My thoughts on the BP oil spill.

I friended artist Richard Thomas Scott on Facebook, I like his work. In a relevant link on his wall, I had this to say, which I realized is pretty much all I have to say on the matter.

The only possible good that can come from this corporate blunder is a re-evaluation by the US supreme court of their recent decision to grant equal rights to corporations as individuals.

An individual would obviously have sole blame, have criminal charges against him, undergo sentencing and do time. Yet how can a corporation be immune to due punitive process, while retaining the same benefits?

The US congressional hearing from BP corporate is a joke. Its a show of the political establishment to make a display of outrage under the pretense of representing the people, a show to please an angry mob. They're in fact powerless to do anything about what's been done.

Artists Discover Facebook

Interesting phenomenon - Facebook and current figurative artists I admire.

Being more in touch with the 'inter-webs' than the average devoted painter, I've had Facebook for over a year. I spent hours looking for them and when I couldn't find anyone, I felt sure that we're all alone. I thought that we were all "stars" but very far away from one another, like wizards locked away in our precious little towers, too busy to give a damn about forging any kind of online community with similar artistic or intellectual interests.

That might still be true for the most part, but some of them DID join FB and I've recently "friended" a number of them. Odd Nerdgrum has been doing a portrait contest of women as subjects, a very proactive thing to do for the artist community. I've seen some very good art that way. Eric Fishl has had a few interesting discussions in his wall. Vincent Desiderio, as expected, is ever the hermit. I sent him a "hello" message with a good quote from Crowley on Art. Lisa said it was too long, and she's probably right, but the guy is busy and I don't blame him if he doesn't really pay any mind, I probably would do the same.

Sometimes I think I try to connect with other artists for myself, regardless if I'm noticed. I feel that it connects me to a greater web, my Will tapping into that net making my consciousness part of it. It reinforces the notion that I stand amongst them as an equal, and my momentary obscurity has no bearing on the execution of my vision.

Its also fascinating to see myself as a link between the art and the occult community as my online network widens.

Kahlil Gibran on Death

Interesting little piece of treasure I found lurking Topix.com JW's message board. I think this guy is really well on his path away from that religious poison of the past.

I especially had to make note of this poem, it may come in handy fro my project.

Grandpasmurf952

While I never had the good fortune to meet Ray Franz personally I would like to share this poem with those who were encouraged by Ray Franz in their struggle to be free as I think it is one he would have enjoyed once free of the organization.

On Death by
Kahlil Gibran

"You would know the secret of death.
But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?
The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.
For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.

In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.
Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honour.
Is the shepherd not joyful beneath his trembling, that he shall wear the mark of the king?
Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?

For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?

Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.