Under the Green Desk Lamp…
This post was originally from March 19th, 2017. It remains sadly relevant however, and we thought it deserved a re-share.
In the great old stories, it’s never hard to spot the source of evil. It may be a winged beast, or a black rider, or a simple, unblazoned ring sitting on a table, just waiting to change the world…
In reality, however, it’s rarely so easy. Evil may take many guises, and come from any direction. Is evil inherent to humanity? Can it ever be prevented?
Education, equal opportunity and the provision of basic needs and human rights is the most obvious answer, for by removing the greatest temptations towards desperate actions, we are most likely to see them decrease. Yet there seems to be an evil in this world which pervades and permeates even the best intentions. It sprouts up no matter what we do. It finds the cracks, or makes them, and it’s dark blossom unfolds often where it is looked for the least.
Traditionally, there are two ends of the polarity in response. One is to be jaded and fearful, rejecting everything different lest it bring evil in with it. This may prevent the terror from without, but it transforms the hearts of people, and creates hatred and evil within.
The other side would be unending faith in the goodness of human kind, sometimes to the open denial of the gathering clouds. This is idealistic, and often this school of thought is quickly met by the bitter reminder that in the end, best intentions cannot ward off evil acts.
We cannot be too careful, or too careless. Vigilance is the price of peace, and those who would deny the presence of evil may soon suffer its harsh truth.
Alas that we do not have a ring to focus on and destroy. Evil is a more insidious thing than that, manifested most often in the sins of pride, greed, and avarice—the strongest motivators of human vice. We cannot see it, nor cast it into the volcano to banish it forever.
Yet the discerning heart can feel it grow. Where will it strike? None can say.
Still, if you pay attention, you can feel the tension in the air, smell the fresh tinders and see the sparks dancing against the black night sky. Old threats and bedtime stories are alive again. Evil grows…now is the time for heroes.
-Brad OH Inc.
Brad OH Inc. 
For a time I was beginning to think that we were making some progress in the struggle against many of the evils that plague our history. Unfortunately that trend seems to have reversed of late and the many headed beast of bigotry, with all its sexism, racism , social elitism and just plain hatred of everything good and decent seems to be on the rise again. I am not sure what more we can do except continue to teach our children the value of acceptance and hope for a better, more just, future.
Agreed D, speaking up for what’s right and investing in better educated and socialized children is our greatest means of bolstering against the shadow.