More problems than usual and a new cause

Do to some absurd technical problems which I am unable to overcome, O’Brien’s Literary Speculator web site is more or less permanently down. I’ve tried looking into some of the free or at least less expensive alternatives but I don’t have the programing skills. So I’m sorry everybody who contributed until I find a way to publish the magazine in an acceptable format we are on hold. (I have found it is often the admission that you can’t get something done that actually gets it done, So don’t go away just hold your breath.

Anyway when thinks look like the men’s room in a gas station, I read. I used to drink but getting up every night five times made me start reading instead.

I attempt to write urban fantasy and have recently (yes I’ve lived in a cave for the last ten years) discovered and started reading Charles DE Lint. At about book number four I was reading the author’s notes and Charles mentioned one of my favorite writers - and the kind of person I hope to be if I ever grow up - Andrew Vachss. It didn’t take me that long to figure out the similarities - The Truths- in their writing and naturally I asked Andrew via the Internet how he came to meet Mr. De Lint.

He responded to me by e-mail and as is his way answered my questions and then told me if you see the Truth do something about it. Actions act much, much better than words. So at his instigation I joined a group called PROTECT. They are working hard to eliminate child sexual abuse by largest group of offenders - the victim’s families. Andrew does not want to reform the criminal pedophile, he wants to eliminate them from their victim’s lives permanently.

I read an article that Andrew Vachss wrote after he and those who heard the truth rolled a giant boulder up the side of the New York Legislature’s building and had a law passed -closing the Incest loophole in sex crimes against children in New York, forever.

Now that work needs to be done else where. I responded to Andrew that I would bring in a new five year member every month for five years. If I miss a month I will be a surrogate member and toss in  the price of the membership, but it’s like they say on public radio, It is much better if  we all do our share so this is the first  plea.  Join PROTECT(http://www.protect.org/)  save some children from a fate far worse than death.

I can not go back to Andrew and tell him I failed. People who know the TRUTH can’t fail, they are only allowed to die trying.