I am an Architect, Musician, Conservationist and activist living among the forests, hills and waterfalls of Western Massachusetts. I grew up in this rural and neighborly place with the echoes of Eisenhower fading behind the tides of Vietnam. My Grandfather was born before man's first flight but lived to see the space shuttle. I was raised in the hopeful hands-on 60's only to see human interaction erode into personal computers, X box and Ipods.

I love Architecture as it is a process of understanding my clients' needs and desires and forming an elegant edifice for their own life. I mountain bike, hike, snowshoe and ski these beautiful hills. I love the land and see us as caretakers of the ground which will hold our remains. I want to send as much as possible of these beautiful forests and streams down to the ages without houses, gas stations and floodlights. In my Family, I anticipate moments and memories with my beautiful Susan and my kids, Ash and Nij. In my music, I find a voice for my frustration with the crazy world.

I am cynical lately because we all feel the loss of common morality and responsibility but the general reaction seems to be moral zealousy and xenophobia. Everyone is horrified and surprised by the brutality of kidnappers beheading innocents, but we have kids right here mowing down classmates and teachers with bullets. Where are the sources of these misguided actions and what are believed to be the justifications? We have people telling us we are damned because we don't follow this or that part of the bible and that the threats to America the Great must be destroyed. So the media, the great institutions and the churches whip up fervor and hatred in order to affect revolutionary change. But aren't the teachings of Jesus most exemplified by Gandhi and Martin Luther King Junior? I think the change has to be shown rather than enforced or cajoled. We shouldn't become a beast to slay another.

If one assumes the motives of our leaders are noble, then the results are dismal failure. If they seek to protect America, then why are they not manning the castle walls? If they intend to protect Americans from foreign or terrorist threat, why are they taunting and enraging the world with arrogance and force? If they are interested in protecting our Liberty, then why are they not seeking to clarify harm and redress? If they desire to make moral integrity and responsibility universal, then why do they not display the utmost honor and truth? If they want us militarily strong, why do they use up so many resources and lives without morally clear purpose? If they want to express pride in the American worker, why do they sell our corporations and empty our factories to move production offshore? If they wish to make us economically strong, why have they charged up the astonishing debt?

We the little people simply live our lives and the majority of us have a little fun. Some of us take the responsibility of parenthood seriously and try to show our kids responsibility, respect and happiness and how to give back to the community. We try to save up money to house and feed ourselves and take our kids on vacation. Why is hard work rewarded less than corporate mismanagement? The poet in us all is set free during Friday night debates with our friends. Half the time, our debates ring with the rhetoric which has been endlessly hypnotized into us by TV. When will we truly seek truth rather than how to convince others we are right?

The world is on the verge of uniting, and the internet has accelerated the process. I see one path with two possible outcomes. The best would be a world modeled on the European Union and United States with common law and protection carefully balanced with respect for local "national" culture. The worst would be domination of the world by one of the current nations or ideologies. Until then, we will continue to fracture as each nation and corporation plays the game of maximizing its own role and wealth. If we don't begin to ask universal questions to define morality and harm, we won't have any way to proceed other than imposition of the rules of the most powerful. I believe the founders of America were most careful to protect the minority from the will of the majority. We wait for a magnanimous leader to begin to include everyone in the process. The wolves should be easy to see, but at present they are hidden among the dogs.

My music is sometimes a wolf in wool in that some of these deep musings are hidden behind "I love you, man" anthems. I love texture and layers and my music is like paintings to me. The music is both an expression and a tool. I suppose we have to suffer frustration; only never silently.

Jeffrey Scott Penn 13 April 2006

10

jsp 24 Nov. 05

Thou shall have no other gods before me

    Except for the men who preach my word

Thou shall not worship idols

    Unless they are in a beautiful altar in my church

Thou shall not take my name in vain

    Unless you know what I would do

Thou shall remember the Sabbath and keep it holy

    For it shall be the premier holiday for sporting events and parties

Thou shall honor thy Father and Mother

    So as not to jeopardize your inheritance

Thou shall not kill

    Except for non Christians or bad Christians

Thou shall not commit adultery

    Unless I grant you lust for an unavoidable hotty

Thou shall not steal

    Unless it may be done inconspicuously or convincingly

Thou shall not bear false witness

    Unless certain the dangerous truth cannot overcome

Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's possessions

    Unless it may be considered incentive