the world heats up... in more ways than one

I look at the news, and all I can do is shake my head. There's always a reason for violence to break out, but that doesn't make it any better, or easier to understand.

We were discussing the Arab/Israeli conflict over the weekend, and it was commented once again that sibling rivalry is always the bloodiest. Iraq shows us this as well. It's possible to shurg and say 'so and so is a complete infidel for not acknowledging such-and-such,' but a disagreement from within can flood the land with blood.

The U.S. government has chartered a cruise ship to evacuate the Americans remaining in Beruit to Cyprus. US Destroyers will be accompanying the ship. If you ever wondered why they ask you to register with the embassy when you're visiting a foreign country? Now you know why: easier to let you know when the ship leaves.



If I had a wish? It would be that we, as a species, could learn to let go, rather than hoarding the wrongs, the slights, the injuries, and the harms, real or imagined. Even the ones that come from within, from those we considered friends, or loved onces. Remember instead the kindnesses, the joys, the giftings, the unexpected pleasures. The vows kept, the promises unbroken.

Go on, do it. Take a minute. Let go of whatever's eating at you. Remember something positive. Smile. Go on your way.

If enough of us manage it, maybe we can stop a single person, or a dozen, or a country from suffering violence.

Or maybe it will just make your own day better. That's a mitzvah, too.

Mickey Spillane, 87

I actually got to meet Mr. Spillane once, at a book pub party. He was, I remember, a gracious, if occasionally ribald man, who was clearly enjoying the attention everyone was giving him, and just as clearly wanted to get out of his suit, away from all these people, and get back to work.


"Now I'm not an author, I'm a writer, that's all I am." -- Mickey Spillane