...and more to be learnt.
"Honesty is the willingness to accept and acknowledge the value of a point or argument,
no matter who brings it to the table, even if that affirmation has the possibility of destroying
my own previous stand."
Subodh K Pandit
WHEN A BOY, I WAS TOLD THAT THE LIKES OF COMICS WOULD SPOIL OR REMOVE MY
DESIRE FOR GOOD MATERIAL, AND SO IT IS WITH MUCH RUBBISH SEEN AND READ TODAY,
WHICH, TENDER YOUNG HEADS IS SEEN TO FILL, AND OH, THE DAMAGE ALL THAT FANTASY
AND FICTION DOES, THE TASTES OF MANY SOON CORRUPTED, AND HENCE HOW A LOT OF
UPLIFTING AND EDUCATIONAL LEARNING IS HAMPERED AND INTERRUPTED.
STAGE, SCREEN, CONCERT AND A LITTLE MORE.
Any poems on this page are part and parcel of an article, or are treated as if an article.
And remembering:
"What the masses are fed, they eventually become, and how unwittingly they're led, and mischief is done."
The poet, author
"When we evade the truth about ourselves, we reveal the truth about ourselves."
The poet, author
"Drama is why most people spend their lives staring at an addictive screen and bowing
before the altar of trivia, violence, corruption and manipulation."
The poet, author
no matter who brings it to the table, even if that affirmation has the possibility of destroying
my own previous stand."
Subodh K Pandit
WHEN A BOY, I WAS TOLD THAT THE LIKES OF COMICS WOULD SPOIL OR REMOVE MY
DESIRE FOR GOOD MATERIAL, AND SO IT IS WITH MUCH RUBBISH SEEN AND READ TODAY,
WHICH, TENDER YOUNG HEADS IS SEEN TO FILL, AND OH, THE DAMAGE ALL THAT FANTASY
AND FICTION DOES, THE TASTES OF MANY SOON CORRUPTED, AND HENCE HOW A LOT OF
UPLIFTING AND EDUCATIONAL LEARNING IS HAMPERED AND INTERRUPTED.
STAGE, SCREEN, CONCERT AND A LITTLE MORE.
Any poems on this page are part and parcel of an article, or are treated as if an article.And remembering:
"What the masses are fed, they eventually become, and how unwittingly they're led, and mischief is done."
The poet, author
"When we evade the truth about ourselves, we reveal the truth about ourselves."
The poet, author
"Drama is why most people spend their lives staring at an addictive screen and bowing
before the altar of trivia, violence, corruption and manipulation."
The poet, author
1.
Stage
The Superficiality Of The Limelight
So many seek the limelight — stardom — some inner need oft propelling, and so
They vie for the stage and circuit, their talent or perceived talent on show.
And success stroking their ego, fulfilling their desire for attention,
And so much more about the artificialness of it all, one could mention.
Without it, they’re lost in the sea of faces again, back to reality,
Something that we all need to learn to live with, and not that world of fantasy,
’Cause we’re not meant to live on applause, such nothing but a shallow high, and why
It acts like a drug, and hence that constant fix — or downer, when things go awry.
Yes, it’s really only as good as the moment, or while it lasts, and therefore,
Such not taking care of the real need within, where self doubts continue to gnaw.
Though even where there’s no inner demon propelling, its still a hollow scene
Where only self-esteem’s boosted (and not self worth), yet on such, heavily they lean.
These entertainers are no better than you and I, it just an image thing,
Many in the street just as talented, or more — and hey, what does stardom bring?
A light that’s easily switched off, fickle fans and other things oft dictating,
And in the wings, after that best before date that’s too oft pushed, others waiting.
By Lance Landall
Reality's Not Far Away
Don’t get too caught up on fame and fortune, ’cause reality’s not far away,
One reduced to that same operating table where some surgeon has the say.
Most facing such somewhere along the line, fame and fortune losing out to fate,
That diagnosis that can change everything, or that even comes too late.
“Leave your pride at the door,” it’s said come operations, and hospital stays too,
And certain cruel diseases stripping pride further, others attending to you.
Mister Sophisticated suddenly as helpless as a child, in pain too,
Fairytale castles and the likes meaning nothing, friends deserting you thought true.
Yes, fame and fortune attract, but once the limelight’s gone, that attraction’s gone too,
Lame or scarred ducks left swimming in a pond of their own, curtains hiding the view.
Life needing to be built on something more sure, not spotlights, image or money,
’Cause sooner or later something invades that fragile land of milk and honey.
By Lance Landall
The Stage
It seems as if everyone wants their moment of fame, hence that somewhat obscene rush for the stage,
Where with an adoring and applauding audience they can egotistically engage.
And as to what drives such, who knows? Though I suspect a number of things, and all propelled by one;
That being, a desire to be some focus of attention, or famous, when all's said and done.
When it’s all boiled down, such is an introspective desire — narcissism, possibly,
For it’s tied in with personal glory, hence the shame oft associated with such, sadly;
That is, that mad scramble over the top of others, the tantrums and tears, accusations too,
All part and parcel of this territory that sees so many who make it going askew.
Though many may claim differently, the truth is as I’ve stated, despite any exception,
For how many would bother if they didn’t get that adoring and applauding reception?
And hence why even in churches these days, applause is desired far more than a humble “Amen,”
Not that I’m condoning entertainment in churches, for there would go that self focus again.
And that’s what it’s all about — believe me — for it’s simply delusional thinking otherwise,
And why in regards to the stage, so many seek and dream of such, and over such fantasise.
After all, it’s an adrenalin rush, one that has folk seeking more, until they’re not desired,
And then what, given their everything was built on that buzz, on being applauded, admired.
Yes, there’s nothing more shallow and artificial than the limelight, and more delusional too,
Given that it fills one with pride, an overrated sense of importance, one that isn’t due.
For often those in the limelight are corrupted by its seductiveness, and thus less worthy,
And even a great power for evil, given they so often influence negatively.
When all is said and done, the stage is all about “Me,” the selling of humans commercially,
So, those who fall at the feet of such idols, fall victim to the image maker’s artistry,
'Cause were those on stage found midst those on the street, they’d hardly be noticed perhaps, even ignored,
Given they’re no better or different to you and I, and often as seriously flawed.
So many people — and most, possibly — are blinded by the distorted rays that bathe the stage,
Yes, intoxicatingly seduced by its razzle-dazzle, from which it can be hard to disengage.
Thus those who follow such flawed idols, and those who dream too, wishing that it was them on that stage,
Given that that “Me” inside of most would rather not be in the seats, but up front, I would wage.
By Lance Landall
You're Just An Actor
Yes, I wouldn’t get too bigheaded, ’cause you’re just an actor, a pretender,
And given half the stuff that you act out, some would see you as an offender.
There nothing noble about pretending to be someone else, it but a lie,
And Hollywood’s trash having done more harm than good, and why stardom I won’t buy.
No, acting not only messes with one’s head, but it’s shallow and hollow, one
Acting out others' sins (as if we don’t see enough), holding a knife or gun.
Yes, running around like a kid, maturity having better things to do,
And why the actor should get a decent job, and why a cleanup’s also due.
Yes, the acting profession’s full of hypocrisy, ’cause what it may condemn
It acts out, spawning copycat behaviour — yes, ill from am to pm.
Life to be lived, not acted out, and should be lived honourably, right and true,
The acting profession a despicable one, and it who’s in bed with who?
Oh yes, hypocrisy is right, it like a man condemning adultery,
Then saying, “Is there a married women who’d like to come up on stage with me?”
He then demonstrating adultery in order to show how wrong it is, and
So it is with what Hollywood may condemn, though entertainment’s more what’s planned,
And why the worst of everything (though sometimes thus disguised) it's seen to hand.
All why one shouldn’t be attracted to actors, and why to actors I say:
You’re just an actor, mimicking the sins of others, at the end of the day.
Those frowns, shouts, hits, tears, smiles, grins, all fake, though that intimacy very real,
'Cause though pretended, it’s actually happening, and thereby how you steal.
All why it also is that those who watch such destructiveness are guilty too,
Because they thereby aid and abet such, when far better things one should pursue.
Yes, that which uplifts, not drags down, the mind (like a motor) designed for what’s best,
Thus not a net for trash, but a sieve for sieving, and all how one’s cursed or blessed.
All how actors display contempt for the minds of others, but hey, it's what sells!
And why they've forgone morals, standards and principles; they worse off for such ills.
Yes, violence, crudity, adultery and so on, it all bad for them,
And those viewers who wallow in it (and their kids), and from which further ills stem.
Yes, you're just an actor, someone who lives off the back of others' lives, sadly,
Half your life spent being who you aren't — oh, what a waste — yes, a life spent badly.
It not how one's meant to live, 'cause one moment you're you, then next moment you're them,
And why such mentally unhealthy behaviour I personally condemn.
By Lance Landall
See the quotes under my poem Role Playing.
Lady Gaga, Will Smith and Austin Butler (for three) have spoken of certain concerns regarding the taking
on of another person's character, or of certain roles that can have a negative outcome in one's life.
A Despicable Profession
Without a doubt, the acting profession's a despicable one, pure make-believe, a curse as well,
Each actor all the worse for their daily pretence, plus those who’ve come under its sullied, corrupt spell.
The evidence clear: Actors feigning violence, deceit, promiscuity and adultery,
Talking or acting crudely; viewers wallowing in such, their lives wasted on such perversity.
Actors in bed with, or hugging and kissing someone else’s real life wife or husband, shockingly,
Which, if they're married too, is a form of adultery, let alone the feigned promiscuity.
Hence Hollywood’s high divorce rate, but of more concern is the millions watching such — society —
And we wonder why things have got so bad, families lapping from that daily cesspool called TV.
And a visual, mental cesspool it is — well, largely so, every standard violated,
Each actor knee deep in guilt, hardly worth admiring given how much ill they’ve accelerated.
So what’s with the idolizing? Why call them stars? Or is trash applauded now, those who act such out?
And the answer's “Yes,” but only to our loss, and if you’ve any doubts, take an honest look about.
Oscars for what? Pretence? A form of schizophrenia? Feigned vices? Acting out someone else’s ill?
And to think they’ve millions of fans — oh, the blame they share, for within society, little is well.
And no surprises there, music DVDs displaying the same violence, sexuality,
Not to mention crudity, all drooled over by a savaged, decadent, drowning society.
T'was time long ago for condemning what we see today, for though pretence is hardly to be prized,
We’re seeing a bull in a china shop, we the china, our senses, values, standards brutalized.
But like rabbits caught in the glare of headlights (spotlights), most seem hypnotised by that seductive screen,
All thanks to the actor, whose dishonest profession (that's built on fakery), has hijacked the scene.
To be frank, pretence is a kid's thing, but acting out what’s cruel, rude, porny-like, lawless and evil,
Is showing contempt for the minds of all, in whom only the wholesome and beneficial should dwell.
Thus actors, via their job, display a complete lack of morals, standards and principles, sad to say,
And are only too happy to point fingers at us, 'cause where there’s such rubbish, we don’t have to stay.
But where’s the pride and dignity in going to work each day just to pretend, and even more so
If pretending to be a criminal, cad, bully, prostitute, gun toting, fist thumping hero?
Oh, the shame in it, adults charging around, acting like silly fools, raging, crying or screaming,
Immersed in characters that aren’t theirs, really weird ones too, they fighting, boozing, cussing or scheming.
So what about actors who don’t act out ills? Well, there’re ills and there’re ills, but show me such an actor,
And pretending’s still childish, dishonest and insincere, and when it comes to crime, a large factor.
Copycat scenarios occurring every day, and what they’re taught at home trashed on TV;
In other words, via those movies and sitcoms, young minds being programmed — destroyed, eventually.
By Lance Landall
This poem was upgraded on 20 April 2023.
See the quotes under my poem Role Playing.
“To me, acting is a childish thing, and thus drama simply an adult version of childhood make-believe
that people of maturity and dignity surely wouldn’t want to participate in, and given its associated
shallowness, artificiality and mimicry.”
The poet, author
Role-Playing
Emotional disorders are clearly known
to plague many an actor,Their pretending to be someone else (and thus not themselves) the major factor,
’Cause after all, only them self, every single person is meant to be,
Given that pretending to be someone else simply distorts reality.
Hence why it simply isn’t normal when some other person we try to be,
But rather, somewhat schizophrenic, and thereby, affecting us mentally.
And hence why we’re seeing so many actors who are ill emotionally,
Of which Hollywood’s tragic Couch Canyon regularly bears testimony.
“Hypocrite” in both its Greek and Latin forms, refers to one who’s an actor,
Which certainly isn't surprising given acting’s kind of two-faced factor.
All why it’s no surprise that some actors feel guilt, 'cause pretence hardly sits well,
And all why every actor is simply honing an empty shallow skill.
Yes, it’s clearly quite unnatural to look another person in the eye
And then pretend to be someone we aren’t, feign a laugh, shed false tears, heaver a sigh,
And hence why it should make us feel uneasy that our self we haven’t been,
But instead, simply having falsely witnessed, creating a fictitious scene.
The truth is, no one should ever subordinate their own personality
In order for them to take on someone else’s individuality.
Pretending that we’re someone else when we aren’t, and when we're all unique,
Is to simply destroy that integrity every one of us should seek.
And therefore, friend, it’s a form of lying and deception that we’re condoning,
A dishonourable art form, and thus something actors are wrongly honing.
Although we know that they’re simply pretending, such pretending is make-believe,
And surely the one who is sound, only truth will always want to live and breathe.
And let me add this too, that on the stage and screen, very frequently is seen
Two married actors (their spouse at home) acting very intimately in some scene.
Now that’s a form of adultery, which just their kissing alone makes a fact,
However, that Hollywood celluloid, with even more evidence is packed.
And therefore, is it any wonder that strong feelings between these actors grow
That injure each others real life marriage, and the seeds of divorce thereby sow,
And hence why it isn’t just a harmless kiss that all these married actors share,
But rather, an immoral act, at which principled people would hardly stare.
Yes, via such intimate acts, their own marriage is something that they're sure to jeopardize,
And thus this another reason why role-playing's so wrong and most unwise.
So why on earth do they allow themselves to act in such an injurious way,
And via such intimate behaviour, both coldness and unfaithfulness display?
Oh yes, there is something that's terribly wrong with this whole theatrical scene
That mesmerizes so many out there via the stage, TV, or movie screen.
Although we know that they’re only acting, and that they’re well aware that we know,
It's still a faulty medium, a medium that is flawed from head to toe.
By Lance Landall
This very old but upgraded poem (15 January 2020) was originally titled: It Simply Isn't Normal
(There's No Virtue In Pretense is the Christian version of this upgraded poem).
For the Christian perspective regarding drama, see my page Fame And Fortune, grey box, second
poetry garden, Christian section.
Quotes relating to drama:
“A psychoanalyst in Beverly Hills, interviewed for TV Guide, talked about what is bothering actors today. He talked about the guilt that seems to be common in Couch Canyon. The actor, he says, “feels guilty because it’s wrong to be a pretender. He pretends to be so-and-so and he’s not really so-and-so. That’s lying. That’s hypocrisy.”
Dick Hobson, ‘What’s Tormenting Actors Today,’ TV Guide, July 26, 1969.” Quoted by Marjorie Lewis Lloyd in “Too Slow Getting Off” p.80.
"All actors, in some way, suffer for their craft, with the very act of losing oneself inside another being coming at a high price."
Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times, 31/12/2010
“One more day of make believing, one more day of playing the star, one more day of endless pretending, do you know who you are?”
Neil Sedaka, famous singer.
"The stage as an institution has within itself the seeds of corruption, and exists only under a law of degeneracy.”
Herrick Johnson.
“The actor’s profession is unnatural and radically wrong. It is an unworthy profession. . .Solon, the great lawmaker of Greece, denounced the profession as “tending by its stimulation of false character, and by its expression of sentiment not genuine or sincere, to corrupt the integrity of human dealing...”
M.E. Kearn
“Stage life, according to my experience, has a tendency to deaden the finer feelings, to crush the inner nature of men and women, and to substitute artificiality and hollowness for sincerity and truth; and, mind you, I speak from an intimate experience of the stage, extending over thirty-seven years.”
Theatrical critic, London Press. Quoted by M.E. Kearn.
“Drama is . . . . . .generally believed to have had its roots in primitive religious rituals.”
Encyclopedia Britannica. Origins of Western Theatre. Section headed “Pre-classical Antiquity”
“Basic role-playing is associated with the religious rituals of the Mesopotamian, Egyptian and ancient Greek
cultures; eg things in nature, leading later to portrayals of kings and gods.”
Encyclopedia Britannica. Section headed “Ancient Near Eastern and Egyptian Civilization”
“Greek theatre arose from the religious festivals celebrating the worship of the god Dionysius.”
A Concise Encyclopedia of the Theatre p.103
Ribald Stand-ups
I know a good comedian when I see one, love a good laugh just like anyone else, but hey,
When they succumb to crudity, foul language, somehow taking others down, I’m off, on my way.
At the end of the day, good comedians can make it without going down that avenue,
One that any fool can get his laughs from, 'cause there’re plenty who applaud such, lower themselves too.
My idea of a good time filled with laughter doesn’t include smut — in other words, what degrades,
Which is why I leave such stand-ups to it, 'cause one’s presence there, that smutty outpouring simply aids.
And besides, what goes in our mind stays there, 'cause our minds are computer memory banks, you see,
Where we live mentally, and why I like keeping that place clean, 'cause what resides there, speaks of me.
So no, no back street alley for me, bawdy, blue, below the belt, callous, cheap shot comedy,
Which the comedian who wishes to retain his dignity avoids just as much as me,
'Cause why would he sell himself short, gaining fame from what betrays the inner man, soils those who hear,
Who, doubled up with laughter at such crudity, the next day and oft thereafter, go and share.
I enjoy a good laugh, but I don’t like leaving feeling soiled, hence the expression, “Good clean fun,”
'Cause there’s nothing more regenerating and healing for body and soul, when all's said and done.
And it’s lovely to hear others laughing, and if it’s us who’s making them laugh, I hope all’s well,
And by that I'm meaning, that what we're saying or doing, in another’s mind will healthily dwell.
By Lance Landall
"The movie world isn't about everyday life but everyday vice, which in
family homes has become everyday life."
The poet, author
2.
Screen
The Scriptwriter
The purpose of life is to not only make the most of it, but to lose oneself in what's worthy,
Saying, doing and producing what's truly beneficial, acting soundly and constructively.
Otherwise, we’re wasting our allotted time, even that of others, time that’s too precious to waste,
Which scriptwriters oft do on both accounts, polluting minds and widening the couch-potato's waist.
Yes, the scriptwriter, they behind those soaps and sitcoms that are so full of anything but what’s best,
And thus actors relaying their frivolous or debasing lines, in which stooge-like viewers invest;
They thereby manipulated, shamefully educated, and in a sense, programmed, hypnotised,
Which most viewers would strongly deny, 'cause such is often so subtle that it isn’t recognised.
Oh, the hours these scriptwriters spend penning such, when far better things could be penned, their effort our loss,
'Cause all such does is steal precious time, assault or foul the mind, and too often another line cross.
Yes, inroads and breaches that viewers even come to demand, having become bored with lesser ills,
The scriptwriter only too happy to oblige with more that one’s conscience eventually stills.
And so it goes, they misusing precious hours better spent on that which would far better educate,
That which would improve, not worsen, that which would rightly inform and uplift rather than titillate.
They using their talent in ways that would leave behind a positive, valuable legacy,
Thus their time on Earth a blessing, and we all the better off for their wisely used ability.
By Lance Landall
The poem was upgraded on the 9 May 2023.
Mind Harry Potter
I’m appalled and amazed by the naivety and irresponsibleness of parents that I see,
Who encourage their kids to dabble in the occult — well, effectively, that is, and perilously.
When I mention the likes of Harry Potter, you may well jeer, but just like there’s soft porn and hard core porn
So it is when it comes to the occult, Harry Potter being a stepping stone of sorts, hence why I warn.
The fascination with such territory, which the likes of Harry Potter stirs, could well lead to ill,
'Cause there’s certainly an evil supernatural force, one known to beguile, corrupt, enslave, kill.
And many who have dabbled in the occult can testify of such, having struggled to be free of such,
And struggle they have indeed, 'cause it’s a force that doesn’t like to let go once you're in its evil clutch.
The only place one finds good wizards is in books, given good wizards don’t exist, they’re imaginary,
'Cause the world of magic wands, spells, flying broomsticks, vampires, ghosts and more, is an evil one, you see.
A world where blood sacrifices (both animal and human), sexual initiations, orgies,
The ghoulish, bizarre and hellish are common fare, a world that seeks to destroy whoever it can seize.
These books (movies) that effectively condone and promote such, are influencing a generation,
Which won’t know fact from fiction, so lost in fantasy, a truth and error fusion, exaggeration.
A generation that’s becoming hooked on the occult, a territory once condemned, and rightly,
But which is now enjoyed in homes right across the globe, where it dangerously mesmerizes nightly.
Oh, how such is made to seem harmless — just a book, a movie — however, such is still seizing young minds,
And why in time a migration from soft core to hard core occultism one inevitably finds.
What seems harmless is oft not so, but rather, a subtleness that lures and addicts incrementally,
And in a case like this, ensures a generation ripe for the plucking, which most parents fail see.
By Lance Landall
"I get letters from children addressed to Professor Dumbledore, and it's not a joke, begging to be let into Hogwarts, and some of them are really sad. Because they want it to be true so badly they've convinced themselves it's true."
K.J. Rowling herself speaking to Newsweek
"Any time the dark side of the supernatural world is presented as harmless or even imaginary, there is the danger
that children will become curious and find out too late that witchcraft is neither harmless nor imaginary."
Lindy Beam, Focus on the Family
You Can Keep Your Hobbits
Personally, I’ve never really been interested in science fiction or fantasy,
And certainly not the underworld, I preferring beauty, normality, reality.
In other words, I’ve no desire to be absorbed in tales that fill one's mind with black arts and ill,
Those ugly, distorted creatures-cum-beings, who, only in the realm of the satanic dwell.
Oh yes, they so far from light, truth and right, and yet, via the likes of certain novels and movies,
They’re oft presented differently and titillatingly, in order to hearts and minds seize.
And seize they do, people thus applauding and delighting in what simply comes from the occult,
And hence how the realm of darkness gets exalted, and why so many, mediums oft consult.
Oh, how the realm of darkness is being milked for all its worth, as if there is some agenda,
Its so-called heroes acting and behaving just as wrongly as any outright offender.
Such wizards and the likes turning to spells, craftiness, weapons, and that “end justifies the means,”
A faulty approach that’s constantly repeated, and oft midst ghoulish, bizarre and nasty scenes.
Is this one reason why the world’s getting sicker, and why bad’s now seen as good, and wrong as right?
And should we be surprised? 'Cause via these disturbing tales, we’re seeing darkness being wed with light.
Yes, a merging of the two, the black arts now associated with some good, weird creatures too,
Who’re now taking the place of humans who’re more worthy, and who right via wrong means wouldn’t pursue.
But who’s concerned? Cinemas, bookstores and television wildly promoting such injury,
Which is even being embraced by an errant Christendom that's sanctioning apostasy.
So, as far as I’m concerned, you can keep your hobbits, 'cause such certainly don’t interest me,
For long ago I discovered that light and darkness were never designed to keep company.
It’s bad enough that my generation were raised on macabre fairytales and nursery rhymes,
Without the blatant propagation of the occult that’s seen in these confused and lawless times.
And as if to sanction such movies, a moral lesson here and there, albeit a two-faced one,
And what next, a moral lesson here and there via porn movies? All why such toxic stews I shun.
If we want to convey something good, let’s do it via something good, and not via that which is soiled,
For tell me, who among us would eat vegetables that in polluted water had been boiled?
Yet these books and movies akin to such, any good there being conveyed by wrong, sullied means,
Hence the likes of those wizards, witches, fairies, pixies, elves and hobbits filling pages and scenes.
By Lance Landall
The Adventures Of TinTin
We wonder why there's so much violence, and due to hate speech, play with freedom of expression, sadly.
Yes, we’re busy downing this or that, lamenting the deterioration, those unkind acts we see.
Yet via the likes of The Adventures of TinTin, we feed our kids a steady stream of violent acts,
Which, aside from displaying hypocrisy, counteracts what we’re saying, and negatively impacts.
It seems that we haven’t learnt we can’t have it both ways, hence not just TinTin, but Asterix and so on
(Like fairy tales), which, when one thinks about it, just makes a farce of that anti-smacking carry-on.
“Don’t smack kids,” they cry, “Don’t hurt creatures,” they cry, and the list goes on, but meantime, “Have a read of TinTin,”
Where over violence found in comics (the junk food equivalent of books), their kids giggle and grin.
Yes, it’s intriguing how we down violence, yet watch so much of it on TV, young kids in the same room,
They, as well as each parent, soaking up the blood and gore, the stabs and biffs, and midst such, the doom and gloom.
And we wonder why so many kids act insensitively (or cold-bloodedly), and adults as well,
All having been fed such from a very young age, with regular top-ups — yes, a sure recipe for ill.
And don’t forget those toy guns we give our kids to play with, like those seen in The Adventures of TinTin,
Or those swords like the one Asterix wields (when he’s not using his fist), such oft tied in with the masculine.
And while I’m at it, there’s also the likes of Superman, all using violence to solve issues, sadly,
Which both adults and kids watch, thus adults up to their neck in guilt, and those kids knee deep in injury.
By Lance Landall
Robin Hood was a supposed heroic outlaw in English folk-lore.
I've A Problem With Robin Hood
Yes, I’ve indeed a problem with Robin Hood, 'cause he was a hood, he acting just as badly,
Stealing from the rich to then give to the poor, his benevolence the result of robbery.
In other words, he seeking some good via a wrongful means, which also included thuggery,
All of which makes him a criminal too (and his cohorts as well) — yes, no true hero was he.
And yet, how children have loved his exploits (and indeed adults), they fed such via books and movies,
Robin’s “end justifies the means” approach greeted rapturously, his victims down on their knees.
And so it is with most action movies, some so-called hero resorting to wrongful means too,
Be it via thuggery, breaking and entering, or any other wrong means that they pursue.
Hence why I’ve a problem with Robin Hood; and his contemporaries, they tarred with the same brush,
Their wrongly justified behaviour making any decent law-abiding citizen blush.
For there’s no such thing as rightful wrong, wrong being nothing but wrong, and no matter how it be dressed,
And why all who indulge in such have more than just good intentions beating in their sullied breast.
Yes, we’re either squeaky clean or not, our conscience clear and true or warped, our heart white, grey or black,
Our sense of right and wrong sharp and determined, or we on a diverging-cum-error bound track.
And that track’s as old as this Earth’s history, it a circle, and hence why things hardly improve,
For all who fight fire with fire, and seek good via wrongful means, are still stuck in that historic groove.
Hence why many who’ve wrestled power from tyrants have become tyrants too, no surprises there,
For their hearts weren’t pure, but somewhat tainted too, and hence why selfish cracks were soon seen to appear.
At the end of the day, rot is rot no matter how small, and in time eats at the foundations,
All why many with good intentions end up committing unbelievable abominations.
And hence why religious zealots are oft the worst, they killing or persecuting in God’s name,
They thinking that He approves of that “end justifies the means” approach-cum-that same old tired game.
But as I said, rot is rot, and no one should give room to such, and why any who do soon err,
They justifying this or that — and to be frank, the “means” more than the “end” is what some prefer.
For example: Many simply installing something they desire, some good end more an excuse,
And why in time, much that’s desired-cum-underhandedly installed, bad fruit is seen to produce.
And no wonder, as a flawed, deluded or selfish thinking was behind such, and hence the ill;
They akin to modern Robin Hoods, who, in order to achieve some good, violate at will.
Yes, may our motto always be: Above reproach.
By Lance Landall
Christian content or degree.
Those Disney Dragons
I guess you’ve seen those Disney movies featuring dragons — kind of cute, aren’t they,
Deceptive too, because dragons aren’t cute at all, despite what’s shown today.
The Bible telling of a devil it calls a dragon, one cast from Heaven,
A very evil being who’s the cause of suffering and what is called “sin.”
Oh, he’s real alright, many having experienced him like many have Christ, who
Has warned of this dragon’s plan for Earth, and how he’s truly after me and you.
Yes, him and those other angels who sided with him, and who shadow us too,
All in order to ensnare (one way or another), and they aren’t just a few.
So please don’t fall for that Disney nonsense that makes those dragons look good to us,
Because there’s no such thing as a good dragon, all why we’ve been warned by Jesus.
We in the middle of a battle between good and evil, and care should take,
Because this dragon the Bible warns of is deadly serious, no Disney fake.
By Lance Landall
Television — The Kid-napper
What parents choose to watch is one thing, but what they let their kids watch is quite another, clearly,
Given that TV's a dangerous moulder of young minds, hence copycat behaviour we see.
Yes, a medium where heroes are as violent as their foes, thus an even greater threat,
'Cause such use weaponry and fists to achieve some good. And do kids copy their heroes? You bet!
Even more so.
Oh, that daily diet of gratuitous violence coupled with the sexual — but wait, there’s more!
All of it saturating young minds that faulty heroes and bad role models come to adore.
Yes, minds shaped by the warped school of TV, where so much is distorted, where wrong’s oft taught as right,
And we wonder 'bout kids today — the raunchy, twisted, ghoulish-cum-blood and gore oft in their sight.
Some wonder why women are seen as objects — well, check out what your boys are watching on TV,
'Cause there, throwing themselves at men as they tear off their clothes, are groaning women hyped sexually,
Or they letting lustful men to do the stripping, roughness part of the scene, and so on it goes,
As the vulgar, smutty, crass, shallow, senseless, silly, cruel, nasty, feigned and false harmfully glows.
What a cocktail, kids immersed in a world of fantasy and fiction, parents joining in too,
While standards, principles and morals are trashed in front of glued eyes, a world toxic and askew.
A world where the programmes, movies and ads are full of all but what’s best, and hence how we invest
In a future that can only get worse, 'cause TV's a curse, and why its removal I suggest.
Not just a kid-napper, but a pied piper that leads adults away as well, and easily,
It the black sheep of the family, a bad influence — and oh, how it acts so stealthily.
Hence why kids do little else but stare at its beguiling contents midst snacking unhealthily,
Thanks to errant parents who’ve lost control, or who the dangers of such, can’t or don’t want to see.
By Lance Landall
This poem was upgraded 5 May 2023.
"Violent heroes are more harmful than even violent villains. Children imitate more often
the characters whom they like and find most appealing."
Dr. Joseph Strayhorn, child psychiatrist Medical College of Pennsylvania.
Also see the orange box titled What's Child Abuse?, second poetry garden, secular section.
An Angle On Television:
Television is akin to a:
Psychopath
It’s a very impersonal medium that has little if any interest in your well-being, and simply seeks its own ends.
Hypnotist
Television mesmerises whilst conveying subliminal messages, and gradually anesthetises one to its unwholesome diet whilst enducing a sleepy state that saps one’s willpower and energy.
Terrorist
Television randomly targets, upsets or gets in the way of plans, meals, meetings, visitors and early nights.
Saboteur
Television destroys productiveness and family, neighbourly or community interaction.
Dictator
Television seeks to manipulate and dominate one’s thinking, activity, home and life, regardless of one’s will.
Stalker
Television seeks to get at us in everyway and at any time, and leaves messages and images behind.
Rapist
Television violates one’s mind, heart and soul with its corruptive invasion that can often catch one off guard with its violent, sexual and crude surprises.
Fraudster
Television promises things that it can’t deliver, creates unfair expectations and more often conveys what is not reality whilst tempting one to part with their money.
Pied piper
Television leads one astray with its beguiling images and cunning rhetoric, encourages one down foolish, lawless or forbidden paths.
Thief
Television steals time better spent, intrudes on others time and space, and depletes one’s health.
Liar
Television conveys falsehood, half truths, and unhealthy servings of fantasy and fiction.
Paedophile
Television seeks to seduce little children before they’re old enough to know, and shows them things that they shouldn’t see that injures their innocence.
Murderer
Television kills conversations, deadens or blunts one’s conscience and finer feelings.
Sadist
Television encourages horrid nightmares in children via its shocking News images and violent ads for up and coming movies.
Daredevil
Television encourages angry, grudge holding copycats via its ample and graphic supply of acted out senarios.
Temptress
Television encourages marital dissatisfaction and sexual overindulgence via encouraging men to ogle other women who're scantily clad and acting raunchy.
Introvert
Television encourages self absorbed indulgence via its must have food presentations and material must haves.
Demon
Television encourages dangerous forays into the realm of evil via its spiritualistic, occultic presentations.
And therefore, is guilty of crimes against humanity!
Psychopath
It’s a very impersonal medium that has little if any interest in your well-being, and simply seeks its own ends.
Hypnotist
Television mesmerises whilst conveying subliminal messages, and gradually anesthetises one to its unwholesome diet whilst enducing a sleepy state that saps one’s willpower and energy.
Terrorist
Television randomly targets, upsets or gets in the way of plans, meals, meetings, visitors and early nights.
Saboteur
Television destroys productiveness and family, neighbourly or community interaction.
Dictator
Television seeks to manipulate and dominate one’s thinking, activity, home and life, regardless of one’s will.
Stalker
Television seeks to get at us in everyway and at any time, and leaves messages and images behind.
Rapist
Television violates one’s mind, heart and soul with its corruptive invasion that can often catch one off guard with its violent, sexual and crude surprises.
Fraudster
Television promises things that it can’t deliver, creates unfair expectations and more often conveys what is not reality whilst tempting one to part with their money.
Pied piper
Television leads one astray with its beguiling images and cunning rhetoric, encourages one down foolish, lawless or forbidden paths.
Thief
Television steals time better spent, intrudes on others time and space, and depletes one’s health.
Liar
Television conveys falsehood, half truths, and unhealthy servings of fantasy and fiction.
Paedophile
Television seeks to seduce little children before they’re old enough to know, and shows them things that they shouldn’t see that injures their innocence.
Murderer
Television kills conversations, deadens or blunts one’s conscience and finer feelings.
Sadist
Television encourages horrid nightmares in children via its shocking News images and violent ads for up and coming movies.
Daredevil
Television encourages angry, grudge holding copycats via its ample and graphic supply of acted out senarios.
Temptress
Television encourages marital dissatisfaction and sexual overindulgence via encouraging men to ogle other women who're scantily clad and acting raunchy.
Introvert
Television encourages self absorbed indulgence via its must have food presentations and material must haves.
Demon
Television encourages dangerous forays into the realm of evil via its spiritualistic, occultic presentations.
And therefore, is guilty of crimes against humanity!
Here's what others say:
"TV is the single most significant factor contributing to violence in America."
Ted Turner, founder of the Cable News Network
"TV is the most powerful thing that has ever been invented."
Ozzy Osbourne
"Television is the major mainstream infiltration for the new satanic religion. The TV set, or satanic family alter, has grown more elaborate since the early 50’s, from the tiny, fuzzy screen to huge entertainment centers covering entire walls with several TV monitors. What started as a innocent respite from everyday life has become in itself a replacement for real life for millions, a major religion of the masses.”
Anton LaVey (founder of The Church Of Satan), The Devil's Notebook, p. 86.
"Movies can and do have tremendous power in shaping young lives."
Walt Disney
“I’m trying to undermine the basis of Christian beliefs.”
Philip Pullmann (children’s book writer whose books have become Hollywood movies such as “The Golden Compass”), The Washington Post, 19 February 2001.
So what went wrong?
Excerpts from The Motion Picture Code, 1930-1966:
“The sanctity of the institution of marriage and the home shall be upheld. Pictures shall not infer that low forms of sex relationship are the accepted or common thing.”
“Obscenity in word, gesture, reference, song, joke, or by suggestion (even when likely to be understood only by part of the audience) is forbidden.”
“Many scenes cannot be presented without arousing dangerous emotions on the part of the immature, the young or the criminal classes. Even within the limits of pure love, certain facts have been universally regarded by lawmakers as outside the limits of safe presentation… Children’s sex organs are never to be exposed.”
“Seduction or rape…should never be more than suggested. And only when essential for the plot, and even then never shown by explicit method.”
“Adultery and illicit sex, sometimes necessary plot material, must not be explicitly treated or justified, or presented attractively.”
“The technique of murder must be presented in a way that will not inspire imitation. Brutal killings are not to be presented in detail. Revenge in modern times shall not be justified… The use of firearms should be restricted to essentials.”
“Dances suggesting or representing sexual actions or indecent passion are forbidden. Dances which emphasize indecent movements are to be regarded as obscene.”
“Methods of crime should not be explicitly presented… There must be no suggestion, at any time, of excessive brutality…action showing the taking of human life, even in the mystery stories, is to be cut to the minimum.”
“Law, natural or human, shall not be ridiculed, nor shall sympathy be created for its violation.”
“So, correct entertainment raises the whole standard of a nation. Wrong entertainment lowers the whole living condition and moral ideals of a race.”
Oh, how true that last statement. And how prophetic!
Excerpts from The Motion Picture Code, 1930-1966:
“The sanctity of the institution of marriage and the home shall be upheld. Pictures shall not infer that low forms of sex relationship are the accepted or common thing.”
“Obscenity in word, gesture, reference, song, joke, or by suggestion (even when likely to be understood only by part of the audience) is forbidden.”
“Many scenes cannot be presented without arousing dangerous emotions on the part of the immature, the young or the criminal classes. Even within the limits of pure love, certain facts have been universally regarded by lawmakers as outside the limits of safe presentation… Children’s sex organs are never to be exposed.”
“Seduction or rape…should never be more than suggested. And only when essential for the plot, and even then never shown by explicit method.”
“Adultery and illicit sex, sometimes necessary plot material, must not be explicitly treated or justified, or presented attractively.”
“The technique of murder must be presented in a way that will not inspire imitation. Brutal killings are not to be presented in detail. Revenge in modern times shall not be justified… The use of firearms should be restricted to essentials.”
“Dances suggesting or representing sexual actions or indecent passion are forbidden. Dances which emphasize indecent movements are to be regarded as obscene.”
“Methods of crime should not be explicitly presented… There must be no suggestion, at any time, of excessive brutality…action showing the taking of human life, even in the mystery stories, is to be cut to the minimum.”
“Law, natural or human, shall not be ridiculed, nor shall sympathy be created for its violation.”
“So, correct entertainment raises the whole standard of a nation. Wrong entertainment lowers the whole living condition and moral ideals of a race.”
Oh, how true that last statement. And how prophetic!
"If God doesn't destroy Hollywood Boulevard, He owes Sodom and Gomorrah an apology."
Jay Leno, American comedian, actor, writer and producer.
"Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss
and fifty cents for your soul."
Marilyn Monroe.
3.
Concert
"Entertainers either lower or lift, and thereby, either degrade or dignify their gift."
The poet, author
In this world in which we live, there're clearly two forces operating, and affecting everything;
That is, either for the better or worse, including all those songs that we listen to, or even sing.
And hence why we should pay a little more attention to the lyrics of any song, 'cause one thing's clear,
Those lyrics are the product of either force, and thus good reason to mind what it is we choose to hear.
So little thought is given to lyrics, which may have their basis in the occult, or a disturbed mind,
Or they may simply be the product of silly and faulty thinking so typical of humankind.
And yes, they may seem quite harmless, but consider how often they run through our mind, or us parrot them;
Words and sentiments that leave an imprint, which rather than entertaining, we'd be wiser to condemn.
Or certainly should condemn, 'cause certain sentiments can stir and fuel an unbalanced, rebellious mind,
And is it any wonder when behind such lyrics, a certain wildness and loud, angry beat we find.
Or a composition that excites lustful passions, be it via its rawness or sophistication,
And thereby appealing to the lower rather than the higher, thus aiding deterioration.
Yes, we need to watch both, but certain lyrics being repeated in our mind, or via us vocally
Can stain, taint or injure, 'cause words have a power of their own, and certain sentiments especially.
Hence why I’d mind those lyrics, 'cause repetition's often used by mind manipulators, who well know
Certain phrases repeated in the mind, baleful seeds can sow, or better thoughts and thinking overthrow.
By Lance Landall
This poem was upgraded on the 9 May 2023.
Another Gig
Another day, another night, another gig, 'cause I'm hooked on the fame and adulation,
And hence why there's always another venue, hotel, city, or even another nation.
I’m addicted to the buzz, thrilled by the attention, and thus am caught on a merry-go-round,
And even my name isn't my own — oh well, that’s showbiz, and one reason why I'm so booze bound.
Yes, the worse for drink, 'cause that's how I deal with the shallowness and artificiality,
And given that I don’t know who I am anymore, but seemingly who they want me to be.
It’s pretty much just a game, momentary fame, 'cause one’s only as popular as the day,
And every day is a roller coaster, up, down, up, down, press start, press stop, then press replay.
How I love those highs, but not those lows, 'cause in-between each gig, it’s back to being plain old me,
Which means I've more time to think, more time to drown demons in drink, hence why booze comes naturally.
Yes, such but part of the scene, and becoming more routine, and how I deal with the fantasy,
'Cause it all seems just like an act, something that's more bound to subtract, tear the soul right out of me.
All why it could be the death of me, 'cause it's stolen my identity, simply for their sake,
'Cause I always have to please, forget about my unease, as well as mind those who're on the make.
Hence why I’m wanting out, just can’t grasp what it’s all about, and yet, here I am so hooked on such,
'Cause I’ve been beguiled and enslaved by an ego stroking siren, each gig's got me in its clutch.
Thus another gig, another fix, 'cause the rush I get from such is just like a drug to me,
Hence those withdrawal symptoms — that is, when the crowd's gone and we've packed up, and I'm alone with me.
And out comes that bottle again, another drug, one that seems to have as big a grip on me,
'Cause gigs and drugs seem to go together — and I, can't live without the limelight focused on me.
Yes, another gig....
By Lance Landall
This poem was upgraded on 4 May 2023.
Handsome, gifted vocally, he struts the stage, shirt open to the waistline, and with sweat soaked body,
At times dodging panties his female fans throw, their desires clear, their actions vulgar, arguably.
And some plucked from the mass are treated to a raunchy encounter, one they’ll continue to savour
As it replays in their mind well after the event, they swooning, dreaming, idolizing, in awe.
I don’t know about you, but such doesn’t impress me, 'cause I'd rather see them retain dignity,
Something that's lost when both singer and admirer act so ridiculously, and so shamefully,
'Cause where’s the restraint? He a singer or bawdy act? His manner suggestive, shirt yawning, chest bare,
And no doubt some of those women are married, even mums, who, lost in desire, don’t seem to care,
Their thoughts on that man, who, as a memento, passes to them (laden with sweat) what he chooses to share.
No, that’s not my kind of singer, regardless of his voice or great song, 'cause such is far from manly,
Something that's more akin to what goes on behind some school shed, where boys and girls act as shamefully.
And midst such childish expression, there's oft suggestive banter, and lyrics equally unworthy,
And he a married man too, who, I venture to say, would later be acting more unfaithfully.
And to think he’s admired, 'cause who would admire such crassness? Surely only those equally as loose,
And it clear that these women falling at the feet of their god are ones he could easily seduce.
A mere man, but a handsome man, one who though gifted vocally, lets it all down via such antics,
And thus sullies his talent, misuses his blessings, and degrades such women seeking night-out kicks.
By Lance Landall
This poem was tweaked throughout on 5 May 2023.
Taking Frank Sinatra as an example.
Hi, Frank, I have to say that you certainly got far more attention than me,
But then, you were on the stage, and I just some Joe at home with his family.
Yes, no one taking much interest in me, and hey, probably not you too,
Had you not become famous and all that, many swallowing that ballyhoo.
You sure sang well, and attracted the ladies, but you no different to me,
Just another man, just as flawed too, but oh, how you got treated differently.
All one has to do is become famous, huh, and then you’re something else, it seems,
A god of sorts, suddenly desirable, unreachable, except in dreams.
Yes, it’s crazy, I say, ’cause only yesterday you were just a bloke like me,
No woman turning her head, but come stardom, one’s got it all, apparently.
Yes, it’s a head scratcher, ’cause were you pumping gas, folk wouldn’t get out their car,
And I guess that’s why so many shallow souls reach for that very same flawed star.
And many so young, it going to their head, though they’re hardly alone in that,
But it’s sex, booze, drugs and who knows what else, they not having a clue where it’s at.
It pretty much a lie, you see, because it promises what it can’t fulfil,
It mirage-like, something that is and isn’t so, and yet, how it casts its spell.
Yes, you did alright, Frank, they still remembering you fondly, but hardly me,
I home come nights, don’t go away much, aren’t so tempted to act unfaithfully.
No, I just another man, and few will remember me, but hey, that’s okay,
’Cause death puts us all on the same footing again, we soon humbled by Earth’s clay.
By Lance Landall
I was very much influenced by much music of the fifties and sixties,
Having been born in nineteen fifty one; most music coming from overseas.
My ear oft glued to the radio, and later attuned to a stereo,
But I rather choosey over records bought (as my collection sought to grow).
However, the music in those days was generally far more wholesome, and
It often oozed beauty and harmony thanks to some clever arranger’s hand.
But it was more than that, society so much different then, thankfully,
Still largely influenced by classical composers and Christianity.
Yes, more people believed in God then, principles, morals, standards and values,
And thus despite the rock, pop invasion, the more refined music would still choose.
And you know, even the likes of Elvis, Cliff Richard and Englebert (for three),
Sang songs praising God, and many pop songs still contained beauty and harmony.
Oh, if only times were still like that — yes, the music prettier and lighter,
Thus more uplifting, hearts not depressed by the darker, but buoyed by the brighter.
And there still references to Faith and Hope, music more cleaner and noble,
More about love and not lust, and thus song writers drawing from a better well.
Rock’s beat not having all the say, nor stirring loins, summoning some evil force,
’Cause music’s simply dirtied by such, that bad boy attraction, that change of course.
Yes, Rock responsible, that same rebellion that sparked the sexual revolution,
Enter promiscuity, that attack on the marital institution.
In my angry years, when festering, I would spin the dial to some rock station,
The heavy beat in sympathy, such music fuelling my imagination.
But only temporarily, sanity prevailing again, that God side,
Those loftier sounds that were more in harmony with Heaven, and didn’t collide.
All why Christian singers and musicians have erred with their so-called Christian rock,
Which simply mimics what it shouldn’t, and which the Spirit’s ears can only block.
After all, it was that snubbing of God and all that Christianity stood for
That aided the demise of wholesome music, and let a devil in the door.
Enter boring rap, hardly music, but more an angry soap box, and there’s more,
Songs and clips that burn with porny lyrics and gyrations, they wet and raw.
Yes, we should be worried, crooners and orchestras having sadly passed away,
And with them, soon the likes of me, who remembers with fondness that better day.
Sorry if I’ve trodden on your toe, but all that thumping has trodden on mine,
Invading my space via those wailing speakers and easy listening’s decline.
Yes, you’ve largely got your way, but such has hardly proved of benefit to you,
Nor your kids, whose ears are damaged too, and who what’s wholesome, don’t wish to pursue.
What a sad legacy, music a blessing or a curse, just like anything,
And we getting to choose, wisely or foolishly, from which good or bad will spring.
Yes, the music of my day called easy listening, which is how it should be,
Not assaulting any babe in the womb or cradle, nor the elderly.
Sure the music of the fifties and sixties wasn’t fault free, and, I must say,
Nor has Christendom been, but things were still better then, less having gone astray.
And it’s those better things that we should go by, enter discipline, self control,
Otherwise pity help following generations whose well-being we stole.
No, the music of today hasn’t improved things, but worsened things, sad to say,
It seemingly both obsessed and possessed, lusty and witchy forces at play.
Yes, its followers beguiled and bound, there no turning back, and where will it end,
Good now called bad, and bad called good — yes, “Wicked,” they say — and it’s not funny, friend.
By Lance Landall
Gerry passed the requested spanner to his dad who used it to tighten the sump nut, oil change done,
A father and son effort, and Gerry’s father most appreciative of the help of his son.
They tidied up, and both washed their greasy oil stained hands, a hot drink and biscuit waiting patiently,
And such soon seized upon as they rested their backs 'gainst the seats in the sunbathed conservatory.
Music waffled soothingly from within the home, crooners of years gone by, cheery melodies,
Hardly the kind of music that the oft assaulted ears of the younger generation would please.
Though not the case with young Gerry, he having been exposed to good music from a very young age,
And now enjoying it as much as his father, rather than whatever might be the current rage.
His voice broke the silence. “I love that tune, but when I turn it up at work, I get howls of protest,
Yet it's got such a nice sound, not that the ones my age at work see it that way, 'cause all they do is jest.”
His dad put his drink down. “Well, son, they haven’t grown up with such, such being common fare round here,
We taking pains to create an appreciation for good music, lest you, son, good music jeer.
Parents who don’t take such pains are hardly acting responsibly, or (and this next thing too oft true),
Haven’t had the benefit of such themselves, and thus know no better — such not an excuse, mind you,
’Cause the duty of parents is to take whatever steps they can to find out what’s best for their child,
And in every way, otherwise that child is all the less for such, and soon to be seen running wild.
Most of the music that is out there today is far from good, despite the younger set thinking so,
Their ears not having been trained to know good music, they thus slaves to what they’re fed on the radio.
Such devoid of wholesome lyrics and musical beauty, it restless, wild, shallow, sex and beat ridden,
And given it’s all they want to know, it’s all they will know, truly good music remaining hidden.”
“They’re just not interested, Dad,” Gerry quipped. “No, son. Let me use the following analogy:
It’s like only having had spicy food, and thus food without such seeming bland, though best quality.
And as far as spicy goes, such most unhealthy, and hence why those who always have their food spicy
Oft end up on dialysis machines; and so it is that today’s music acts negatively.
It’s not just what we eat, but what we read, watch and listen to that affects us for better or worse,
And why as far as the mind goes (even things physically), today’s music is oft more a curse.
And why an appreciation for good music isn’t around the same, nor good music, sad to say,
’Cause the music industry is driven far more by money than good taste, and why worse comes our way.
Another problem with the music of today is that it’s often bound up with moral decay,
And I mean, images-cum-gyrations borrowed from strip joints and porn flicks, which sees kids further stray.
Hence those unfitting mental associations with different songs, wholesomeness losing out once more,
All such suggesting a bleaker future, because we all become what we idolise and adore.”
By Lance Landall
This poem was upgraded on 4 May 2023.
Christian content or degree.
The Bible tells us that it’s God alone who any glory is due, and so
He’s hardly behind that fan-based success of pop stars and Oscar winners, no.
They receiving adulation that’s not theirs to have, and God the giver of gifts,
All why He rejects their skewed skyward “Thank you,” which that “me” spotlight hardly shifts,
'Cause those fans barely register such, and I’m glad that they don’t, actually,
'Cause God has had nothing to do with it all, and those talents misused, sadly.
Oh yes, that worldliness they’re engaged in hardly having His anointing,
And the spotlight always on them, not Him, He just getting that skyward pointing.
Yet, ungodly lyrics and raunchy scenes equalling a faulty witness, and
Why instead of God’s ambassadors, and before all, it’s as hypocrites they stand.
Sincere? Well, in their deluded state, possibly, but haven’t they read God’s Word?
’Cause there they would’ve learnt to not behave so, though surely such should’ve occurred.
After all, how much of a Christian are they, or really only so in name,
Little time given to church and study, much devoted to personal fame.
Yes, so much for God first, and where is their wealth going? Much of it wasted, say,
Over the top mansions, lavishness, wild partying — yes, all hardly God’s way.
And nor is it a case of ten percent for me, ninety percent for others,
Plus their fame eclipsing more worthy works of their fellow sisters and brothers.
It all an image, another god, an idol, thus shaming that cross they wear,
Christ having died because of our sins, stuff they’re into, which could cost them, I fear.
Oh yes, the music, acting and entertainment scene riddled with what God hates,
All why in His Word, the possible dire consequences of such ill, He states.
One quickly sullied by such an industry, few strong enough to not give in,
Weren’t above it in the first place, perhaps, already acclimatised to sin.
Yes, the stage always being where the spotlight is on us, not God, and therefore,
We refraining from such, or keeping our integrity, closing this or that door.
And all why for Christians it’s in the world, not of the world, and by that I mean:
They only partaking in what’s noble, wholesome, God pleasing, honest, true and clean.
Yes, God oft getting praise He doesn’t want, for though the giver of talents, He
Doesn’t want such employed unrighteously — and thus praise here, an effrontery.
Oh, the words of that song, that lusty rhythm, that beat that almost numbs the brain,
Or that immoral, violent or other scene that some Christian’s seen to feign.
No, God no party to that, it misused talents, so thanks but no thanks, it is,
The credit for that million seller, dubious movie Oscar, hardly His,
Thus praise Him don’t, ’cause that’s a double sin, and your Christian profession a stab,
So, "Shush," I say, ’cause after indulging in such, more harm you add when you blab.
But better still (and what God wants), come into line with His will (if straying here),
’Cause God doesn’t want Christianity distorted, and more shame have to bear.
It’s the difference of Christians and their ways that He so wants the world to see,
And not that sullied sameness that some dare to praise Him for — it blasphemy!
By Lance Landall
“You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, corrupt and deluded by
its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self,
created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph 4:22-24, ESV).
Jay Leno, American comedian, actor, writer and producer.
"Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss
and fifty cents for your soul."
Marilyn Monroe.
Also
see my poems: Hollywood, You've Blood On Your Hands; That's Hollywood
For You; Seems Like There's A Hollywood Agenda; all found on my page Societal Concerns.
3.
Concert
"Entertainers either lower or lift, and thereby, either degrade or dignify their gift."
The poet, author
I'd Mind Those Lyrics
In this world in which we live, there're clearly two forces operating, and affecting everything;
That is, either for the better or worse, including all those songs that we listen to, or even sing.
And hence why we should pay a little more attention to the lyrics of any song, 'cause one thing's clear,
Those lyrics are the product of either force, and thus good reason to mind what it is we choose to hear.
So little thought is given to lyrics, which may have their basis in the occult, or a disturbed mind,
Or they may simply be the product of silly and faulty thinking so typical of humankind.
And yes, they may seem quite harmless, but consider how often they run through our mind, or us parrot them;
Words and sentiments that leave an imprint, which rather than entertaining, we'd be wiser to condemn.
Or certainly should condemn, 'cause certain sentiments can stir and fuel an unbalanced, rebellious mind,
And is it any wonder when behind such lyrics, a certain wildness and loud, angry beat we find.
Or a composition that excites lustful passions, be it via its rawness or sophistication,
And thereby appealing to the lower rather than the higher, thus aiding deterioration.
Yes, we need to watch both, but certain lyrics being repeated in our mind, or via us vocally
Can stain, taint or injure, 'cause words have a power of their own, and certain sentiments especially.
Hence why I’d mind those lyrics, 'cause repetition's often used by mind manipulators, who well know
Certain phrases repeated in the mind, baleful seeds can sow, or better thoughts and thinking overthrow.
By Lance Landall
This poem was upgraded on the 9 May 2023.
Another Gig
Another day, another night, another gig, 'cause I'm hooked on the fame and adulation,
And hence why there's always another venue, hotel, city, or even another nation.
I’m addicted to the buzz, thrilled by the attention, and thus am caught on a merry-go-round,
And even my name isn't my own — oh well, that’s showbiz, and one reason why I'm so booze bound.
Yes, the worse for drink, 'cause that's how I deal with the shallowness and artificiality,
And given that I don’t know who I am anymore, but seemingly who they want me to be.
It’s pretty much just a game, momentary fame, 'cause one’s only as popular as the day,
And every day is a roller coaster, up, down, up, down, press start, press stop, then press replay.
How I love those highs, but not those lows, 'cause in-between each gig, it’s back to being plain old me,
Which means I've more time to think, more time to drown demons in drink, hence why booze comes naturally.
Yes, such but part of the scene, and becoming more routine, and how I deal with the fantasy,
'Cause it all seems just like an act, something that's more bound to subtract, tear the soul right out of me.
All why it could be the death of me, 'cause it's stolen my identity, simply for their sake,
'Cause I always have to please, forget about my unease, as well as mind those who're on the make.
Hence why I’m wanting out, just can’t grasp what it’s all about, and yet, here I am so hooked on such,
'Cause I’ve been beguiled and enslaved by an ego stroking siren, each gig's got me in its clutch.
Thus another gig, another fix, 'cause the rush I get from such is just like a drug to me,
Hence those withdrawal symptoms — that is, when the crowd's gone and we've packed up, and I'm alone with me.
And out comes that bottle again, another drug, one that seems to have as big a grip on me,
'Cause gigs and drugs seem to go together — and I, can't live without the limelight focused on me.
Yes, another gig....
By Lance Landall
This poem was upgraded on 4 May 2023.
Sullied Talent And Misused Blessings
Handsome, gifted vocally, he struts the stage, shirt open to the waistline, and with sweat soaked body,
At times dodging panties his female fans throw, their desires clear, their actions vulgar, arguably.
And some plucked from the mass are treated to a raunchy encounter, one they’ll continue to savour
As it replays in their mind well after the event, they swooning, dreaming, idolizing, in awe.
I don’t know about you, but such doesn’t impress me, 'cause I'd rather see them retain dignity,
Something that's lost when both singer and admirer act so ridiculously, and so shamefully,
'Cause where’s the restraint? He a singer or bawdy act? His manner suggestive, shirt yawning, chest bare,
And no doubt some of those women are married, even mums, who, lost in desire, don’t seem to care,
Their thoughts on that man, who, as a memento, passes to them (laden with sweat) what he chooses to share.
No, that’s not my kind of singer, regardless of his voice or great song, 'cause such is far from manly,
Something that's more akin to what goes on behind some school shed, where boys and girls act as shamefully.
And midst such childish expression, there's oft suggestive banter, and lyrics equally unworthy,
And he a married man too, who, I venture to say, would later be acting more unfaithfully.
And to think he’s admired, 'cause who would admire such crassness? Surely only those equally as loose,
And it clear that these women falling at the feet of their god are ones he could easily seduce.
A mere man, but a handsome man, one who though gifted vocally, lets it all down via such antics,
And thus sullies his talent, misuses his blessings, and degrades such women seeking night-out kicks.
By Lance Landall
This poem was tweaked throughout on 5 May 2023.
Taking Frank Sinatra as an example.
Hi, Frank
Hi, Frank, I have to say that you certainly got far more attention than me,
But then, you were on the stage, and I just some Joe at home with his family.
Yes, no one taking much interest in me, and hey, probably not you too,
Had you not become famous and all that, many swallowing that ballyhoo.
You sure sang well, and attracted the ladies, but you no different to me,
Just another man, just as flawed too, but oh, how you got treated differently.
All one has to do is become famous, huh, and then you’re something else, it seems,
A god of sorts, suddenly desirable, unreachable, except in dreams.
Yes, it’s crazy, I say, ’cause only yesterday you were just a bloke like me,
No woman turning her head, but come stardom, one’s got it all, apparently.
Yes, it’s a head scratcher, ’cause were you pumping gas, folk wouldn’t get out their car,
And I guess that’s why so many shallow souls reach for that very same flawed star.
And many so young, it going to their head, though they’re hardly alone in that,
But it’s sex, booze, drugs and who knows what else, they not having a clue where it’s at.
It pretty much a lie, you see, because it promises what it can’t fulfil,
It mirage-like, something that is and isn’t so, and yet, how it casts its spell.
Yes, you did alright, Frank, they still remembering you fondly, but hardly me,
I home come nights, don’t go away much, aren’t so tempted to act unfaithfully.
No, I just another man, and few will remember me, but hey, that’s okay,
’Cause death puts us all on the same footing again, we soon humbled by Earth’s clay.
By Lance Landall
It's Not Funny
I was very much influenced by much music of the fifties and sixties,
Having been born in nineteen fifty one; most music coming from overseas.
My ear oft glued to the radio, and later attuned to a stereo,
But I rather choosey over records bought (as my collection sought to grow).
However, the music in those days was generally far more wholesome, and
It often oozed beauty and harmony thanks to some clever arranger’s hand.
But it was more than that, society so much different then, thankfully,
Still largely influenced by classical composers and Christianity.
Yes, more people believed in God then, principles, morals, standards and values,
And thus despite the rock, pop invasion, the more refined music would still choose.
And you know, even the likes of Elvis, Cliff Richard and Englebert (for three),
Sang songs praising God, and many pop songs still contained beauty and harmony.
Oh, if only times were still like that — yes, the music prettier and lighter,
Thus more uplifting, hearts not depressed by the darker, but buoyed by the brighter.
And there still references to Faith and Hope, music more cleaner and noble,
More about love and not lust, and thus song writers drawing from a better well.
Rock’s beat not having all the say, nor stirring loins, summoning some evil force,
’Cause music’s simply dirtied by such, that bad boy attraction, that change of course.
Yes, Rock responsible, that same rebellion that sparked the sexual revolution,
Enter promiscuity, that attack on the marital institution.
In my angry years, when festering, I would spin the dial to some rock station,
The heavy beat in sympathy, such music fuelling my imagination.
But only temporarily, sanity prevailing again, that God side,
Those loftier sounds that were more in harmony with Heaven, and didn’t collide.
All why Christian singers and musicians have erred with their so-called Christian rock,
Which simply mimics what it shouldn’t, and which the Spirit’s ears can only block.
After all, it was that snubbing of God and all that Christianity stood for
That aided the demise of wholesome music, and let a devil in the door.
Enter boring rap, hardly music, but more an angry soap box, and there’s more,
Songs and clips that burn with porny lyrics and gyrations, they wet and raw.
Yes, we should be worried, crooners and orchestras having sadly passed away,
And with them, soon the likes of me, who remembers with fondness that better day.
Sorry if I’ve trodden on your toe, but all that thumping has trodden on mine,
Invading my space via those wailing speakers and easy listening’s decline.
Yes, you’ve largely got your way, but such has hardly proved of benefit to you,
Nor your kids, whose ears are damaged too, and who what’s wholesome, don’t wish to pursue.
What a sad legacy, music a blessing or a curse, just like anything,
And we getting to choose, wisely or foolishly, from which good or bad will spring.
Yes, the music of my day called easy listening, which is how it should be,
Not assaulting any babe in the womb or cradle, nor the elderly.
Sure the music of the fifties and sixties wasn’t fault free, and, I must say,
Nor has Christendom been, but things were still better then, less having gone astray.
And it’s those better things that we should go by, enter discipline, self control,
Otherwise pity help following generations whose well-being we stole.
No, the music of today hasn’t improved things, but worsened things, sad to say,
It seemingly both obsessed and possessed, lusty and witchy forces at play.
Yes, its followers beguiled and bound, there no turning back, and where will it end,
Good now called bad, and bad called good — yes, “Wicked,” they say — and it’s not funny, friend.
By Lance Landall
The Cost Of Today's Music
Gerry passed the requested spanner to his dad who used it to tighten the sump nut, oil change done,
A father and son effort, and Gerry’s father most appreciative of the help of his son.
They tidied up, and both washed their greasy oil stained hands, a hot drink and biscuit waiting patiently,
And such soon seized upon as they rested their backs 'gainst the seats in the sunbathed conservatory.
Music waffled soothingly from within the home, crooners of years gone by, cheery melodies,
Hardly the kind of music that the oft assaulted ears of the younger generation would please.
Though not the case with young Gerry, he having been exposed to good music from a very young age,
And now enjoying it as much as his father, rather than whatever might be the current rage.
His voice broke the silence. “I love that tune, but when I turn it up at work, I get howls of protest,
Yet it's got such a nice sound, not that the ones my age at work see it that way, 'cause all they do is jest.”
His dad put his drink down. “Well, son, they haven’t grown up with such, such being common fare round here,
We taking pains to create an appreciation for good music, lest you, son, good music jeer.
Parents who don’t take such pains are hardly acting responsibly, or (and this next thing too oft true),
Haven’t had the benefit of such themselves, and thus know no better — such not an excuse, mind you,
’Cause the duty of parents is to take whatever steps they can to find out what’s best for their child,
And in every way, otherwise that child is all the less for such, and soon to be seen running wild.
Most of the music that is out there today is far from good, despite the younger set thinking so,
Their ears not having been trained to know good music, they thus slaves to what they’re fed on the radio.
Such devoid of wholesome lyrics and musical beauty, it restless, wild, shallow, sex and beat ridden,
And given it’s all they want to know, it’s all they will know, truly good music remaining hidden.”
“They’re just not interested, Dad,” Gerry quipped. “No, son. Let me use the following analogy:
It’s like only having had spicy food, and thus food without such seeming bland, though best quality.
And as far as spicy goes, such most unhealthy, and hence why those who always have their food spicy
Oft end up on dialysis machines; and so it is that today’s music acts negatively.
It’s not just what we eat, but what we read, watch and listen to that affects us for better or worse,
And why as far as the mind goes (even things physically), today’s music is oft more a curse.
And why an appreciation for good music isn’t around the same, nor good music, sad to say,
’Cause the music industry is driven far more by money than good taste, and why worse comes our way.
Another problem with the music of today is that it’s often bound up with moral decay,
And I mean, images-cum-gyrations borrowed from strip joints and porn flicks, which sees kids further stray.
Hence those unfitting mental associations with different songs, wholesomeness losing out once more,
All such suggesting a bleaker future, because we all become what we idolise and adore.”
By Lance Landall
This poem was upgraded on 4 May 2023.
Christian content or degree.
Praise God Doesn't Want
The Bible tells us that it’s God alone who any glory is due, and so
He’s hardly behind that fan-based success of pop stars and Oscar winners, no.
They receiving adulation that’s not theirs to have, and God the giver of gifts,
All why He rejects their skewed skyward “Thank you,” which that “me” spotlight hardly shifts,
'Cause those fans barely register such, and I’m glad that they don’t, actually,
'Cause God has had nothing to do with it all, and those talents misused, sadly.
Oh yes, that worldliness they’re engaged in hardly having His anointing,
And the spotlight always on them, not Him, He just getting that skyward pointing.
Yet, ungodly lyrics and raunchy scenes equalling a faulty witness, and
Why instead of God’s ambassadors, and before all, it’s as hypocrites they stand.
Sincere? Well, in their deluded state, possibly, but haven’t they read God’s Word?
’Cause there they would’ve learnt to not behave so, though surely such should’ve occurred.
After all, how much of a Christian are they, or really only so in name,
Little time given to church and study, much devoted to personal fame.
Yes, so much for God first, and where is their wealth going? Much of it wasted, say,
Over the top mansions, lavishness, wild partying — yes, all hardly God’s way.
And nor is it a case of ten percent for me, ninety percent for others,
Plus their fame eclipsing more worthy works of their fellow sisters and brothers.
It all an image, another god, an idol, thus shaming that cross they wear,
Christ having died because of our sins, stuff they’re into, which could cost them, I fear.
Oh yes, the music, acting and entertainment scene riddled with what God hates,
All why in His Word, the possible dire consequences of such ill, He states.
One quickly sullied by such an industry, few strong enough to not give in,
Weren’t above it in the first place, perhaps, already acclimatised to sin.
Yes, the stage always being where the spotlight is on us, not God, and therefore,
We refraining from such, or keeping our integrity, closing this or that door.
And all why for Christians it’s in the world, not of the world, and by that I mean:
They only partaking in what’s noble, wholesome, God pleasing, honest, true and clean.
Yes, God oft getting praise He doesn’t want, for though the giver of talents, He
Doesn’t want such employed unrighteously — and thus praise here, an effrontery.
Oh, the words of that song, that lusty rhythm, that beat that almost numbs the brain,
Or that immoral, violent or other scene that some Christian’s seen to feign.
No, God no party to that, it misused talents, so thanks but no thanks, it is,
The credit for that million seller, dubious movie Oscar, hardly His,
Thus praise Him don’t, ’cause that’s a double sin, and your Christian profession a stab,
So, "Shush," I say, ’cause after indulging in such, more harm you add when you blab.
But better still (and what God wants), come into line with His will (if straying here),
’Cause God doesn’t want Christianity distorted, and more shame have to bear.
It’s the difference of Christians and their ways that He so wants the world to see,
And not that sullied sameness that some dare to praise Him for — it blasphemy!
By Lance Landall
“You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, corrupt and deluded by
its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self,
created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph 4:22-24, ESV).
“Music directly represents the passions of the soul. If one listens to
the
wrong kind of music, he will become the wrong kind of person.”
Aristotle
wrong kind of music, he will become the wrong kind of person.”
Aristotle
4.
In Defence Of Easy Listening Music
And here is a favourite sample of what I mean:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gTNVvf-_JI
The following article contains a little bit of Christian content.
“Using hundreds of subjects, I found that listening to rock music frequently causes all the muscles
in the body to go weak. The normal pressure required to overpower a strong deltoid muscle in an
adult male is about 40 to 45 pounds. When rock music is played, only 10 to 15 pounds is needed.”
From the book, Your Body Doesn’t Lie, by Dr John Diamond.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gTNVvf-_JI
The following article contains a little bit of Christian content.
“Using hundreds of subjects, I found that listening to rock music frequently causes all the muscles
in the body to go weak. The normal pressure required to overpower a strong deltoid muscle in an
adult male is about 40 to 45 pounds. When rock music is played, only 10 to 15 pounds is needed.”
From the book, Your Body Doesn’t Lie, by Dr John Diamond.
Food For The Soul
Music is like food for the soul, so what are we feeding it, is it healthy,
Or somewhat like junk food that leads to ill health? Though here, we’re talking mentally;
Soul food that rages, thumps, smoulders hotly, or spouts words that linger shamefully,
And that even affects physically, loin clad, or injuring bodily.
Yes, such all proven and surely obvious, and why with music we should mind,
’Cause everything we take in, one way or another, is callous or kind.
Our soul the richer or poorer for it, we climbing or descending, and why
Only that which does our soul good, and benefits the body too, we should buy.
By Lance Landall
“Give the People what they want, and they'll get what they deserve.”
The Kinks, English rock band
Easy listening music
is worlds apart from trance,
acid
jazz, that mindless lost in their own little world kind of jazz, punk,
disco, rock,
techno,
grunge, metal (of which there are various types), rap (which
isn't music at all, but more often just a rude, angry, nauseating,
repetitive rant) and
so
much else out there that's passing for music these days; and this being
why I'm
not about to make any apologies.
At the end of the day, any music is only as good as the state of society prevailing at the time — and currently, the state of society is very sick.
One only has to look at those MTV music video clips on TV to see where things have gone.
The truth of the matter is, that there’s less good on which music is being built these days, but rather, the lowest denominator, plus that “Just do it,” “It’s my life,” “Who cares?” “Don’t tell me what to do” and “Stop judging me” mentality.
Yes, a self absorbed, super indulgent, decadent, messed up society that's being fed (by permission) a constant diet of very bad influences (occultic for one, courtesy of many pop stars, movies and books), porn, sexual antics, violence, sitcoms-cum-shallow rubbish, error, junk food, drugs and booze. A purposeless generation fueled by Darwinism. Hence why there's less respect for law and authority, less or no interest in morals, principles and standards.
The seduction of humanity, it's been called by some. And who might the seducer be?
And so, a generation badly in need of help and direction.
Yes, actors wanting to shed that nice girl or boy next door image.
Is this why (when speaking of the signs of Christ's return) the bible mentions: That people will be lovers of themselves, boasters, swollen with conceit, abusive, arrogant, disobedient to their parents, haters of good, lovers of money and pleasure, treacherous, brutes, inhuman, reckless, ungrateful — and these are only part of the signs!
Hence why rock and its bedfellows are worshipped, rock born of rebellion, and hence the following comments:
At the end of the day, any music is only as good as the state of society prevailing at the time — and currently, the state of society is very sick.
One only has to look at those MTV music video clips on TV to see where things have gone.
The truth of the matter is, that there’s less good on which music is being built these days, but rather, the lowest denominator, plus that “Just do it,” “It’s my life,” “Who cares?” “Don’t tell me what to do” and “Stop judging me” mentality.
Yes, a self absorbed, super indulgent, decadent, messed up society that's being fed (by permission) a constant diet of very bad influences (occultic for one, courtesy of many pop stars, movies and books), porn, sexual antics, violence, sitcoms-cum-shallow rubbish, error, junk food, drugs and booze. A purposeless generation fueled by Darwinism. Hence why there's less respect for law and authority, less or no interest in morals, principles and standards.
The seduction of humanity, it's been called by some. And who might the seducer be?
And so, a generation badly in need of help and direction.
Yes, actors wanting to shed that nice girl or boy next door image.
Is this why (when speaking of the signs of Christ's return) the bible mentions: That people will be lovers of themselves, boasters, swollen with conceit, abusive, arrogant, disobedient to their parents, haters of good, lovers of money and pleasure, treacherous, brutes, inhuman, reckless, ungrateful — and these are only part of the signs!
Hence why rock and its bedfellows are worshipped, rock born of rebellion, and hence the following comments:
"It's not just an
exaggeration
to say that rebellion is more than just
an occasional theme in rock,
it is its very heart and soul."
20th anniversary edition of the Rolling Stone magazine.
it is its very heart and soul."
20th anniversary edition of the Rolling Stone magazine.
And it gets worse:
“Rock
has always been the devil’s music, you can’t convince me that it isn’t.
I honestly believe everything I’ve said—I believe rock and roll is
dangerous…I feel that we’re only heralding something even darker than
ourselves.”
David Bowie, Rolling Stone magazine, February 12, 1976, p.83
David Bowie, Rolling Stone magazine, February 12, 1976, p.83
“My true belief about
Rock ‘n’ Roll is this: I believe this kind of music is demonic…"
Little Richard, The Life and Times of Little Richard by Charles White, p. 197.
“Rock ‘n’ roll is pagan and primitive, and very jungle, and that’s how it should be! The moment it stops being those things, it’s dead … the true meaning of rock … is sex, subversion and style.”
Malcolm McLaren, punk rock manager, Rock, August 1983, p. 60.
“You can’t have rock and roll without drugs, you can’t have rock and roll without sex.”
Rick James, singer, musician
"Rock and roll keeps you in a constant state of juvenile delinquency."
Eddie Spaghetti, rock musician.
"The historical roots of the drum rhythms of rock music is actually voodoo! This is verified by
many...rock artists and voodoo worshippers."
Restoring True Worship by Ruth Webb
“All rock and roll is based in artifice.”
Billy Corgan, musician, rock band The Smashing Pumpkins
"Rock 'n' roll is an attitude, it's not a musical form of a strict sort."
Lester Bangs, American music journalist, critic, musician.
“Rock n’ roll is a poison put to sound.”
Pablo Casals, Spanish cellist
“Rock and roll might be summed up as monotony tinged with hysteria.”
Vance Packard
Little Richard, The Life and Times of Little Richard by Charles White, p. 197.
“Rock ‘n’ roll is pagan and primitive, and very jungle, and that’s how it should be! The moment it stops being those things, it’s dead … the true meaning of rock … is sex, subversion and style.”
Malcolm McLaren, punk rock manager, Rock, August 1983, p. 60.
“You can’t have rock and roll without drugs, you can’t have rock and roll without sex.”
Rick James, singer, musician
"Rock and roll keeps you in a constant state of juvenile delinquency."
Eddie Spaghetti, rock musician.
"The historical roots of the drum rhythms of rock music is actually voodoo! This is verified by
many...rock artists and voodoo worshippers."
Restoring True Worship by Ruth Webb
“All rock and roll is based in artifice.”
Billy Corgan, musician, rock band The Smashing Pumpkins
"Rock 'n' roll is an attitude, it's not a musical form of a strict sort."
Lester Bangs, American music journalist, critic, musician.
“Rock n’ roll is a poison put to sound.”
Pablo Casals, Spanish cellist
“Rock and roll might be summed up as monotony tinged with hysteria.”
Vance Packard
All why there's no such thing as Christian
rock. Such making a mockery of the following quote:
"Once the Christian influence no
longer plays a significant role in the music of Western society, which
is
increasingly becoming the case, it will continue to deteriorate and sink to even baser levels."
Alvin J. Schmmidt, from the book: How Christianity Changed The World.
increasingly becoming the case, it will continue to deteriorate and sink to even baser levels."
Alvin J. Schmmidt, from the book: How Christianity Changed The World.
The music represents the spirit of rock. And so, anyone who embraces rock music also embraces the spirit of rock.
You cannot seperate the two. The spirit of rock is rebellion,
lawlessness and sexual immorality (see quotes further down). And the
music that's suitable for carrying rebellion, lawlessness and sexual
immorality is ugly, distorted, unbalanced, lacking symmetry,
misproportioned, hard-featured, uncouth, graceless, inelegant, rough,
rude, repellent, repulsive, frightful, showy and pretenious.
It 's also worth noting that the
rock guitar abandoned the rounded shoulder of the classical or folk
guitar, taking on its own unique appearance, the pointed shoulders of
the modern guitar [eg. Stratocaster] closely resembling the cornuto
sign that’s considered to be the devil’s sign —
the forefinger and little finger extended, while the other fingers are
curled into a fist, one finger higher than the other. This sign is
representative of a satanic/occult symbol — the two horned goat or/and
the imagined horns of Satan. This sign is used by black arts
practitioners to ward off the "evil eye”.
Sadly, it was the rock invasion that destroyed
the easy
listening market, and that saw both those singers and orchestras dying
away.
The following two quotes from Frank Sinatra show how he felt about such
music:
"Rock
'n' roll smells phoney and false. It is sung, played and written, for
the most part, by cretinous goons. And,
by means of its almost imbecilic reiteration, and sly, lewd and in plain fact, dirty lyrics...it manages to be the
martial music of every side-burned delinquent on the face of the earth."
Quoted in Taboo Tunes: A History of Banned Bands & Censored Songs
"The most brutal, ugly, desperate, vicious form of expression it has been my misfortune to hear."
Simon Frith, Sound Effects: Youth, Leisure and the Politics of Rock, ch, 5 (1979)
by means of its almost imbecilic reiteration, and sly, lewd and in plain fact, dirty lyrics...it manages to be the
martial music of every side-burned delinquent on the face of the earth."
Quoted in Taboo Tunes: A History of Banned Bands & Censored Songs
"The most brutal, ugly, desperate, vicious form of expression it has been my misfortune to hear."
Simon Frith, Sound Effects: Youth, Leisure and the Politics of Rock, ch, 5 (1979)
One
horrible thing with rock music and its heavy beat (made worse by
those powerful bass speakers) is that it's incredibly intruding
regarding
neighbours, and much like a dripping tap. Such thumping music has
caused no end of trouble in neighbourhoods.
And those people who go past pedestrians in their cars with the same loud, thumping music, should remember this: That how the person in the street hears that music is very different to how the car driver hears it. In other words, all the people in the street hear is an annoying boomy sound and a kind of muffled waffling which sounds rather pathetic. So much for showing off. Oh, those poor wee children in the back of such vehicles, or dogs.
And here's these quotes:
And those people who go past pedestrians in their cars with the same loud, thumping music, should remember this: That how the person in the street hears that music is very different to how the car driver hears it. In other words, all the people in the street hear is an annoying boomy sound and a kind of muffled waffling which sounds rather pathetic. So much for showing off. Oh, those poor wee children in the back of such vehicles, or dogs.
And here's these quotes:
"Music for the neck
downwards."
Keith Richards, British rock guitarist“Rock’n’roll starts between the legs and goes through the heart, then to the head. As long as it does
those three things, it’s a great rock song.”
John Mellencamp, singer, musician, rock
The rock ‘n’ roll explosion
and the
sexual revolution combined to create a more rebellious and decadent
society. Rock beat soon permeated every genre (even classical and the
religious), the romantic metamorphosing into the sexual, and crooning
giving way to what’s got more in common with yelling.
"Rock music should be gross:
that's the fun of it. It gets up and drops
its trousers."
Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden
"They [parents] should be concerned because we are into girls—that is what rock is all about—sex with
a 100 megaton bomb, the beat."
Gene Simmons of Kiss (Interview Entertainment tonight, ABC, Dec 10, 1987)
Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden
"They [parents] should be concerned because we are into girls—that is what rock is all about—sex with
a 100 megaton bomb, the beat."
Gene Simmons of Kiss (Interview Entertainment tonight, ABC, Dec 10, 1987)
Who's not familiar with the
often said, "Sex, drugs and rock
'n' roll."
“Everyone takes it for
granted
that rock and roll is synonymous with sex.”
Chris Stein, lead guitarist for Blondie, People, May 21, 1979
Chris Stein, lead guitarist for Blondie, People, May 21, 1979
The phrase rock 'n' roll was actually coined by a disc jockey to
describe the act of sexual intercourse in the back of a car.
Forgive
me, but I'm reminded of those words found in the Christian Bible that
say: "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness
for light, and light for darkness."
I'm also reminded of the following ominous
quote:
"Give me control over he
who
shapes the music of a nation, and I care not who makes the laws."
Napoleon
Napoleon
In my opinion, Rock is the musical equivalent of porn. It corrupts and savages.
The
rock guitar, with its extended arm, lends itself to being used in
a sexual manner, as a phallic symbol at rock concerts. It slung
low and strummed near the genitals, and often in a thrusting motion.
So why do some people feel good listening to pleasant easy listening
music, and some people feel good listening to rock music?
Well,
those who listen to pleasant easy listening music feel good because
it’s generally uplifting and ennobling; it drawing them into a more
kindly,
happy, wholesome, relaxed state —
and more could be added to this.
Those who listen to rock music
feel good simply because it pleases them. Not because it has any
redeeming features. Beyond that it’s empty, and rather than uplifting,
it excites base (negative) emotions.
Give
a child an ice-cream and it pleases, but does little good.
Give a
child an apple and it benefits. And that child will enjoy that apple,
though probably not so if raised on nothing but sweets.
Rock music appeals to that dark side in us where
anger, frustration and rebellion can lurk.
It was also David Bowie who said that rock "lets in the baser elements."
"In my role as a music teacher, I have observed that the rebellious and lazy students
always want to learn the drums."
Ruth Webb
always want to learn the drums."
Ruth Webb
Here's a funny but not too far from the truth quote:
“When buying a used car,
punch
the buttons on the radio. If all the stations are rock and roll, there’s
a good chance the transmission is shot.”
Larry Lujack
a good chance the transmission is shot.”
Larry Lujack
In my early years (before I
had children and became born again, as they say), I went through a
period where I struggled with certain things that really got me down
and made me feel very frustrated and angry at times.
Midst
those emotions I would sometimes turn to the radio, flicking through
the stations until I found music that suited my mood, heavy rock in
particular — yes, that wildness and ramped up beat was where my
negative thoughts found a much darker expression, a momentary dark
ally. This surely says something quite disturbing.
Anyway, in
order to survive, many orchestras eventually adopted that same rocky
beat much to their detriment in terms of beauty, pleasantness and
innocence. However, in time those orchestras mostly disappeared.
You know, scientists
have shown that babies are born favouring the songs and voices they
heard in their mother’s womb. Such being cause for serious
thought.
No,
easy listening music doesn't screech vocally,
howl electronically, thump mindlessly, clash
auditorily, produce a hypnotic state, have one moving
as if they've
suddenly been afflicted with uncontrollable, painful spasms, nor rattle
any pets. 
This article, therefore, is my attempt to draw people back to the
cleaner,
more
beautiful,
harmonious, melodic, pleasant, pretty, relaxing, cheery, and more
wholesome, and yet dreamy, romantic, cruisy, sophisticated rhythmic
expressions that once were heard but are now facing extinction.
It
really saddens me that young people today either have no interest in
such music or can't stand it. It seemingly too tame, for one, given
what they've been into. They much like someone who's been used to lots
of pepper and salt, though neither being good for anyone.
I’m appalled by the kind of music (and even
things in general) that the king and queen of Britain have had to sit
through when they’ve attended the Royal Variety shows. Such hardly
being in
keeping with either their tastes or their elevated position.
Unfitting lyrics can be another
spoiler, and today's lyrics are so blatantly and immaturely riddled
with
the sexual, are also anti this or that, whiny, depressing, crude and so
much more.
All why I personally prefer orchestral music, and why
one
also picks the tracks and treatment that one likes, and that one's
happy
with.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to those tastes we cultivate,
and of which we're a reflection. And remembering that progression is
measured by refinement. Thus one could say:
"Every musical creation
conveys either chivalry or injury, nobility or degeneracy."
And one could say this too:
"As with anything, music should
always be to our betterment and not our
detriment"
"With flowers we SEE the beauty, with music we FEEL the beauty."
"With flowers we SEE the beauty, with music we FEEL the beauty."
Those three quotes are mine.
Like
everything in life, you pluck what's good and leave behind what's not,
and without getting fanatical given that there's little without fault.
Some
people (more so Christians, say) may discard a piece of music because
of unfitting lyrics.
However, if that piece of music is beautiful, of good bearing, has
merit and worth, surely it stands on its own, and shouldn’t necessarily
be guilty by association. Shame that someone put unfitting lyrics to
it. So, look for a good orchestral version.
Some
might discard a piece of music because it was written by the Beatles,
for example. However, some of the early Beatles music (once the lyrics
are removed, say) makes for lovely orchestral expressions given how
melodic
it is.
See link below.
Do we discard a
lovely piece of classical music, or a moving,
uplifting
poem, simply because the creators of both happened to have a long term
mistress, some rather unpleasant personality traits, or
because
something beautiful that they composed was dedicated to their mistress
or lover. My, where would
we draw the line?
"But
they composed that music," (or poem), "while they were under the
influence of drugs,"
some might say.
Well, maybe they did, but talent is talent (possibly enhanced by such
in some cases, for all I know) and was it still a worthy, lovely
result? Do we refrain from purchasing a beautiful vase because
someone
created it
while under the influence of alcohol, medical drugs, or a bout of
depression? Do we refrain from purchasing a beautiful vase from an
op-shop just because it once stood in the corridor of a brothel?
If someone makes a cabinet to house their porn DVDs, that doesn't make
that cabinet pornographic. If someone composes a beautiful piece of
music for something that's not the best, that doesn't stop
that piece
of music being beautiful.
Those who don't care for the Beatles or even the Beach Boys,
might like to pause a
minute and
listen to these two early recordings (done in the same years, the
sixties) by the
Hollyridge Strings. They're older sounding but give some idea of what I'm talking about.
Firstly, the Beatles:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WLtqaYbYq0
Now the Beach Boys:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vex7Pywstg
And while I'm at it, I'll throw in this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf3Q7aD8cDI
And this one, oops:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twNCccgY7jY
As earthly creatures whose lives are made up of many things — relationships, events, etc — our compositions will naturally reflect that. And that's fine if they're fitting or made fitting.
Should we discard a CD of fitting music just because its case has an unseemly picture on it? No, one simply removes the offending picture. Should people discard the Bible because its writers lives weren't always squeaky clean? David, for example, who committed adultery and murdered. No, because no human is perfect, untainted, and truth is truth? So let's not get carried away, otherwise we might well be throwing out encyclopaedias, dictionaries, automobile manuals, etc. However, one still needs to be discerning all the same, and progression is measured by refinement.
This article was added to on 5 June 2023.
By the way, what's with the vinyl fad?
When cd players and cds hit the scene, I couldn't get rid of my record collection fast enough. A bit too quick, actually, given that it took years to get on CD what I had on vinyl. But no regrets, in the end, and I'll tell you why.
Record wise:
Warps, scratches and dust. Hence those irritating crackles, pops and so on, and that having to wipe before play. Oh, so much care needed. "May I borrow your record?" "Ah, no."
The general ware that comes with time, and more so on one side of the grove than the other, hence those linear tracking turntables that came in time.
Groove gunk.
Cover ware and tare.
Opps! Bumped the arm (sccccratch), dropped the needle (and they not cheap), or "Who just jumped and made things skip!?"
Turntable rumble, unless you can aford a direct drive turntable.
And oh, those large antiquated records (mind the sun) that go right back to 1877 and Thomas Edison. Yes, I think we've moved on.
Cd wise:
Oh, that neat compact size, carry anywhere, pop in your purse or bag, play in the car or on some portable device.
And no problem if it's a bit scratched after skipping across the floor.
Oh, the joy of having a remote given those tracks one isn't so keen on. No more having to get up, or put up with. That ability to quickly sample tracks or replay a track.
As far as sound quality goes, more than good enough, unless you're an absolute hi-fi buff.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcY7-lDNLks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifSVPt9vBdM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9bAyVjMXic
"Every human brain is a miraculous tapestry utterly unique to the weaver. When we tear this
fragile tapestry we are damaging a one-off that can't easily be repaired."
From the book, The Great Brain Robbery.
5.
Drugs
Just A Few Things About Marijuana
Taken from various sources.
1)
Marijuana is as damaging as tobacco, and has greater impact in impairing psychological functioning. A Swedish study over a 15-year period showed that those who had used marijuana 50 times or more had a six-fold increase in schizophrenia, and an increase in anxiety, depressive or psychotic syndromes. Marijuana has a tremendous propensity for bringing out that paranoia feeling in people.
2)
The cannabinoids in marijuana can damage proper cell function and repair. Marijuana has been shown to prevent proper formation of DNA. Marijuana smoke has been shown to produce mutations.
The prevalence of a particular type of leukaemia is 10 times higher among children born of marijuana-smoking mothers.
3)
Marijuana impairs motor co-ordination. It affects judgment, decreases reaction time and reduces peripheral vision. Some of these effects remain up to 24 hours. Marijuana stays in the body for a very long time. It stays in the brain and keeps operating long after people are high. This time element is anywhere from six weeks to six months. Only half of the marijuana leaves your body in a week. Pilots? Surgeons? Drivers? Machine operators?
Funny how we used to worry about drunk drivers.
4)
Memory loss poses one of the main problems with kids who smoke it.
5)
Marijuana decreases the ability to fight viral infections, and heavy use produces chronic bronchitis and laryngitis.
6)
Marijuana smoke contains more irritants, particulates, tars and noxious gases than tobacco smoke.
7)
Marijuana use also increases heart rate.
8)
Marijuana interferes with normal hormone function. Male users have decreased testosterone levels and an increased incidence of abnormal sperm cells.
9)
Marijuana eventually leads to a loss of motivation.
10)
Marijuana users suffer from a flight of ideas, verbal diarrhea, and swing from one subject to another.
11)
Marijuana markedly alters a person’s powers of concentration while driving a car.
12)
Marijuana increases the direct or indirect risk of use or misuse of other drugs. This is known as the ‘gateway’ effect.
13)
Marijuana causes an alteration of time and distance perception.
14)
Marijuana can also create a sense of bravado and can cause hallucinations.
There are those who say that we should decriminalise drugs in order to solve or improve the current issues surrounding them. Well, when I hear such arguments, I can’t help thinking of the word spurious.
If we were to adopt such an attitude to all those things that are destructive to society, then anything and everything would go, which is pretty much happening, to be honest.
Yes, I’m unreservedly anti drugs, they but a plague upon society,
Partakers and those drugged drivers putting at risk every family.
Addiction tied in with robberies, muggings, craziness and monetary loss,
The latter hitting taxpayers too, and why it’s time to peel away the gloss,
Not that drugs ever had some redeeming feature, and they hardly candyfloss,
But weighty, evil, greedy men behind their distribution — blood on their hands —
Thus my prayer being that both divine and earthly agencies will crush their plans.
The residue of those drugs still affecting well after, and oft for the worse,
Bus drivers, couriers, mechanics, machine operators, say, under their curse,
And not just them, but the children of partakers subjected to that same smoke,
And who in that smelly destructiveness are inevitably seen to soak.
And not just they, but pets, all dwelling in that same home, or victims in a car
Speeding or crossing the centre line, once driven by those who’d left some bar.
And drugs being the most brainless way to get a high, 'cause they damage the brain,
Ones very control centre, that which makes us who we are; and money down the drain,
Money that could’ve bought so much, achieved so much, yet often exchanged for debt,
Worsening health and finally rehab, that oh so common painful regret.
Yes, you see the patheticness of it, what it’s done to them, 'cause harm it does,
Proponents away with the fairies, the cost, pain and damage not worth the buzz.
Society awash with troubles now, and more are being dumbed down each day,
Their facilities subtly and gradually compromised, revealing decay.
So, if you wanted to destroy society, make minds much more pliable,
Easier to manipulate (given their weakened state), drugs would fit the bill,
They saturating town and city, every echelon of society,
And this all why the complete removal of drugs should be a priority.
The truth is, when they're taken, you've given them permission to play with your head,
Your control partially or totally surrendered, and surely enough said.
After all, should some doctor seek to medicate people so, complaints there’d be,
Patients shouting that their brain was being messed up, and I’d have to agree.
Anything that plays with our head isn’t harmless, and this why computers fail,
Bugs, viruses, cookies (call them what you will) acting on a one-to-ten scale.
In other words, no drug does nothing, and cumulative partaking far more,
Until somewhere on that scale of one-to-ten, trouble is knocking on the door.
Yes, we’ve seen the damage, chaos and cost, the hole in the lie that drugs are fine,
Their intention being nothing but to alter ones state, certainly not mine.
Oh, the folly of it, drug lords and pushers laughing all the way to the bank,
But not hospitals and social workers who those destroyers of lives won’t thank.
Oh yes, there’s big money to be made out of drugs, ones dependence, misery,
Hence the overwhelming supply that keeps the police and customs so busy.
They seemingly fighting a losing battle, some in high places behind such,
They pulling the strings of their puppets, all those for whom drugs have become a crutch.
All why I’m unreservedly anti drugs, and more than prepared to say so,
They one of the causes of longer hospital waiting lists and deaths, you know.
Yes, drugs maiming and murdering, destroying mentally and physically,
And the way things are going (if something’s not done), it’ll be goodbye humanity.
By Lance Landall
Your brain is you, wreck it and you’re done, or seriously nobbled, a burden,
Other folk having to attend to you, and it costly, perhaps a coffin.
You draining and hindering medical facilities, and taking up beds,
And it all unnecessary, thoughtless, because drugs simply mess with heads.
Yes, the evidence clear and overwhelming, and the brain extremely fragile,
But drug takers determined regardless, addicted, or simply in denial.
And hence their smack, candy, magic mushrooms, bennies, wacky backy or benzene,
Slang for cocaine, marijuana, opiates, hallucinogens, inhalants,
Amphetamines.
Oh, the craziness of it, self-destruction drip-fed, “Take this!” society,
Because it sure wrecks havoc, and oh, how those callous suppliers make money.
And who knows who’s on something, and that’s a very scary thing, a loaded gun,
And why anybody with so much as a lick of sense such poison will shun.
By Lance Landall
Asking For Trouble
Your brain is very precious — in fact, it’s actually you,
For your brain is where your mind is, your personality too.
And also your character — yes, the person that you’ve become,
Thus, when it comes to drugs, friend, I wouldn’t bother, nor succumb.
No, don’t ever play with your mind, don’t ever mess with your brain,
For that’s your control centre, and what you wreck, you don’t regain.
Be it marijuana, heroin, LSD, ‘P’ or cocaine,
For your sanity sake, and for your health sake, you should refrain.
Yes, take note of what drugs have done, and learn from others’ mistakes,
Or if you're using them already, free yourself — hit the brakes!
For sooner or later, friend, taking those drugs will cripple you,
Given they’re mind wreckers, life wreckers, and society harm too.
In your mind is where you live, and your whole life you will spend there,
Thus, should you wreck that place, friend, you’ll have good reason for despair.
It’s a crazy thing to do — that’s right, it’s just insanity,
For who would destroy their own home, their brain, voluntarily?
Your brain is designed to give you a lifetime of normal use,
But it will fail to give that if it suffers from such abuse.
You will find that certain functions won’t deliver what’s required,
And that your romance with taking drugs has horribly backfired.
Plus, while the drug pushers grow rich — you, friend, will simply grow poor,
And as your addiction grows, you’ll seek out those pushers more.
Soon hooked, broke, and circle bound, you'll no doubt turn to crime to find
The money for your addiction and those masters of your mind.
Yes, you will soon become a slave, just a puppet on a string,
Who’s just feathering the nest of some pusher and rich drug king.
Plus, you’ll just hurt the ones you love, bring them misery and shame,
And you will have to live with knowing that you’re the one to blame.
And regarding medical drugs:
This world is awash with antidepressants when they’re seldom the answer, if at all, and far more harmful than good,
And indeed a crime when they’re given to children, 'cause in their case, even greater injury is the likelihood.
And under the influence of such potent drugs, both injury to themselves and others many users have done,
Which is hardly a surprise, 'cause our mind and body were not meant to be assaulted so, oft seen when once begun.
Oh yes, such man-made drugs are,
Purely the concoction of pharmaceutical companies that ply the medical profession almost obscenely,
Pushing their antidepressants as if they’re some kind of wonder drug, when they’ve more to do with injury, sadly,
Because they simply numb (leaving many somewhat Zombie-like), interfering with their health in far more ways than one,
And hence the reason why — except for exceptional circumstances, possibly — antidepressants all should shun.
Far too many doctors are too quick to prescribe such — indeed most, probably — and are biased alternatively,
And I meaning, they’re just pharmaceutical dispensers, less interested in what works better naturally.
And oft very ignorantly so, thus lining the pockets of those behind slick monolithic corporations,
That push their expensive, experimental concoctions, and more often, plain injurious adulterations.
Yes, the world is awash with pharmaceutical drugs as harmful as those found on the streets, and some perhaps more so,
'Cause millions of deaths are attributed to such each year, and most having been tested on animals pointlessly.
And that’s one of the reasons why, 'cause such testing is just a con — yes, one of the cruellest hoaxes in history,
'Cause humans and animals aren’t compatible medically, and nor are those mindbenders with humanity.
By Lance Landall
And while I'm at it, I'll throw in this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf3Q7aD8cDI
And this one, oops:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twNCccgY7jY
As earthly creatures whose lives are made up of many things — relationships, events, etc — our compositions will naturally reflect that. And that's fine if they're fitting or made fitting.
Should we discard a CD of fitting music just because its case has an unseemly picture on it? No, one simply removes the offending picture. Should people discard the Bible because its writers lives weren't always squeaky clean? David, for example, who committed adultery and murdered. No, because no human is perfect, untainted, and truth is truth? So let's not get carried away, otherwise we might well be throwing out encyclopaedias, dictionaries, automobile manuals, etc. However, one still needs to be discerning all the same, and progression is measured by refinement.
This article was added to on 5 June 2023.
By the way, what's with the vinyl fad?
When cd players and cds hit the scene, I couldn't get rid of my record collection fast enough. A bit too quick, actually, given that it took years to get on CD what I had on vinyl. But no regrets, in the end, and I'll tell you why.
Record wise:
Warps, scratches and dust. Hence those irritating crackles, pops and so on, and that having to wipe before play. Oh, so much care needed. "May I borrow your record?" "Ah, no."
The general ware that comes with time, and more so on one side of the grove than the other, hence those linear tracking turntables that came in time.
Groove gunk.
Cover ware and tare.
Opps! Bumped the arm (sccccratch), dropped the needle (and they not cheap), or "Who just jumped and made things skip!?"
Turntable rumble, unless you can aford a direct drive turntable.
And oh, those large antiquated records (mind the sun) that go right back to 1877 and Thomas Edison. Yes, I think we've moved on.
Cd wise:
Oh, that neat compact size, carry anywhere, pop in your purse or bag, play in the car or on some portable device.
And no problem if it's a bit scratched after skipping across the floor.
Oh, the joy of having a remote given those tracks one isn't so keen on. No more having to get up, or put up with. That ability to quickly sample tracks or replay a track.
As far as sound quality goes, more than good enough, unless you're an absolute hi-fi buff.
And here's a small list of what I call good music:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fu-_9voY50
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcY7-lDNLks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifSVPt9vBdM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9bAyVjMXic
"Every human brain is a miraculous tapestry utterly unique to the weaver. When we tear this
fragile tapestry we are damaging a one-off that can't easily be repaired."
From the book, The Great Brain Robbery.
5.
Drugs
"Cocaine is an
intelligence test. If you take it you fail."
Paul Kantner, Jefferson Starship
"Drug addiction is a self- punishing disease that ruins mental, psychological and physical health."
Dr T.P. Chia
"Frequent marijuana use leads to more tissue destruction and long-term impairment of our highest
intellectual functions than almost any other drug of abuse."
Robert Gilkeson, former director Brain Research Centre, California
“Drugs are a bet with your mind.”
Jim Morrison
“Drugs are a waste of time. They destroy your memory and your self-respect and everything that goes
along with your self-esteem.”
Kurt Cobain
WHEN A PERSON CHOOSES TO TAKE DRUGS, THEY AID AND ABET CALLOUS, GREEDY, SELFISH,
RECKLESS DRUG LORDS, PUSHERS AND THUGS, THUS SHARING GUILT FOR RELATED CRIMES AND SOCIETAL DISINTEGRATION — IN OTHER WORDS, A MONSTER OF A CREATION, ONE THAT SERIOUSLY
DAMAGES ONE'S HEALTH, ONE THAT STRIPS OF PERSONAL WEALTH, ONE THAT DAMAGES
RELATIONSHIPS, ONE THAT CRUELY AND ADDICTIVELY GRIPS, ONE THAT MESSES UP ONE'S
BRAIN — VERY CONTROL CENTRE — WHERE ONLY WISDOM AND SOUNDNESS SHOULD REIGN.
Paul Kantner, Jefferson Starship
"Drug addiction is a self- punishing disease that ruins mental, psychological and physical health."
Dr T.P. Chia
"Frequent marijuana use leads to more tissue destruction and long-term impairment of our highest
intellectual functions than almost any other drug of abuse."
Robert Gilkeson, former director Brain Research Centre, California
“Drugs are a bet with your mind.”
Jim Morrison
“Drugs are a waste of time. They destroy your memory and your self-respect and everything that goes
along with your self-esteem.”
Kurt Cobain
WHEN A PERSON CHOOSES TO TAKE DRUGS, THEY AID AND ABET CALLOUS, GREEDY, SELFISH,
RECKLESS DRUG LORDS, PUSHERS AND THUGS, THUS SHARING GUILT FOR RELATED CRIMES AND SOCIETAL DISINTEGRATION — IN OTHER WORDS, A MONSTER OF A CREATION, ONE THAT SERIOUSLY
DAMAGES ONE'S HEALTH, ONE THAT STRIPS OF PERSONAL WEALTH, ONE THAT DAMAGES
RELATIONSHIPS, ONE THAT CRUELY AND ADDICTIVELY GRIPS, ONE THAT MESSES UP ONE'S
BRAIN — VERY CONTROL CENTRE — WHERE ONLY WISDOM AND SOUNDNESS SHOULD REIGN.
Just A Few Things About Marijuana
Taken from various sources.
1)
Marijuana is as damaging as tobacco, and has greater impact in impairing psychological functioning. A Swedish study over a 15-year period showed that those who had used marijuana 50 times or more had a six-fold increase in schizophrenia, and an increase in anxiety, depressive or psychotic syndromes. Marijuana has a tremendous propensity for bringing out that paranoia feeling in people.
2)
The cannabinoids in marijuana can damage proper cell function and repair. Marijuana has been shown to prevent proper formation of DNA. Marijuana smoke has been shown to produce mutations.
The prevalence of a particular type of leukaemia is 10 times higher among children born of marijuana-smoking mothers.
3)
Marijuana impairs motor co-ordination. It affects judgment, decreases reaction time and reduces peripheral vision. Some of these effects remain up to 24 hours. Marijuana stays in the body for a very long time. It stays in the brain and keeps operating long after people are high. This time element is anywhere from six weeks to six months. Only half of the marijuana leaves your body in a week. Pilots? Surgeons? Drivers? Machine operators?
Funny how we used to worry about drunk drivers.
4)
Memory loss poses one of the main problems with kids who smoke it.
5)
Marijuana decreases the ability to fight viral infections, and heavy use produces chronic bronchitis and laryngitis.
6)
Marijuana smoke contains more irritants, particulates, tars and noxious gases than tobacco smoke.
7)
Marijuana use also increases heart rate.
8)
Marijuana interferes with normal hormone function. Male users have decreased testosterone levels and an increased incidence of abnormal sperm cells.
9)
Marijuana eventually leads to a loss of motivation.
10)
Marijuana users suffer from a flight of ideas, verbal diarrhea, and swing from one subject to another.
11)
Marijuana markedly alters a person’s powers of concentration while driving a car.
12)
Marijuana increases the direct or indirect risk of use or misuse of other drugs. This is known as the ‘gateway’ effect.
13)
Marijuana causes an alteration of time and distance perception.
14)
Marijuana can also create a sense of bravado and can cause hallucinations.
There are those who say that we should decriminalise drugs in order to solve or improve the current issues surrounding them. Well, when I hear such arguments, I can’t help thinking of the word spurious.
If we were to adopt such an attitude to all those things that are destructive to society, then anything and everything would go, which is pretty much happening, to be honest.
Unreservedly Anti Drugs
Yes, I’m unreservedly anti drugs, they but a plague upon society,
Partakers and those drugged drivers putting at risk every family.
Addiction tied in with robberies, muggings, craziness and monetary loss,
The latter hitting taxpayers too, and why it’s time to peel away the gloss,
Not that drugs ever had some redeeming feature, and they hardly candyfloss,
But weighty, evil, greedy men behind their distribution — blood on their hands —
Thus my prayer being that both divine and earthly agencies will crush their plans.
The residue of those drugs still affecting well after, and oft for the worse,
Bus drivers, couriers, mechanics, machine operators, say, under their curse,
And not just them, but the children of partakers subjected to that same smoke,
And who in that smelly destructiveness are inevitably seen to soak.
And not just they, but pets, all dwelling in that same home, or victims in a car
Speeding or crossing the centre line, once driven by those who’d left some bar.
And drugs being the most brainless way to get a high, 'cause they damage the brain,
Ones very control centre, that which makes us who we are; and money down the drain,
Money that could’ve bought so much, achieved so much, yet often exchanged for debt,
Worsening health and finally rehab, that oh so common painful regret.
Yes, you see the patheticness of it, what it’s done to them, 'cause harm it does,
Proponents away with the fairies, the cost, pain and damage not worth the buzz.
Society awash with troubles now, and more are being dumbed down each day,
Their facilities subtly and gradually compromised, revealing decay.
So, if you wanted to destroy society, make minds much more pliable,
Easier to manipulate (given their weakened state), drugs would fit the bill,
They saturating town and city, every echelon of society,
And this all why the complete removal of drugs should be a priority.
The truth is, when they're taken, you've given them permission to play with your head,
Your control partially or totally surrendered, and surely enough said.
After all, should some doctor seek to medicate people so, complaints there’d be,
Patients shouting that their brain was being messed up, and I’d have to agree.
Anything that plays with our head isn’t harmless, and this why computers fail,
Bugs, viruses, cookies (call them what you will) acting on a one-to-ten scale.
In other words, no drug does nothing, and cumulative partaking far more,
Until somewhere on that scale of one-to-ten, trouble is knocking on the door.
Yes, we’ve seen the damage, chaos and cost, the hole in the lie that drugs are fine,
Their intention being nothing but to alter ones state, certainly not mine.
Oh, the folly of it, drug lords and pushers laughing all the way to the bank,
But not hospitals and social workers who those destroyers of lives won’t thank.
Oh yes, there’s big money to be made out of drugs, ones dependence, misery,
Hence the overwhelming supply that keeps the police and customs so busy.
They seemingly fighting a losing battle, some in high places behind such,
They pulling the strings of their puppets, all those for whom drugs have become a crutch.
All why I’m unreservedly anti drugs, and more than prepared to say so,
They one of the causes of longer hospital waiting lists and deaths, you know.
Yes, drugs maiming and murdering, destroying mentally and physically,
And the way things are going (if something’s not done), it’ll be goodbye humanity.
By Lance Landall
Mind-blowing
Your brain is you, wreck it and you’re done, or seriously nobbled, a burden,
Other folk having to attend to you, and it costly, perhaps a coffin.
You draining and hindering medical facilities, and taking up beds,
And it all unnecessary, thoughtless, because drugs simply mess with heads.
Yes, the evidence clear and overwhelming, and the brain extremely fragile,
But drug takers determined regardless, addicted, or simply in denial.
And hence their smack, candy, magic mushrooms, bennies, wacky backy or benzene,
Slang for cocaine, marijuana, opiates, hallucinogens, inhalants,
Amphetamines.
Oh, the craziness of it, self-destruction drip-fed, “Take this!” society,
Because it sure wrecks havoc, and oh, how those callous suppliers make money.
And who knows who’s on something, and that’s a very scary thing, a loaded gun,
And why anybody with so much as a lick of sense such poison will shun.
By Lance Landall
Asking For Trouble
Your brain is very precious — in fact, it’s actually you,
For your brain is where your mind is, your personality too.
And also your character — yes, the person that you’ve become,
Thus, when it comes to drugs, friend, I wouldn’t bother, nor succumb.
No, don’t ever play with your mind, don’t ever mess with your brain,
For that’s your control centre, and what you wreck, you don’t regain.
Be it marijuana, heroin, LSD, ‘P’ or cocaine,
For your sanity sake, and for your health sake, you should refrain.
Yes, take note of what drugs have done, and learn from others’ mistakes,
Or if you're using them already, free yourself — hit the brakes!
For sooner or later, friend, taking those drugs will cripple you,
Given they’re mind wreckers, life wreckers, and society harm too.
In your mind is where you live, and your whole life you will spend there,
Thus, should you wreck that place, friend, you’ll have good reason for despair.
It’s a crazy thing to do — that’s right, it’s just insanity,
For who would destroy their own home, their brain, voluntarily?
Your brain is designed to give you a lifetime of normal use,
But it will fail to give that if it suffers from such abuse.
You will find that certain functions won’t deliver what’s required,
And that your romance with taking drugs has horribly backfired.
Plus, while the drug pushers grow rich — you, friend, will simply grow poor,
And as your addiction grows, you’ll seek out those pushers more.
Soon hooked, broke, and circle bound, you'll no doubt turn to crime to find
The money for your addiction and those masters of your mind.
Yes, you will soon become a slave, just a puppet on a string,
Who’s just feathering the nest of some pusher and rich drug king.
Plus, you’ll just hurt the ones you love, bring them misery and shame,
And you will have to live with knowing that you’re the one to blame.
By Lance Landall
You know, when you think about it, how silly it is that people are vaping,
As if we were meant to do such, and hence all those fools in history aping.
Well, I mean to say, sucking on something, and then blowing out what you’ve sucked on,
How pointless, and to think people get hooked on such. Oh, why don’t they use their scone?
Yes, getting it into perspective, it’s such a childish thing, and somewhat like
Blowing bubbles, sitting on the seat but not going anywhere on your bike.
Evidence clear that its very bad for one’s health — yes, all that bellowing smoke,
Vapers emulating steam trains, and why one’s inclined to ask, “Is this a joke?”
Better than smoking cigarettes? Come on. Believe that and you’d believe anything,
It like choosing between devils, because from both, injury is seen to spring.
But honestly. Hooked on sucking something? Aren’t we past that dummy stage, kids stuff?
Clearly not. And why when it comes to foolish things, it seems we can’t get enough.
By Lance Landall
A Word Or Two About Vaping
You know, when you think about it, how silly it is that people are vaping,
As if we were meant to do such, and hence all those fools in history aping.
Well, I mean to say, sucking on something, and then blowing out what you’ve sucked on,
How pointless, and to think people get hooked on such. Oh, why don’t they use their scone?
Yes, getting it into perspective, it’s such a childish thing, and somewhat like
Blowing bubbles, sitting on the seat but not going anywhere on your bike.
Evidence clear that its very bad for one’s health — yes, all that bellowing smoke,
Vapers emulating steam trains, and why one’s inclined to ask, “Is this a joke?”
Better than smoking cigarettes? Come on. Believe that and you’d believe anything,
It like choosing between devils, because from both, injury is seen to spring.
But honestly. Hooked on sucking something? Aren’t we past that dummy stage, kids stuff?
Clearly not. And why when it comes to foolish things, it seems we can’t get enough.
By Lance Landall
And regarding medical drugs:
Disguised Mindbenders
This world is awash with antidepressants when they’re seldom the answer, if at all, and far more harmful than good,
And indeed a crime when they’re given to children, 'cause in their case, even greater injury is the likelihood.
And under the influence of such potent drugs, both injury to themselves and others many users have done,
Which is hardly a surprise, 'cause our mind and body were not meant to be assaulted so, oft seen when once begun.
Oh yes, such man-made drugs are,
Purely the concoction of pharmaceutical companies that ply the medical profession almost obscenely,
Pushing their antidepressants as if they’re some kind of wonder drug, when they’ve more to do with injury, sadly,
Because they simply numb (leaving many somewhat Zombie-like), interfering with their health in far more ways than one,
And hence the reason why — except for exceptional circumstances, possibly — antidepressants all should shun.
Far too many doctors are too quick to prescribe such — indeed most, probably — and are biased alternatively,
And I meaning, they’re just pharmaceutical dispensers, less interested in what works better naturally.
And oft very ignorantly so, thus lining the pockets of those behind slick monolithic corporations,
That push their expensive, experimental concoctions, and more often, plain injurious adulterations.
Yes, the world is awash with pharmaceutical drugs as harmful as those found on the streets, and some perhaps more so,
'Cause millions of deaths are attributed to such each year, and most having been tested on animals pointlessly.
And that’s one of the reasons why, 'cause such testing is just a con — yes, one of the cruellest hoaxes in history,
'Cause humans and animals aren’t compatible medically, and nor are those mindbenders with humanity.
By Lance Landall
