Essay: "The Never Ending Fight Vs. Censorship", Part 8

Essay: "The Never Ending Fight Vs. Censorship", Part 8 of Several

[ Note: After a tough fortnight of a missing and then alive and recovered sibling I return to The Censorship Series after a brief respite.]

If, after a financial siege, censors still will not back-off, messing with their tax-exempt status may do the trick. If enough people demanded that the tax-exempt status of morality groups and/or churches who use underhanded tactics or violate the Separation of Church and State be revoked, then such groups and organizations could be in serious tax trouble. If that doesn't work, we should demand that the Justice Department investigate self-appointed moralists and/or morality groups for any violations of the law. Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) suits should be filed against any morality group which breaks laws or bends rules in order to try to impose their alleged morality on the rest of us without our expressed written permission. (to be cont'd)

[The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later as part of my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

A Missing Sibling Part 3: Sibling Is Found

"A Missing Sibling" Part 3: My Sibling Is Found!

Fifteen days ago, on July 1st, my younger brother went missing. It seemed the longer he was gone the less likely he would be found at all or found alive and in one piece. As I practically started to accept (after several melancholy days of spontaneous tears and fears) that he might never turn up or even turn up alive, my brother Kevin left a message on my machine last night at 9:30 p.m. that he was at the Pine Street Inn; a well-known homeless shelter in Boston. Unless something unforeseen happens (like A-holes who beat up homeless people for kicks) my brother Kevin should be home and back to his regular life after a brief hospitalization. I'm not at all a religious person, but I feel genuine gratitude for those who prayed for his safe return and the police and others who worked so hard to try to locate him.

A Missing Sibling Part 2

A Missing Sibling, Part 2

On or around July 1, 2009 my younger brother Kevin Wm. Mich disappeared from the Norwood, Massachusetts area. It has now been twelve days since he was last seen. His date of birth is June 20, 1970. He just turned 39 less than a month ago. He is 5 foot 9, about 200 ponds, is right-handed, has brown eyes, and wears glasses when he reads or drives. Kevin seems to have vanished into thin air. He left behind his car, his keys, his wallet, his money, his license, and most, if not all of his belongings. Kevin also has a tattoo of an angel on one arm and a grim reaper on the other arm.

In the late '80s or early '90s Kevin joined the army and was a Specialist in Operation Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia or thereabouts. After discharge from the regular army, Kevin joined the National Guard and stayed about seven years or so.

After leaving the army Kevin ended up in the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans, even though he probably could have lived with my parents. After awhile, Kevin showed signs of mental illness and was told to either seek help or leave. Kevin chose to leave and lived on the streets for awhile. While 'sick' he once jumped in either the Charles River or Boston Harbor. He probably could have drowned, but he was rescued. Eventually, he was hospitalized for a number of years and diagnosed a schizophrenic until he was put on the powerful psych. drug clozaril. He eventually turned his life around except for the occasional temporary relapse setback. As far as I can tell, he seemed happy and happy-go-lucky up until the time he disappeared without a trace.

Kevin was granted power of attorney once my mother was sent to a nursing home, he neglected to pay a $100 traffic ticket, he was about to lose his license and therefore his ability to get to his copy editing job in Needham. He lost or was about to lose his MassHealth coverage due to forgetfulness or neglect (didn't send paperwork in time). He was totally neglecting his duties on behalf of my mother. We were both hemorrhaging money to fix up my mother's house so it could be sold, and there were likely other pressures on him which would be hard to take for nearly anyone.

On Day 2 Kevin's girlfriend reported him missing to the Norwood Police. On Day 4 his disappearance was the talk of a surprise party/cookout. On Day 5 or so the police searched my brother's apartment building and soon afterward my mother's house. By Day 7 I was crying practically at the drop of a hat. I had to take a personal day off from work. I still cry off and on, but I will try to remain optimistic that he will be found safe, sound and alive. I have the highest gratitude and regard for the hard work by the Norwood Police dept., especially Detective Paul Ryan and Officer Murphy to try to locate my brother. (to be cont'd)

I just posted a recent photograph of Kevin. I couldn't figure out how to get it right-side up, but if you have seen the man in the photograph since July 1st please call the Norwood Police at 781-762-1212

[Note: My missing brother was found alive and well on July 14, 2009.]

A Missing Sibling, Part 1

Poetry: "Kevin"

[Note: I am taking a temporary break from the Censorship Series due to a more pressing matter.]

Kevin is missing.

Where did he go?

All that is certain is nobody knows.

He ain't around to sleep in his bed.

One thing I hope is I hope he's not dead.

Kevin is missing, I don't know where.

I'd like all to know I certainly care.

Kevin is gone without a trace,

As if he has vanished right into space.

He's not in a river. He's not in the sea.

He's not struck by lightning beside an old tree

Kevin Mich, I hope he will live.

He's got so much more of life to give.

July is tough (it's) when my father died, Kevin's gone, It's too damned hot (and)

When mosquitoes will fly.

Kevin, I hope you are found;

Even if you turn out to be way out of town.

Brother Kevin, I hope you're OK.

I hope you'll endure 'til you're real old and grey.

The world still turns and life goes on;

It's hard to take that Kevin's gone. (to be cont'd with story and hopefully pictures)

[Note: My brother was found alive around July 14, 2009]

Essay: "The Never Ending Fight Vs. Censorship", Part 7

Essay: "The Never Ending Fight Vs. Censorship", Part 7 of Several

       It must be pointed out that many self-appointed moralists and morality groups are as devious as Mario Puzo's fictional Corleone family. Unlike the Corleones though, non-profit morality groups and churches can never make you an offer you cannot refuse. You see, non-profit organizations rely on donations to remain financially afloat. If enough people cut off donations (a financial siege) morality groups and/or even churches can theoretically become crippled, paralyzed, immobilized, and best of all, powerless. If such a ploy doesn't work, a number of other tactics can be used to prevent would-be censors from wreaking havoc on freedom and the Constitution. (to be cont'd)

 [The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later as part of my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "The Never Ending Fight Vs. Censorship", Part 6

Essay:  "The Never Ending Fight Vs. Censorship", Part 6 of Several

       Most Americans are against censorship. We do not like to be told what to do, but not enough of us care to do anything about the problem of censorship. The biggest trick is to get approximately 220 million complacent Americans off their collective asses and do something about censorship;before some of the freedoms we all tend to take for granted become lost, perhaps forever. I have devised a number of ways to essentially say "Up Yours!" to so-called moralists and censors.  (to be cont'd) 

  [The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later as part of my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust...In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "The Never Ending Fight Vs. Censorship", Part 5

Essay: "The Never Ending Fight Vs. Censorship"  Part 5 of Several

       Freedom should prevail over censorship, because it must prevail. The war against censorship will largely be a battle of words and wills, but more extreme tactics may or may not be necessary. Fighting fire with fire by confrontation may deter many of these self-appointed moralists. After all, allowing censors and so-called  'Moral Majority' types even one small victory makes them bolder and even more arrogant; and that much more likely to try to destroy the freedoms which we all should cherish and vigilantly protect at all costs.  (to be cont'd)

  [The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later as part of my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]