Dear David,

"The Pen is Mightier Than The Sword",
Kevin Gilbert.

" The pen is mightier than the sword
but only when
it sows the seeds of thought
in minds of men
to kindle love and grow
through the burnt page
destroyed by huns and vandals in their rage

The sword in russet hues lies mouldering
its sharp and shiny edge now dulled by peace
and blood lust sated between customers
like some old time worn harried whore
well past her prime
awaiting some brute hand to wield her hate

The bugler sounds, the drummer sounds his beat
bright swords refurbished tilt to marching feet
gay ribands, uniforms and epaulets
entrap the eye, the soul till madness sway
them to the dance of death the piper plays

The pens in great tragedienne lines extol
the meritorious lie, the grand excuse
justification for this carnivore
called man who can't evolve in his estate
clothed and fed, his universities
and halls of learning yet avail him nought
the jungle beats enact the same stage plays
one kind, one king, one death the same
in duty and in worship all the same
differing nought for death wears the same cloak
regardless of technology or sport

Kevin Gilbert seems to be asking what effect does
the written word have in the long term?

The poet indicates that perhaps the predatory carnivorous
"jungle beast" cannot change his evolutionary and
predictable patterns of living and death.

This poem to me, came as a surprise. I had expected from
Kevin Gilbert poetry that would reflect the Aboriginal
people, something compassionate, dignified, simple,
peaceful. This poem is written by a
poet, who "happened" to be Aboriginal.
Gilbert was a poet who was passionate in his
concern for humanity.

This is a poem written by a poet who feels that the essence of
the war question must be tested against the most primary
of impulses, species and race survival. Kevin Gilbert, in this
poem shows us not only his poetic intensity, but also that
he has an ear for different rhythms and registers of
language. So much for stereotypes.

Dear ALTRAV,

You are a human being, and I don’t know the influences you had in your life. I can sit in judgment on you but don’t that I am any better although I am think I am. However, maybe something can be gained in continuing.

I agree completely with Foxy’s and Banjo’s views of your posts. Where I differ with them is that I have a broader view of free speech and do not believe that all conflicts can be resolved by law. I don't trust governments to either define hate speech or decide who should be charged under such laws. In my view the banning of speech, noxious though it may be, does little or nothing to protect us. It drives the speaker elsewhere to spread his poison, and, in my judgment, you are spreading poison. However, if you don’t engage in personal attacks, use vile language or become too intemperate Graham Young is not going to ban you from olo. In my view attempts to end prejudice and hatred by citing the Holocaust are also futile. In fact I think we will have hatred and prejudice whatever we do. It is probably futile for me to try to reach you as I think you are deep in a world of fantasy which you think is real. However, you are a human being and had a mother.

Your description of the Illuminati as a bunch of evil Jews getting together to control the world is fairly standard territory to Jew haters. I never heard of a bunch of Episcopalians or vegetarians getting together for evil. You even asked me to join you in the condemnation of this mythical group. Please read the following. It contains the story of the use of a fabricated document to further hatred of Jews.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Protocols_of_the_Elders_of_Zion

Dear David,

Gilbert's poem suggests that perhaps the "soldier"
image can never change. Especially effective was his use
of old-poeticisms such as, "gay ribands", "nought",
"epulets", "avail", "russet hue", "harried whore", and
so on, giving the poem greater vividness and adding to
the atmosphere of the "old world" - those of plumes,
pens, and swords, as given in the title of the poem.

I think that education and knowledge is key in order to
disperse old stereotypes. The more we learn about each
other, the more hopefully we will realize there is more
that unites us than divides us.

Foxy said - "There is more that unites us than divides us."

Answer- Say that when someone attacks you or those you care about

Canem Malum,

My family has had its fair share of attacks.
Yet they have always managed to rise above them
without compromising their principles, beliefs,
and values. I guess it all depends on your values
and how you were raised.

cont'd ...

Canem Malum,

Lord, Grant us the serenity
To accept abusive people the way they are
Courage to maintain our self-control
And wisdom
To know that if we act on it
We will go to jail or in this case -
Be banned from the forum.