My Life Story Subject of International Radio Show

 

My life story will be the subject of Moody Radio’s international broadcast of “UNSHACKLED!”, a dramatized documentary that is heard on over 1,800 radio outlets in 148 countries, on six continents, in eight languages—English, Spanish, Arabic, Romanian, Russian, Polish, Korean and Japanese. The program will air more than 7,500 times around the world from June 21^st through June 28th.  To find the station that will air the broadcast in your area, go to www.unshackled.com.

 

Also, a few weeks ago Michael Heaton, a writer for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and brother of Actress Patricia Heaton, wrote an in-depth story about me which attracted a great deal of attention in Northeast Ohio.  If you’d like to read the story, clink on the link below.

http://blog.cleveland.com/lifestyles/2008/04/prison_term_turns_man_to_minis.html

 

Once you’ve heard the broadcast of Unshackled or read the story, feel free to share your comments with me.

 

The Death of Truth

     The Politically Correct movement is guilty of Aggravated Murder.   No, they didn’t rob and kill a convenient store clerk or bash a baby seal over the head with a club.  But their victim was no less real and much more profound; they murdered TRUTH.  

      At first glance it would seem impossible to snuff the life out of an inanimate ideal, but their insidious scheme functioned better than any plot hatched from the mind of Agatha Christie.  They murdered truth by slowly demonizing it.  

     For instance, if the PC movement wanted to destroy the universal truth that 2 + 2 = 4, they would start by saying, “While we all know that 2 + 2 = 4, it is unfair of us to look down upon the ignorant and less fortunates who were born in such a way as not to understand or agree that 2 + 2 = 4.” 

     After a few years of that line of reasoning, they would take the next step by saying, “While we all know that 2 + 2 = 4, we should be TOLERANT of those who disagree based on their personal conviction.” Next they say, “It is INTOLERANT, to believe that everyone should have to accept the premise that 2 + 2 = 4.” 

     Then, “Because is it politically incorrect to say that 2 + 2 = 4, we should institute sensitivity training in our public schools, so that the next generation of students don’t grow up as INTOLERANT as their parents.” Next a law is passed that says, “Anyone who says that 2 + 2 = 4 is a closed-minded bigot guilty of HATE SPEECH.” 

     Finally, “2 + 2 does not equal 4.” 

When is a HATE-CRIME not a HATE-CRIME

          You have heard of Matthew Shepherd haven’t you?  Of course you have.  He was the homosexual maliciously murdered in Wyoming by two heterosexuals.  The incident sparked no fewer then 3,000 media stories, inspired HATE-CRIME legislation all across the country, and even spawned a scholarship in his name for gay and lesbian students.  In one fell swoop Matthew Shepherd became the poster-boy for the liberal agenda and a martyr for the homosexual movement.

          Now, have you every heard the story of Jesse Dirkhising?  No?  I didn’t think so.  He’s the 13-year-old boy who was raped and murdered by two homosexuals in Arkansas in the fall of 2000.  The major opinion makers – The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, CBS, NBC, CNN – have produced a combined sum total of ZERO stories about Jesse Dirkhising.  Why the media blackout? After all if it’s a newsworthy HATE-CRIME when a homosexual is killed by two heterosexuals, why isn’t it a newsworthy HATE-CRIME when a heterosexual juvenile is sodomized, raped, and murdered by two homosexuals?In both cases a young man was senselessly murdered. 

          But there is more to the story.  You see, at the time Jesse was killed, the media was busy crucifying the Boy Scouts for banning homosexuals from being Scout leaders.  Jesse’s story didn’t fit the liberal propaganda the major news agencies were busy ramming down our collective throats.  I mean, how would it look if Brian Williams did a piece bashing the Boy Scouts for banning gays, only to be followed by Katie Couric’s expose of the two homosexual who raped and killed little Jesse.  Such a segue would make it seem like the Boy Scouts actually knew what they were doing.  So Jesse’s case got swept under the rug, because his death wasn’t politically incorrect.

Advice to Would-be Writers

     When I ultimately decided to write my first novel, A Trial of Innocents, I determined not to read any books on writing, as I didn’t want to be biased by any preconceived notions about the art and craft of writing.  I reasoned that I had done well in my college English courses, had a relatively large vocabulary, and had a working knowledge of punctuation.  With these rudimentary skills, I spent the next six months banging out my novel on an electric typewriter.

      The first agent who reviewed my masterpiece said, “Brilliant plot, but your writing is passive.  Take a highlighter and mark every occurrence of the word was then rewrite the sentence using an active verb.”  I went to work revising the three-hundred page manuscript, and then resubmitted the new version to a major publisher.  A few months later I received a reply from the editor saying, “Amazing plot, but your writing is terrible.  Read the book Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Reni Brown and David King, rewrite your manuscript doing everything they recommend, and resubmit it to me.”

        Once again I went to work, starting from scratch.  Six months later I resubmitted the manuscript, only to receive yet another rejection slip.  The next editor who reviewed the book recommended that I read a copy of The Elements of Style by Strunk and White, and rewrite it yet again, based on the philosophy spelled out in this little timeless classic. I devoured this tome, memorizing the rules of grammar and the keys to style.  The very next time I submitted my manuscript, I received a contract offer.

      So my advice to would-be writers is to do your homework before considering putting pen to paper.  Start with the two books I’ve mentioned above.  If you master the principles spelled out in these two small books, you will be on your way to seeing your works in print – for cash.

Excerpt — A Murder of Innocents — A View from the Womb

          Darkness. Utter darkness. The thundering cadence of a heartbeat resounds through aquatic sloshing. Warm fluid passes rhythmically in and out of lungs, but it doesn’t suffocate. Not long ago the tiny enclosure seemed as big as the universe, but now there’s barely enough room to twist a smidgen. A restrictive belt attached to the waist is secured to the rubbery wall. Off in the distance, intermittently between the rapid pounding, the syncopations of a second beat slows down. 

        “Mommy must be taking a nap. She needs her rest, you know. I love her and she loves me. I can’t wait to meet her. It won’t be long now. I’m getting pretty big for this place. At first I never wanted to leave the safety and warmth of my mommy; I thought I’d be satisfied listening to her muffled voice and laughter – I can recognize her voice anywhere – now I want to see her face. And lately it’s been getting a little cramped in here. It won’t be long now.”

           The liquid atmosphere drains out; the tiny chamber collapses.

          “What’s going on? This never happened before. But I don’t sense any fear from my mommy so this must be a good thing. I could use a little more time though, maybe four more weeks. My lungs need more time to develop, and my ears aren’t quite ready yet. But mother knows best. I love her and I really hope she loves me.”

          Cold metal tongs invade the sanctuary and slip along the legs and torso. They jam into the soft ribs and snap closed, pinching the fatty skin.

          “Hey! Watch it, that’s gonna leave a mark. I may be little, but I have feelings too. When my mom finds out you hurt me she’s going to be really mad. She loves me you know, and I love her too. You don’t need to force me out. If the fluid didn’t drain out, I would have flipped over on my head the way God designed me to in a week or so. But maybe my mommy couldn’t wait to see me. I know I can’t wait to see her.”

          The slippery metal tongs thrust in again and clamp down on the section of his left leg just below the knee. Searing pain explodes. The tiny leg frantically recoils, desperately kicking the collapsing chamber.

          “Let go of me! You’re hurting me! Stop pulling, don’t you think I want out? I’ve got big plans you know. God has tucked away in my brain the cure for cancer. All I need is a chance, and I’m going to make my mommy proud. I love her so very much.”

          A sliding rush and both legs break out. The first sensation of air flutters over moist skin. The forceps relinquish their death grip; two latexclad hands grasp the legs and pull.

          “Wow, that breeze feels funny and a bit chilly I must say. I’ve never felt air before but I kinda like it. Yeah, I could get used to this.”

          Powerful hands pull against the torso; the entire body is exposed and wiggling, all except the head. A deep bruise is already forming where the forceps had crushed the fragile limb.

          “Hey, don’t stop now, I’m just about free. The air blowing over my wet body is getting pretty cold now. If you’d let go I’m sure I could squirm my way out. I’m only a few inches from seeing my mommy. I’ve waited such a long time to see her. Please, won’t you let me go so I can see my beautiful mother? I like a good joke as much as the next guy, but enough is enough already. I’ve waited over eight months to feel the touch of her cheek against mine. I want to snuggle in her loving embrace. It’s awfully dark in here, and I’m ready to see the light.”

          Sharp scissors puncture the base of the skull. A stream of dark crimson blood gurgles out of the wound. The arms and legs stiffen and wince from the pain. The tiny mouth opens in the birthing canal and expels a silent scream loud enough to shake the foundations of heaven. Somehow the will to live overcomes the pain and a final wiggle brings freedom. A rush of oxygen touches the face, and an agonizing cry fills the room.

         “Somebody help me! I can’t take the pain! Will somebody stop the pain!”

         Unfocused eyes latch onto a nurse.

         “Are you my mommy? Will you kiss it and make it better? I’m feeling weak and cold and the pain…”

         The nurse hands the baby to the doctor, and for a spilt second the baby looks directly into his eyes.

         “Now I’ll be all right, I’m in the hands of a healer. I don’t know what the poke in the head was about, but I’m sure he can fix it. All those years of study to save lives and the oath to first do no harm. I know he can stop the bleeding. My little wound shouldn’t be hard to fix. I want to look my best when I meet my mommy for the first time. I love her so very much, and I want her to love me. But I’m feeling very cold; my vision is growing dim. Doc, maybe you should do something kinda fast. I can feel my life fading. Put those healing hands to work!”

        The doctor looks away, grabs the baby by the forehead, and snaps the tiny neck.

        The crying stops.

        Dr. Gaston Garvey bolts upright in bed, drenched in sweat. His chest heaves; his pulse races out of control. He glances over at the large red numbers on the nightstand – 2:49 A.M.

          “It was only a dream, a nightmare,” Garvey said out loud to chase the

demons away. “Third time this week. Thank goodness it was only a dream…or was it?”

Welcome

Dear Reader,

I have never been one to shy away from controversy.  While I write legal thriller/murder mysteries, each book addresses one or more of the most hotly contested ethical issues of our day.  My first two novels A Trial of Innocents and A Murder of Innocents grapple with abortion — including one chapter depicting a partial birth abortion from the perspective of the unborn baby.  My latest book Lethal Ambition addresses the social, economic, and political breakdown in the inner-cities of America, spotlighting racism in many forms. 

As a novelist my first task is to entertain my readers with sophisticated plots, unique characters, and fast-paced action.  However, along the way I like to challenge my readers to think.  So if you have read any of my novels, short stories, or essays, feel free to post your views, whether you agree or disagree with me.  Also, in the weeks to come I will be posting my thoughts on various political, spiritual, and ethical issues, and I invite you respond.  Debate and the free exchange of ideas allow each of us to grow.  As the Bible says in Proverbs 27:17:  “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another”.   

Michael