PRINT IS BETTER

Read "Here in This Sorrow," and more short fiction, scripts, and very little poetry at Laugh at Yourself First.

pauljuser.blogspot.com

If you’re here with me in Binghamton, your children may have watched Mega-Force in school this week. This quintet of strongmen go to elementary schools and rip-up phone books and teach kids how to stand up to bullies. I learned of the group from a friend that was angry when he took his son to the evening event that revealed the strongmen to be ordained pastors that passed out donation envelopes, imploring parents them to contribute hundreds of dollars, because no price can be put on saving a soul. My immediate, knee-jerk reaction was that my friend and I should do what he and I did as kids: go to the next event and make asses of ourselves. Thankfully, we’ve grown up a little and can see the truth in what everyone but Slayer says about pens and swords.

I can’t complain too much about what Mega Force does, because their operation is likewise a fairly accurate description of my unrealized plan for my elephant play, Danglehorn. Undoubtably the story forced on school-kids my radical belief in equality between people of every creed, sex, and species. However, I based as much of the story as I could on the scientifically observed behavior between elephants and rhinoceroses. Even similar, my Day Job also takes me through elementary schools to put on on sophomoric performances as well. However, my employer is a legitimate business that pays the schools for the right to have me called "Picklehead" or "Chickenbird" by hundreds of unruly children.

As far as I can tell, Mega Force doesn’t do anything out of line in the schools. Not until later do they reveal their full name, Mega Force Ministries, and convince impressionable children they will die in suicide pacts unless their parents donate hundreds of dollars immediately. 2012 may prove me wrong, but I still don’t believe we are in danger of crowbar-twisting thugs seizing power and abolishing the right to free religion. What upsets me is that in these times of economic ruin, these thugs are exploiting schools for thousands of dollars to promote their opinions on the Hereafter at the expense of the taxpayer. Imagine how quickly Americans would cry 'Terrorist' if Mega Force were Mega Muslims. Thanks for reading.

-Paul

printisbetter.blogspot.com