Mike Wieringo

I heard today that a fellow artist, Mike Wieringo passed away on Sunday, August 12.

I didn't know Mike, but we had friends in common. Other local artists who work in comics, and share a passion for drawing and storytelling. He was only 44 years old, too young.

I knew his work a little, and liked it. It was different than mine, a lot more kid friendly, and full of life and fun. I showed some to my son, and he really liked it too.

Here is a sample of his drawing, to see more, go here: http://www.mikewieringo.com/

Photos

A few years ago, I bought a plastic, medium format camera and some film from a graduate student at UNC. These are some of the photos I have taken over the past two years with this camera.

Memories of my Father

Today is August 12, 2007. It is the 14th anniversary of the day I heard that my father had died. It is also the first year when I did not realize that it was the day until it was almost over, and then, only because I am sitting at a computer writing a blog and the date popped up on my screen when I posted it.

My dad had four children, three of us remain alive, two of us have children of our own, only one of these children was seen by my dad. For all of the differences we had and problems, i would like for one day for my son to be able to know my dad. If only for an hour or so.

My wife's father died almost two years ago. Gabriel only saw him a few times, but has memories of him. Thankfully, our mothers are still alive and he gets to see them once in a while. Though we live 3,000 miles from them both, they are active in his life and interested.

Bill

War in Iraq

I have been thinking about the war in Iraq lately, but, who hasn't?

I keep hearing reports about the Iraqi government needing to "Step up to the plate" and "Take a stronger role."

What Iraqui government? The one our military dismantled when we invaded the country? The one that was set up by the US? It is understandable to hear the Bush cronies spew out BS about the Iraqui government needing to take a more active role, but when I hear the Democrats and the news people using the same terms, I want to vomit. This is a country that had apparently no connection to the September 2001 attack on the World Trade Center or Pentagon, had a government that was supported by Bush Sr. and Reagan, even after the leader ordered and the military carried out the murder of his own people, but that was ok with those presidents because he was, "on our side in the war against Iran." (Iran being another country we supported with arm's sales) This was a country, that was also considered an enemy of the people who we thought were responsible for attacking us. So, why did we invade them?

What I was thinking was this: Basically, we got into a war, or an invasion of the wrong country, and now, after destroying its infrastructure, economy, and killing many of its people, we don't want to be there. The president made a mistake, and the Iraquis and our soldiers suffer for this mistake. So, the question is, who is paying, will pay for this mistake?

If we leave, it will most likely lead to bloodshed. If we stay, the bloodshed will still be there, and will have new blood on our hands on a daily basis. So, who is going to pay, who should pay, for the folly of an administration that thinks it is OK to spy on its own people, thinks that its staff has some kind of immunity from the legal system, and continues to spew out lies and slogans and buzzwords to perpetuate an agenda that is very dangerous to us all?

Bill, 8.12.2007