____________Expressions in Song & Spirit & Social Change____________

I have been teaching myself Chinese since around the start of the pandemic. Learning a new language is exhilirating in several ways. The number of common sounds is of course statistical, yet the number of cross language synonyms is intriguing. I was surprised when I found out how similar the Chinese words for over seas were to Hawaii. Hai3wai4

Another intriguing event is that most colleges and universities in the U.S. have closed the official Chinese language schools, the Confucius Institute. The National Defense Authorization Act has essentially closed all of the Confucius Institutes in the U.S. As Alice (of Wonderland fame) would say, ‘curiouser and curiouser!’ Are all employees of the Confucius Institute spies? The failed prosecution of Anming Hu says not.

As the details of global trade become more streamlined, the suspicion of secrets seems strengthened. Though it is easy to focus the illegal limelight on those who have sold their souls at the crossroads, in regards to global exchange, it may be best to consider who drew the plans for the crossroads to begin with.

Colonialism, capitalism and croneyism are the crux of the economic crossroads, while culture and common citizens catch the heat for the crisis left in the chaos.

Why language and therefore even thought must be sacrificed to the pursuit of profit, g>d only knows.

I just finished reading Citizen Cash, by Michael Stewart Foley. An excellent read about a human, humanitarian, and believer.

I have always admired Johnny Cash, and to learn much more about his life through his politics as a musician and entertainer in thought provoking prose was uplifting, except for one realization. I have a lot more Johnny Cash albums to listen too!

Foley’s research into Cash’s days in Dyess is full of detail, and I was amused to know well before texting, there was an STFU. Exploring Cash’s well known interest in prisoners and First Nations brought to light several interesting facts.

Personally, I was grateful to read how Cash’s faith was treated in the G>d and Country chapter, described with dignity and insight, and in its own way, continuing to provide faith and hope.

Obviously, I’m backing away from the blog a bit, yet since I now have a ‘real live’ web site, Poetic Phonetics, and reading Citizen Cash almost got me to start using social media, I figured a good compromise would be to blog about once a month or so.

Stay Blessed!