Of dogs and soldiers: Kopelman book heart-warming

Of all the books I've read lately, majority, Isabel Allende; Lt. Col. Jay Kopelman has along with co-writer, Melinda Roth, managed to convey the horrors of the war in Iraq while telling the touching story of a man who fell in love. In fact, he tells of a whole group of men who fell in love, the Lava Dogs, who took in a stray puppy despite regulations strongly forbidding such activity.

His fierce loyalty to the animal and the animal's loyalty to him and the American troops who sheltered him and cared for him, betrays the hard heart of the "Marine" and exposes the deepest secrets of semper fi and more. The Lt. Col. tapped into all his friends from NPR reporter Anne Garrels to an Iraqi veteranarian, an Iraqi driver who risks his life, an Iraqi working within the camp, and many, many others who delivered the puppy after a long and grueling, anxiety ridden trip from Baghdad to La Jolla, CA.

Great risk was involved in keeping the dog, named Lava, out of harm's way. Aside from the story of Lava and one man's great love for him, is the harsh story of war. For once, we get the story straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak. Never have we heard the likes of such truth. All the soldiers I know who have rotated back to the States after their tours of duty, refused to speak of Iraq. One Major, I dated, and found myself hurt and wounded when he could not make a connection with me. I could not understand his bizarre post-Iraq behavior.

After reading Kopelman's graphic and poignant piece, I now understand my friend's anguish and lack of ability to reorient himself so suddenly finding himself back in the States and safety. I believe he felt guilty for being safe, comfortable, and useless to the cause that was ingrained within him. He was a soldier first, a regular man with the ability to love, second; even, last.

Lt. Col. Kopelman's story is a must-read for anyone wondering what it is really like in Iraq. I hope we can appreciate what has been done, though at the same time, question the real reasons we have sent our loved ones there. Kopelman does not leave the reader believing all will be well, or that the Iraqis will anytime be able to govern themselves.

"A total of 196 political parties and 33 coalitions representing more than 18,900 candidates," make haste, according to Kopelman, to get on the ballot when the election went down. Candidates, once registered received death threats, "almost immediately," said the author. Beheadings are common, and anything or anyone can be used as a bomb. Iraqis working for the Americans are terrified, he said, and rightly so.

At any rate, this blog is to direct your attention to this unusual read. Copyright 2006 by Lyons Press.

"I want to write a book" is all about pain!

What would we do without the power of language to express ourselves? As for me, I would have my art, I suppose; but the more artful of the two forms of communication between art and writing, for me would have to be writing.

How many of us say, "I am writing a book," or, "I want to write a book?" I couldn't tell you how many people have expressed that very real desire to me.

I've had the privilege of knowing two extremely successful writers in person: Bill Diehl, who wrote "Primal Fear" from which the moview was made starring Edward Norton who had the double personality...then "Show of Evil..." which I claim some credit for as Bill used a piece of my writing I shared with him to describe the bone-chill coldness that indicated the presence of Norton's evil character. Bill had a long and successful writing career. I admired him most for the pace of his prose, which grabbed the reader by the throat in the first sentence and never let go until it left you breathless in the last sentence!

I've also had the privilege of being close at one time, with George Dawes Green, "Caveman's Valentine," his first; and "The Juror," which became a movie by the same name starring Demi Moore. The Caveman story also became a movie starring ______ oops gotta look him up, very famous black actor!!

My admiration extends equally to both of these authors local to the coast of Georgia, for their discipline. A writer must of all things to one thing, and that is to write. For all of us who say we want to write a book, or we are in the process of writing a book, or who feel we have at least one book "in us," I have to point to that painful aspect of writing, which is the process of doing. Never will it be good enough to speak of it as a desire. Until the words hit the pages and make a story, preferably many stories in one threaded through and then sewn successfully up in the end, we are not writers. We are only thinkers and dreamers. Nothing wrong with that, either. For what were philosophers, or are philosophers, but thinkers and dreamers.

However, it is coming to that time in my life, when I must stop thinking, dreaming, and talking my energy away....and laying down the narrative that will be my first story. Within me I have no doubt, there are more stories than I could write in what is left in my lifetime. However, if I do not discipliine myself to spend quality time at my writing machine, then all those stories already written as part of my life's script, and all those potential stories are but wasted, puffs of smoke, yet to be captured.

Bill and George, had discipline. Set hours, they had, that no one could distract them from honoring. In so doing, they honored themselves, they honored their stories, they brought characters to life, and in their words provided rich experiences for their readers. I suspect that at first the discipline is painful....but that once begun, once the first thoughts are laid bare in the words that expose them, the writer is hooked on his own potential and perhaps the dams are burst and the stories flow much easier.

That is my goal and I hope to encourage all my friends who suspect they harbor valuable stories within themselves. Let us discipline ourselves to execute our dreams, follow our desires and leave our marks, literally, on whatever small world of readers discover us and find our stories valuable, enjoyable, tintillating, emotional, and fulfilling. That is the only way.

So, write we must and feel the pain that comes with the discipline to do so. I believe that everyone who says he/she wants to write, really really does have this desire. We just don't want to feel the pain of the discipline. But as everyone knows, no pain, no gain....and I feel it is the same as a runner finishing a marathon, orgasmically satisfying to close the cover on your final words.

Personal: reaching out to Mideastern friends

I keep reading of the destruction in Islamabad and I cannot stand to know it. How in the world will all the people fare? These warmongers today are no different from the barbarians of the past who think they have a righteous cause, but what righteousness is there in seeing the bloody dismemberment of others in the human race? There can be no righteousness in it.....and especially if the matter is one of politics, oil, earthly resources, money (that isn't real anyway), loyalties to one god or another? It is only evil -- for the devil comes but to kill, steal, and destroy!! So, who are our devils my friend?

Again, I am curious how to get you here and out of that mess: or how am I to come there to Dubai and find some peace in the new city that I am sure will house the rich and provide their safety as they finish off the world? The rich will destroy the world, grab the resources and hide among the 300 islands built by the Sheik of Dubai and the emirate. Why else would the sheik build such a kingdom with yet no inhabitants unless the inhabitants were guaranteed to come soon enough? He is in on the plan, as are the other neo fascists who plan to use him as they have used up others in their path since the original group of the Skull and Bones that goes back in history for many and many more years. Look it up if you can and see the list of members.....they are all of the most evil ones and even the Sheik may not be aware of their evil history. Money talks. As the Bible says the LOVE of money is the ROOT of all evil, but since there is no such thing as money what is left?

The earth's resources, my friend. It is better than money. OIL........minerals........ores.........enough to cause the forward thinking to mine other planets to get more........this world is in some shape my friend. To come here is no great thing. But to come to Dubai, maybe is a good thing for me. For no one will bomb Dubai, the capitol of WEALTH. Hmmmmmmm I am sick of the placidity, selfishness, shallowness and vanity of the people of my country. They are lemmings. They are brainwashed. They are weak. They are misled. They do not think for themselves. I can barely look upon it. Can you sponsor me??? Or must I obtain VISA for work, or tourist, or what? I am so unfamiliar with these things. I read where two Brits were beheaded who worked in Dubai and were making love on a beach there.....and there was a pop star also found beheaded or dead in her bed and her lover from somewhere over there found responsible. Is the culture so violent? Would I need to be your wife legally to be protected? I don't understand this strange culture where capitalism now rules, but primitivity of religion is above capitalism.....would I need to become Muslim?

Perhaps that is not a bad thing.....I am quite confused as you can see, and all because my people are truly as evil as your people say we are. Christians kill Christians if not in body, then in forms of verbal abuse, isolation, gossip, hatred of each other. It is most sad. Can it be we are in the last days? I am so curious about capitalism and its beautiful face in Dubai, yet fearsome of the religion that takes no prisoners but executes all who disagree or violate what turns out to be simple human behaviors.

I hope in your wisdom gained through the years and by virtue of your sight and experience, you can answer some of these questions for me. As an American I feel blindfolded as to truths. Christianity has done much of what Islam has done in your country: it is much as Marx said, that religion is but pablum....a nipple to feed upon while our eyes are blinded to the truths. If truth shall set us free, then I wonder if we will ever be free?

Isabel Allende

House of Spirits & More
If you do nothing else over the holidays, try to pick up ALL, yes, ALL, every one of Isabel Allende's books. As I am an avid, no probably a greater than avid reader, I have eaten her books whole, barely taking the time to swallow the words they went down so pleasantly.

Never in my reading history, and I've read more than hundreds of books of every genre, have I come upon such a lady of generous words and stories to cause me to clutch delightfully at her every turn of phrase as if I would lose it too quickly.

From Chile to California, and even Spain to London, Isabel Allende allows the journeying of the mind over mountains, through deep valleys, cutting through hearts, souls, and the thoughts of men and women in a way that touches the core of a reader such as myself. Her words drip honey and blood, sadness, lust, and joy. I catch each with a hungry tongue and turn them around in my dreams until I wake believing I am one of her rich characters.

Her books are peopled with folks who might be our neighbors, the storied celebrities of history, the famous and infamous, plain, suffering, active, proactive, political and alive. We feel as we read, their rushing blood and their pulsing heartbeats as they go about the business Isabel has assigned them. Their lives pull us in and hold us prisoner, book after book.

I heartily encourage your readership. Your reward is a forever memory of this champion of authors. I shall find it difficult to replace her with my next newfound discovery of talent. Only Ken Follett has come close, with a more modest comparison of the more simply written Sue Monk Kidd whose characters are yet appealing, touching, and real.

Get thee to they nearest library!! Pronto!

Bush & Islamabad: Real people, real deaths, real fear

We are one world and how the USA is affecting that world is frightening. These are the words of a dear friend of several years. He is a Christian Muslim working construction in Saudi Arabia. His sons are university graduates looking to emigrate here for further studies. Handsome young men, they are, of marriageable age, who could die at the moment they leave their homes. Is this right? Do you still like Pres. Bush? Skull and Bones. We can take that literally. Where goes Bush, follows Death. Those are my words, and here are my friend's...

"Dear Parris As-salaam Alakium Thanks for your mail. Ramadan is went off smoothly and I am fine now and in Saudi Arabia. My two sons are in Islamabad. But away from that place about 20 KM. Yes we are in very trouble. This trouble is brought to us by Mr. Bush and Musharaf. Musharaf supported USA and fighting for USA and now we brought this war in our home. We are in very much dangerious condition. These Tribals and Talban are thinking that all Pakistani are their enemy and same like American. They are killing innocent pakistani without any difference either civil or military or child. They want to kill us.But Pakistan is suffering much from War and also getting no help from USA. Only verval assuring and we are being destroyed by both parties. No place is safe. When we are going out of home, no body is assured that he will come back safe at home. Mosque, Hotel, Public place every where is dangerous. Daily bomb blasting in all country and more than 10 blast average daily.Please pray for us for peace life.Much love and kisses"