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In Loving Memory of Frank Herbert
Frank Herbert was a genius. Most of you know his writings from the Dune books, but he wrote many novels that to this day are unequaled. What I loved most was that he had a unique technique of writing a little parable, or verse, before each chapter which captured the essence of the chapter but which also was so profound that it left the reader’s brain whirling in contemplation.
Recently, while saying ‘hello’ to some old friends from my library, I happened upon a little known novel of Herbert’s called, The Dosadi Experiment that was written in the early seventies. I began to read these little italicized blurbs throughout the book and was amazed at how that even today they hold true. It was as if he were speaking from the grave, forecasting, if you will, about a future he never saw or lived in, yet somehow knew would eventually come about.
I’d like to share some of them with you and let you be the judge of their pertinence in today’s society. I hope you find them as insightful and moving as I do.
I’m not ‘big’ on Rap music and think that its lyrics are destroying the moral of our youth. So, this pretty much says it all for me.
The music of a civilization has far-reaching consequences on consciousness and, thus, influences the basic nature of a society. Music and its rhythms divert and compel the awareness, describing the limits, within which a consciousness, thus fascinated, may operate. Control the music, then, and you own a powerful tool with which to shape the society.
This one hit home with me in regards to our new president’s push for Universal Health Care and how the system needs to be fixed.
If you think of yourselves as helpless and needy, it is certain that you will create a despotic government to be your master. The wise despot, therefore, maintains among his subjects a popular belief that they are helpless and in need.
I believe it is no secret that I don’t think too highly of politicians, but this one I thought really rocked.
If you are plagued by a corrupt government which promotes unlawful and/ or immoral behavior, public interest has no practical significance; because in the guise of public service, politicians use whatever comes to hand for personal gain. They are insane for and with power.
And Herbert always put up his warning signs.
The more control, the more that requires control. This is the road to chaos.
And…
Every government is run by liars and nothing they say should be believed.
His views on lawyers and justice, even today, are, again, very profound.
No legal system can maintain justice unless every participant—magisters, prosecutors, defendants, witnesses, all—risks life itself in whatever dispute comes before the bar. Everything must be risked! If any element remains outside the contest and without personal risk, justice inevitably fails.
And these next few I thought so appropriate considering the new enemy we face in the world today.
There are some forms of insanity which, driven to an ultimate expression, can become the new models of sanity.
The attack by those who want to die—this is the attack against which you cannot prepare a perfect defense.
But he was also uplifting in his comments, and seemed to stand for everything that is ‘good and right’ in a human being.
To stand alone against all adversity is the most sacred moment of existence.
May you all stand against adversity for it is our time to stand.
Until next time,
billwilcox
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The Grand Adventure
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A girl's home should be her sanctuary; her parents should be her protectors.
#1534223 by Shannon  |
Excerpt: "You've been a bad girl, Jen. Very bad." He walked too close to the edge. The dock pitched violently to the left, and she stumbled precariously before righting herself. "What do you think happens to bad girls, huh? I think maybe I need to take you over my knee and paddle that little behind of yours. That's what I think."
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#1563227 by Not Available. |
Excerpt: Jonas raised his gun again and aimed it at the eyes, but that thing just flashed out at him. I didn't even really see it happen, it was just a blur and then Jonas was screaming. I went to help him and the thing whipped around and back-handed me. I must have blacked out a little, cuz next thing I knew, I was looking up at the stars and the thing was back to working on Jonas.
Excerpt: When Michael Misra was exactly nineteen years fifty-nine days old, he discovered his problem. He was reading a book on psychoses, his favorite topic, and sitting upside down on his bed. This particular chapter contrasted psychopathy, which Michael was sure he did not have, with sociopathy, which Michael was sure he did. Michael really liked the word 'sociopathy.' He remarked on this to the ugly blonde girl seated in his desk chair, her nose buried in the same psychology text. She was a nice girl, so far as girls went, and he had befriended her on the first day of lecture. She was not a psychology major, and in fact, she had a great deal of trouble remembering simple things like the parts of a neuron or Maslow's Hierarchy. She did, however, have a roommate who agreed that the word 'sociopathy' was very pleasant on the tongue. This is not why he killed her.
Excerpt: Eventually he moved his bed down into the front room and cleared everything else out, except for the TV, the recorder, his paints and his brushes. Blue, Green and Turquoise dominated his paintings. He painted the walls, rolled up the carpet and painted the floor. His clothes were covered in paint and even his tangled hair had been splattered. None of this concerned him. Images of hands and fingers, clenched, pointing and grasping began to emerge. On the floor he painted an enormous open palmed hand with long bony fingers and blackened fingernails.
Excerpt: Love actually is like a mystic river: a step into a realm of the unknown; a little monster waiting for you just around the bend; a killer of the heart and soul that has somehow, through the ages, been taken totally out of context and lost in translation. We revel in love -- can think of nothing else. Just as I did. Just as you have, or will, in the near future. But mark my words, love is out to get you -- love wants revenge. I tell you this now, because in a very short while, I will not be around to tell you anything ever again.
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JACE - House Targaryen 
Submitted Comment:
Dang, Bill, you and I must have been on the SAME vacation. I could swear that same thing happened to me ... at least once, or ten times over the past 30 years. And I always thought it was just me.
I must admit I see things now more with a writer's eye when such adversity strikes me. I write about them, though most of them will never see the light of day. Great newsletter.
-Jace
dragon17
Submitted Comment:
Too true, too true, I know exactly what you mean. 
monty31802
Submitted Comment:
Very interesting newsletter Bill. Sometimes we just talk to much LOL...
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Action/Adventure: July 29, 2009 Issue [#3183]
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