my dear Watson

It has come to pass that times are perilous, and that men and women both must remove the mask of fear and inaction just to persevere. What many of us take for granted. I say this just as a reminder and for the purpose of releasing what is contained within my heart. Many of you know that I am an avid reader; I mean I will read anything. I have a many favorite authors, writers, historians and philosophers among others. However, one of my favorites included Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle. Many folks know of him as the creator of the famous Sherlock Holmes.

In his books, of which I am sad to admit I have only read three, he painted a vivid picture of intellectual prowess and thought. His words seemed to float off the paper. A physician by training, he was able to show what scholarship and passion could produce in the written form.

I use this as an example because it is my desire to express as detailed and briefly as I can the significance of thinking and problem solving and caring in this new frontier that we may be on the edge of as citizens of these United States of America. We must be prepared for the unexpected for as we know, often history repeats itself. I am not asking for much, just time and effort and a setting of new priorities, for change is inevitable but only if we as individuals accept and deal with the harsh reality that confronts us.

In Atlanta, there has been an increase of armed robberies, break-ins and muggings. Folks seem to be so desperate that there has been an increase in muggings and purse snatchings. On some streets, particular in the Atlanta University Center and downtown Atlanta, you can walk up and down the side walk and see piles upon piles of shattered car window glass from break-ins. Likewise, more and more people have begun to carry concealed weapons – just yesterday a man was shot by such a person when he tried to rob him outside of a restaurant.

Yes, our America has regressed; taken a step backwards. Yes, we need to be reminded that we are all Americans, and even more so, we are all human beings and that even in the worst times, we should force the greatness and good out of us at all and any cost. Now my moral compass may be shaky, but I do attempt to abide by good in so far as reason can calibrate such. But the future as it stands now may not be as stable. And it is based on a personal desire to be the best I can.

I am not a pedantic, albeit my essays and verse and assorted blog post seem to cover terse yet complicated subject matter. Again I am not, I just love truly the engagement of myself in thought, and in rumination in a diverse corpus of subject matter be it science, philosophy, economics, foreign policy or even human interactions. Now is the time for all of us to extract the same – to be as knowledgeable and understanding in as many subject areas as possible, for our personal success and existence may depend on such; maybe even our lives.

This brings me back to Mr. Doyle, for his characters in particular Holmes and Watson, demonstrated what the mind could do when well informed, exercised and even better, and expected to accomplish such via problem solving. Holmes was not alone in his brilliance although most folks may conclude such.

I used to have folk back in the day award me with accolades, saying I was rare, that I was brilliant, that it was a good thing and that the world was lucky that I used my mind for good and not evil. I sincerely appreciated those sentiments and even more, respected those who said such for in battle, I know they would die for me and that I would die for them. We must never forget that Watson was a genius in his own right. And for all of the Watson’s in the world, this beer, and tequila and hot sauce is for you.