my mind. He offered dark promises of eternal torment, sowing seeds of doubt and despair in the fertile soil of my naive and gullible innocence.
      But despite his fearsome power, Mr. Monster was not invincible. One only needs to become brave enough to face the darkness that lurks beneath the bed, armed with the light of courage and the sword of a preferred imagination. It is in the realm of dreams that the true battle with Mr. Monster is fought, where the power of belief can banish even the most malevolent of monsters.
      Mr. Monster remains a cautionary tale heard in hushed voices by those who dare not glance beneath their bed after the lights go out. His presence serves as a reminder of the fragility of youth and the ever-present shadow that lurks at the edge of perception, waiting to pounce on the unwary, the unprepared, and the uninformed.
    But for those who dare to face their fears head-on, to stare into the abyss and refuse to flinch, Mr. Monster is nothing more than a figment of the imagination. A mere specter of darkness that fades with the light of dawn. Even the most fearsome of monsters can be vanquished with simple acts of courage, kindness, and a steadfast heart.
      According to Nietzsche, when we rail against either a literal or metaphorical monster, we risk becoming like the monster, embodying callous cruelty, violent viciousness … and likely, loving it.
      Nietzsche's ideological viewpoint provides a sense of cosmic skepticism, where everything is uncertain and everything should be questioned. Even the concept of good and evil is subjective. During Nietzsche's time, established moral theories were routinely questioned by the philosopher, and many consider his doctrine as an important counterpoint to the practices and moral values once taken for granted.
      Throughout history, humans have often struggled with the dichotomy of good and evil, finding themselves pitted against the ideals and people they despise. The idea that individuals, societies, and  nations can become the embodiment of that which they abhor is a sentiment that pervades humanity. Does humanity have a propensity to become the monsters we despise? Is it possible for an individual to become the thing they detest? Yes. 
      Adolf Eichmann was responsible for the deaths of millions during the Holocaust. Eichmann's misguided, ill-informed perception told him to implement  the genocidal “Final Solution to the Jewish Question.” His goal was to rid the world of what he thought to be a “monstrous” blight in society, while he manifested within himself a vile evil he used to eradicate his perceived “monsters.” His thirst for power, his implementation of discriminatory policies, his quest for a “Master Race,” led to unspeakable atrocities which underscore the way an individual can become the embodiment of the “monstrous” figures they revile. Eichmann's inhumanity raises questions about the nature of evil and the human capacity for cruelty, and suggests that under certain circumstances, too many humans have the potential to become the monster they hate. Eichmann's despicable actions demonstrate how individuals can become complicit in evil deeds when they dehumanize others and prioritize loyalty to a destructive ideology over the essence of morality. Or, was Eichmann "Born This Way” as Lady Gaga sings.
      Consider Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, where Victor Frankenstein, driven by his desperation to achieve greatness, creates a monster that ultimately displays his darkest fears and desires. Frankenstein rejects his creature, leading the monster to seek vengeance and perpetrate acts of violence. The tragic story of Frankenstein and his monster speaks to the dangers of unchecked ambition and the dehumanization of others. Frankenstein's rejection of his creation mirrors society's ability to ostracize and create an “us vs. them” mentality, ultimately perpetuating cycles of alienation and conflict. The novel is a poignant reminder of how individual actions rooted in fear and hatred can have far-reaching consequences, suggesting there is a thin line between humane humanity and mob monstrosity.
      Similarly, in William Golding's Lord of the Flies, the young boys, initially motivated by a desire for order and civilization, descend into savagery, ultimately becoming the beasts they feared. 
     Then there's Robert Louis Stevenson's, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Dr. Jekyll uses savvy science to change his physical and mental appearance to the point where he is masked as an entirely different monstrous being, known as Mr. Hyde. The phrase "Jekyll and Hyde" is now used in the vernacular to refer to people with an outwardly good but sometimes shockingly monstrous inward personality.
      A similar concept may be seen as nations grapple with the idea of becoming that which they despise. The United States prides itself on being a beacon of freedom and democracy. However, throughout its history, the United States has engaged in actions that contradict these values, such as the Trail of Tears, the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, and the use of torture in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. In the name of national security and the fight against terrorism, the U.S. government authorized the use of “enhanced interrogation techniques” that violated basic human rights and international law, and created more monstrous terror.
      There are plenty of world leaders like Joseph Stalin, Kim Jong-un, Adolf Hitler, Pol Pot, Vladimir Putin, and to a lesser extent, 45 and Netanyahu, who have wielded power through tactics of intimidation, censorship, and violence, mirroring the tyranny they claim to oppose. These authoritarian rulers prey on fear and insecurity to justify their oppressive actions, creating a culture of silence and compliance that stifles opposition and dissent. The parallels between these despotic regimes and the monsters they claim to fight against highlight the insidious nature of power and the ease by which individuals and governments can descend into tyranny. There may only be a small difference between liberation and oppression, which underscores the importance of virtuous vigilance and reliable resistance in the face of dictatorial authoritarianism. Which reminds me of what Lord Acton said, "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
     Politicians often campaign against corruption, authoritarianism, and oppression, only to succumb to these vices once in power. Leaders who rise to power on promises of change and reform too often become ensnared in the trappings of authority, leading to the autocracy and injustice they once rallied against. It is a chilling reminder that those who abhor tyranny can themselves become tyrants when provided with the means and opportunity.
      It is evident that the concept of becoming the monsters we hate resonates deeply within humanity, manifesting at the individual, societal, and national levels. Have you ever been shunned, ostracized, or felt marginalized? Have you ever made anyone feel the same? Do we spank a child to teach there will be no hitting in this house? Do we kill via capital punishment to teach killing humans is bad? Do we bomb countries to teach bombing is unforgivable? Are these steps toward becoming Mr. Monster? 
      Acknowledging this tendency is crucial in guarding against the harmful allure of power, fear, and prejudice. As society strives for humane progress, it is imperative to confront the possibility of becoming the monsters we hate. Failure to do so may lead us straight to the prison of our own spiteful, vengeful, retaliatory malevolence. 
      I recognize that one person's concept of a monster may be another person's concept of a friend. However, tonight, before you fall asleep, please check under your bed. If Mr. Monster is hiding there, say hello and give him a hug. He needs it.

::::::

Ken Hurley

Faith?!‽ Faith is something that nobody in his right mind would believe!  – Archie Bunker

Music is what makes poetry lyrical. – kgh

During “March Madness”, I root for April.  – kgh

When you bury the hatchet, be sure to bury it where it will do the most good.  – kgh

We are all on the spectrum.  – kgh

Philosophers tend to complicate  simple concepts.  – kgh

Whenever anyone tells you, “I’m only going to say this once!” Don’t believe them.  – kgh

Childlike and Childish describe different adults. One playful, open, and truthful. The other childish.  – kgh

Impulse is the enemy of success; yet a vibrant, rhythmical pulse is why we dance.  – kgh

Don’t expect applause. Unless your work is entertainment. Even then, don’t expect applause.  – kgh

It is the naps you don’t take that you regret most.  – kgh

If you don’t vote, you surrender to those who do vote. That’s not rebellious. Remember, VOTE WHILE CONSCIOUS!  – kgh

America: Louder than any other country!!!  – kgh

Inhumanity is human.  – kgh

Why don’t hunters hang the heads of their dead dogs on the wall?  – kgh

Is uncured bacon sick?  – kgh

Chewing the fat with someone is actually disgusting.  – kgh

The “free market” is for those who have a few dollars to spend.  – kgh

I support the 3rd Amendment!  – kgh

We need ‘THE ‘CRAZIES’! They’re a big reason we get involved.  – kgh

We’re all full of shit. That’s why we poop daily!  – kgh

You’re allowed to discriminate in America as long as Religious Liberty is your excuse. Remind me, what is liberating about religion?  – kgh

We don’t need to know the meaning of life for life to have meaning.  – kgh

Today I accidentally bumped into a Trump supporter. So, I backed up and did it again.  – kgh

What kind of city would have a downtown but not an uptown?  – kgh

Stay away from negative people. Negative people have a problem for every solution.  – Albert Einstein? Or who?

I’m trying to think but nothing happens.  – Curly

Rudyard Kipling wrote in his 1893 collection of short stories titled Many Inventions, and I quote, “He wrapped himself in quotations – as a beggar would enfold himself in the purple of Emperors.” 

      When used effectively, quotations offer an unparalleled ability to encapsulate complex emotions, ideas, and experiences into a few succinct words. They can inspire, console, and provoke, leaving an indelible imprint on those who read, hear, and speak them. 

     Quotes can also devolve into the public domain of trite and cliche platitudes which become overused figurative language. Once upon a time we thought “pretty as a picture,” “old as the hills,” “sharp as a tack,” and “smart as a whip” were cutting edge and clever ways to turn a phrase.

      As found in Luke 12:48 as updated, rewritten, edited, and fabricated by the King James team, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much of him they will ask the more.” A similar notion but more concisely put was told to Spiderman: “With great power comes great responsibility.” And so it is with the proper use of quotes. 

     Misquotes and misattributions are the result of human error and sometimes the intentional  dissemination of misinformation through various mediums. Misquotes can alter the meaning and intent of the original quote, leading to a distorted understanding of the author’s message. 

      For example, humans often misquote Thomas Jefferson when he wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” This famous sentence from the Declaration of Independence is often misquoted as, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by our Creator, with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” To substitute “our” for “their” greatly alters the intended meaning. The parisology of “their Creator” leaves the interpretation up to the reader as to what type of creator there might be, including the possibility that their Creator is no more than just mom and dad. Which is, of course, sufficient. Jefferson, as the author, actually separated himself from the group to which he was referring when he wrote these words, “they are endowed by their Creator.” He could have written, “we are endowed by our creator.” But he didn’t. The use of “they” leaves open to each individual all possibilities regarding a belief system. Which, of course, would also include the rights of disbelievers, skeptics, atheists, and agnostics. To misquote with “our” makes the quote a presumptive collective of believers by the obfuscation of the intentional vagueness of the original quote.

      Humans on social media have exacerbated misquotes and intentional disinformation, by carelessly failing to verify the text and attribution. False and misattributed quotes have become rampant, leading to a dilution of the original source’s impact and a blurring of historical accuracy. Since information can be propagated at the speed of light, the importance of fact-checking the content and an accurate citation is essential.

      Furthermore, quotes can be manipulated and weaponized to serve certain agendas, leading to their misuse or claims of misuse. The extraction of quotes out of context or the deliberate misinterpretation of their meaning can be employed to deceive, manipulate, or incite discord.

    Then there is Trump, who said on March 16, 2024, “If I don’t get elected it’s gonna be a bloodbath. A bloodbath for the country and that’s the least of it … If this election isn’t won, I’m not sure that you’ll ever have another election in this country.” Trump subsequently told us that his words were taken out of context. Do you believe him when he says his words were taken out of context? I do not. 

      An example of a misattribution of a quote is, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it,” as if it were said by Voltaire. The statement was actually made by the writer Evelyn Beatrice Hall in her biography of Voltaire, where she summarized his beliefs. Despite its misattribution, the quote continues to be cited as Voltaire’s, which perpetuates the error.

      Why are quotes valuable? The answer is found in their ability to transcend time, culture, and language. A well-crafted quote possesses the power to resonate with individuals from disparate backgrounds, fostering a sense of unity and understanding. They can serve as beacons of hope, embolden movements for change, and provide solace in times of adversity.

      When quotes are used responsibly, they can become instruments of enlightenment and empathy, fostering constructive dialogue and amplifying voices that might otherwise go unheard. The essence of a meaningful quote lies not only in the arrangement of words, but in the depth of emotion and experience it encapsulates. Since I mentioned “the arrangement of words,” I would like to attribute all the words you are reading now to the dictionary. I simply rearranged them.

      I am reminded of the profound impact of a quote from Bob Marley, who said, “The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for.” This quote transcends its origins and resonates with individuals across generations, imparting wisdom and solace in the face of human vulnerability and resilience.

       The realm of quotations spans human experience, wisdom, and inspiration. While misquotations, misattributions, and the misuse of quotes present significant challenges, their value remains undiminished. It is incumbent upon us, as stewards of words, punctuation, and quotations, to approach the utilization of “quotes” with discernment, integrity, and respect for their origins. For in the delicate dance of words (“Oh, jeez, ‘delicate dance of words’, really‽” said I) lies the potential to shape minds, heal hearts, and ignite enduring change, and an occasional giggle.

      But, don’t quote me.

: : : : : : : : : : :

Inspired by the exchange between Puddy and Elaine from "The Burning" episode of Seinfeld (1998). Written by Jennifer Crittenden as follows:

ELAINE: Oh, so you're pretty religious?
PUDDY: That's right.
ELAINE: So, is it a problem that I'm not pretty religious?
PUDDY: Not for me.
ELAINE: Why not?
PUDDY: I'm not the one going to Hell.
                     _  _  _
I've driven on the highway to Hell, commonly referred to in Michigan as county road D32, just Northwest of Ann Arbor. It's true. I've been to Hell and back. Hell, Michigan. So, when asked, “Is Hell a physical place?” Yes.       
      One day I hope to visit Hell, Norway, an itty-bitty village in Stjørdal. My next visit to Grand Cayman Island will include a stop at Hell, just west of Rum Point. Now that Turkmenistan is finally open again for visitors, I would enjoy a brief swing through the Doors of Hell, as the locals call it, aka the Darvaza Gas Chamber. I've also enjoyed viewing Rodin's Gates of Hell, in both Philly and Paris, inspired by Dante Alighieri's The Divine Comedy, Inferno, 3.1 – 9, as follows:

Through me the way into the suffering city,
Through me the way to the eternal pain,
Through me the way that runs among the lost.
Justice urged on my high artificer;
My Maker was Divine authority,
The highest Wisdom, and the primal Love.
Before me nothing but eternal things
Were made, and I endure eternally.
Abandon every hope, who enter here

The Divine Comedy is an epic poem which takes the reader on a journey through Hell, depicting the various levels of torment that sinners endure according to the severity of their transgressions. Dante's depiction of Hell is a moral allegory, highlighting the consequences of human actions and the nature of “divine” justice. If only the so-called divine justice were meted out by The Divine Miss M, or the drag queen, Divine, it might be good for a few chuckles.     Who wants to embrace an unhealthy gloomy state of mind? Not me. Nor do I have a morbid interest in death. I have zero desire to receive agonizing punishment for a split-second, much less an eternity. But I am fascinated with the fantastical imaginings, thoughts, and fears that are associated with the concept of hell, which apparently still influences millions, if not billions of humans around this little space ball of a planet.       
      The concept of Hell has been a deeply ingrained part of human culture for centuries. Hell is usually portrayed as a place of punishment, retribution, and despair. Hell offers powerful and enduring symbolism that reflects humanity's fears, moral dilemmas, and a quest for justice. Albeit a quest for justice in the afterlife, if not found in the current life. And, the Cuckoos are not only birds.     
      I highly recommend the television series, After Life (2019 – 2022) created, written by, and starring, the well-known funny atheist, Ricky Gervais, who shows us another way to deal with grief and difficult human psychological situations. Here's one memorable dialogue exchange between Kath (Diane Morgan) and Tony (Ricky Gervais):

KATH: If you don't believe in heaven and hell, and all that, then why don't you just go around raping and murdering as much as you want?
TONY: I do.
KATH: What?
TONY: I do go around raping and murdering as much as I want, which is not at all.
LENNY: Because he's got a conscience. 
KATH: What? If death is just the end, then what's the point?
TONY: What's the point in what?
KATH: Living. You might as well just kill yourself. 
TONY: So if you're watching a movie and you're really enjoying it
KATH: Yeah
TONY: And someone points out there's an end eventually. Do you just say ah forget it, what's the point? And just turn it off?
KATH: No, cause I can watch it again.
TONY: Well, I think life is precious 'cause you can't watch it again. I mean, you can believe in an afterlife if that makes you feel better. Doesn't mean it's true. But once you realize you're not gonna be around forever, I think that's what makes life so magical. One day you'll... eat your last meal, smell your last flower, hug your friend for the very last time. You might not know it's the last time. So that's why you should do everything you love with passion, you know? Treasure the few years you've got because... that's all there is. [The end.]
      Religions have played a central role in shaping the concept of Hell, offering a variety of beliefs and traditions that continue to have strong sway on cultural and social narratives and influence over religious morality. In Christianity, Hell is depicted as a realm of eternal punishment for the damned, where sinners face separation from God and endure excruciating suffering. The vivid descriptions of Hell in the Bible have had a profound impact on literature and art, shaping the portrayal of Hell as a place of fiery torment and spiritual anguish. See the Dutch Renaissance artist, Hieronymus Bosch, who started work on his triptych of Hell in 1490 titled, The Garden of Earthly Delights.      
      Which reminds me of the time an atheist dies and goes to hell. Surprised? The devil welcomes him and says: "Let me show you around." They walk through a beautiful park with fountains, public artwork, roses in bloom, and lush green trees. When they arrive at a huge palace, the devil says, "This is your house now, here are your keys." The atheist is skeptical but happy and thanks the Devil. The Devil says, "No need to thank me, everyone gets a nice place to live in when they come here." The Devil shows the atheist a garage full of beautiful cars. Some antique, some brand new state of the art. "These are your cars now," and hands the atheist all the car keys.     
      Again, the atheist tries to thank the Devil, but the Devil says, "Everyone here gets cool cars here. How would you drive around without having cars?"      
      They walk back out to the beautiful park where there are birds chirping, squirrels playing, and spring flowers everywhere. They arrive at a fountain, where the most beautiful woman the atheist has ever seen is seated on a marble bench. Their eyes meet each other's gaze and bingo — love at first sight! The atheist is happier than he's ever been. The Devil says, "Everyone gets to have their soulmate here. We don't want anyone to be lonely."      
      As they walk further, the atheist notices a high foreboding fence. He peeks through to the other side and is stunningly shocked. He sees people in pools of lava, screaming in agonizing pain, while little drooling clawed demons stab them with their tridents. Other demons are skinning people alive, heads are spiked, horrors everywhere he looks. It all smelled like sulfur and death. Terrified, the atheist stumbles backwards, and asks the Devil "What is happening there‽" The Devil just shrugs and says: "Those are the Christians, I don't know why, but they prefer it that way."      
      Islamic Hell is no walk in the park. Described in intricate detail in the Quran, portraying a realm of punishment for those who have rejected the teachings of Islam and committed grave transgressions. The vivid descriptions of Hell in Islamic eschatology portray a severe and uncompromising vision of retribution and suffering, in an attempt to reflect the importance of moral accountability and piety in Islamic beliefs.      
      In Eastern traditions, such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism,  the concept of Hell is also present, yet with different interpretations and implications. In Buddhist cosmology, the concept of Naraka represents a realm of suffering and retribution for those who have committed offenses, emphasizing the karmic consequences of immoral actions and the potential for spiritual redemption through ethical conduct and enlightenment. Karma is the boomerang cause-and-effect belief that suggests patience, they'll get their just due, eventually.
     Similarly, Hinduism and Jainism presents a complex cosmology of realms, including the concept of Naraka, where souls undergo tormented purification that leads to atonement for their negative karmic debts, before being reborn into the cycle of samsara where, if they choose, they can play the popular video game also called, Naraka.      
      The Myth of Er appears at the end of Plato's The Republic, where Plato offers a philosophical allegory which presents a vivid depiction of the afterlife, including the concept of Hell as a realm of posthumous judgment and retribution. Plato delves into profound questions about the nature of justice and the importance of leading a virtuous life in the pursuit of a fulfilling existence beyond death. It seems likely that religiosity took its cue from Plato.      
      Jean-Paul Sartre also explored the concept of Hell in his 1944 play, No Exit, which presents a compelling portrayal of Hell as a manifestation of eternal psychological torment, where the characters are dead yet aware they are trapped in a confined room and forced to confront the consequences of their past actions and relationships through a series of conversations and bickering where one character, Joseph Garcin declares, "Hell is other people.” This existentialist interpretation of Hell explores the themes of personal responsibility, freedom, and the relentless anguish of self-awareness and self-examination, offering a harsh reflection on the human condition.     Suppose hell is not a fiery pit of torment, but a divergence point in the multiverse where one's actions are confronted with a parallel universe which leads to an eternal existence of regret and suffering? 
     The idea of Hell as a consequence of our choices in a branching reality can be a fascinating thought experiment that merges the realms of science and speculative fiction.     
      There actually is hell on Earth. Wars. Torture. Starvation. Natural disasters, diseases, certain in-laws, robocalls, and more.      
      Let's note that in the Seinfeld episode referenced above, Elaine complains to Jerry that according to her boyfriend Puddy, she's going to Hell. Jerry reminds Elaine that she doesn't believe in hell. Frustrated, she agrees but retorts, “But Puddy does!” Jerry further explains that Puddy's remarks are more of a relationship problem than a final destination of the soul.
      The concept of Hell spans a wide spectrum of cultural, intellectual, and religious expressions, reflecting humanity's enduring struggles with judgment, morality, and the nature of the so-called afterlife. Which all stems from human imagination. Through diverse literary, comedic, philosophical, and religious works, Hell has been portrayed as a potent symbol with multifaceted interpretations and implications. Whether as a moral allegory, a platform for satire, a subject of intellectual inquiry, a religious doctrine, or just reading this, the concept of Hell continues to captivate and provoke contemplation on the complexities of human existence, the consequences of our actions, and the quest for moral and spiritual redemption.      
     Bloody hell. Like a Bat Out of Hell I have no Sympathy for the Devil, yet I hear there is a special place in Hell if you like to travel.  Remember what Winston Churchill said, “If you're going through Hell, keep going.”
###

Ken Hurley

Usha knew the Council heavily edited her second submission and completely rejected her first. But she persisted as she stood looking over the podium draped with an embroidery of a gold crucifix and an American flag.
      She gazed across the full house of disgruntled people from the community. Each waiting their turn to complain to Council about whatever was on their mind, including: Crumbled sidewalks, banned books, improper names of schools, statues in the park, proposed new parks, proposed new taxes, barking dogs, chickens in a backyard, who is woke, who is not woke, and who is "totally dope." The right for Council to pursue Christian values, the “tyranny” of mask mandates, the “sexualization of children," and who gets to use which restroom are always popular gripes. 
      A disheveled woman who looked like she was still in her pajamas was eager to thank the Council “for trying to bring our god-given freedom back.” A young man wanted to thank the Council for standing against the "evil, godless, liberal, forces of darkness." While a man on crutches wanted to read from Isaiah: “Be not dismayed, for I am your God … I will uphold you with my righteous hand." The citizenry were ready to grumble about any issue that can be squeezed into their allotted time of three minutes each. 
      As Usha looked at the crowd she nervously fumbled to switch the Council approved version of her submission with the version she really wanted to deliver. She slowly exhaled a deep breath and began mustering her best impression of a Sergeant at Arms as she bellowed, "All rise!" The audience and Council stood.
      "Please bow your heads." They bowed. She paused for effect while people inspected their shoes and Usha wondered if her request was grammatically only directed toward people with more than one head. Focus, she told herself. 
      "Just kidding." She admonished with a cherub grin. "You don't have to bow. But as long as you're standing, let's take this moment to be reminded that a typical invocation seems mostly grandstand theater masquerading as a pandering prayer for political constituents."
     Some people must have been listening. They raised eyebrows,
looked around at each other, each with a quizzical look that screamed, "Huh?"
     Usha felt judgmental eyes upon her but continued, "Witness the oversized ego a listener must endure when a politician decides to become a self-appointed spokesperson for their god."
     The audience muttered softly as they shuffled in place. Members of Council scowled, crossed their arms and shook their heads as Usha pressed on, "The invocation of the name God seems to be at the whim and fancy of just about everyone. Everyone but Freethinkers!" Her oration was loud.
     "Those who claim to speak in the name of God often use their platform to spew their perceptions as a strategy to serve partisan, religious, political, or personal agendas. The invocation of God’s name has been cited as the source of justification for slavery, anti-Semitism, anti-LGBTQIA equality, genocide, jihad, caliphate, terrorism, racism, what a woman may or may not do with her body, and lots more."
      An older gray bearded man who did not remove his red MAGA baseball cap and sported a misspelled tattoo "Freedumb" across his throat, gnashed his upper tooth against his lower gum as his right burley-knuckled fist slowly began to punch his left palm. 
     "Should we presume that those who would call themselves God’s spokespersons believe that it was God who decreed eternal inequality for women? That it was God who mandated the inequities of slavery? That it was God who called for the execution of gays?" 
     The left palm of the "Freedumb" MAGA guy had enough, clenched into a fist, and began to pummel his right palm.
      "Supporters of divine law take their authority from their respective holy texts. Yet these same misguided supporters will often apologize for the horrible and deadly interpretations of the so-called 'holy texts' claiming they were misreadings of God’s true will." 
      The "Freedumb" MAGA guy was grunting as loud as a pig at a barbecue. He was now thumb-wrestling with himself as veins in his neck bulged while his face grew red as his hat.
      Usha turned and looked directly at Council and spoke in a near whisper, "It is the humans. Not a human imagined god. The humans are to blame for the immoralities of slavery, anti-Semitism, genocide, racism, xenophobia, misogyny,  terrorism and other atrocities. However, humans must also be credited with the hundreds of morally elevating laws and good works."
      The crowd began to "shhhh" the "Freedumb" MAGA guy who was snorting guttural sounds and rolling on the floor as his left and right hands brutally fought each other.
      Usha scanned the crowd who's curled lips and hostile glares were a sign she wouldn't be asked out for a drink later.
      "Humans must continue to change laws and moralistic views so we each have a similar opportunity to enjoy life as we determine. Humans are responsible for a healthy, safe, prosperous, worldview that seeks growth, creativity, innovations, peace on earth, and a better more inclusive authentic community. Our responsibilities toward each other must not be obfuscated by narrow-minded partisan religious views."
     The "Freedumb" MAGA guy was flopping like a flounder on the floor as both fists began to clobber his large hairy belly that protruded below his sweat-stained Q-shirt.
     "In our diverse world where too many people claim to know (imaaagine, I should say) what god wants; and where there is no consensus about who or what is god, nor a methodology for discerning what god wants; nor any reliable reason to accept the malinformation proffered by the self-appointed spokespersons for god; god should not be so easily invoked as the source of our civil rights, our moral direction, the reasons natural weather events occur, or how Council must govern."
      A loud raspberry sound was heard throughout the room as the Council Leader plopped down in his oversized leather throne-like seat and swiveled his back toward Usha in disgust.
      She again looked directly at Council with the intensity of a rock climber searching for the next step, "It is the 21st century, yet we still smugly deny each other rights, benefits, privileges, and kill each other in the name of a god." She paused and spoke slowly. "You arrogant pablum-spewing prigs."
     The crowd gasped.
     "Maybe in the 22nd century, we’ll learn to love each other in the name of humanity. Let's begin tonight by asking Council members to reconsider their representative role for all people and rethink how to better serve the 'We' in 'We the People' of our community."
      Usha concluded with a hopeful tone as sirens wailed close by, "We can and should do better." 
      EMT's arrived and loaded the beat-up, bruised, and bloody "Freedumb" MAGA guy on a stretcher as the Council leader swiveled around in anger, banged his gavel, but missed the table and smashed his knee cap. 
      Usha left the room with a renewed yet sad but true enough realization in which people tend to believe whatever supports their worldview.
      Another EMT siren approached so the EMT's could care for the Council Leader who writhed in agony and repeatedly yelled, "Ow ow ow, god dammit! Jesus. God daaamnit!"
     

Ken Hurley

Peace is not something you wish for; it's something you make, something you do, something you are, and something you give away.  – John Lennon (10/9/1940 – 12/8/1980)

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.  – Jimi Hendrix  (11/27/1942 – 9/18/1970)

IF ONLY THE RAPTURE were a reality, then the rest of us humans might have a better chance at external peace, after the Christian Nationalists have been joyfully sucked off the planet. Then I remember that wars and other external conflicts are not all religious. Anyone remember the first, second, or third Punic War? What a mess.
      There are wars of independence, border wars, proxy wars, civil wars, invasions, jihads, cold wars, hot wars, lukewarm wars — of which each can be said, “War is not healthy for children and other living things.” A slogan coined by Another Mother for Peace, Lorraine Schneider, in opposition to the Vietnam war.
      The word ‘peace’ is derived from the Latin word ‘pax,’ which means a pact, or an agreement to end war or any dispute or conflict between  people, nations, or other antagonistic groups of humans.
      Generally, peace is classified into two types: internal peace and external peace.
      "Inner peace" is peace of the mind and body. It is a state of calm, serenity, and tranquility that arises when one is not suffering or in mental crisis such as worry, anxiety, greedy desires, hatred, ill-will, delusion, or other troubling human aspects of life. Internal peace is peace within oneself. When one lives a life filled with inner peace, one is less likely to support wars and other external conflicts.
      According to Lao Tzu‘s famous saying: 
If there is to be peace in the world,
there must be peace in the nations.
If there is to be peace in the nations,
there must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities, there must be peace between neighbors.
If there is to be peace between neighbors,
there must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home, there must be peace in the heart.

Peace is a state of tranquility, calm, repose, quietness, harmony, friendship, amity, concord, friendly relationships, public order, pacification, spiritual content, reconciliation, serenity, security, social justice, and bliss. Did I miss something?
      Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso, also known as Tenzin Gyatso; aka, Lhamo Thondup; known to the Tibetan people as Gyalwa Rinpoche; and you know him as the incumbent Dalai Lama, said, “Peace, in the sense of the absence of war is of little value . . . peace can only last where human rights are respected, where people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free.” 
      “True peace is not merely the absence of tension: It is the presence of justice.” said Rev. Martin Luher King, Jr.
      According to Albert Einstein‘s view, “Peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of justice, of law, of order – in short, of  government.”
      Justice is the concept of moral rightness based on ethics, rationality, laws, fairness, or equity. Justice concerns itself with the proper ordering of things and people within a society. In America, justice is a process, not necessarily a result. When justice fails it can lead to civil disobedience, civil unrest, and civil war. In the words of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Without justice, there can be no peace.” 
      Peace is a lofty goal or hope that most people claim they wish to achieve personally, and expect to be created in society and throughout the world. The history of humans is  a history of searching for ways to achieve lasting peace. Peace has been talked about, thought about, taught, studied, and even scoffed at.  
      A culture of peace is one where the definition of security will have changed from just national security to include human security, human rights, justice, and general welfare of people everywhere.
      We do not teach peace well. Yet we have plenty of military schools that teach how to wage war. We do have The Peace Corps, which seeks to promote world peace and friendship by helping interested countries in meeting their need for trained productive people. The Peace Corps promotes a better understanding of Americans on the part of the people served, and promotes a better understanding of other people on the part of Americans. A true cultural and educational interchange. The Peace Corps principles seek intercultural competence, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, which lend well to its name.
      There are plenty of other organizations that work toward peace, including the World Peace Council and the United Nations. 
      Religions, such as most Christian denominations, offer a confusing, rocky path toward peace. The Prince of Peace said, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.” Luke 12:51. And, in Matthew 10:34, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to earth.” And, “He who is not with me is against me.” (Luke 11:23). Sounds like President 45, whom the Christian Nationalists love and desperately need to agree with because they imagine a VIP ticket to Club Afterlife. It's not even their own imagination. They were told at some point in their life there is an afterlife. They choose to believe it, despite all evidence to the contrary. When I'm asked, “Is there life after death?” I answer, “Yes. Just not yours.”
      To understand the complexities of seeking peace within the context of religious beliefs, one need only to look at the history of the Crusades, or all the trouble in the “Holy Land,” or the subversive Christians in American government, to see how religious fanaticism is used to justify discord, unpleasant outcomes, and violent conquests. 
      However, there are the Quakers who have often led the way toward many peace efforts. They have helped establish some of the earliest peace conciliations and conflict transformation programs. Quakers reject elaborate religious ceremonies, do not have official clergy, and believe in equality for men and women. They reject violence and embrace active pacifism. 
     Why is peace so difficult? It is the humans. It's always the humans. We are the source of conflict, wars, internal strife, and injustice. All of which arise from our innate and powerful instinct to survive and then, hopefully, thrive. The pursuit of peace is thwarted by our fundamental need for self-preservation, often cloaked within self-righteous religion. Too many humans get grumpy or worse when things don't go their way.
      Inner peace is tranquility of the mind and body and is often at odds with external peace, which is the harmony of societies and nations. At the heart of this disparity lies the innate human instinct of survival, a primal force that has shaped the course of history and continues to influence our actions and decisions.
      Ever get angry at someone who disturbs the peace? Ever shoosh a talker in a movie theater? Not easy nor pleasant to keep the peace. 
      The quest for external peace needs to begin with inner peace. Yet, external peace is hampered by the destructive impact of wars, driven by human aggression, desire for retaliation, a need for control, dominance, greed, and resources; spurred by political ideologies, religiosity, economic interests, and deep-rooted historical grievances,
and a want of perceived security. 
      Inner peace is constantly  challenged. Ever have to politely deal with aggressive drivers, losing your parking spot, open-mouth loud chewers, interrupters, humblebragging, loud talkers,  mumblers, long-winded non-stop talkers, gunfire in your neighborhood, intimidating or otherwise irritating people? To name a few nuisances that make booze so popular. 
      Suppose your loved one was kidnapped or killed during the never-ending middle east crisis? This would likely shatter all hope for inner peace and replace it with inner turmoil. 
      The peacemakers tend to have a great capacity to absorb the ill-will of others and gently redirect the vitriol hurled at them inwardly. Even the best peacemakers have their limit, when their capacity to absorb becomes saturated. Yet, there are those who will give up their life to save another. 
       Social injustices and systemic inequalities are forces that sow discord and unrest within humans who seek harmony and peaceful coexistence. Amidst these challenges there exists a glimmer of hope that the path towards peace is worth walking. Hope is found in the courage of individuals who dare to confront their inner demons, in the resilience of communities that rise above adversity, and in the vision of leaders who champion the cause of reconciliation and understanding.
      The harmonious coexistence of individuals, societies, and nations, is a pursuit that continues to evade humanity; despite its universal desirability, peace remains elusive and difficult to attain unless we learn to transcend our instincts.
      Ever wonder what peace smells like? Take a whiff. Do you smell peace? If not, find a newborn or  lavender, vanilla, cinnamon, peppermint, ambrette, ylang-ylang, ginger, or your loved one. Inhale. Slowly. Relax. Shalom. Salaam. Peace.

Ken Hurley

YOKI WAS AN obstreperous, peripatetic pococurante whose effulgent skulduggery was rivaled only by his baffo, pugnacious, froward buddy named Yap, whose babble could mesmerize the most seasoned blatherskite. Together they made a great flim-flam partnership. They enjoyed the swindle. 
      One fine day, Yoki and Yap decided they would start their own religion, claiming to all who would listen that for only $29.95 you would be guaranteed a place in the glorious Heavenly Hideaway. But wait, there's more! For only six easy payments of $69 you'll receive a cushy seat at the big gilded aurous table very close to the Lord of Kings. They called their religion, “We're Right!” Their television commercials were so fast and furiously loud, they made Crazy Eddie and Earl Scheib look like they were Marlo Thomas asking for donations to help unfortunately ill  children get well.
    To impress the naive and gullible, Yap would spitfire her huckster auctioneer tripe while Yoki would bend silver spoons with his supernatural powers or move a pencil across the table without touching it. They would pass the Fedora, take a collection of moolah, and scat to the next town before anyone got wise. 
      In a town down the road was a young boy who marveled at how smooth Yoki and Yap were. He decided that he too could enchant, charm, and make a fast cool living if he claimed to have paranormal psychic powers and learned how to bend spoons and slide pencils. He's known to the world as Uri Geller. 
      But as fate would have it, Uri, Yoki, and Yap encountered one of the most joyous debunkers ever, who, despite his renowned skepticism, had little trouble believing in himself.
      Randall James Hamilton Zwinge known to the world as James Randi, became famous for scientific debunking of false claims of supernatural psychic extrasensory perceptions. He considered himself an investigator of charlatans, frauds, and other pretentious wacky quacks. 
    At a meeting where Randi was effortlessly yet impressively duplicating the performances of Uri Geller, who was now a professor at the University at Buffalo and in the audience, Uri shouted out that Randi James is a fraud! Randi, with the flim-flam quality of Yap, but with a heap of truthiness, retorted quickly, "Yes, indeed, I'm a trickster, I'm a cheat, I'm a charlatan, that's what I do for a living. Everything I've done here was by trickery." The professor shouted back: "That's not what I mean. You're a fraud because you're pretending to do these things through trickery, but you're actually using psychic powers and misleading us by not admitting it." 
     And so, Uri's reputation as a spoon-bending, pencil-sliding psychic, was faltering right before his very eyes due to the skillful hands and clever but truthful mind of James Randi. 
     Yoki and Yap scooted from town once again and were never heard from again. 
     Uri's protest reminds me of a saying I learned in childhood, “I'm rubber, you're glue, whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you.” Which reminds me of President 45.
     Randi never claimed to have psychic powers. He enjoyed a long successful life as an entertaining prestidigitator who also wrote many books about magicians, conjuring, and the art of flim-flam. You might enjoy his 1980 book, Flim-Flam! Psychics, ESP, Unicorns, and Other Delusions.
      Meanwhile, there's nothing up my sleeve when I relay that Yoki and Yap are a curiosity courtesy of my recently renewed poetic license. 

###

   by Ken Hurley 

Methinks he doth think too much. Methinks he doth wait too much too.
     I have become good at waiting. It's not a skill. Everyone can wait. We're all waiting for what's next. I am still waiting to meet a politician who does not suffer from delusions of pander. 
      We wait for Ubers, buses, trains, planes, for food at restaurants, appointments at doctors, dentists, and lawyers. We wait to speak to customer service representatives, for birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays to celebrate with family and friends. We wait for Golda to stop playing the bagpipes. We wait to purchase items on sale. We wait in line. We wait for responses to emails, text messages, or phone calls. We wait for injuries and illnesses to heal, for a proposal from a significant other, for a paycheck or benefits to arrive. We wait for spring, summer, fall, or winter, babies to be born, for family members to return home from military service. We wait for a greater understanding that "family values" also means families different from yours. We wait for the release of new electronic gadgets, software, or games. We wait for wars to end. We wait for flowers to bloom. We wait for the downbeat. We wait for election results. We wait for our thoughts. We wait for the next pitch, serve, goal, hike, penalty clock to end. We wait for balanced budgets. We wait for our lives to improve. We wait for the punchline. We wait for a better understanding of people antithetical to our worldview. We wait for the weather to change and the sun to rise.
    We know time waits for no one.
    Yet there are many things we can not wait for. We have to accept certain ideas for society to work well. Let's accept the idea that government is run by people and can be a powerful force for good or bad, depending upon the people within the government. Government should not be a fearful notion that is done to us. Since the beginning of American government, people have squabbled over the form, size, and type of government we should embrace.
      Sometimes we wait for things that will never be. We wait for our ability to persuade those who call themselves conservatives to change their worldview. How many conservatives does it take to change a lightbulb? None. Conservatives are afraid of change even if it makes the world a brighter place. 
     Let's remember that conservatives have championed ideas that include: Slavery was necessary for a good economy, women must not have the right to vote, quality healthcare is a privilege not a right, the buggy whip industry must outlast the automobile industry, poll taxes are good to ensure only wealthy educated people can vote, people and dinosaurs coexisted, Creationism should be taught on par with Evolution in the public school science class, the Lord's Prayer must be recited every day in public schools, segregation is the way God intended people to live, redirecting funds from the public treasury to private religious schools is fair and reasonable, unregulated free markets benefit the wealthy, the "sanctity of life" is precious until you are born, and oil is more important than water. Immigration is only for your ancestors. Same-sex marriage is bad for all marriage. Ronald Reagan was the greatest President.
War profits are more important than peace austerity. Exclusiveness is better than inclusiveness.
      Conservatives claim "fiscal responsibility," yet their actions prove differently. Conservatives worked to elect Trump, twice. Maybe thrice? Too many conservatives disavow culpability for the actions of the deadly, seditious, blood-raged mob on January 6, 2021. Conservatives overturned Roe v. Wade, made abortions illegal across state lines, signed a six-week abortion ban into law, ended concealed weapons permits, banned gender-affirming care for trans youth, enjoy drag races but despise drag shows, expanded "Don't say gay" laws, blocked African American studies, banned books, banned teaching Critical Race Theory, and prohibited vaccine mandates. Conservatives deny global climate change, seek to end food assistance programs,
are fond of saying, "guns don’t kill people - people kill people," oppose embryonic stem cell research, scoff at the Paris Agreement, seek to ban Tik Tok, insist that Santa Claus must be white, enjoy the "War on Christmas," "The War on Woke," "The War on Couch Potatoes," and despicably wear AR-15 pins in Congress as they actively work against meaningful gun reform legislation.
      The list of ill-informed selfish me-isms regarding conservative thoughts and actions is regrettably long and seemingly endless. 
     Yet we wait for our actions to effect the social changes we seek. We wait for conservatives to change their mind and come to an agreement that being socially involved as we see it is good. We wait for conservatives to stop demonizing the word social. 
      We know we enjoy Social Security, Social Media, Social Networks, Social Studies, Social Services, Social Workers, Social Clubs. But beware of Social-ISM (cue Beethoven’s 5th). Conservatives enjoy their ability to be frightful.
     We wait for our fears to end. We wait for the big lies of conservatives to end. We wait for a better understanding that we are a socioeconomic blended society that seeks to use the best from each and make it better. We wait for more people to learn the word "Social" originates in Latin, whose main forms are Socius and Socii, which translates to "allies." The term "social” refers to society and its organization relative to the interaction of people regarding their collective co-existence, which includes Golda and her bagpipes.
      To be social is generally considered to be a good thing. For example, I remember fondly the days before social media when the joyful screams of feral children could be heard throughout the neighborhood. Ah, the good ol’ days when our unsupervised neighborhood rumpus offered a clamor in which mom and pop delighted, as long as the ruckus was outside. Even television public service announcements were needed to remind our parents they had children, "It's 10:00 pm. Do you know where your children are?"
      We wait for an acceptable understanding that liberalism embraces issues such as same-sex marriage, transgender rights,  reproductive and other women's rights, voting rights for all adult citizens, civil rights, environmental justice, universal healthcare, the abolition of capital punishment, and the right to a respectable standard of living.
      Liberals enacted Social Security, which has provided generations of Americans retirement benefits, and minimized poverty among the elderly. Conservatives seek to privatize or dismantle Social Security.
     Let's remember that conservatives fought against, and liberals fought for, the Interstate Highway System first proposed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, yet built by Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Interstate was a huge government project responsible for tremendous economic growth, and prosperity. 
      Liberals enacted the GI Bill, which enabled millions of Americans to get college educations. 
      Liberals championed labor laws, which ended child labor and crowded deadly sweatshops, provided a forty-hour work week, the right of employees to collectively bargain, overtime pay, and workplace safety. 
      Liberals recognize that foreign aid can be good, and enacted the Marshall Plan which helped rebuild Europe after WWII.
    Liberals enacted environmental laws, which helped clean our rivers and air. Conservatives seek to end the Environmental Protection Agency.
      Liberals enacted food safety laws, which help consumers know the food we buy is safe to eat. 
      Liberals recognize that healthcare should be a universal right, and enacted Medicare and Medicaid despite the cries of socialism from conservatives. 
      It was John F. Kennedy who challenged our space program to go to the moon, which provided lots of ancillary benefits for the people.
      It was also JFK who established one of America's greatest exports - the Peace Corps, which inspired thousands of Americans to ask what  they could do for their country.
      It was Barack Obama who worked toward universal healthcare by enacting the Affordable Healthcare Act, despite strong opposition from conservatives and more cries of socialism. 
       Liberal ideals guided the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Americans who believe in freedom of opportunity can take inspiration from the life-and-death struggles of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and others. Conservatives fought against civil rights.
      Liberals fought for a universal public education system in which public schools are where every student, regardless of economic background, can be taught basic skills, knowledge, and citizenship. Conservatives fight against our public school system and have weakened it greatly despite state constitutions. 
      Liberals created the National Weather Service, Family Medical Leave, and National Public Radio. Public Broadcasting is how millions of children learned from Sesame Street, Mister Rogers, and more. Millions of adults continue to learn from shows like Nova and Frontline. 
     Liberals created product labeling and truth-in-advertising laws. Liberal legislation provided for improved public health, where government-funded water and sewage systems help ensure clean water and proper waste disposal. The National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control play an important part in maintaining national health and preventing epidemics, through research and vaccination programs, thanks to the liberals.
      Liberals seek to remove the AR-15 and other similar weapons from easy public access.
      Liberals are known to be progressive advocates of social justice and equality, and open to change. Conservatives are known to be regressive, believe in preserving the status quo, and take a cautious, if not reactionary approach to social, cultural, and societal changes.
     To be fair, both groups are politically active and participate in political campaigns and rallies. Both groups claim to care about the well-being of America. Both groups can have diverse opinions on various topics, depending on personal beliefs and experiences.
      Liberals and conservatives tend to have different views on social issues such as immigration, gun rights, marriage equality, healthcare, women's rights, military spending, and religion. Liberals tend to favor government involvement when it comes to social issues, while conservatives claim to believe in less government involvement. Let's remember government is supposed to be by the people and for the people.
      Have you ever known a liberal to be viewed as a Christian Nationalist? Have you known a conservative to be viewed as a Christian Nationalist?
      Remember, it was the late Rev. Pat Robertson, an American media mogul, 700 Club founder, political commentator, presidential candidate, and Southern Baptist minister, who advocated a conservative Christian ideology, claiming that Americans’ immorality and sinfulness were the causes of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. He also said that liberal Protestants embody “the spirit of the Antichrist” and that feminism drove women to witchcraft. He believed that his prayers could change the direction of hurricanes.
      Conservatives are more likely to prioritize the military, and economic policies that help the aristocratic oligarchy with tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy and large corporations, and are a major contributor to the soaring national debt. While liberals make efforts to seek clarity, they're still capable of extreme judgments. Yet liberals tend to embrace science and cooperation, read books rather than ban them, respect others’ rights, focus more on the improvement of healthcare, education, civil rights, women's rights, police reform, affordable housing, and ways to effect a greater sense of world peace. Yet, each group looks at the other as the problem to be solved. 
      While we wait, let's wonder, when it comes to a reasonable understanding of how our governments should work best, if it is fair to say: conservatives are stingy, exclusive, and embrace a cataclysmic kakistocracy of inequality and prejudice that is founded upon obstruction, deception and lies, as told by ultracrepidarians; while liberals are generous and inclusive people who seek equity and equality, and struggle to remove prejudicial barriers and other obstacles that inhibit the pursuit of a meaningful life. 
      What are two things conservatives dislike? The way things are… and change.
     Meanwhile, we think, we act, and we wait for conservatives. 

Do you agree? Care to share your thoughts regarding good or bad things liberals and conservatives do? What are you waiting for? I invite your corrections, concerns, and well-wishes. kenhurley88@gmail.com 

###

Ken Hurley

I asked “Do you know what time it is?” Man looked at his watch and said, “3:36.” Two minutes later I asked the same man, “Do you know what time it is?” Man looked at his watch again and said, “3:38.” - personal observation 

You're supposed to enjoy every sandwich.  - Warren Zevon

ONE OF MY LIFE GOALS  has always been to have more time. More time to enjoy what being alive offers. At a young age I realized that for me to want more time as a goal, there must be conditions. Certainly, I do not want to spend any time in the slammer. Too late for that pipedream. One day I may share my experiences hitchhiking around America when I was 17 and my brief time in the pokey.
      So, I revised my goal to want more quality time. Today, I realize if I cannot get a time extension on my life, say another healthy three hundred years or so, then my goal is to figure out a way for the allotted time I have to move more slowly in an enjoyable way. I understand that the passage of time is relative. If you have ever spent time with certain relatives, then maybe you've discovered how to slow time. But, is it enjoyable?
      We humans are bound by the unchangeable trajectory of time. Are there any strategies we can employ to perceive time differently allowing us to appreciate each rapidly passing moment in a way that makes the good moments last longer? 
     So I followed a powerful suggestion by eating “... one of those squat, plump little cakes called ‘petites madeleines,’ which look as though they had been molded in the fluted valve of a scallop shell.” As Marcel Proust describes them, and made them forever popular in his epic work, In Search of Lost Time, aka Remembrance of Things Past. My memories were jogged just by entering the bakery of my childhood.
      The madeleine biscuit is a bit larger than a walnut yet soft and spongy, with a quality and potential to stir powerful memories of things past. I had my first madeleine biscuit as a child, brought home by my mom from Hofstetter's Bakery.  You may have memories that rise from a bakery too. Maybe, a proper seven-layer cake? My mother, who I am certain had no knowledge of Proust, unwittingly created memories for me that I now realize help slow time.
      Living within the reality of memories (distorted or other) evoked through the senses by the humble tea-soaked madeleine (mom's preference Orange Pekoe) helps time move more slowly. So, later in life, I bought a box of madeleine biscuits each week for a month and journeyed through fond memories triggered by relishing a madeleine biscuit immersed in Orange Pekoe. This sort of deep mental and emotional involvement in sensations and memories seems to allow for an expansion of time. As it turns out, good memories can encourage a profound appreciation for the present moment. After a while though, the delight of the madeleine biscuit turned into a displeasurable belly ache. So I tried Melba Toast. But I couldn't find any fond memories to help me slow time.
      There is a phenomenon known as the "flow state," introduced by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. (Please repeat his name out loud.) When individuals are fully engaged in an activity that challenges their skills and immerses their attention, they enter a state of flow where they lose track of time. This happens to me when I sit at a piano to compose or play. Or when I hike, write lyrics, poems, or short stories, or doodle. Or when I write what you're reading now. You're likely wondering will this drivel ever end? See, time can move slowly! Anyway, I can get fully absorbed in a focused flow that seems to slow time. Or at least, make me unaware of how fast time truly is.
      The flow state is mindfulness which cultivates awareness of the present moment, discouraging preoccupation with past or future events. I'm told mindlessness does the same. Ignorance is bliss sort of thing. The focused flow state is different from the madeleine biscuits scenario. Self-awareness can anchor one's attention to the present, foster a deeper connection with lived experiences, which seems to me expands the perceived duration of time. 
      Cultivating mindfulness through practices such as meditation or mindful breathing can ground us in the present and enhance our awareness of time passing. By consciously noticing the finer details of our surroundings and sensations, we can engage more effectively with the present moment, leading to a more fulfilling experience of time. A good trick to slow time happens when you sit quietly with no external distractions and become aware of your breathing, heartbeats, and gentle thoughts. Sit with them for a while each day. Time enjoyably slows.
      Our perception of time is not solely governed by objective measurements such as a clock or stopwatch. After all, time is merely a human measurement of distance. Our perception of time is shaped by various cognitive and physiological factors.
      One factor is the "oddball effect." Looking at you, Schwammy! (It's actually a compliment.) The “oddball effect” explains how our perception of time can be distorted by unexpected or novel stimuli. We seek ways to break the mundane monotonous patterns of life. The introduction of an unexpected element, the "oddball," momentarily disrupts life’s predictable patterns, which helps create the illusion of time slowing down. A baseball pitcher and batter understood this well until MLB introduced the pitching time clock in 2023 to help speed the pitcher/batter interchange.
      Another phenomenon linked to physics and the psychological experience of time is called "time dilation." In situations of extreme danger or heightened emotions, individuals often recall the event as if it were occurring in slow motion, suggesting that this apparent alteration in time perception arises from an increased activation of the amygdala and other related brain mush, which allows for more detailed and vivid memories.
      One example from my real life is when I drove a taxicab as a part-time job in college. It was midnight and I had just dropped off my passengers at their motel. I was only one minute onto the desolate service road when I saw a car speeding toward me. I was hit head on by a drunk driver doing over 60 mph in a 25 mph zone. As our headlights got closer, just before they smashed, the dark night blindingly brightened until the boom of the crash caused everything to go dark again. My cab was spun around and was pushed 80 feet before it was stopped by a telephone pole. The dashboard collapsed onto my legs as my head crushed through the windshield. No seatbelt. Fortunately, a hard head. I remember my first words were not eloquent, “Oh, shit.” I couldn't open the door but the window was down so I climbed through the window. First thing I noticed, I could stand. That was a relief. Second thing I noticed was that it seemed like it was raining. But I could see stars. Actual stars in the sky! No clouds. I was confused. Next thing I noticed was that my cab was a mangled wreck. It took me a moment to locate the car that hit me. I found it but I couldn't see anyone inside. I couldn't open the doors. As I struggled to figure out what to do, other people arrived. One man came to me in an anxious state yelling, “I saw the whole thing. He ran a stop sign! Mister, are you ok?”  We stood face to face. I asked him, “Is it raining?” He said, “Mister,  that's your blood running down your face. You better sit down. You might faint.” Well, I didn't sit down. I didn't faint. The bright  headlights and “rainy” blood are vivid examples of psychological “time dilation.”
     The desire to slow down time is not mine alone. Which is why science explores the biological mechanisms that influence our perception of time. Our internal biological clock, known as the circadian rhythm, regulates our sleep-wake cycle and influences our perception of time. Disruptions to our circadian rhythm, such as jet lag, a newborn baby in the house, or unpredictable shift work, can distort our perception of time, making us feel that time has either accelerated or decelerated.
      Our perception of time is also influenced by how good we feel as determined by the level of dopamine in our brains. I don't want to waste time explaining that dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, which plays a an important part in our perception of time. When dopamine levels are elevated, time seems to pass more quickly, while lower dopamine levels result in a slower perception of time. Turns out that I put the dope in dopamine. If I better understood the intricate relationship between dopamine and time perception, it might help me develop appropriate strategies to slow down time.
       The old adage, “Time flies when you're having fun," seems true. Although, perhaps, time moves at just the right pace. 
     Next time you find yourself needing to kill some time, give me a call. Perhaps, we can spend some time wisely trying to figure out how to slow time enjoyably.
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