I begin this months newsletter/commentary without a subject in mind. And yet, the condition we find ourselves in as citizens of the U.S.A. seems to cry out. So I am choosing that as a subject.
I am not a highly educated person. When I was young I felt that I was coerced by the educational system. I thought that once I learned to read and write and do arithmetic I should be free to choose the direction I wanted to expand my knowledge, and that is what I have done.
But even with my limited formal education, (I graduated from high school), I am aware that our government was formed with features intended to prevent an individual or group from exercising arbitrary control over its citizens. These features are known as checks and balances, separation of powers, due process, the bill of rights, etc.
Now, it seems that our political practices have become so corrupt that these features no longer protect the freedom we cherish. So what are we to do about it? Unfortunately there is no unifying force to create this “we”. My opinion is that the force that will create it is abject failure. Till thenI'm going to keep doing what I have always tried to do with my music; raise hell.
There is another important aspect of our present situation that I need to at least mention, and that is the alignment of the agenda of the current administration with a particular segment of the Christian religion. This is not a new or even recent development, since this voting bloc is large and can be very reliable. The motives of those in power are obvious; securing that support.
The motives of this religious group, I would argue, are equally obvious. And it is not “hunger and thirst for righteousness” but rather hunger for power, and that is what this administration is offering.
To conclude this discussion, I'll quote “The Book” (Revealed Translation Of John's Revelation) which you can find on my website (richardstrick.com), available to download as a PDF, that speaks of this abject failure that, I believe, is an imminent step in the evolution of mankind. “ And when the fourth angel sounded its trumpet, the results of men's efforts will turn to confusion, and the earth shall lose its ability to support its own laws. All will become entangled, and men will be unable to locate the cause of it.” Bob Dylan alluded to this time when he said “It's not dark yet, but it's getting there.”
In other news, Barbed Wire Valentine is just me and Eric Bredt now since our drummer,Herb Gura has moved from the area. With that said, tomorrow Eric and I meet up with a drummer that we've never played with. Hopes are high! We are also hoping to add a guitarist to the lineup.
Nothing but open mics on the schedule.
Thanks for reading.
Richard