Detracts And Facts

Detracts And Facts

13 Sept 2018

From the way some people declare

Frank unsupported statements,

There's no way to say they err

And point out how to make adjustments.

Frequently underlying conditions aren't stated

And little proof is asserted

So nothing can be debated

And counter arguments can't be inserted.

That's the way people communicate

About politics and religion.

There's no effort to educate,

Not even a smidgen.

The expounders come across as propagandists,

Not open to a different point of view.

In the end they become sadists,

Bleating my eardrums in two.

Convictions are intense opinions.

Their energetic claim detracts

From logic, and the companions

Of faith and belief aren't facts.

Our Power

Our Power

19 November 2010

We have the Bill of Rights and reason,

Not trite laws that make every act treason.

I

Tho everybody’s glad it there and it’s thorny like a cactus,

Congress shall make no law regulating religious practice.

As paradigms morph and the fundamentalists keep trying their best

Still officers shall be bound by oath or affirmation, but no religious test.

Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech.

Personal expression’s within everyone’s reach.

The government may not violate

The right of the people to congregate.

The People have a right to redress

Against any governmental excess.

II

This thought make liberals come unhinged,

The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace abide

In any house without the owner allied.

IV

Whether participating in business or leisure

People have a right against unreasonable search and seizure.

No Warrant shall issue but upon probable cause

Supported by oath or affirmation that draws

A description of the place to be sought

And the persons or things to be brought.

V

No person shall be subject for the same offense

Twice, nor a witness against self-defense,

Nor be be deprived of life, liberty or property

Without due process of law and formality.

VI

In all criminal prosecutions, regardless of style,

The accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy trial,

And not to worry

About the jury.

VII

In Suits at common law, trial by jury shall not be thinned

And no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined.

VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required or afflicted

Nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel punishments inflicted.

IX

The enumeration of certain rights shall not be construed

To deny or disparage others retained by the multitude.

X

The powers not delegated to the United States administration

Are reserved to the States or the people of the nation.

Reasons for the constitution are annihilated

When the rights of the people are violated.

John Locke Stumbling Block

John Locke Stumbling Block

2 August 2010

From John Locke’s “Two Treatises on Government” Introduction “...(I) cannot but confess myself mightly surprised that in a book which was to provide chains for all mankind, I should find nothing but a rope of sand, useful perhaps to such whose skill and business it is to raise a dust and would bind the people, the better to mislead them, but in truth not of any force to draw those into bondage who have their eyes open and so much sense about them as to consider that chains are but an ill wearing, however much care has been taken to file and polish them.”

Once in a while, upon ocassion

I ponder my religious persuasion.

Growing up innocent and unwary

I was told it was in my best interest

To serve as a Mormon missionary,

But unfortunately it left me depressed.

Following my excommunication

I wanted to make a religious determination.

Atheism in it’s superficiality

Had no ethics or morality.

By the way

Let me say

I am gay.

It seemed for me

The best church was MCC.

Their Jesus was easy to follow

Even if the theology was hard to swallow.

I had my precious Jesus, nevertheless

While on a camping trip I met the Goddess.

My quest was far reaching

To find any pagan teaching.

From commandments I was freed

By obeying the Wiccan Rede:

As long as the harm is nil,

Go and do as you will.

I noticed a dichotomy after a while

It had me puzzled and irked

In the neo-pagan lifestyle,

If magic really worked,

The disparity, which is

There are no rich witches.

One day while watching TV

I found my morality.

The program on evolution

Provided my ethical solution.

All life on earth

Is deserving of worth.

Everything living here

Has equal right to be there.

While growing up, when being overawed

All good things came from God.

While bad things and horrible circumstances

Were blamed on bad luck and happenstances.

Interesting how life seems to woo

And confirm any point of view.

Unfortunately, while it’s different than what’s wished,

While recognizing that no good deed goes unpunished

What goes around does come around

So let random acts of kindness abound.

Be a creator, not just a consumer.

And don’t forget sex and witty humor.