From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=4">tj holland</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

Guys, lighten up on the Proud to be American bit. I mean, really look at things, and stop trashing people who ask us to examine our existence or beliefs a little. Mr. Ambivalent was making a point that needed making. Try not to make an Athenian mistake and kill the scapegoat who pushed you from your little comfort zones. It was people like that who snuffed out Socrates....one of the greatest thinkers ever. All he wanted was for people to examine things. Ask why. Look at things from every angle. <BR>
<BR>
2 cents worth. :-) Big Smile.<BR>
<BR>
-Teej<BR>

<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1120">Chances</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

B.K. - <a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.04.01.15.15.1378">Go Slow</a> - Very sweet.<BR>
<BR>
spaceman - <a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.04.01.15.53.18459">Forgiveness by Force</a> - Naughty but nice... and thanks.<BR>
<BR>
ladyinwaiting - <a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.04.01.16.00.25649">Lay ' ONE'  on me</a> - Dreams such as these are lovely.<BR>
<BR>
newfoundlove - <a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.04.02.12.38.17697">a lil faith</a> - If only angels were so easy to hear!<BR>
<BR>
tj - You sound like you're having a disgustingly good time. Good on you!<BR>
<BR>
champagne - <a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.04.02.19.14.10135">TACTILE TEASE</a> - Very tactile indeed.... <BR>
<BR>
dana - <a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.04.02.19.16.13829">Reminisce</a> - This was a good piece.<BR>
<BR>
mysteriousone07 - <a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.04.02.20.09.17259">My Shakesperean poem</a> - I enjoyed reading this.<BR>
<BR>
I cannot believe how much good stuff got posted in the first two days of April. I have enjoyed reading it all.
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1120">Chances</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

Dana - My little girl has an irrational fear of moths (of all things... spiders and 'waspas' aren't so bad, apparently). And of course at least one shows up every night. I have even made the comparison to butterflies (which are quite OK in her books), caught a live one, done everything I could think of... to no avail.
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=328">Rhetoric</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

spaceman: Yummy post! <a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.04.01.15.53.18459">Forgiveness by Force</a>  is dripping with truth and life.<BR>
<BR>
and, Teej...as always: thanks for the reality check. It is always refreshing to see when one of the "core" members, meaning one of our most respected, finally comes in and settles things down! This site has been bouncing about between Pro-American propaganda, anti-pornography, and unilateral thinking so frequently that I was wondering where I was! This couldn't be a site filled with artists, or at least whose perception about romance isn't just a Hallmark card.<BR>
<BR>
Oh...and <a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.04.02.17.00.29339">Plaatz</a> , fantastic mood - picture-perfect description. <BR>
<BR>
Beneath the street lie drops of sweat<BR>
Dark now, like blood<BR>
Salty still, like drops of the ocean<BR>
<BR>
I, to, know how easy it is to fall in love with a place - a spot of earth that can not speak back, but gives such joy and harmony by just being. Thanks for sharing a bit of your trip with us. <BR>
<BR>
Rhet 
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1120">Chances</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

unilateral thinking? are you sure?
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1139">jwb71913</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

Sorry to beat a dead horse, but are my views on political matters relevant in this forum?<BR>
<BR>
T.J. it sure sounds like you're having a ball.<BR>
<BR>
Again, I forecast very HOT for April.<BR>
<BR>
Jim
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=35">Star of David</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

TJ,<BR>
About your 2 cents worth, I am totally with you on this one.
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1185">Mr.Ambivalent</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

<BR>
Spaded, pierced_seduction , Kase , tj holland ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~   I thank you all for your feedback. I guess I annoyed all of you with my stuff. I got emotionally charged that time after watching the news where one middle aged Iraqi guy looses 15 members of his family which included all of his 6 children, his wife, his parents, his three brothers and their wives. They were all killed when one of OUR PLANES BOMBED their vehicle. That Iraqi was the sole survivor in that mishap.Well I imagined myself in his position and wondered what would I do if I had lost so many members of my own family in such a brutal manner.Whom would I blame then. On whom would I vent my anger on. To whom would I go for justice. Will justice ever be done at all. No . Never. Well I would just have one thing to say then.  <BR>
<BR>
Yes Yes . <BR>
<BR>
I AM PROUD TO BE AMERICAN.
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=16">kevin urenda</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

Dee!<BR>
<BR>
HEY!<BR>
<BR>
:-)  ;-)<BR>
<BR>
Gala...  and the rest of you, thank you for your kindness.  It's nice to think that one's work is at least read, let alone appreciated.  I just wish I had more time in the day to read and read and read...  The Blender has always been a special place for me.  Thank you again.
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1185">Mr.Ambivalent</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

<BR>
Akash ~  Your latest posting was truly amazing. I loved <BR>
<BR>
every bit of what you wrote. There is a  sort of delusion <BR>
<BR>
in our minds. I  fail to express myself at this moment. But <BR>
<BR>
I do wish your writing would have opened the gates of <BR>
<BR>
compassion for the guys who visit this site.Thank You.
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=35">Star of David</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

Hey Kevin Urenda,<BR>
Great to see you back after what seems like ages! Been reading all your submissions....
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=4">tj holland</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

Hey guys! Thanks for the warm welcome....feels like coming home here sometimes! ***grin***<BR>
<BR>
Glad to see everyone, and whoa!! such good reads! I have to catch up!<BR>
<BR>
-Teej 
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1050">Kase</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

Mr.A--<BR>
I agree that war is a terrible thing, and it does suck.  I come from a family with plenty of military background, so maybe I'm just a little brain washed, in a way.  I've been brought up to believe that "it us or them" and if it has to be someone, I'm selfish enough to hope it's not us.  The last time America went to Iraq, I had family over there fighting for almost nine months, so of course I wanted "Us" to get this dictator into a shallow grave.  If Bushs Daddy had finished the job then, our boys wouldn't be over in that damned desert now.  Glad you shared your opinion, and though my last comment sounded bitchy, I do respect your opinion.  By the way, I voted for Ralph Nader!!<BR>
Take care and take Valium (stress, news, stress, Iraq, stess, Bush......etc.)   <BR>
Hope everyone with families overseas hears nothing but good news and that they send our boys home soon!!
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=900">RennieLorca</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

Akash~ April 3 "???" -- amen ..... Rennie
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=900">RennieLorca</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

Akash~ sorry, this is worth taking the time to get a link to it: <a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.04.03.05.29.7055">???</a> . We all have feelings on what is going on in this world. This piece very eloquently ties your feelings about life, past and current events, then love and romance together perfectly. I am far from benign in all my feelings, but I come here to unwind. However, I value the work and opinions of everyone here. I salute you, Akash. Lovely to see a poet share an opinion here and not feel the need to drive more wedges or further stakes into the hearts of others. There is enough of that elsewhere in this world. I have had to use both a creative and very technical mind for work in my life. Blender has been a wonderful community of sharing in which to creatively unwind with a very diverse number of people in some form of poetic refuge. None of us here need to climb onto the backs of others to see the light or to keep from drowning in our despair -- we simply share. Thanks for that ..... Rennie<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1174">Dana</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

Chances: Thanks for your input about your little girl. I appreciate it. Also, thanks for your comment regarding Reminisce. 
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1174">Dana</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

ava disaster: <a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.04.01.15.18.4432">Mermaids</a> was beautiful
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=900">RennieLorca</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

teej~ "scapegoat" ... I am also a farmer, so I know where the term originated from, and what a scapegoat is used for in practice. (nervous) Sheep will quietly follow a wise old goat to the slaughter house or pen. Once there, the goat becomes an e'scapegoat and is allowed to climb a ramp out of the the pen that the sheep cannot ..... Rennie
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=900">RennieLorca</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

darwin~ Welcome to Blender. Where? I was at target practice, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, the mortal clay was on the skeet range, and I was shouting, "PULL!" ..... Rennie
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=34">Just Some Girl</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

Darwin-<BR>
<BR>
I really enjoyed your first submission. I look forward to seeing more fomr you.
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1180">ava_disaster</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

Dan, Ladyinwaiting and spaceman- Thank you so much for your sweet words. xo.<BR>
<BR>
Champange- I loved "thawing the meat". That was so luscious.
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=863">Champagne</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

To Chances<BR>
and To AvaDisaster;<BR>
<BR>
Thank you for taking the time to read what I wrote,<BR>
and also for the comment and compliments.<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=962">Lulu</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

kevin urenda- I loved both "Daydreams"..Great Work.<BR>
ava_disaster- "Johnny too good"..All I can say is DAMN!<BR>
~*Lulu*~<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=8">Ali</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

Spaceman~<BR>
<BR>
<a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.04.02.14.15.5557">Reasons</a> is truly a wonderfully crafted piece.  Very well crafted and powerful.  Thank you for sharing it.  :)<BR>
<BR>
Love and quite jade, Ali
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=900">RennieLorca</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

Kevin~ your daydreams are lovely as I used them myself to reflect on a love ..... Rennie
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1180">ava_disaster</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

lulu- thanks
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1103">ladyinwaiting</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

jknipp ~ Dream Loving....Wow...oh, how our dreams hold us somewhere between reality and insanity...thank you for that piece...I love your work...thank you for sharing
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=974">J. Knipp</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

Rennie your description of a e'scapegoat is funny, yet an all together frightening metaphor of current events I feel.<BR>
-j
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=900">RennieLorca</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

J.Knipp~ what I value is the questioning. Without it, we are neither spiritual, scientific, informed or intelligent by choice, but follow some chicken feather or some chicken chit that frightens us ..... Rennie
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=4">tj holland</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

sarasehe ~ I very much enjoyed reading <a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.04.03.08.48.18715">toothbrush</a>.<BR>
<BR>
-Teej
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=391">sarahsehee</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

i really liked <a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.04.03.16.20.18220">I havent said enough</a> it's beautiful in it's simplicity. And Joshua, I can't even say it. <a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.04.03.20.03.26103">Dream Loving</a> makes me do this ^_^ love you
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=10">galadrial</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

OK Urenda...you went and done it. Both dayvreams made me cry. Brute. But a damned talented one.
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1103">ladyinwaiting</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

zero love ~ I have just gone through your account...I love your works...thank you for sharing<BR>
<BR>
tj ~ For Now...yes, to break free of the walls and be able to seep into all surroundings...this one touches me deep...awesome work...thank you for sharing<BR>
<BR>
cattie ~ I am so glad you found yourself...thank you for sharing your emotions<BR>
<BR>
jon ~ oh mi dearest jon...I haven't said enough...loved it...do we ever say enough??  I don't think we ever do...I love your work...thank you for sharing<BR>
<BR>
Rennie ~ Dear Phoenix...I love it...your works are always breath taking...yes, I have been that clay skeet...thank you for sharing<BR>
<BR>
kev ~ day dreaming (both)...you just take my breath away with each piece you submit...thank you for sharing<BR>
<BR>
darwin ~ feathers and dust...umm beautiful work...welcome aboard...looking forward to read more of your works...thank you for sharing<BR>
<BR>
sarahsehee ~ toothbrush...I LOVED it...made me laugh to think of that big man with a sparkley toothbrush ...read your other work...you are awesome...thank you for sharing<BR>
<BR>
akash ~ yes the war hopefully has made us all do a little introspection and worldly inspection...thank you for sharing<BR>
<BR>
chances and cryingshame...as always I love your works...always looking for the next submission....thank you for sharing<BR>
<BR>
Lulu ~ I pray that you continue to recover...my heart bleeds for you...I hope this site helps with your therapy...thank you for sharing<BR>
<BR>
mysterious07 ~ My Shakespearean Poem...I loved it...thank you for sharing<BR>
<BR>
spaded ~ ummm...yes it was ummm...thank you for sharing<BR>
<BR>
champagne ~ what can I say...I love all your works...thank you for sharing<BR>
<BR>
gala ~ In your dreams...omg...I just am breathless when I read your works...thank you for sharing
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1184">pierced_seduction</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

I have read so many of your works.. and I must say simply WOW... I can only hope that my words will someday be as well put together... keep up the wonderful works.. at the end of a long day Your words are what relaxes me.. Thank You very much
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1103">ladyinwaiting</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

I am sitting here listening to 'Hero' by Enrique Iglesias...God to be loved like that...sorry guys...just wanted to share that!!!!!!
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1184">pierced_seduction</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

if anyone has the time or the desire to... I would love to get some of my stuff read and get some tips my writing .. I know..lol it seems a funny thing to ask,, but I feel that if someone other than myself reads it and gives me feedback on what I do to improve my writings it will help a great deal.. as you all know when you write something,, it's perfect.. or at least to us it is.. until someone else gives you another impression.. so if any has the time to give some sugestions I would be very glad for it.. both neg and poss.... Thank You All and WoW keep up the good writing
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1184">pierced_seduction</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

OMG lula,,, what can I say... I have cut and I will forever had the pain as I will forever have the scars to remind me even when I think I am fine the eyes drift and gaze upon them sending me back to those feelings ... Thank You for writing that... I guess I am not alone in everything
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=74">Echolocation</a><BR>
Date: 3 April 2003<P>

Small religio-historical note:  If anyone's curious, the scapegoat idea is actually several thousand years old (tho' I love Rennie's e'scapegoat theory!!)<BR>
<BR>
James Frazer, an Englishman, wrote a book called _The Golden Bough_, which is a fascinating history of religious symbolism and thought.  According to his research (and he's not alone in this theory), the scapegoat idea originated with the ritual killing of the king (a fertility rite).  Frazer postulates that the killing of the king, which symbolized a renewal of fertility, eventually became extended to symbolize the renewal of *all* good things, which included the removal of all *bad* things.  People came to believe that in dying the king would not only renew the earth but also take away with him all the evil/sins/bad karma of the community.<BR>
<BR>
Eventually an animal was substituted for the king/leader and sacrificed (note: the literal meaning of "sacrifice" is "to make holy").  And sometime after that the killing of the animal was changed to simply driving it out of the village carrying all the evil/sin/bad karma with it...<BR>
<BR>
For what it's worth :)<BR>
<BR>

<HR>