The Arsenal at Springfield By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

This is the Arsenal. From floor to ceiling, Like a huge organ, rise the burnished arms; But from their silent pipes no anthem pealing Startles the villages with strange alarms. Ah! what a sound will rise, how wild and dreary, When the death-angel touches those swift keys! What loud lament and dismal Miserere Will mingle […]

Passive acceptance of surveillance is the greatest threat to Internet freedom

Preserving privacy, democracy and freedom of speech are the big issues, if only we can see through the distracting murk that governments use to obscure that fact. The uncomfortable balance between the ruling elite and the governed is and always has been contentious and subject to periodic revision and upheaval.  This is an issue for […]

Graveside Verse for Combative Pacifists

Bobby’s learned to serve his cause And Ahmed’s taught the same His stone is just a different shape and bears a different name The flag, the pomp, the smart salute are stratagems that try to say that in this noble cause It’s honorable to die But buying into this deceit perpetuates the lie For warlords, […]

Aikido Etiquette

Aikido Etiquette The master who’d prefer we know His wisdom than his reputation Might well abjure this cloying show Of mandatory adulation      

Snowden Limericks

Snowden Limericks The Oath All government employees are required to vow to uphold the Constitution of the United States, the fourth amendment of which reads: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but […]