We cannot all sit on the same side of the fire . . .
But we can all sit at the same fire.

Somewhere on this planet and somewhen in time, my early ancestors perhaps baited a tiger with a goat, or savored a meal of roast horse - if they had fire. I can see them tearing the flesh from the fresh carcass as well.

In another place and time they followed sheep and when men decided that people and places could be owned my early ancestors were told that they would have to find another place to "be." The meadows were to be better used, the forests were to be leveled, and the animals were in the way of progress.

Does this sound like the plight of the aboriginal peoples today known variously as "Indians" "Amerinds" " Native Americans" or the newest decision "Native American Indians" (NAI's)?

Not so. I speak of the Scotch, the Irish, the Dutch, the English, the German, the only people that my family records show are of my ancestry.

And today, as everyday, I gather firewood for my warmth, and go to my outside "well" for water.

The firewood is from dead trees in the back yard and the "well" is a pipe that comes from an upstream reservoir at a city 30 miles to the north. So I am more fortunate than many and I thank the Creator of All for this providence.

There came a time for my various ancestors when there was no place to "be," and they spilled upon these shores in confusion, fear and anger.

Determined that they would be "safe" and be assured of "safety" for their chidren as well. Refugees seeking refuge.

Among this throng, as among all peoples, were the greedy, the petty, and yes, the evil.

And now to today.

In all peoples is the center that shows true life and the wisdom of listening before speaking, whether the voice of wisdom is in the change of weather, the flow of water, or the "instincts" of the creatures that only know what is, not what they demand should be.

There are a few who still hear the voice of wisdom, but they are not found among the powerful. And there are many who would hear this voice, if fear was not out-shouting it in their minds.

The so-called leaders are quick to take advantage of this fear, and the weak are quick to take the "privileged path."

This is the road to the cycle of destruction, followed by a renewing of simplicity, and a return to basics. Sadly, this has happened so many times, that all that remains of memory of these past "civilizations" are fables and folklore.

Yet the lessons are in these stories.

My mother believes that serpents can talk but that coyotes cannot.

And there you have it.

Whatever the belief, it is time to get past semantics and listen to truth.

What is truth? This rhetorical question that implies that mankind cannot know truth is easily answered.

• Truth is that which sets us free.
• Truth is that which leads to life.
• Truth is the center that goes unheeded in the mind of mankind.

It was said to Adam, who by his actions, chose death.

It was said by Moses to the children of Israel in the "Wilderness of Sin." They chose a path that kept them continually enslaved by other nations.

It was said by Jesus, who never supported civil disobedience, and the people of that time tried to use force to practice their religion. It eventually brought their temple down around them. A million died, and millions later.

Today we have historical records and daily news reports that these pograms, crusades, inquisitions, and "ethnic cleansings" continue.

These are all undeniable facts of history: The cycle of destruction, a return to basics through enforced deprivation, and a great loss of human life, usually most of them children.

Will this cycle ever end? All stories have a promise within them that say peace will come at last.

But all stories show a consistent theme of destruction.

This letter goes out over the "cobwebs" that are spoken of in many prophecies. Are the "cobwebs" themselves bad?

I think not. But they are a sign that we have once again reached a point in the history of mankind when the choice between life and death is not to be ignored any longer.

This technology is one example of the centralization of power in this era. And the centering of power in man is the moment of crisis.

Choose life.

Mike