But Do You 'Like' Me? July 14th 2013

Note: I wrote this several days before the verdict was announced in the George Zimmerman murder case, but I would just like to briefly comment on that. We don't know exactly what happened that night. Witnesses have testified as to what they saw or heard, but there is only one person alive who knows everything. What the rest of us should accept is that according to our legal system, George Zimmerman is not guilty of murder or manslaughter. It does not say that he is innocent, but rather that he is not guilty. That is an important consideration. It doesn't mean that Zimmerman or his attorneys proved his innocence, but that the state failed to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt according to a jury of his peers. That distinction is important because in this country, according to our laws and our constitution, we believe it is more just that a possibly guilty party go free than an innocent party go to jail. We don't always like the outcome that results, but it is something I'm sure we would all appreciate if we were unjustly accused of something. If you disagree with the verdict and feel moved to speak out or protest, that is your right. It is an important right. But if you do so with violence or hate, remember that you are only fanning the flames of hate and injustice.

One thing that we've created with the world of Facebook, Twitter and other social networks (even the world of texting back and forth to an extent) is a new definition of friends, and a way to have friends and extended family around the country and the world. I met my wife in a Star Trek chat room, and another very special, really life-changing friend on Facebook. So I'm the last person to denigrate the concept of Facebook friends. At the same time, we need to remember that our true value is not measured in the number of Twitter followers or Facebook friends we have, or the number of 'likes' and 'shares' we accumulate. Our true value is in what we create in life, and more importantly, the lives we touch. One real, solid friend who gets something from you (and can do the same in return) is more valuable than a thousand who are just part of a list. Don't look for your self worth in a number. You won't find it there. You'll find it in that friend who knows they can turn to you for succor. Being a safe place and a solid companion is so much more important than a bunch of people who just count you as friend number 'whatever'.

Something else along those lines, talking about friends. If you know someone who writes or draws or is an artist of some kind, you probably know that these are all quite personal projects. As a writer, I know that any writing project, no matter the subject or seriousness always comes from my heart and soul. As with most art, its true value is not measured in how many people buy a copy, but in the quality of the piece. And even more important than that is the effort the person put into it. We can all be critics. It doesn't take any skill or work or sweat to criticize someone else's work, especially if you can't or won't even try to do it yourself. If you are going to provide feedback of some kind (and believe me, artists NEED feedback), be honest but also consider that the art wasn't created by a machine. It was lovingly crafted by a person. Every word.... Every drop of ink on the canvas... Every page in the book was an effort. And if you are a spouse of an artist (and yes, I consider writers to be artists), remember that you are also supposed to be their friend. That doesn't mean you have to think that everything they do is a masterpiece (not that they wouldn't appreciate that :) ) but it does mean that you should be their first and greatest supporter. Recognize not only the quality of their work but also the hard work and passion that they put into it. If it is something they are trying to sell, don't put them down or say they're wasting their time if it takes a while to take off. Encourage them. Help them. Stand by them. Odds are they are doing the same for you.

I'm sure most of you remember "It's a Wonderful Life". Well, that is not just a wonderful Christmas classic. It is also an excellent lesson about what is important in life. True wealth is defined by what you have that cannot be bought or taken. I live in Las Vegas, in the shadow of mega-casinos owned by people who don't have a fraction of the riches that I get by just one of my friends. I am truly the richest man in this town.

Independence July 7th 2013

It is perhaps (or perhaps not) coincidental that as the United States celebrated its independence, Egyptians were freed from a man who, though democratically elected, had quickly become a tyrant no better than the one he'd replaced. The future of Egypt is very unclear, and we should not be naive enough to think that the motives behind any of the parties in Egypt's troubles are pure. But the fact is that two dictators have been pushed out of power in just over a year, and that is at least a cause for cautious optimism.

It is the natural state of mankind to be free. We were created with a natural curiosity and compulsion to push back the horizon. We are naturally drawn to reject limits, and without outside influence we generally desire to better ourselves. Simply put, we want to be better and go farther. There is no greater natural draw than the unknown, and no more naural enemy than imposed restriction. Unfortunately, those who seek to dictate to or enslave others usually do so with not only guns and force, but with a far more powerful and seductive tool. Economics. Terrorists and dictators today and throughout history have always used economics to win territory and enslave people when military might would not have worked. Just as Adolph Hitler initially gained support in post World War One Germany by promising to make the country strong and proud again, and both sides in the Vietnam War learned the value of winning the hearts and minds of the people, terrorist organizations like Hezbollah and Al Qaeda frequently gain footholds in strategically located towns and villages by promising and delivering economic aid and improving infrastructure. They are in effect buying the hearts and minds of the people.

This tactic even extends to politics. Candidates throughout history have sought to buy votes. This has sometimes been outright, but especially recently has been more clever and insidious. The idea of basing one's vote on which candidate will put more money in your pocket (or the infamous 'free stuff') may be distasteful and politically incorrect, but it is also undeniable. This is not a new phenomenon. It has simply become supercharged and more of an art form. Make no mistake though. When you allow a politician to buy your vote, you are selling a very important piece of yourself. You are bartering your freedom for that 'free stuff'.

When our Founding Fathers declared independence from Great Britain, they were essentially giving up the free stuff. They were stating to the world that their freedom from a distant tyrant was more important to them than the protection of one of the world's superpowers of the day. They were aware of the risks to not only their personal fortunes but to their lives and their families' lives. They risked everything material for something far more important. Freedom and self-determination. 

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. Simple and eloquent.

I'll finish with my words from July Fourth. The Egyptian people have reminded us that freedom must be fought for. It is not safe. It is not easy. It is not cheap. It risks injury, ruin, and sometimes death. Its frontline soldiers come in all races, genders and classes. They will be vilified. They will be opposed. They will be arrested and beaten and sometimes executed. But they will not be silenced, and their enemies will know defeat. The frontline soldiers of freedom fight not only in Tahrir Square, but all over the world and every state in the United States. Never forget the price that others have paid for our freedom, nor the price that others today are paying for theirs.

July 4th 2013

The Egyptian people have reminded us that freedom must be fought for. It is not safe. It is not easy. It is not cheap. It risks injury, ruin, and sometimes death. Its frontline soldiers come in all races, genders and classes. They will be vilified. They will be opposed. They will be arrested and beaten and sometimes executed. But they will not be silenced, and their enemies will know defeat. The frontline soldiers of freedom fight not only in Tahrir Square, but all over the world and every state in the United States. Never forget the price that others have paid for our freedom, nor the price that others today are paying for theirs. Happy Independence Day!