Agreement

I really like how you spoke throughout this whole piece, respectful, yet authoritive, in the presence of a worldwide crowd you made your case well, with dignity and compassion. Your friend, Mark

Smiles:) Barbara If being satisfied with just substance was enough for those controlling the system, We would be better off.

Ah yes, everyone has an opinion and you stated your's quite well.

For someone who does not believe in "original sin or the Christian God" you sure go on the offensive alot, why does a ficticous God bother you so much, consume you, breed anger in you,If I do not believe in something I simply pay it no mind. You seem to have a brick at the ready 24/7 for a God you say does not exist, if he does not, set the brick down my friend. You did so well keeping it couragle in the write, comments getting a bit heated. Your friend, Mark

Will not banter with you about religon.This site is for poetry,and our development and growth in it. Argument about religion would serve no purpose here!

really enjoyed your poem and agreed with most of it.. except for the greed part... although most of the human race are no more than sheep doing what they are told and believing all they are taught, there are some of us that stand alone.. the power hungry dicks that control most of the wealth in this world would have us believe there is nothing we can do, but like you, I believe there is enough for everyone here.. the problem is taking control from the very greedy.. because I do believe we, and all life forms, are ultimitly greedy.. if it came down to your neighbor or you... who would you choose? that is the only thing I disagree with because even if we took control of all the resources.. who would we put in charge.. and how to keep them from getting too greedy... very interesting poem.. thoughtful and enjoyed the comments.. this poem and comments took me way out there.. sorry for rambling.. Richard

Perhaps they would turn their strip mining to people.. or is that already happening.. to be silent is to condone such action. In ink, Dabbler

Who disagrees? Power junkys of course. How do they persuade us? By making us believe in greed. Though I won’t attack a particular creed, original sin’s a nasty thought indeed. Perpetuated on all who believe that we are greedy. This verse really hit home. Power is the route of most of the evils of this world IMHO and I do agree with your statement here about making us believe in greed. I am not convinced that everyone succumbs though - especially here where I live (in a rural village) we are not so caught in the ratrace/destructive spiral and values are a little different. Like moonman I like to think I can and do where possible stand up to the power junkies - albeit through poetry or the job I do. This is very very well thought out Jess - as always you made me think and thats why I love your poetry. Do we do enough? Hmm I am not so sure Thanks my friend for giving me something to really think about this morning. Kaz It's impossible to smile on the outside without feeling better on the inside.

Jess My thoughts are this, God forbid that we should allow, if given the choice for religion to take centre stage once again, although powerful and still very influential, they don't dictate, and control as once they did, But there are extremists, who would love to have that return, Man by nature is materialistic; success is so often expressed in the acumination of wealth, there’s a big difference between the guy that works hard to amass his little empire, and corporate’s that have destroyed peoples way of life, taking away choice and individuality, Look at the food chains, days by day quality gives way to mass produce, growers being Ostracized, being squeezed out of business, then dictatorship steps in, voices of individuals scrummed, to back door dealing indorsed by local and central government. It takes a brave man to stand in his beliefs, so on this note I applaud your writing and taking a stand in your belief’s, Sadly a lot of people state that they aren’t sheep, but like most do nothing, and end Up following, Very Best Regards Peter ~~~~~~~~~Creativity Is to think more efficiently~~~~~~~~~~

I think you are confused, God (lower case denotes satan) does not cause suffering, it is the love of worldly things and thus I agree that the rich are not following the teaching. The teaching is to share. Most Christian religions are now the people that are there when disaster strikes. When the government shows up that is the military. A whole different ball game. But satan roams the earth seeking those he can devour by tempting them with greed, lust, and power and money. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.(Luke 18:25).I am sorry, but I had to comment to make sure the truth of this matter is revealed. Are corporations corrupt YES. Are all people corrupt Not all. And even if a country seems corrupt, there are people in that country that care for their fellow man. All in all, I liked the poems idea and I appreciate the theme. All the disaster in the world comes from sin. And all the rich corporations or any countries who contribute to waste will answer for their part. There is enough to go around, but there is waste. On that point I agree, but as Janice said this is not a debate site and I am sorry to add to it. Hollywood is not America. May I suggest you find a debate site to go to.I think you might enjoy it. Hope you take this in the right way. I did think this was one of your better poems, I see plenty of anger at the injustice in this world, that gets to me too. One last point I would like to get off my chest. All this talk of taking drugs and suicide disturbs me. There are so many people who have cancer, heart problems, etc and they want to live for their children who need them, if you don't like your life would you share and give it to them? You see my daughter has cancer and has two children 8 and 12 and who knows how long she will be in remission? Patty

I love people who stir lifes general purpose A guy called Paul long ago did this and got be-headed but if it wasnt for him "selling" a concept "Christianity" may have not become prominent as quickly as it did And in time there were others whom thought they would set up systems that could possibly last a few years but failed after twelve and something called Divine Wind was swallowed up by fire and B-29 bombers dropping incendiaries on cities made of wood and paper flown by young men who believed in the right to bear arms and believed in God Apple Pie and America (and at that time Brand Names) Most of production was still not yet done with complete synthesization and reliance on slave labour by mostly foreign trade was acceptable I cannot afford to buy a hundred dollar pair of shoes made in this country I would love to own Lands End clothes they last forever NOT like the child produced items by people who may not even have faith in a God like we understand My ten dollar sweater fell apart in less then five months and my ten dollar shoes were trash in a seasons turning we only seem to create wars that last forever and ideals that say we must own brand name including brand name GOD what if I believed in Muhummad?? or chose to and was writing my poems to him what if I believe in the Creator Forgiveness when I die all i can afford is a cardboard box and theres nothing like a good Weyerhauser box but I'll probably get an easily affordable Wal-Smart made by someone getting nickels by the hour and burning incense who may even not even believe in the God of this North American War machine I bet my chariot when it comes for me will be a gas moped with side car and St Peter while be a Syllabic assexual being and if all else fails shovelling coal for the furnaces of hell can be my work (there must be lots of this going on because the world is heating up a lot lately) Mr Weirdelf my freind I greatly enjoy your opinion and poems and I too have included my Sunday comment to you and I even know who Chomsky is

My mom died of cancer her mother died of cancer a lot of freinds passed and yes drugs and addictions suicides are consuming people like the spread of disease like the pain of cancer but I've seen miracles they walk amongst me here and in these poems here on this site helpful critical and controversial I have read shinning examples of hope faith and good will in all acts of desperation and gratitude of plenty and its the openess of this site in which we can create craft and converge what is in us what stirs us convects our souls the troubles too its what makes Poetry what it is the voice of others to be lent extolling reaching cursing sometimes questioning believing even I believe in Neopoet for the moment its my chemotherapy for all dark places within anyway just my thoughts Ive gone on too much Love the reaction Weirdelf has stirred creative concoctivity

No Jess, your poetry was not the highlight here, but the power of your words and the valiant and compassionate, warrior heart behind them is. Your words caused us all to think and made our souls stir within. You've done your job writer, made us SEE until we puked or rebuked; cried or sighed; rejoiced or voiced. Agree or disagree, all certainly were touched. Great write,THANK YOU Yours, Fran

Mel Inwood I got so caught up in the comments that followed I forgot what the Poem was about... (scrolls back up to read it again...) To me, it is about being greatful for what we have in life, and not get swept up into the crazy power driven world. There's alot of greedy people out there... I am not materialistic.I am greatful for everything in my life...especially the love of my boys..my family and closest friends. That's what your poem meant to me?? Straight to the point! Mel

What can I say that's not hypocritical? we are good enough now if we choose to be God, I hope so.

the last two lines made me sweat, I see what you mean. it made me think and open my eyes. great poem, I now will no longer ask for forgivness but earn it. thanks for the poem wierdelf ed

Mr. Americana, Mr. Patriotic, Mr. I Love America... I applaud you, I love this damned country myself. Your last stanza gave it the hit and power I expected to get from you work. I'm not one to write about politicking or such, i'm impartial--and leave it to votes and praying, I am your humble PadWan, great piece. The world would be a better place if we lived by our means, and live not as wastrels in pools of cologned fitness water... ~Pfluffer~