Saints and sinners
Came across a fascinating piece on the life of Saint Patrick on the Gray Monk’s blog. We all know the legends and the hype, but the Monk has written a very well researched and thought provoking piece which is worth the effort to read. Entitled “A very human saint” it looks at the life of a man I had not given much thought to – beyond shamrocks and green beer and parades in New York for years.
And suddenly I discover a man who was campaigning against slavery in the 5th Century. As the Monk says in his piece – forget the legends, the real saint Patrick is far more interesting.
Perhaps it is fitting that we should give the real saint a bit more thought in this the 200th anniversary year of the ending of the slave trade in British ships. It is certainly worth while considering the fact that there is a flourishing trade even now in human misery. Certainly less obvious, but just as vile. Saint Patrick has definitely moved up my list of people I hold in esteem, there are quite a few around today who would benefit from taking a closer look at him themselves and trying to emulate some of his strengths.
Comments are off for this postWatcher needs people…
There is a new place open on the Watcher of the Weasels for a certain type of blogger. One of their members has bailed due to the usual reasons and they want you to try out.
There is another blog popularity contest going on over at Blogpower. Head over and nominate your favourites and check out some of the other blogs nominated.
Comments are off for this postPoet declares
The cities and states in which we live could be doing far more than they currently do to support the arts with nothing more than a few press releases. Unfortunately the City of Greensboro is hardly any better.That’s why I taken the first step in trademarking the title Billy Jones, Poet Laureate Of Greensboro, North Carolina.
Am I Greensboro’s most deserving poet? I doubt it but United States Trademark law allows me to claim the title for my own because the City of Greensboro has been remiss in their duties. The process has begun, I’ve sent the following link to city officals and local news outlets: http://www.musecrafters.com/bloggingpoet/610/Billy+Jones%2C+Poet+Laureate+Of+Greensboro%2C+North+Carolina.html
Most will not take me seriously in the beginning but I have every legal right to appoint myself to the position.I am prepared to make concessions to Greensboro in the hopes they will do their part but until further notice I am legally, Billy Jones, Poet Laureate of Greensboro, North Carolina.
I challenge poets everywhere to do the research and if your city or state doesn’t have a poet laureate then follow my lead and declare yourself local poet laureate and shame your city into doing their part.
You see, as much as I would love to be honored it’s not really about me.
I hope all of you will support my efforts.
Billy Jones, Poet Laureate Of Greensboro, North Carolina “TM”
For your information. I have had an email exchange with Billy and he is not asking for tax-payers money but merely recognition for poets within locales. He believes taxes are already too high.
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