The More Things Change...

The More They Stay The Same! This week's news stories are proving that theory truer than ever! I didn't pay much attention because I was too young, but when John Lennon, music lyricist, poet and activist, was assissinated on December 8, 1980, I remember it being a big deal. I remember too that the arms race between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. was another big deal because of Sting's Russian's lyrics. Then, when I was 16, unsure of my political persuasions and too nieve to know better (still guilty of that) I sided with the sweet, innocent-looking, boyish-charm of Oliver North. This week, North Korea test fired a missile into the Sea of Japan, political protests gathered in NYC at the UN, and Sting released a wonderful collection of music used in movie soundtracks - many being political. Ironic? I would say not. It's all cyclical, not cynical, but cyclical. The mantra - "what comes around, goes around" is true and as much as I want to beleive in the political process, economic growth for all, and society to be ever-evolving, it's not and it won't ever. Last Sunday, several busloads of locals from the Bethelehem area gathered in NYC for the March and Rally to Demand Global Disarmament at UN headquarters. 40,000 protesters, including some neighborhoods of mine from the Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace (BNP) formed part of the peace symbol in Central Park. It really was incredible if you saw the aerial shot in the paper. The BNP is an organization of concerned members working for peace through diplomatic solutions, believing war is NOT the answer and voicing dissent with the Iraq war and other agendas. Of course, I beleive all that to be good, wholesome and ethical constructive but productive? Hhmmmm... I read Mother Jones, recycle, and avoid shopping at Walmart as best as I can, but does it help? Does anything ever really help? May marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month and the National Alliance of Mentally Ill will again be pushing for the passing of the Mental Health Insurance Parity Bill. With almost 25% of our population suffering from some form of M.I., Parity is so important in preventing deaths and yet NY is not among the 19 states that have passed it. Even with major advocacy, it's not likely they ever will. Ok, Ok, I AM A CYNIC, --- I strayed away from that in 2004 but the cyclical tide is sweeping me back into the deep, after all, the more things change, the more they stay the same!