I’ll start with a simple confession, the works I’m about to
begin to share with you are not entirely out of altruism. While I do seek in this forum to make a
series of serious contributions to debates in what I see as the key issues of
our time, the real reward for me personally is not in who reads that which follows
or embraces the subjects discussed; rather, my
main motivation for both starting and creating this blog stems from a
deep, driving desire to learn. I have an
insatiable appetite for information, a natural flair for research, an affection
for serious speakers and an earnest appreciation for critical thought. In short, I love learning.
However, that is not say that I don't hope that by reading these postings I can provide you with the inspiration and
energy to get involved with these issues yourself – whether intellectually,
physically, financially, spiritually, or all of the above. Ultimately, I would like for this blog to
invite discussion and, hopefully, action. If I do my job well, by the end of our journey
together you will become as interested and passionate about the pursuit of
knowledge and truth in these areas of human concern as I am. To that end, my
promise to you is that in the postings that follow I will impart a cornucopia
of knowledge on matters and events that are worthy of not only your time and attention,
but your commitment and most sincere regard.
And, yet, although I am someone who is very much engaged in
these issues and who actively seeks to remain fully apprised and informed, I am
also quick to concede that my own knowledge and understanding is far from
complete. In fact, I’m not the world’s leading authority or even a noted expert on any
of the topics that are to follow but I am someone who has taken the time and effort to read
through and analyze the publications of those who are. I know that makes me, at best, a very diligent student
and an imperfect practitioner of the remedies and solutions that have been
developed by others. Nonetheless, I’m
sure that my opinions will often come across as objective proofs. This has much to do with both my personality
generally and my profession more particularly. As a lawyer I’m accustomed to operating in a role of pure advocacy,
where the goal is of course to “win the argument”; however, where inquiry and
advocacy are combined – such as in the present forum – the goal is no longer to
“win the argument” but to find the best argument. Accordingly, I like to say that my opinions herein
are strongly stated and loosely held – strongly stated in order that my points
are clear and lucid but loosely held so that new facts and persuasive arguments
of others can get at them and change them where necessary. Thus, what I offer
you is a rough draft for raising awareness and disseminating information about the
issues of our age. It is designed to encourage others to make better drafts. If
it does that, it has served its purpose. In this instance, it could be said that the map is far less important than the
compass.
The above should not, however, be taken to infer that my arguments
are anything less than balanced and fully researched, it is only to say that I’m
not so arrogant as to ignore other positions (provided they are informed and presented
in accordance with the same standards for critical thought and discussion). I myself am beholden to no institution or title and I
am wary of people who are incapable of seeing virtues in arguments for
differing or opposing viewpoints. My
thoughts are guided solely by a life that I have dedicated to the pursuit of
truth. Therefore, I will not subjugate my
understanding or prostitute either my tongue or my pen to any cause or
ideology. More specifically, I do not believe that the
solutions for society are going to come from the Left or the Right or the North
or the South but, rather, from the grassroots of society – that is, people who feel
compelled to do something and I sincerely doubt that this urge from within them (as with myself) will have much, if anything, to do with
their political leanings or their particular location on this planet.
Nevertheless, these writings do have an overtly political
purpose. They aim to encourage you to not
only change the way that you live but also to get engaged, involved and active
in forcing our government and corporations to make such changes easier for us all. In this respect, my intention is to make each
blog entry a comprehensive and freestanding essay on particular issues deserving
of your consideration. I will speak to
many fundamental and global issues in this process, not because my interests
are scattered and varied (which they are) but, rather, because I see all of these
issues as intimately related to one another. More, it is my hope and expectation that as
you read along they will help you to see these interconnections for yourself. In this way, these writings will serve to bridge the gaps that permeate our understanding by
discussing issues pertaining to social justice and then seeking to connect-the-dots
that are related to human rights, environmental degradation and larger deficits
that exist in democracy.
Lastly, this blog is being written to be read and, so, I
will be keeping it clear of footnotes and the usual grim apparatus of academic
scholarship; essentially, I have tried to write something that you will enjoy
reading. Don’t let that lead you to conclude that what I have to say
is just a load of froth. My felicity to
the facts will be both assured and certified. Underpinning each of these postings you will
find a listing of the academic sources that were relied upon. Yet, I will not be supplying you with a full
citation including pagination or paragraphs as schooling has made you
accustomed. The reason for this is
not only to keep the entries clean and readable but also in order to leave it
to your individual curiousity to regard the whole of the author’s work - just as
I have. See, I want us to get away from our
facile understanding of people, things and events and to learn to study the
whole. Equally, don’t regard what I have to say because I list a plethora of sources, spout off an
endless blast of ‘factoids’ or write
with a modest dose of eloquence, regard it because you seek to expand your own
understanding and to contribute to the dialogue in a way that expands mine and others.
In short, you will find that this blog is for everyone who wants a better understanding
of the world around them. It is for everyone who wants a better life and a
better world, and who is looking for the practical tools to realize these
goals. This is true whether you are
someone who is struggling to make ends meet or striving to be a master of the
universe. That is, no matter your present position, status or title, I believe that the material found on this site will be relevant to
not only you but to your family and your future. It is intended for all those who harbour an honest appreciation and desire for the truth: discovering it, sourcing it and sharing it.Now, together, let us take this first step.
Suggestions for
Topics Moving Forward are Welcome:
What would you like to learn about in the next year? In the next week?
Today?
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