Note: This is an archived site. All articles and sections were written for specific audiences, for particular purposes. Without the proper context, a given piece can be puzzling or off-putting. Please only read what is directly recommended to you. What’s below is UNEDITED.

FUZZY WUZZY IS UNBEARABLE
Dedicated to scuzzy poetry and (heart)beats designed to realign our primary priorities
by Richard Martin Oxman

“Let me read you a few excerpts from The Violent Bear It Away, Richard.” — Georgia’s Flannery O’Connor to the author at her beloved Andalusia

“This isn’t my opinion, son. Y’know how Doug, our neighbor, is such a good carpenter? Y’know how he knows all about what wood to use, how to bang something together? Well, as you know, I can’t do any of that, I’m horrible with my hands. That’s one reason we’re so lucky to have mom with us. But… while Doug was learning and doing all that practical stuff, I was checking out what’s going on out there… where murder is committed in our name with our dollars… from information provided by sweet people who risked their lives to get it to me, who don’t get any health benefits, have no career to speak of. The point is that I know what I’m talking about, and the bottom line crap that’s unbearable to me I don’t give over heartbeats to for talk talk. I’m way past the point of being interested in debate. I am only interested in walk talk. What I’m trying to do right this moment with STS9.” — the author to his ten-year-old son, about the same age he was when Flannery O’Connor broke her heart open to him….

Kipling’s Fuzzy-Wuzzy is hard to take, with its racist, pro-war blah blah. Its 21st-century equivalents are too, of course. But the fuzzy wuzziness of the blather which passes as legit activist talk is unbearable. It’s much too much fuzzy wuzzy for my taste. Too “fuzzy wuzzy” to contribute to meaningful, lasting change with regard to war, the environment, etc. It fudges, or is cloudy, in terms of proposals for action. [Obsolete models for action are all that I see.] And the talk is doing terrible, irreparable damage to the world, by virtue of squandering the clear (last?) opportunity we have to stop our horrid momentum, because it is wasting precious heartbeats with action that goes nowhere.

When activists — no matter how well-educated, experienced and well-meaning they are — conduct meetings, give speeches, write articles and books, create films, or attend conferences and summits… they are bashing their heads against the wall… with bootless cries to the drained capacities of their audiences. Yes, they make moral indignation resonate in some. But they are planting seeds which will not bloom in time. Contrary to articles which appear regularly in alternative media outlets, as things stand there is nothing on the left-oriented horizon to suggest that direct action or anything else being planned will bear sufficient fruit soon enough.

To understand what I mean by “soon enough” (from one of a thousand examples I could give from the top of my head), check out the first two paragraphs of Missy Beattie’s http://www.counterpunch.org/beattie08132010.html. Good old Missy. On the mark, once again. Spot-on sister!

Then, heartbeats permitting (THIS IS ALL ABOUT HEARTBEATS!), check out the links below to fortify yourself, paying special attention to the video of that former woman soldier in a wheelchair (without legs), speaking insanely as an apologist for the failure of her personal mission. Yes, she speaks as if she’s out of her mind, as far as I’m concerned, when she cites “the improvement” that’s taken place. But she’s no more out of it than the general U.S. public, which is suffering from Ostrich Syndrome with regard to all of the horror we are inflicting on others and ourselves.

Excerpt from my personal stash of links with some notes:

http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread570054/pg1
6000 SUICIDES/2010 MILITARY
http://afpakwar.com/blog/archives/6485 32/June, 21 active, 11 Nat’l Guard/Reserves
http://www.counterpunch.org/rosenberg04132009.html & http://www.counterpunch.org/rosenberg08032010.html ROLE OF DRUGS IN SUICIDES. Man, so much violence in our society is connected to our abominations overseas and unnecessary horror imposed on citizens domestically.

It… is… unbearable. But I have a plan for action that will deal with the whole kit and kaboodle. I just need enthusiastic, open contact from you, reader, to get started with something fresh that’ll be effective. Give me a ring at any hour at 831-688-8038 in Santa Cruz County, California. Or email me at tosca.2010@yahoo.com.

Give me your heartbeats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

While the music plays… some might want to glance at an excerpt from an email today to an activist with great heart:

ALL of the high profile figures who speak necessary truths, who devote countless heartbeats… should be applauded and supported for showing up. But, clearly, something additional must be done. And that has something to do with people acknowledging that their lifestyle has to change, that their daily routines have to be altered significantly… just as they would have to be if we were all being bombarded by the military from another country. People capable of understanding that need to be gathered together, not necessarily in person, but in solidarity… to build up that group. And to increase numbers NOT by the usual means. 24×8, no holidays… just like the case would be if we were being bombarded. Which we are, except it’s not with bombs, as you know, and from sources within our own borders, as you know. I’m not talking about preaching to the choir. I’m talking about creating a new choir with a new purpose. Love Ox