My second novel, Fishing for Light was written several years ago, because it takes a long time to work through the editing and publishing process. At the time, I had not a clue we would end up living in Texas, and we would be watching the continuing border crisis on the evening news, and in particular watch the IRS mess continue to unfold. By the way, I did write this novel over three years ago, right? And no, I don’t consider myself another second coming of Nostradamus, but keep reading … it will become self-evident why I updated this blog post and why I am simply stunned and angry.
Seriously, I can’t make this stuff up …
I don’t ascribe to any political party, and I don’t judge people who choose to be more liberal, or conservative. (It’s none of my business) I think the key issue is being honest with your self, being truthful, and I think both sides can be correct, it you think about it from the problem solving perspective, not the black or white view that divides us. And I’m not into conspiracies, I think human nature tends to repeat itself over the centuries. (There will always be the little dictator out there that wants to tell everybody what to do.) What I don’t like is the party corruption, or the IRS’ arrogance – because it hurts those that are least able to defend themselves. I thought they were all ‘public servants’?
Consider this thought, if someone loses their job and that human being has to depend on government programs – survival, food, water, shelter – they can be rather strong motivators to vote, to vote for your survival. And to vote for whomever your encouraged to vote for – and then hope the IRS would leave you alone. It’s all about controlling the pet population, right? (that would be us)
AS to the Central American and Mexican children, I have a character in Fishing for Light, Jose Hernandez, Jr. who with his mother and father snuck across the Texas border to seek freedom. They hid within the USA, Nashville, by working at a country club and Jose, Jr. happened to have some golf skills, and Professor Quan happened to notice him, and then, Jose, Jr. became an integral part of the story. I won’t ruin it, but Jose, Jr. got a rather significant magic gift from Professor Quan, special delivered by his NAVY SEAL representative, Captain Lovins. If you think kicked up Labra-doodle, I think you’ll have a hint as to what happened.
And now, lucky for Jose, Jr. because he was a fictional character, but the profile he represents has gotten ensnared into the needless humanitarian crisis happening with thousands of Mexican and Central American children caught in the proverbial cross-hairs. I think those children are literal pawns who are simply seeking a better life. If you go roam about central Mexico, or for that fact parts of Eastern Kentucky, you’ll understand why they risk their lives like tiny Sea Turtles being released into the wild. Sometimes the perceived strong do not survive, but that’s the laws of nature, right?
At the time, I wrote Fishing for Light in part, to poke fun at 21st Century life. I think the below book review might give you another hint why I am irritated. And remember, I was having fun, but satire has serious aspects beneath the absurdity. AND I DID MENTION I WROTE THIS NOVEL A LONG TIME AGO?
Amazon Book Review:
“I have a hard time not thinking of books seriously, comedy books are hard for me, since I’m so used to reading regular fiction. But, this book was a good choice. It was funny, in an over the top kind of way. I mean it’s got the IRS, genetic monsters, and the Hope Diamond! … It’s a well written book, but for me, it just felt like there was a little too much crowded into the book. I laughed quite a bit, and I was entertained, I think the author did a great job of taking what we would usually expect and twisting it around a bit. I think overall, for a satire lover, this book would be a home run, I just think too much to work well with satire, but I still enjoyed this book.”
I’m cool with the book review, there is a lot going on in the story, it was intended, because there is a lot going on in our society. It was intended to be funny, but what I wrote in the novel is not funny, and believe it or not, much of the science is quite real. And then the IRS mess just keeps pushing my buttons. Maybe read one of the novels earlier pitches that we decided not to use:
“But when a secret IRS unit was nearby monitoring Eddie and his bumbling childhood friend’s conversation about peddling unique autographed material on WePay, they arrested Eddie’s friend for tax evasion. In reality, the IRS was on a gestapo like mission to track down anyone trading living organic material that might lead them to Professor Quan and his laboratory where he hid the real Hope Diamond.” ~Fishing for Light
And below is what I originally wrote about the novel, last year!
“Fishing for Light is a satire, and the format allows the author, that’s me, to take the reader on a wild, conspiracy filled ride. In fact, I had not considered the current political season when I originally created the story, but now, GEEZ!
I thought I would make a few observations, I did not use the word, ‘Gestapo’ at random or to use it as a cliché. The Gestapo was the ‘secret police for Nazi Germany’. So, let me go all ‘crazy conspiratorial’ and ask a question, what if the IRS could arrest or investigate an American citizen based on their genetic profile? I know, rather a crazy thought, but what if every American had to provide a DNA sample to the government? As in give unto Caesar and the family heads to Bethlehem once a year to check in with the local authorities. If you think that’s absurd, I recommend you read the below link.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-dna-database-annual-report-2012-to-2013
Now, if you go roaming about the internet, there are cyber rafts filled with conspiracy theorists about the Nazi plan to alter the drinking water, food, and the like to control the population. But the not so funny aspect within the story for Fishing for Light, given the advances with computing power, genetic science and the like, it is not that far afield to wonder if a character like a Ms. Prosperina, or an organization might figure out a method to ‘manage’ humanity without ever firing a shot. And so, the reader might take Fishing for Light as funny, and absurd, but with a satire, perhaps the reader might wonder.”
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Now, last night I sat watching the evening news, and simply could not believe what I was watching. I’ve been a business owner, and I DO understand what the IRS does if you make an error reporting your corporate or personal tax filings. They are not a pleasant bunch. And they just so happened to have lost thousands of emails? Really, I know what would have happened to this pasty-white, middle aged dude if I had responded to them with that excuse.
I think to quote a lawyer friend, ‘loss of liberty’.
And then the Central American and Mexican children living in government created squalor simply makes me angry.
Honestly, I am sitting here in stunned silence.
NS
Connie Lee says
Hello Bobby,
I don’t think the wiles of our government surprises any of us anymore. I had thought it peculiar when more police departments are now buying armor tanks. What do they need that for? http://news.yahoo.com/as-wars-wind-down–small-town-cops-inherit-armored-vehicles-233505138.html
Also, you mentioned about the DNA processing, I am enclosing a link of a new test where police can check you DNA in the field, in a matter of minutes. http://candicelanier.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-police-will-soon-be-able-to-test.html?utm_content=buffer7cfe7&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Why would monies be utilized for this when there are millions of back logged raped cases, sitting on police station shelves, because they don’t have the funds to process them; thus the perpetrator goes free, and if it is a family member, go back home to abuse some more.
Nathaniel Sewell says
Yeah, I wonder what is up with them, and the roadside random checks? … I don’t trust any of these public servants.
And then a Kentucky judge gave a predator 1 year in jail for abusing 4 boys. I called the news reporter, emailed him, got a zero response.