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Following hurricane Katrina, I wrote a newspaper piece that was rejected by my editor as being “too edgy.” When I pressed her for a further explanation, she said that she did not want to publish something that appeared to be “insensitive to the flood victims.” I guess I didn’t make my point too well.

My basic point was this. It is not the responsible of government to solve the problems of individuals. I still think that I’m right about this, and as a proof source, go read the Constitution. If you can find it in there, let me know.

The greater point that I was trying to make is this. We have a responsibility as people to help each other in a time of great need. My proof source on this was my mother, and the Bible.

I disagreed with the people that felt it was not their responsibility to help, saying, “after all, I pay taxes.”

And I still feel that way.

I cannot bring forward in mind the ability to truly comprehend what it is like to have everything shattered in a moment. It’s not just their homes that collapsed, it was entire cities collapsing on their homes, and on them, and on everyone around them. I cannot begin to imagine the struggle that survivors must have to try to reconcile themselves to the fact that this has happened to them through absolutely no fault of their own.

Generally in life when the Shiite pours down upon your hat, you can find a way to blame either yourself, or better yet, somebody else.

What is it like, I wonder, to worry if God, or nature, or the forces of evil are out to get you.

What is it like to be suddenly orphaned, or suddenly a widow, and suddenly alone in the middle of a rubble pile.

I know that lots of people are doing their best to help in some small way. I do not want to minimize that for a moment. I have been looking for my own way to do a little something, and I was pleased when an opportunity came my way.

A friend recently began organizing a group of musicians to perform as a way to raise money. Her efforts to put on a night of music, where the proceeds for a $15 ticket would go to help the Haitian’s in need, seems like a great idea. I am delighted to make my teeny, tiny contribution, and hoped that others would immediately climb onto ticket sales so that they could help out also.

The initial interest and support has been a bit less than I had hoped for.

So, I begin to rationalize it by saying to myself that times are tough, and everyone is watching their wallet. Of course, having trouble making the cable bill is not to be compared to the struggles in Haiti.

Maybe, I wonder, they don’t think the music will be worth the $15. That is hardly the point. The idea is to give away the 15 frickin’ dollars, and the musicians give away their music.

I was wondering what more I can do to make this event successful, when I heard something disturbing on the radio this morning.

Apparently, people have been lining up all night for a chance to get a copy of Ozzy Osbourne’s new “book,” and to meet the “author.” All this for a mere $50.

Is it just me?

Okay, I get it, and here is my pledge. If we can sell just 100 tickets to our little effort, I’ll bite the head off of anything you want me to. I’ll take enough drugs to become absolutely unintelligible.

But you have to provide them, I’m out of the loop on narcotics and live meat.

http://www.chaplinsthemusiccafe.com/worldhelpforhaitiorg-concert/1002032.html