Talk about an obsession! The American painter Edward Hicks (1780 - 1849) painted 61 versions of "The Peaceable Kingdom." I have a different version than the one shown here. Hicks' inspiration came from the biblical passage about the lion laying down with the lamb.

Perhaps dumb animals, who have built-in instincts that place them somewhere on the food chain of prey vs. today's meal can't help themselves. Unfortunately, human beings appear to be no better off. Whether we believe that the continual onslaught of man against man is due to an inbred instinct to kill, or misguided religious fervor, or ultra-nationalism, or whatever, it never ceases. Men killing men has gone on as long as men have been on this earth; from this we can safely conclude that it will never stop so long as man exists.

Muslim terrorists blindly murder innocent civilians. U.S. drones return the favor, with the excuse that the "target" is a known terrorist who happened to be among others who become, in today's obnoxious term, collateral damage.

Yet yesterday I happened upon a film about a terrorist and I really liked the character. The movie is titled "V for Vendetta." Set in a futuristic London in a dystopian society, it depicts a world I hope never happens. The anti-hero named V takes it on, wearing a Guy Fawkes mask (see Jondude's avatar). It is a great movie and I highly recommend it if you haven't seen it.

We live in a very non-peaceable kingdom, Edward Hicks' 61 paintings to the contrary notwithstanding. So I hope that you'll forgive me if, on occasion in this blog, I express a dim, pessimistic view of things. There is poison in the air and we are all DOWNWIND.