Stop the oil!

Ok, this may seem like a radical and almost suicidal plan but I am recruiting people to boycott the use of oil products as it relates to our driving habits. I think it is about time that we, as a civilized society, understand the part we play in this ongoing tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico. Sure, we can blame BP and hold them accountable, as we should do, but it is a result of our needs that caused this problem. If we were not so dependent on the production of oil and its economic impact on our society, they would never have been drilling the Gulf in the first place. There comes a point where humanity realizes that a problem exists and that changes need to be made. Unfortunately, when it comes to oil and its production--particularly as it relates to economic development--we are subservient to its almighty power. STOP!! Sure, I feel that oil is a natural phenomenon that nature created without any help from us. Is it right, however, that people and countries profit and control our fate on the death of prehistoric plant and animal life? Let's face reality folks. Oil is a byproduct resulting from the death of life. Is it not ironic that this demise of life can result in the death of present life as we know it? Can we look at the marshlands and its animal residents on the coast of Louisiana and be happy with our need for oil? I, for one, am embarrassed by the fact that I rely on the same oil from which the Gulf is being destroyed. Stop kidding yourself into thinking that this does not affect your life. The fact is that the death and destruction of natural habitats and livelihoods is based solely on our need for oil and related products. We are ALL guilty for the destruction of life on the Gulf coast!! The more we accept it, the more likely we are to change it. Join me in the boycott of oil and gas products. Ride a bike!!! Walk instead of drive!!! Anything you can do outside of your car will send a message. Do not let these companies dictate how we live and how we should accept their failings. Stand up for what is right!!!

Oil and the decline of decency

Ok, this has been a topic that has been a continuous thorn in so many sides that to do it justice in this tiny blog is inadequate to say the least. Nevertheless, I feel it is important for me to comment on the issue of the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico. As a diver and one who relishes in the preservation of undersea life, I am completely in awe at the lack of concern from the general public, news media, and yes, our government about the impact of a true and incomprehensible disaster. We cannot even call this a natural disaster because in reality, it is a disaster that does not owe itself to Mother nature or anything even remotely related to the effects of natural disaster. This is an abomination and destruction of an environment that is a result of nothing more than profit, greed and our complete dependence on a substance that is, and continues to be, the ultimate source of existence in today's reality. Of course, I am speaking of oil and the businesses associated with the propagation of this substance and its detrimental effect on our environment. As a marine conservationist, I am appalled with the lack of motivation on behalf of not only BP and its subsidiaries but our own Federal government in its lack of concern for a potentially global disaster unlike anything we have ever known. The loss of life and the environmental impact on life in the Gulf has yet to be evaluated and for that we should all be ashamed. Great! BP is willing to spend less than 1% of its quarterly earnings (which exceed 4 billion dollars) on trying to clean up the mess they have caused. We should also be grateful that BP and our government are trying all necessary means to "plug" the hole that was caused by NEGLIGENCE and irresponsible practices. Are you freaking serious??? Is it possible that in the 21st Century we are supposed to believe that shooting "junk" such as tires, rocks, and other debris into the ocean floor an answer to an environmental disaster? Are you (BP and the Government) really such mental midgets (I am sorry if I offend anyone but I cannot think of anything other than that description)? What we need is someone, anyone, with a set of BALLS that can punish BP, and every other driller of oil to the point that we will no longer tolerate the destruction of the earth to satisfy the demand and reliance on oil to survive. This is a wake-up call to all of us. We MUST stop organizations such as OPEC, other oil producing nations and businesses by letting them know that the future of our planet can no longer be left in their hands. Further, we can no longer allow ourselves to become so indebted on businesses and nations that we sacrifice what it means to be human. If this does not make people finally stand up to these oil companies and nations, fight for alternative energies and end the reign of corruption and power, then we will continually be relegated to nothing more than pawns in their conquests of domination. Of course, these are just my opinions and as usual, your comments are appreciated.

A Religious Question--No Hatred Allowed

For anyone that espouses a religious view of the world, I would like for you to submit to me the reasons for the religious persecution among so many people throughout the world. I understand the sensitivity of this question and I am in no way diminishing your beliefs. My goal, at this time, is to try and understand why such beliefs hold such strong convictions that it become paradoxical to human nature. By this, I mean that all religions seemingly promote peace, love and genuine goodwill toward men yet religions also cause divisiveness, hatred and even cause wars. I was raised as a Catholic but have learned that we all have our beliefs and that tolerance is something we should all learn. Perhaps its my naivete that has me question why so many zealots throughout the world seem to feel that violence against another person's beliefs is acceptable. I am sure that no matter what you believe in, the Supreme Being of your religion is adamantly opposed to any persecution, violence and intolerance against anyone. I want help in understanding why wars begin over someone's beliefs. Is it possible that if there were acceptance of ALL religions there would never be wars? More significantly, if there were no belief in the Supreme Deity would we finally agree on the fact that we are all equal? While I am for the latter, I hope that eventually we all get to the point that we understand that we are all human beings, understand that our futures do not depend on anything other than our actions and that we are in total control of our lives and well-being. I am also a realist and know that this will never be possible until we finally come to our senses and figure out that religion is a set of beliefs that are subjective and open to interpretation. I am not an expert and am just trying to learn how the world works. Help me understand the various positions you all have. Thanks for all your responses.

Music and Politics

Do music and politics mix? This seems to be an age old question and one that I feel deserves my attention this week. As a conductor and musician, I notice the impact that politics has had not only on a composer's music but on their lives as well. In my opinion, we have seen a history of politicians and rulers deciding on which acceptable music and artists are to be heard and which ones should be censored. The most notable is during the Nazi regime. Gustav Mahler, one of the greatest composers who bridged the late Romantic with the music of the 20th century is one that comes to mind. In 1941, it was ordered that all music from the Jewish composers be banned from performances. Further, the orchestras of the Nazi occupation were forced to eliminate the Jewish musicians of all the orchestras. One of the most prominent orchestras to promote the music of Mahler from his days as a conductor, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam, ceased to perform any of his works. We all know, by now, that this was indeed a travesty. Mahler was one of Austria's most important composers. The fact that he was Jewish was irrelevant. Further, Mahler himself converted to Catholicism in order to avoid any Jewish ties as he rose to prominence (primarily to accept a post with the Vienna Opera House and subsequently the Vienna Philharmonic). While this is a tragedy, the converse is also reprehensible. The fact that some composers, notably Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss had ties to the Nazi party (Wagner indirectly through his own antisemitism and Strauss more directly), Israel and other countries refused to perform any of their works. The question remains. Should politics have any bearing on the performance of great works of great composers, despite their beliefs? Should Shostakovitch not be performed because of his submissiveness to the Soviet government? To me, this is all a terrible and unjustifiable action on everyone's part. There should be no excuse to censoring and forbidding of the performance of works by composers who have opinions we may disagree with. If that is the case, there will always be censorship in one form or another. This is wrong and should not be tolerated. While I sympathize with the Israeli position on Strauss and Wagner, I cannot forgive their censorship and while I also cannot forgive the censoring of Mahler and other composers by the Germans. Music is an art and should be seen by all as an expression. It has no place in politics. Censorship of any kind is detrimental to the expression of our composers and will always influence how much of an impact it truly has. Don't forget that even Anton Webern fell in the hands of the Americans as he was shot on his balcony during the US occupation of Germany by a U.S. soldier (who, in all fairness, regretted his actions to the point of suicide). Wake up world and stop showing your blatant ignorance and stupidity with your blinded and distorted view of politics. No one has any right to decide the fate and value of another human being. Those that do lose credibility among the intellectual and are doomed to a life of ignorance and humiliation. Of course, this is my opinion and I welcome agreement and dissent.