the Poet, the Musician and the Photographer

I started this blog because it was a required assignment in my Social Media class.  Originally my professor, Deirdre Breakenridge, wanted us to write about business communications, reputation management and public relations in social media.  Thankfully, she changed her mind and allowed us to blog about things we’re passionate about.  If you read my about page, you know that my interests are here there an everywhere, and while I’ve shared some of my thoughts about politics, fantasy and travel, I thought I’d share something different this time.

The other day I had a conversation with a friend about inspiration and thought that’s what I’ll blog about.  The interesting thing about inspiration is that it can come from anywhere and communicates a barrage of feelings.

Here a few of the things that inspire me.

And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.

And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land—

Alma 46 12-13 

When I read this, I feel inspired to fight for the things that I love and cherish: my family, my friends, my country and my faith.  I don’t enjoy fighting, or war, nor do I wish to see death and destruction, but there are things that are worth fighting for.

There are a few songs that bring a tear to my eye every time I hear them.

While there are many versions of this arrangement, this is by far my favorite.  I’m far from perfect and this song inspires hope.

I’ve heard this song in many voices, arrangements, and styles, but I stand taller and prouder whatever the version I hear, whenever I hear it.

The men and women who’ve sacrificed, are sacrificing, and will sacrifice to defend the land that I love, will always inspire me.

I stand in awe of the universe.  The mystery and majesty of creation is inspiring.  The photos below create within my heart and mind the urge to explore, dream big, and never give up.

How long had man looked towards the heavens before he finally reached them?  How long will he look towards another planet before he reaches it? Too see these images are to believe in things that I cannot see, and acknowledge the beauty of things I don’t understand.

These are only a select few.  I suggest you take the time to see more.

So what photos make you dream?  What words have the poets penned that create a burning within your bosom?  What songs leave tears tumbling down your cheeks?

Should Free Speech Include Words and Actions that Intentionally Offend Others?

With the Middle East currently embroiled over the clips from the film Innocence of Muslims, I thought this would be a great time to discuss a number of issues regarding free speech and government and societal responses.

1.  Should the Obama administration have asked YouTube to “review” the video?  And should Gen. Martin Dempsey have called Terry Jones and asked him to withdraw his support for the film?

No.  Though I understand their reasoning for doing so.  As a US soldier and some who has deployed to two predominantly Muslim nations, and has been in harms way, I know that the US leadership is concerned about the loss of both American military and civilian lives but, there is a greater issue than the loss of life: the loss of free speech.  When the government starts asking people to refrain from expression for fear of violent riots and mobs, we began kowtowing to the demands of extremist.  By the White House and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff trying to limit (even if just in a persuasive manner) the free speech of American citizens, we’ve shown extremists that the American government and people can be intimidated.

2.  Should free speech include words and actions that intentionally offend others?

Absolutely.  Think of all the things that offended different groups, cultures, races, ethnicities and religions, just to name a few.  If the government tried to regulate, or get involved every time one of these groups was offended, our free speech would greatly diminish.  As Americans, we have every right to the free exchange of ideas, even when they are sordid.  Whether it’s burning the Koran or portraying a religious leader in a negative light, that is our right.

How we as individuals and a society react is entirely up to us. Better to have the opportunity to react to offense, than to have the government try and suppress our 1^st Amendment rights, for fear of how we will react.

Furthermore, society on its own will decide what words and actions are appropriate for use in the public sphere.  We call it political correctness.  Just think of the words that you can and cannot say for fear of being labeled a bigot, racist or insensitive.  Society has take offense to certain phrases, words and actions and has, by and large, discouraged their use, often by criticizing and ostracizing those who go against the societal norms of limited free speech.

3.  Does our own (individual, societal and the US government) hypocrisy about offending different groups encourage this kind of behavior?

The remarks I’ve read on threads and on comment boards, from numerous media outlets, suggest that most people agree that the film in question is “insulting,” “derogatory,” or “offensive,” for it’s portrayal of Islam, and have condemned the film maker, while even if at the same time supporting his freedom of expression.  But do we discourage and condemn all insensitive behavior as it relates to religion, or just the ones that are catalyst to violence?

Take for example the Broadway hit, The Book of Mormon; winner of 9 Tony Awards.  Has any politician, government official, or mainstream media personnel come out to strongly condemn the show?  Or has society rewarded something that’s offensive to a small segment of the population?  How would Americans respond to offending Mormons if small fringe groups started murdering the actors and blowing up the audiences as they sat in the theaters?  Would local mayors and governors say that The Book of Mormon is “disgusting and reprehensible” as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said of the Innocence of Muslims?  Or, would they simply denounce the acts, without trying to persuade people from offending Mormons?

By surrendering freedom of speech and expression to angry mobs, terrorist or misguided individuals, who might be considered on fringe, are we only encouraging others to come forth?  When such groups see that expressing opinions on certain issues is forbidden, for fear of reprisal, are others not encouraged to take the same actions to suppress criticism, slander, offense and to the causes, beliefs or traditions they hold dear and sacred?