I have said in the past how these postings/blogs are a form of self therapy and that remains true. They are an outlet for my thoughts. Now, should I do something sensational, but only in a very bad way, they would be reported as a manifesto! I’m not writing a manifesto here, just sharing my thoughts, opinions and how I feel at the current time. All of that is subject to change. Granted it doesn’t change very often, I’m not one much for grabbing whatever shiny new thing comes along and my mind isn’t easily changed. The reason for that is simple enough, I don’t say anything I haven’t given thought too.

To be honest though, I’ve noticed every time I have spoken out of turn it didn’t work out well. It didn’t mean I was wrong, just that it had unintended consequences. When that happens I am forced to revaluate, was it worth saying in the first place? Then I have to evaluate whatever weight my words may carry, I’m thinking it is a very light load. I really don’t expect anything I write to have any lasting effect, inspire any great movements, or change anyone’s minds about anything. What I write isn’t a declaration of a policy, or aim to change anyone or anything, it’s just what I think. Simple as that. Take it for what it’s worth.

I wonder if any of the great philosophers had been a criminal, or committed some atrocious acts, if their manuscripts would be considered manifestos today. It certainly seems like that would be the case. All these people in the news leaving behind manifestos, when did that begin? What is the most famous (well known) manifesto in history? The Bible is the answer, yes the Bible is a manifesto, along with the declaration of independence, Dr. Kings’ dream speech, the communist manifesto by Karl Marx, and the unabomber! Funny how that is, mention a manifesto and it will immediately be associated with a commie or a criminal. I’m neither of those things, well except for perhaps a few civil offenses but I’m not confessing to anything.

Semantics. The study of the meaning of words. That meaning certainly changes over time and place. The closer the world grows, the more confusing the language is becoming. What a word means to Americans and to everyone else may be completely different. Then you have to consider colloquial terms and slang. When I was in England I was asked if I wanted a fag. That’s a cigarette in England and chips are french fries.

That may have changed since I was there last. Semantics has become the “explanation” for a great deal of things, most notably the “it’s what I said, but not what I meant” excuse. Very convenient, although it can be difficult to get others to forgive your slip up! Usually you say exactly what you mean, you understand the meaning of that word or phrase but aren’t expecting that reaction to it. Ooops, that isn’t really what I meant. Yeah, ok.

Is a manifesto a bad thing? It all depends. In todays world it would certainly seem like that is the general consensus. I’m blaming the commies for that one! Wasn’t until the communist manifesto that the word was associated with something bad. Before that criminals and communists just kept all that to themselves. Man, commies ruin everything.