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Voltaire knew the world was on the cusp of a greater existence — technological development, New World expansion, individual liberty, and societal equality — but he felt there were subtle forces restricting this progression.

Forces like militaristic avarice, aristocratic ignorance, and the unequal distribution of wealth between the upper-class and the lower-class. Of course, these concerns, and resistance by a burgeoning middle-class, led to the French Revolution.

Francois Marie Arouet (pen name Voltaire) was born on November 21, 1694, in Paris. Provided an aristocratic education, Voltaire was what might be called a “smart-ass” in modern times, and he was often too smart for his own good.

In 1726, Voltaire insulted the powerful young nobleman, Chevalier De Rohan, and was given two options: imprisonment or exile. Choosing to be exiled, from 1726 to 1729 Voltaire lived in England. While in England, Voltaire became enamored with the philosophy of John Locke and the unique vision and imagination of Sir Isaac Newton.

Voltaire was particularly interested in the philosophical rationalism of the time — embracing a notion that humans should remain steadfast in an intellectual, deductive pursuit of truth, instead of emotive, sensory perception of the world.

In 1759, Voltaire’s Candide was published, and the world would never be the same. The legacy of Candide remains today as a piece of fire-brand literature that speaks to man’s simian roots — that we are all just monkeys with nice haircuts.

Some of Digital Ink’s favorite Voltaire quotes:

“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.”

“Animals have these advantages over man: they never hear the clock strike, they die without any idea of death, they have no theologians to instruct them, their last moments are not disturbed by unwelcome and unpleasant ceremonies, their funerals cost them nothing, and no one starts lawsuits over their wills.”

“Every man is guilty of all the good he didn’t do.”

“If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.”

Administrator 1%, Art and Justice, New America, Social Responsibility, Stylio, The New World, writing courage, education, France, freedom, history, justice, liberty, New World, nobility, philosophy, rationalism, revolution, society, thought leadership, truth, wit, writer, writing

Fly Like an Eagle – July 16, 1969

The recollection of historical facts can draw together disparate ideas and create relevance where before there seemed none. Sometimes, historical events might become metaphors for grander ideas, allowing us to imagine if that is possible, so might this be.

A walk on the Moon is something only 12 American astronauts can lay claim to, and Neil Armstrong was the first, declaring, 40 years ago, “one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”

There’s a plaque left on the Moon, 240,000 miles above Earth, by the crew of the Apollo 11, which reads:

“Here men from planet Earth first set foot upon the moon July 1969, A.D. We came in peace for all mankind.”

As the United States — and the rest of mankind — adjust to the rigors of 21st Century existence, many difficulties and uncertainties have become magnified and worsened. Failed drug wars, California’s financial collapse, Wall Street chaos, Middle East conflict, and domestic issues like healthcare and education are seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

If the United States can put a man on the moon, can’t we educate every citizen? Can’t we assimilate a global conference to eradicate poverty and abject hunger for children? Can a nation founded on liberty and the pursuit of happiness continue to offer these privileges to its citizens as inalienable rights? Can the United States continue to lead the free world toward peace and harmony?

Armstrong’s declaration remains as prophetic today as it seemed in the volatile era of 1969, announcing to many that a common goal among humble men can become more for humanity than we might’ve imagined. Every exploration begins with uncertainty, and some end with certainty. 40 years after Apollo 11, the announcement remains the same:

Yes We Can!

Administrator Earth, Heroes, New America, Social Responsibility, The Good Life, The New World Apollo 11, courage, exploration, freedom, hero, Heroes, humanity, liberty, mankind, moon, NASA, New America, New World, space, voyager

The recently released Soul Power documentary captures the state-sponsored 1974 concert in Zaire that set the stage for Muhammad Ali and George Foreman’s legendary “Rumble in the Jungle.”

What a spectacle of soul-infused musical bravado. In the midst of Vietnam, Nixon, Civil Rights, and a miserable economy, Don King and James Brown pulled off the impossible, just like Ali, in the middle of war-torn Zaire. That’s some Soul Power.

Soul Power is produced and directed by Jeff Levy-Hinte, president of Antidote Films, who was also the producer-director of the Oscar-winning documentary When We Were Kings (1996). Most of the Soul Power footage was uprooted after the production of When We Were Kings. All this gloriously funky footage has been waiting nearly 35 years to see the light.

Soul Power keeps your head bobbing by showcasing these historic performances from funk, soul, and R&B legends like B.B. King, Bill Withers, and the kinetic madman and self-professed Sex-Machine, James Brown, whose early-70s single of the same name lends the film its title.

Using notable cinematographers, Albert Maysles and Paul Goldsmith, to lend the documentary a gritty but stunning style verité, the footage captures the Don King-promoted Rumble in the Jungle’s political and personal spirits in all their vivid intensity.

Can you say, “Gonna have a funky good time…”?

Administrator Aural Pleasure, Movies and Cinema, The Good Life, The New World, boxing 70s, Africa, aural, boxing, cinema, documentary, entertainment, film, funk, GOOD, money, music, New World, songs, soul, spirit, sports, Super Good

The first known use of the word freedom in a political context dates back to the 24th century BC, in a text describing the restoration of social and economic liberty in Lagash, a Sumerian city-state.

Urukagina, the king of Lagash, established the first known legal code to protect citizens from the rich and powerful. Known as a great reformer, Urukagina established laws that forbade compelling the sale of property and required the charges against the accused to be stated before any man accused of a crime could be punished. This is the first known example of any form of due process in the history of humanity.

Sumer is also known as the “Cradle of Civilization,” or Mesopotamia. The Tigris and Euphrates are the fertile, nutrient-rich rivers that flow southward into modern-day Persian Gulf, which geographically separates Iraq, Kuwait, Iran, and the Saudi Arabian Peninsula.

The Iraqi government has been awarded autonomy and sovereignty of its laws and lands by the U.S. government, effective as of July 1, 2009. The tank-mounted machine-gun in this picture would have been an alarming image until “Operation Iraqi Freedom” liberated the country from its previous government.

The notion we have to celebrate July 4th, because of our adoption of the Declaration of Independence on this date in 1776, is ironic because it takes several long years before the loose confederation of colonies becomes a real nation.

Indeed, the Unites States’ Constitution Day is observed on September 17, the day the U.S. Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution in 1787. That’s eleven years of struggle and perseverance. Baghdad (New Sumeria) has their work cut out for them.

Happy JULY 4th Holidays! Live freely.

Administrator 21st Century Culture, New America, The New World America, freedom, government, guns, humanity, Iraq War, liberty, military, New America, New World, peace, troops, U.S.

Stormy Daniels (born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on March 17, 1979), also known as Stormy Waters and simply Stormy, is an American pornographic actress, screenwriter(???), and director.

It seems that Stormy Daniels has some understanding of how to give the paying public what they need. In Louisiana, she wants to replace an incumbent Senator David Vitter, who’s been linked to prostitution through the so-called “D.C. Madam.”

According to the New Orleans Times Picayune: “Adult-film actress Stormy Daniels announced today that she is forming a committee to explore a potential campaign against Senator David Vitter, R-La.“

Why doesn’t this surprise me, and why am I not amused by the need for Louisiana politics to begin an evolution of self-identity. Let’s free Edwin Edwards and get Stormy and the ex-governor to throw some really fun campaign parties!

Stormy Daniels - La. Senator

I can see it now — LSU cheerleaders, FBI-supplied cash, and a camera crew to capture it all on a new show titled, “Louisiana Politics Gone Wild!“

By the way, the recruitment process (action committee?) is centered around the website DraftStormy.com. Nothing to it but to do it…

Administrator 21st Century Culture, Art and Justice, New America change, culture, freedom, Louisiana, media, New America, New Orleans, New World, politics, pornography