Ground Control to Major Tom, Ground Control to Major Tom........ I can write anything I want here. I am anonymous therefore I don't need to be politically correct. I can write what I really think about things and even if my logic is screwed up and I come across as miscreant it matters not. No one will read this anyway.

Crime and Punishment

"Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky is a classic in literature published around 1866. It is one of the most remarkable books I have ever read. When Dostoevsky wrote this book he was attempting to refute many of the modern ideas of materialism infiltrating Russia from Europe and the West at the time. Such as is man merely a product of his environment and are the laws that govern man pragmatically fabricated or does man have a soul and therefore bear a moral responsibility for his actions? Is human behavior predictable like a mathematical formula and what role does human nature play in the quest for social justice and a fairer, more egalitarian society. Dostoevsky's insights into the inherent complexion of human nature are no less than inspired.
Dostoevsky takes a penetrating look at the human psyche through the main character of the novel the young student Raskolnikov who who commits a heinous murder in order to test his theory that some gifted visionary people are above the law. In other words the law is merely ethical in nature and not necessarily moral and is created by the elite for the ordinary masses but is not necessarily applicable to the elite. Raskolnikov rationalizes and convinces himself that there is no moral question involved as he contemplates his plan and that he is himself part of that elite group that is above the law. In his mind there is no compunction about committing the murder but after the deed is done he is tormented and ridden with guilt, remorse and shame. He is therefore confused, angry and disillusioned that he has these feelings. Because of his he comes to realize that he is either not one of these extraordinary individuals or that he is missing something and begins to question the validity of his theory of human nature.
In contrast with these feelings of unease he falls in love with a prostitute, Sonia, who has a pure heart. She has given her most precious treasure, herself, in order to save her destitute family. She is selfless and virtuous despite her dire circumstances and Raskolnikov cannot understand this and is inexplicably drawn to her and indeed loves her. But just as the feelings of guilt and remorse plague him so also do the feelings of love that he has for her. For though each is seemingly in diametric opposition they are both the same in that they are emotions beyond reason and something that cannot be measured or defined in any rational way. Finally, his fear of death plagues him as well because he cannot bring himself to end his own life. It troubles him that he should care about living if indeed he has no soul. His feelings of guilt and love don't make sense and it haunts him that he may be missing something and what he believed about human existence may be incorrect. He longs for an idea to live for to give his life meaning.
The book builds to a climax in which Dostoevsky potently builds his case giving his own answers to the dilemmas posed. To some it will be validating but to others swallowed in our post modern culture it may be less than satisfying. However these issues that Raskolnikov struggles with are timeless and this is why this book is one of the great books that transcends its time because we will always wrestle with these questions.
As I read this book I was also struck over how modern it was. It seemed that all this could have been happening right now in our day and age. It also seems that every good detective or crime drama since has borrowed something from this book. ie. the cat and mouse game between detective and criminal and the blunders or unexpected variables that inevitably can spoil the perfect crime.
Personally I agree with Dostoevsky's view of human nature and it hit close to home for me. When one crosses that line into moral impurity either by breaking the law or by breaking trust with another person there is a heavy cost to pay and no one is immune to the consequences. All the rationalization in the world means nothing when you mess up your own life or the life of another because of an act of poor judgment or impropriety. Thankfully, like Dostoevsky I also believe that redemption is possible and available for those who seek it. Peace, Arnie.

An Unbroken Agony - Aristide

I just finished a book by Randall Robinson titled "An Unbroken Agony." Subtitled "Haiti, From Revolution to the Kidnapping of a President." If you have ever traveled to Haiti you will have found it is a broken country. Not broken in spirit because the people are beautiful and vibrant. Broken in the sense that their government is inept and seemingly corrupt from most accounts. Why is this country so broken why is what was once a gem in the Caribbean now nearly a wasteland? How did it get this way and why can't meaningful change occur? Randall Robinson's excellent book chronicles much of the history of Haiti and the endemic nature of problems which plague this country and how nations such as the United States and France have historically impeded progress in their self interest and poorly thought out foreign policy. The book centers on the events surrounding the orchestrated ouster of Jean-Bertrand Aristide the very popular and democratically elected President who apparently because of his desire to improve life for the desperately poor in his country aroused the fears of the ruling elite whose interests were diametrically opposed to that noble goal. Robinson's book is an account that the international community and press have inexcusably ignored and exposes the historically held prejudices and hypocrisies that inevitably have kept this small island nation from advancing and bettering itself. Was Aristide a good guy or was he a bad guy? It depends on who you talk to but before you pass judgement please read what Robinson has to say. Peace

Universal healthcare

Seems like there is a push for some sort of universal health care. Europe does it why can't we? Thats the refrain. My question is this: Why should I pay for your healthcare. I run, I keep myself in good shape, my BMI is reasonable, I watch what I eat, I don't smoke and generally have a pretty healthy lifestyle. Why should I pay for the person who is 50 to 100 pounds overweight and can't even walk down the block without nearly having a coronary. Why should I pay for the chain smoker whose idea of recreation is to have a six pack with his pizza as he watches a ball game. Isn't that a bit ridiculous? Obesity is rampant. Look around you with a careful eye. You will be surprised how many unhealthy people are out there. Most of these are unhealthy because of lifestyle choices. Unhealthy because of no self control or self discipline. Why should I pay for their health care? Okay, the little babies born with birth defects and similar cases. I am alright with that but not the man or woman who acquired their health problems because of poor choices. I would say this. If there is universal health care then those whose BMI is under 20 get a tax break. Those with BMIs over 25 pay extra. Maybe then I would be more open to the idea.

Smoking, sex, HIV and the movies

There was a recent news story bemoaning the frequency of smoking in PG13 movies and the deleterious effect that has on the young people of today. The outrage, it seems, is that in 67% of all PG13 movies smoking is presented in a less than negative way and of course we all know how bad smoking is for our health and all the dollars spent on the related problems. How can the movie industry be so insensitive? Conversely there was a recent story about a high school in St. Louis in which as many as 50 kids have been exposed to the HIV virus. When offered free confidential HIV testing 97% of the students opted to get tested. National statistics show that 65 million people are inflicted with an incurable sexually transmitted disease (STD), 19 million people every year acquire a STD, there are 3 million unplanned pregnancies a year of which 750,000 are teenagers leading to 1.5 million abortions a year. I have a question: Where is the outcry here? Why are we so concerned about smoking in the movies and not the fact that in 90% of all movies sex is casual, unsafe and hooking up is portrayed as the normal thing two adults or kids do when there is a spark of interest between them. What kind of message is that? It boggles my mind that it's not okay to light up but its okay to hook up in the movies. Now we have a high school where 50 kids may now be part of that 65 million person statistic. Somehow I wonder if we really care about each other or our kids. Sadly, neither story surprises me any more.

Gustav and Haiti

Unfortunately Haiti took a direct hit from Gustav. Because it is Haiti we don't hear much of it in the news but it has wreaked devastation on a country that has no means to deal with a natural disaster such as that. The main road from Port Au Prince to the South has been cut off. The main conduit for food and supplies to reach that region. As a result people are going hungry because there is no food. What food there is has doubled in price which means it is beyond the means of almost everybody in Les Cayes the third largest city in Haiti. Manifestations are taking place and the jail is filled beyond capacity. When it seems there might be a crack of daylight something like this can set things back 10 years. Concerned people take notice and do what your conscience dictates.

Project Espwa a haven in Haiti

If you have stumbled upon this blog you are most likely aware of the problems in Haiti. It is a broken country the poorest in the Western Hemisphere. Desperate poverty is rampant, children are starving and made to be slaves, the average wage is around two dollars a day some are eating dirt and the government is either helpless or indifferent to the plight of the people. I just arrived from Haiti and what I saw there is hard to fathom. Yes, there is unbelievable poverty but worse there is an undercurrent of hopelessness and despair which is even more disturbing. People have nothing to look forward to. People have no future except a constant battle for survival.

Enter Father Marc Boisvert a modern day hero and founder of Project Espwa. He is a man who who sold his earthly possesions and has given his life to help save kids in Haiti in order to give some hope and a real chance for a future. Project Espwa is an orphanage near Les Cayes in the southern part of Haiti. It currently feeds, clothes and educates over 700 kids and also provides jobs and self worth for many in the community. Espwa is a Creole word for "hope" it is the name that the kids picked for the orphanage and it certainly is apropos.

I could go into all the details and programs that project Espwa is providing for the kids and community but you should read about those things on their website www.freethekids.org I would just like to say that having met Father Marc and seen the work at Espwa first hand with my own eyes and also seeing the horrible alternative for the kids if Espwa were not there I can testify truthfully and faithfully that it is more than just a worthy cause. It is a vital cause where lives literally hang in the balance. I know that may sound dramatic but it is veritable and true. The work they are doing is incredibly important and incredibly necessary and it needs to be supported and go on.

I will just say that with all the hell and chaos in that country Espwa is a haven. Espwa is a place where kids can laugh and play and be kids with their innocence intact. They can experience something most of us take for granted, a childhood. I know for myself the kids at Espwa gave me much more than my meager good intentions brought them. With their smiles and hugs and laughter I was taken and may never be the same. In fact after visiting Haiti I hope I will never be the same. Thank you Father Marc. You are a hero and the hands of God as you lay down your life daily for those kids. To all else if you've read this far, please help as you are able. Go to www.freethekids.org