TAKING A SECOND LOOK, ON AUGUST 29

MYTHS REALLY MATTER

Did you know that the revered Western Wall in Jerusalem is not the last remnant of the great ancient Jewish Temple? And yet millions visit and pray there every year. Is this some tourist fraud...?

While you mull that over, ask the same question of other honored sites throughout the world. The tree under which the Buddha is said to have found enlightenment....or the place where Jesus is said to have been born....or the rock where the Pilgrims are said to have landed...or scores of other celebrated tourist attractions.

But of course this question counts not a jot or a jittle. Totally beside the point. It is not the place but rather the power that matters in these cases. The power of an idea! a belief! a conviction! No travel brochure can describe these, and no archaeologist can disprove these. The mind of man -- of cultures -- is imbued with enormous beliefs which animate and actuate it in ways that often transcend the facts!

Admittedly, that is an absurd statement in an age of scientific materialism. If what we have learned from our technologists is true, then all that is true in this world is its matter. Carefully, creatively massaged into great cures and inventions. And yet, the myths of our histories suggest that myths often matter much more than matter. More than facts. Indeed they often become larger than facts. That doesn't mean myths are necessarily lies; rather, they are the truths that cultures have chosen to believe and embrace and build upon.

Some myths are neutral -- Peter Pan, the Valkyries, the Gipper, Santa Claus. [ Well, personally I suspect Santa is more than just neutral ]. Other myths are dangerous -- the Jews killed Jesus, the Aryans are a super race, America is the Great Satan, the Cubs will never win. [ Well, that last one is not only dangerous for the team, it's downright debilitating for the fans ]. But the great majority of myths can be good. Positive. Productive.

The trick is to know how to pick your myths....!


HEROES ARE NOT YET AN EXTINCT SPECIES

When some cablecast/blog haters spew their utter disregard for the death of Ted Kennedy, you are reminded once again how cold and bitter a people we can be. And yet, there is also such lovely warmth and goodness in our midst. Where oh where to find it?

Here's one answer. Watch the local nightly news. What...? Are you crazy....? The news is nothing more than vile people doing vile things....!

Well, yes, that's true. A nightly parade of the mendacity of mankind -- murders, mayhem, terrorism, deceit, corruption, sexual deviation, you know the entire 10 Commandments.

However, there is something that occasionally sneaks into those if-it-bleeds-it-leads newsrooms. Real heroes doing really heroic things. The relentless brigades of firefighters waging battle against the California forest fires. The SWAT teams invading a gang infested community. Ambulance medics and ER teams executing daily acts of precision and mercy. Right down to those Kris Kringley crossing guards protecting their kids from a tragic accident.

Frankly, I'm not sure what motivates the newsrooms to include some of this footage. I guess to break-up the drone of disasters. But well-intentioned or not, these are the moments and the heroes I wait for. They actually help a cynic's chilled heart warm to the remaining goodness of our tainted species.

So, news anchors, bring 'em on....!