Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil...

I had to call one of my muses in order to get some ideas of what I wanted to write about today. It's just one of those days where I'm not sure what to write about. I'd be lying if I didn't say that a particular Crunch's visit is starting to weigh on my brain...but some things...are staying private...for now.

So the the issue of what is blogging had come to the forefront in my thoughts. When I first started this site, last year, it was my own journal. I had it hosted free on Blogger and it wasn't until I started doing stand up shows again that my director friend Joe suggested I go public with it and make it a promotional site/ way to get to know the person behind the comedian (NOT THE PERSON UNDER THE COMEDIAN). I don't regret the change, but it does put on an pressure to "produce" on this site...something I never really expected. Funny thing is that I like the pressure, even if it is self inflicted. I'm digressing though.

So while speaking to this muse (and yes...sweetie...you do inspire me), our conversation turned to theology and what exactly defines what is right and wrong. And it was from here that I had to wonder. If some country invaded the United States and had taken over the city I live in, applying martial law, would I fight back. When would I (a pacifist) fight back, even covertly, when the invading group thought I was submitting to their rule?

What about when a gang member is walking down the street, carrying a gun in his pocket, getting ready to rob me. Would I grab a weapon and fight back before he pulls the gun out? Is it ok to preemptively attack the gang member.

Is it wrong to do those two things?

Isn't that exactly what has happened with Iraq? Aren't the local citizens of Iraq fighting for their way of life that they know. Who were we to spread "democracy" into their country. Is democracy the best form of government (where only the richest classes get elected)?

Didn't we preemptively attack the Middle Eastern "gang member" who we though was holding a gun to attack us?

And I guess that's where I am going with this. What really defines "Good" and "Evil", and "Right" and "Wrong".

Maybe I just need some chocolate chip cookies.