More Comments on War

 

It should be obvious to anyone who has followed the “war on terror.” over the last twenty years, this decimation of millions of people across the planet, was never due to 'national security, humanitarian efforts", or the efforts to topple dangerous dictators. At least, the 20-year war in Afghanistan ( in fact, we have been there since the '70s), reveals a money-making scheme of magnitude proportions.

Although the US government has failed in doing a proper audit on the Pentagon; we are told that over two trillion dollars have been spent on these unending wars. Considering our governments lie to us daily, this despicable amount of money could be much more. War has always been about profit. This is evident when you see the destruction of the countries that the US has invaded since 2001. Afghanistan has not changed one iota, except for a few government-backed oligarchs fleeing the country to safe havens with millions in their respective Swiss bank accounts. The country is in shambles, some say even more so than the Soviet retreat in the '80s.

There was no “nation-building” in Afghanistan; the only nation-building we can actually see is the belt-way oligarchs, the weapon manufacturers, wealthy donors, and those think tanks who create policy and propaganda for further war.

It is the fact that every country America and their allies touches turns to shit: Libya, Afghanistan, Syria, etc. The war machine-learned long ago that American men and women returning home in body bags is not a good PR move. Hence we have computerized warfare in the form of drones and economic sanctions.

In Iraq, the US applied draconian sanctions on fuel, medical supplies, and needed medicines. The result of these sanctions was over 500,000 deaths, the majority being children. When Madeline Albright was interviewed on the infamous 60 Minutes interview, what she thought of this action, she said it was worth it. 500,000 children die from starvation and disease for what? PROFIT for the Elite.

Rather then the US running around the world chasing terrorists; they're actually creating them. This includes the Taliban, al Qaeda, including all their affiliates, including ISIS.

Because the US is a war-based economy; it must have a war to sustain its world dominance. Therefore, any country that attempts to escape the US International economic petrol dollar, are targeted as “terrorists.” and war is never “declared,” but the country is occupied, and a US regime is put in place. There are a plethora of examples, particularly in Latin American countries.

Only when we collectively understand that war is a scam for the few at the top, sacrificing the lives of soldiers and the millions of innocents in order merely to enrich themselves, nothing will change. At the risk of repeating myself, all war is a racket. Full Stop.

More Rants on War

 

It never ceases to astound me how so many people continue to fall for the mainstream narrative of America and its allies obvious imperialism around the globe. This is brutally true since the US decided to escape from Afghanistan after a twenty-year slaughter-fest. What about the children? What about the women? What about the Taliban? And now, coming right out of the ether, ISIS is bombing Kabul?

Anyone who has studied history know that al Qaeda was defeated in Afghanistan not more than six months after the first invasion after 9/11. In fact, there is documented evidence that the Taliban (who had nothing to do with 9/11) told the US that they would hand over Osama bin Laden if the US could provide proof that he was responsible. The Bush administration denied this request and continued sending thousands of US soldiers to their deaths anyway.

The Afghanistan war was never about fighting terrorism but an international money laundering scheme with weapon manufacturers and certain military-industrial complex factions making billions of dollars from the war. Why do you think we remained there for twenty years? The war was just too profitable to end it.

When I see photographs of American soldiers carrying Afghani children to safety, it truly makes me want to puke all over my laptop. I'm not saying that many Afghani people are not in true danger after this illegal occupation of the country, but comparing it to the amount of the US and their allies war crimes against civilians over the last two decades makes me want to bow my head in shame, and certainly not celebrate this obvious propaganda.

To really put it into perspective, just two weeks before the official withdrawal, the American's bombed a school and a medical facility killing the majority of women and children. I'm not sure of the total fatalities, but how can one really know when it comes to the US State Department or the Pentagon.

Daniel Hale, an American whistleblower, revealed that in the US drone program, 90% of the Afghanistan people murdered were non-combatants; that is, women and children. So under the antiquated US Espionage Act, the boy was thrown in jail for National security reasons. No, he was imprisoned for revealing American war crimes in an illegal, corporate war for profit.

Julian Assange more than ten years ago revealed the reasons we were in Afghanistan. It was a corporate money laundering scheme to make a profit and ensure an unending war. The empire continued killing innocents for profit, supplying the war industry with perverted amounts of cash. For revealing this fact, Assange has been ruthlessly punished.

Truth telling and real journalism has become a dangerous profession. Reveal the war crimes or real corruption of the Empire. You do so at your own risk.

Living here in Australia, when the announcement about the Afghanistan war withdrawal, it was as if I was listening to a US State Department press releases, re-worded for a particular Australian audience.

Personally, I refuse to engage with certain individuals when they talk about Afghanistan because they do not know the real history and its geographical context, or are faux leftists, with pro imperialistic leanings. Gore Vidal called America the United States of Amnesia. When it comes to the twenty-year war in Afghanistan, this is more than the case.

This war was not about humanity or aiding a suffering country but a corporate endeavor to make trillions of dollars.

Personally, I don't believe Afghanistan has the strategic importance it did even ten years ago. Instead, the Military-Industrial Complex has turned its sights on China. And this is a worldwide catastrophe in the making.

Don't listen to the propaganda on the western state media; they promote war and always have since I can remember.

Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, etc., have all been major imperial screw-ups with nothing to show but death and destruction of thousands of human beings and the profit for the ruling establishment. The American people and their allies have gained nothing from these corporate ventures.

Stop listening to the obvious propaganda. It's getting old and more transparent as the years fly by.    

Chomsky - Hegemony or Survival..." Review.

Depending on which side of the political fence you're on, Noam Chomsky can either represent the lone voice of truth shining forth from the depths of corruption and power, or a ranting, liberal lunatic, who sees conspiracies in every corner, monolithic `thought police,' manufacturing illusion unknowingly on the masses, and those pulling the levers, residing comfortably behind computer screens at the New York Times. 

Since his magnum opus, `Manufacturing Consent,' the far-right has dismissed him entirely, calling this erudite work the scribblings of a madman. Yet, despite this book's labyrinthine and somewhat dense arguments, his evidence is compelling. 

In our education system, for example, in certain history classes, we teach the workings of propaganda, particularly those efforts made by governments to round up more enlistments for the military to fight in WWI. For the most part, students find these examples laughable but then are astonished when comparing such propaganda with present-day attempts by various governments worldwide. 

A student asks, "Do they really think they can fool us with this stuff?" The response is, "Yes, and they do it all the time, and, more often than not, it works." Controlling public opinion has been on political agendas since the beginnings of civilization. The point, however, is whether we can recognize it for what it is and form our opinions accordingly. ~Hegemony or Survival~ is Chomsky's first major work in years, and he pulls no punches as it is a controversial and shocking text as to what it reveals.

But what is so shocking?

The premise of the book is a simple one. That is, since the end of WW II, the United States government has been ruthlessly pursuing world dominance, and it is known as "the grand imperial strategy." To comprehend this strategy, we need to understand the ideology underpinning its various policies. Chomsky suggests that it was formed based on a particular political view - Wilsonian Idealism - and that is, the "men of best quality" must rule over "the giddy multitude of beasts," the masses, to "...safeguard a system of elite decision-making and public ratification - "polyarchy," in the terminology of political science - not "democracy." (p.5) 

Contrary to democratic ideals, the "dumb herd" (you and me) must be controlled, using coercion as a tool to "tame the beast" so that the goals of the state can be furthered and accomplished. But, unfortunately, this privileged elite, currently key players in the Biden administration, "knows best," ignoring and lying to the public, breaking international law, committing acts of terrorism in the name of freedom and democracy on a grand scale, betraying alliances, switching sides when it suits them, all in the name of economic, military and political hegemony, risking the very survival of the planet itself.

This, of course, may sound alarmist, if not bordering on treason, but the evidence Chomsky provides, in a few important cases, is beyond dispute.

Therefore I submit that no matter what side of the political fence you're on, read this book, research the validity of his sources before dismissing it entirely, and then make up your mind. 

Assange: the Empire will not Bend.

OPINION

The latest appeal from the US for the prosecution/extradition of Julian Assange has been granted and is truly based on spurious grounds. Rather than on the grounds of violating the antiquated Espionage Act, the focus has shifted to the issue of his mental health. The psychiatrist who has worked with Assange for well over a year has stated that mentally and emotionally, he could not withstand the sadistic and well-known barbaric US prison system;  suicide is likely. The US prosecution is challenging this decision.

One can honestly say that many issues are on trial in this case. First is the UK legal system. There is no evidence that Assange committed any crime. Secondly, the prosecution's star witness has recanted his testimony, telling the world he was offered a deal if he would lie to the courts. Thirdly, the Spanish security firm that can be traced back to the CIA and a dead Casino Zionist performed illegal surveillance within the Ecuadorian Embassy, listening in on Assange and his legal team. Many visitors of Assange, including journalists, had their phones hacked and spied on ever since while he was in the embassy. These are all violations of the UK's due process, yet the courts continue to lick the boots of the US State Department. In effect, this entire extradition hearing is one giant clown show, where the actual Law has nothing to do with it.

This clown- case is not just about one man. This case is about a functioning fourth estate: a free press and freedom of speech. If Assange is successfully prosecuted, this will cause a domino effect, punishing and canceling investigative and independent journalism. If you are aware of history, without a free press criticizing and revealing the actions of governments, we no longer have a democracy but a totalitarian state.

The UK Justice system is virtually on trial here as well. How many laws will they break to keep a journalist in a high-security prison without a single charge? How many Laws will they overlook to please their masters: the US Empire?

If I remember correctly, the UK passed a law that the country would not extradite a political prisoner. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this law remains in effect. No matter how you argue it, Assange is a political prisoner.

In October, the US prosecution will state their case to the High Court. From what sparse information I possess, this argument will be the validity of the psychiatrist's assessment of Julian Assange. If he is suicidal and is mentally capable of standing trial in the United States and survive in a High Max prison. Most of the planet is aware of the US prison system. For the most part, it's barbaric and cruel.

Following this trial resembles the antics of what was once called the “Theatre of the Absurd.” Men and women wearing wigs and black gowns dramatically spouting their cases in Shakespearean fashion. The old saying that “the law is an ass” is consistent with this current travesty of justice.

The Empire, despite its lies and wars crimes, will not bend on this case.

Considering the current crackdown in terms of censorship on antiwar voices and criticisms of the government, it appears we are heading towards a form of totalitarianism: One narrative, one rule, and the imprisonment of dissent.

This is what the Julian Assange case is about: human rights, freedom of the press and free speech, and the right to talk Truth to power. Without these Rights, we do not have a democracy but an authoritarian regime.

 

The Afghanistan Debacle

The US and their allies withdrawal from the twenty-year war in Afghanistan is nothing less than an absolute debacle. In reality, the entire “conflict” was a giant shit show from the very beginning. Thousands of soldier deaths and millions of Afghani innocents were bombed to their deaths. The actual war crimes that are currently being legally investigated are countless. This was a savage war. And the only people being prosecuted are the whistleblowers who have revealed the war crimes of the US and their allies. The Empire is in charge, and there is nothing of substance we can do about it.

There is documented evidence that this invasion of Afghanistan should have ended after only six months. During this time, Al Qaeda and large portions of the Taliban were defeated – dead or hiding. However, this wasn't enough. The reason for this is that Afghanistan had been in the crosshairs of the US Pentagon way before 9/11 ever happened. The war continued under four presidents, and during this time, the world was lied to about the war.

See my BLOG: https://sychronicity1.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-msm-are-silent-afghanistan-papers.html The Afghanistan Papers were published, and it barely made a blip on the MSM radar. The papers reveal that the forces and generals really had no idea why they were there. At that point, they couldn't even recognize the enemy. The documents reveal the government's ongoing misinformation campaign and the MSM to justify sending more troops and remaining in the war. This begs the question: Why did we remain in Afghanistan for twenty years?

Over the years, I've written many essays on the reasons for the Afghanistan war. For it is a “strategic” country against Russia and so-called enemies in the Middle East. The other reasons are purely financial: corporate profit for the war machine and acquiring the country's resources. Strategically, however, it appears the Military-Industrial Complex currently has its sight towards the east, mainly China.

If you want to get an in-depth historical analysis of the US's history in Afghanistan, and their actual creation of Al Qaeda and the Taliban, read Max Blumenthal's The Management of Savagery. This text is certainly an eye-opener as to the machinations of Empire to ensure perpetual war around the globe.

As to the current propaganda coming out of the MSM, it is apparent that the Australian government got a press release from the US State Dept. as to what to communicate to the people. Our previous Prime Minister, John Howard (1990s), who followed the US and UK into Afghanistan and Iraq, appeared on the TV justifying our twenty-year involvement in Afghanistan. In my opinion John Howard along with George W. Bush and Tony Blair, all should be tried for war crimes and put in prison. The same old cliches came out of his mouth: Freedom and Democracy. If you have any historical understanding of war over at least the last one hundred years, this should sound like utter rubbish. Invading other countries is about power and money, and any other reason given is a lie.

The Taliban is the creation of the United States. They are zealot fundamentalists and view women merely as objects for propagating the species and commodities. So when I hear the outcry from people to send more troops into the country to protect the women, I should remind you that Saudi Arabia is a theocracy that continues to stone women in the public square for alleged adultery. So why aren't these people crying about Saudi Arabia? The answer to this is clear: Saudi Arabia is our allies for its oil and financial investments into the machines of war.

As General Smedley Butler said, WAR is a RACKET.

This is certainly true in the case of Afghanistan.

 

Chomsky – Secrets, Lies and Democracy - Review

 

This is an interesting pamphlet of interviews by David Barsamian with Noam Chomsky, which covers a wide collection of topics from defective democracy, health care, religious fundamentalism, the CIA and the media.

The central thrust of these interviews focuses on the corporatization of our democratic system. In one interview, Chomsky cites Thomas Jefferson's warning or fear, made at the end of his life, stating, that, the elites, aristocrats, "fear and distrust of the people, and wish to draw all powers from them into the hands of the higher classes." Democrats, on the other hand, "identify with the people, have confidence in them, cherish and consider them as the most honest and safe, although not the wisest, depository of the public interest." (This has changed in 2021) What Jefferson was saying is that the people should have the reigns of power; we should be in control, and not the centralized, powerful elites. Jefferson's greatest fear was the "banking institutions and monied incorporations" (big business) and if they were allowed to influence politics, they would eventually, run the entire show, benefiting the few at the exclusion of the majority.

It is here, throughout this text, that Chomsky offers several examples how corporate America and big business internationally influence our a democratic system where economically, the "little guy' suffers while big business gets bigger as our basic wages plummet. In other terms, the rich get richer, the gap between rich and poor widens and only the few benefit.

One has only to look at the statistical indicators of countries around the world, comparing rich and poor sovereign states to see that nothing is changing for the better in developing countries but steadily getting worse, while the small percentage of rich countries, ironically exploiting these poorer countries, are improving their wealth. The gap is widening, particularly over the past thirty years, doubling the wealth in the top twenty percent, while the low twenty percent has become much poorer. These statistics speak for themselves, and there are reasons for this dramatic shift in wealth.

Politicians' incestuous connection to the corporate sector is well documented. Tax breaks for the rich, while the man or woman on basic wages supporting a family can pay, in some cases, more tax than a CEO. For the obvious reasons, our politicians protect the corporate sector: campaign contributions, personal investment, etc. Jefferson's fear and warning in the early 19th century against banking institutions and monied corporations' political involvement has been realized.

Chomsky, in most cases, backs his arguments with statistical data and historical documentation that can be researched and checked by any interested individual. His words are never rhetorical, ad hominem arguments, or self-righteous condemnations to push a personal agenda. Instead, he speaks about facts, revealing injustice and, at times, crimes against the common citizen that should not be ignored. This little book is a good starting point for further research into economic and international affairs.

Gore Vidal – Dreaming War... - Review

Some years ago, before ~Dreaming War's~ publication, the article, `Goat Song' was emailed to me by a friend. In this article, Vidal lists the numerous anomalies prior, during, and directly after the events of 9/11.

The questions this article raises are legitimate, considering the U.S. government has spent literally trillions of dollars on national "defense" since 1947. When the alarm bells began to ring on that terrible day, those in charge did not follow military protocol but merely sat on their hands and seemed to let it happen. This is a frightening thought. In the end, the investigation into these anomalies turned into a finger-pointing exercise, and a few scapegoats were made, but to this day, some questions still remain. However, Vidal has no doubts about the aspirations and motivations of the government's actions in the Middle East, as the title of the book makes perfectly clear: Blood for Oil.

To finally read the full article and the ten or so other pieces in the book after reading that initial email was informative and quite disturbing. Vidal certainly lays it all on the line.

Gore Vidal has been called many things, but for certain, he has made it his life's mission to understand American history and point out how and why his beloved Republic has gone off the rails, particularly since the creation in 1947 of NSC-68. He laments the loss of his Republic to a National Security State, (Military Industrial Complex) including a noticeable dwindling of the Bill of Rights. The loss of the rights of citizens in a democratic country is a frightening scenario (in my opinion, the worst scenario), and it's actually happening right before our eyes.

Domination, control and wealth are the motivations and the events Vidal has illustrated over the last half-century, and that is nearly two hundred `incursions' in other countries since 1945...in which The U.S. has been the aggressor, is simply too hard to ignore.

In the article, `Mickey Mouse, Historian,' Vidal discusses the corporate ownership of America and the politicians, but also states, generally, what he would like to see changed:

 I am a patriot of the old Republic that slowly unraveled during the expansionist years and quite vanished in 1950 when the National Security State took its place. Now I want us to convert from wartime to a peacetime economy. But since the GE-style conglomerates that govern us will never convert, something will have to give, won't it? (P.165)

Vidal not only lists the many problems about his beloved country but also offers solutions that sound workable and real. But those holding power at the moment will be hard-pressed to let the current system go. This book is highly recommended to anyone concerned about American and international affairs.

Gore Vidal – U.S: Essays 1952-92 - Review

 

These selections of essays by the prolific and most caustic critics of the American Republic have sat on my bookshelf since the early months of 1999. Included in this overwhelming collection are 114 essays, in some cases, randomly categorized into three chapters - The State of Art, State of the Union, and the State of Being. 

Vidal is an intensely knowledgeable fellow, and therefore has an opinion on just about everything having to do with art, history, politics, the state of literature and his beloved Republic To attempt to read this entire tome (1271 pages) from start to finish over a few weeks (my original intention) proved to be impossible. 

Although informative and extremely entertaining, there was just too much to digest, too important to scan through, thus I would mark the essays read with a tick on the contents page, place the book back on the shelf, only to return when the time felt right to take them up again.

Vidal is not only a great historian, but he is also one of America's great literary radicals. He was experimenting with the literary form, attempting to apply critical theory to the Novel very early in the piece with such works as Duluth, Mira Breckinridge, and the post modern religious satire, Live from Golgotha. These were indeed "radical" departures from the standard fare of American novels coming out at the time. In mainstream circles, however, these novels were not well received, but were critically acclaimed, calling them subversive, iconoclastic, original, and extremely funny.

As an essayist, Vidal really has no match in American letters. These essays reveal a master at the top of their form. What is interesting as well as admirable, Vidal was criticizing literary theory, which had infiltrated academia in the late '60s and early '70s, al la, post structuralism and deconstructionism, but unlike the so-called "experts" in the university's across the western world, (he calls them "Hacks of Academia") Vidal attempted to put these theories to the test in the form of a popular novel (Duluth) and succeeded. In his essay, French Letters -Theories of the Modern Novel, Vidal attacks these modern theorists, who state that language and literature as an art form is dead, in elegant prose and biting gusto, revealing their empty (headed) arguments,

"In any case, rather like priests who have forgotten the meaning of the prayer they chant, we shall go on for quite a long time talking of books and writing books, pretending all the while not to notice that the church is empty, and the parishioners have gone elsewhere to attend other gods, perhaps with silence or with new words." (1967, p.110)

In "The State of the Union" essays, Vidal expounds upon American politics and his views on the National Security Council, the CIA and America's ongoing imperialistic intentions, which interestingly, have not dated in the least. Most of these essays are as relevant as ever despite the passing of over thirty years.

There is no doubt in my mind that reading Vidal is an education, showing us a way through the miasma of received wisdom, relentlessly thrown in our direction. In many respects, Vidal is a beacon of light during dark times, a writer who had never pulled any punches regarding the things he believed in, namely writing, politics, and his beloved Republic. This book should be a standard issue for anyone interested in literature, politics, art, and American history.

“On these Days”

 

These manifestations only happen on days when calmness engulfs the atmosphere and the blue of the sky, a beautiful autumn light. 

On these days, the man walked along a path that passed through a dense forest. Butterflies surrounded the man as he stood motionless, never touching his body but prodding him to move on.  

At a fork along the path on an old wooden stump a Kookaburra landed, laughing at him; this made the man laugh. Further along, a family of ducks waddled past, squawking. The man would stop and watch the family proceed to their unknown destination. 

On these days, a soft, warm breeze rustled the leaves. Coming to a small embankment, a Kangaroo hopped through the trees, seeming to the man to be smiling at him. He was sure the Kangaroo smiled. The animal hopped into the brush in long graceful strides. Turning back, a wild dog pranced around the man’s side, dancing, jumping, and wanting to play, following him the rest of the way home. “Go home, boy! Off you go!” 

As the man unlocked his door, a bird he had come to name Beethoven sang parts of the maestro’s 5^th symphony. 

 On these days, the man would put his provisions away and lay down to sleep and dream of places long forgotten and sometimes missed.

Political Infighting & Friend's Lost

 

One cannot deny that, when the Trump regime came into power in 2016, the country, if not the entire planet, came into “political attack mode”. During the last years of the Obama regime, there were a few political pundits writing and voicing their two cents, yet when Trump came to power, millions came out of the political woodwork, and everyone had a “valid” view about politics and the state of the world.

Back in the day I was active on Facebook, and after the 2016 election, the absolute vitriol online was palpable. An old friend from California turned on me when I pointed -out my understanding about the football players 'taking a knee' during the anthem. He said I was “unpatriotic” and never really was an American. He was right on that point, having been born in Montreal, but spent 30 years in Denver and 10 years in LA. I thought the players taking a knee were protesting racism and particularly police violence against the African American community. But he said this was all about disrespect of the flag and America as a country. He un-friended me without engaging in any meaningful discussion about the issue; instead, he called me names and empty accusations. We haven't talked since.

Only Last week, I commented to a friend in France about the US's disinformation campaign and regime change efforts in Cuba. My friend's partner is a Cuban expatriate living in Paris. Evidently, he had a terrible time during the revolution and escaped to another country ending in France. I don't know the details, but in an email, I mentioned Cuba to my friend (probably without enough empathy), and she attacked, calling me “narrow-minded” and an “idiot.” This person currently wants nothing more to do with me, even though we've been friends for over 5 years.

I guess this is my general point: when someone disagrees with your politics, even in the slightest way, they're triggered and resort to name-calling and character assassination rather than discuss their differing points of view. Name-calling is a repetitive arguing strategy, from Nazi, misogynist, racist, Russian asset or an Assad sympathizer. These are not arguments. They're ad hominem tactics, distracting from the issues under discussion. This, of course, is stupid and infantile, but more importantly, at least since the Trump era, this type of behavior has spread throughout the world like a pandemic.

This behavior can be seen online daily.

My political views are distinctly antiwar with strong socialist leanings. Aside from antiwar, moving to the Left was a long process of education and observing other countries. When I migrated to Australia, those in power were Labour, the left-wing of Australian politics. We now have been run by the Conservative party, decidedly right-wing, for well over 20 years. I will not go into details, but the country is certainly not better off with 2 decades of neoliberalism. That said, I'm willing to discuss policy with anyone on either side of the political spectrum without resorting to ad hominem arguments.

Because of my interest in geopolitics and American politics specifically, I read and watch so-called left-wing pundits. What I've seen over the last 6 months, at least, is constant infighting between these left-wing commentators. Intelligent people who once agreed on many policies are now attacking each other on silly political strategy and foreign policy points. (Standing from afar, halfway around the planet, I can almost believe this split in the Left is by design.)

Indeed many so-called progressives have revealed themselves to be nothing more than voices for the establishment. I guess they have their reasons, but this does nothing for progressive issues like ending wars, a $15 minimum wage, and medicare for all.

From my personal point of view, US politics is going farther Right, and this is worrisome for a variety of reasons.

Politics is war, and the strategy of 'divide and conquer' is a successful tactic against the enemy.

This is what I see on the Left in the United States...and this bloody well has to stop.

To lose a friendship over a disagreement on a specific policy or point of view about the world is ridiculous and just plain dumb.

I hope those who really care about the world join and finally get their shit together. Otherwise, the worst is yet to come.

Michael Crichton – Travels - Review

 

In the Preface of this highly informative and entertaining collection of musings, experiences, and travels of the body, mind, and spirit, Crichton explains the reasons that prompted him to write this book:

"If you are a writer. The assimilation of important experiences almost obliges you to write about them. Writing is how you make the experience your own, how you explore what it means to you, how you come to possess it, and ultimately release it."

Crichton explores our need for direct experience. His premise is that modern man has lost his innate sense of himself and existence, relying on opinions, concepts, and information structures, second-hand knowledge to make sense of the world, which, in the end, is a false perception. He proposes that the modern city-dweller, for example, cannot even see the stars at night due to the false light around him, causing a serious alienation from himself and reality. We've become so reliant on the media, hyper-realty, that simulation has become the real; thus, we have generally lost our bearings. We have lost track of ourselves concerning the greater scheme of things. Travel for Crichton helped him have "direct experience," thus achieving a greater sense of himself and his place on the planet. This book is about these direct experiences.

In Travels there are twenty- eight essays covering the author's early life in medical school and his bout with psychiatry, moving on to his first years in Hollywood as an aspiring writer and filmmaker, to his experiences in exotic lands and his musings on his experiences with the esoteric and the unexplained. These last essays are extremely interesting because Crichton attempts to rationally explain those a phenomenon that dwells in the irrational - entities, other-dimensional realms and the underrated "sixth" sense that we've come to know as intuition. His proposition is that, fundamentally, just because certain phenomena cannot be explained "rationally," doesn't mean it doesn't exist. And to dismiss such phenomenon because it cannot hold up under the rigors of scientific analysis, is a mistake.

Crichton's Travels is a writer's exploration of himself and the world. It is an entertaining chronicle, at times hilarious and sad, and ultimately a strong argument for the need for all of us to have "direct experience", reinforcing his view that we also need greater insight into the mystical as well as the scientific, to truly understand ourselves and our existence.

As usual, similar to all his books, Crichton has given us something informative, as well as tremendously entertaining.

The Third Voice (Music)

 

Beethoven believed that music is the breath of God. A German philosopher once wrote that a life without music would be a mistake. A friend once commented that he had never met a person who did not like music, no matter its form – music is the universal language. Attempting to wrap my mind around this idea, my only conclusion is that all the above musicians, lovers, and thinkers are correct – especially when playing music or writing a song.

Music is not only cerebral but also visceral and a player can remain planted in one of the other.

“Classical” musicians are a perfect example of the cerebral vs. visceral approach to music.

I once listened to a young woman play Chopin (my favorite “Romantic” composer) with nano-second perfection, a display of years of practice and training, but what was lacking was Chopin’s intent, his feeling, his “beautiful sadness” and his subtle nuances of tone and, well, emotion. Though this woman played the piece by note to a specific/perfect time, it lacked, well again, heart. As a musician, listener, I hear this time and again:

“You play the notes but you do not feel the composer’s soul!”

Again, the “head and heart” dilemma: The “right brain” vs. the “left brain.” neurological stance.

The famous 19th-century French composer Satie once had written at the top of his new piano composition: Not to be played with the hands. 

I failed music theory in a big way – too mathematical, too stringent, and too structured.

But, once picking up the guitar, music came easy – I learned the chords and could hear the beat, the tone, and the intent of the song.

Now, when playing with another musician or band, something mystical happens. Our souls tune into each other. And what is most phenomenal, an “ invisible third voice or instrument” joins in on the jam, creating the most perfect sound. If one observes a band carefully, one can see and hear this phenomenon occur – all the musicians look at each other and smile.

To be a truly great musician one should have both theory and heart – and surly that “third voice” will join in, and Beethoven’s “breath of God.” should touch us all.