If there were a checklist in the handbook I’m sure that writing a Manifesto would be right up there near the top. There’s no telling the time or place of one’s departure (or of whose choosing , for that matter ) and none of us want to leave “Intestate” ( i.e. without some last rant and testament ) so here goes .
Item #1 . It’s both unwise and a waste of time and material to blow up bad guys ( if you could even know with any certainty who they all were ). Yes , I know ( as do we all ) that the temptation is great , especially right after reading each morning’s news feed . [ Side note : isn’t that just a great word to describe news , as ” feed ” ? ] But , getting back to my point , don’t foreget that the time , effort , and expense of clearing away evil-doers would have to be proportionately large , and I don’t think there’s enough lethal material in the world ( barring the long range nuclear stuff that they won’t let me play with for some reason ) to make a significant dent in the world’s supply of completely pathological assholes . Talk about a renewable resource !
[ Side Note , The Second : given the impractical size and complete futility of such a project , it amazes me how many would-be saviors of mankind keep trying so hard . Oh , well . “Hope springs eternal ,” etc. ]
So , if physical removal is off the table , what other ways might there be to set things straight around here ?
My favorites are tolerance and minding one’s own business , but have to acknowledge that both of those are way too radical even for a Manifesto , so let’s just scratch ’em and get back to more reasonably attainable possibilities.
Here’s one : Understanding .
That’s a tall first step , I know , but since steps of any height can be reduced to much smaller steps ( as small as one can comfortably handle , if need be ) I’m going to stick with it.
Done ! That sure feels better. Manifesto completed . It’s always good to get a big item checked off the list .
And remember , despite the fact that understanding is a pretty tough assignment it is very flexible time and circumstances wise . You can do it alone or in groups ; while drinking beer with friends or all alone at night by the fire ( or air conditioner , as the case may be .) You can do part of it now , put it aside until later and then pick it back up again right where you left off . Understanding things requires very few specialized tools ( although books and mentors sure come in handy if you got ’em ) and in a pinch you can do it bare naked in the wilderness with nothing except your brain , completely solo .
Understanding .
Good , well rounded manifesto , even if I do say so myself , and so far as I know it’s only got one down-side : the Quiz at the end can be a real bitch .
D. Benton Smith 