... humbly preferred to our Worthy Masters...
[Lamplighters verse 1789]
[Saxon bell ringer - R]
Today, Annie is about to attempt to cohese an interesting parallel. I may not succeed, but while searching for a piece on obelisks, autistics, the story of the Hanukah lamp, and my favorite synchro buddy dynamo - I stumbled on this. Stay with me now. It could be fun. Annie included a poop mention for "post-erity." :o)
Frank Serpico is a retired New York City police detective, author, lecturer and policing expert. He was born on April 14, 1936 in Brooklyn, New York. His mother, Maria Giovanna, was born in Ohio and moved back to Italy when she was a young girl. His father, Vincenzo, was born in Italy. Frank enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 18 and served for two years in Korea. When he returned home he worked part-time as a private investigator and youth board counselor while he attended college.
Frank joined the New York City Police Department on September 11, 1959 at the age of 23. He was a police officer for 12 years, during his last several years on the force, his attempts to report police corruption to his superiors in the department fell on deaf ears. After a harrowing interrogation by U.S. Customs officials upon returning from a European vacation, Frank finally decided to go to the New York Times. A New York Times expose was subsequently written on police corruption in the New York City Police Department which prompted then Mayor John Lindsay to appoint Judge Whittman Knapp to head the Knapp Commission to investigate the pervasive problem of corruption in the New York City Police Department.
Frank was shot in the face during a "buy and bust" operation on February 3, 1971 and later that year testified in front of the Knapp Commission regarding his ordeal in trying to report police corruption within the ranks of the NYPD. Many people believe that Frank was set up by the police in order to silence him.
Frank's story was documented in a New York Times bestseller written by Peter Maas which went on to sell over 3 million copies and an Academy Award nominated movie which helped launch the acting career of Al Pacino. The book Serpico was recently republished in the U.S. and England. Frank continues to speak out against corruption and injustice and has recently started a production company that focuses on projects that progress strong concepts of ethics.
Frank Serpico's story always rang deep and true for me. I come from a "blue" family, meaning that I have 3 brothers and a sister who are police officers. Our Dad was a good Sheriff at heart and almost ran in the Cook County, Illinois, race back in the 70s. Wise senses prevailed and he did not. Instead, remaining a volunteer police commissioner in our local burg, and supporting a large family via a Masonry Repair business. My heart tells me they are upright and moral people. My world mind knows the temptations that lure. Mr. Serpico calls those who uphold untainted morals amidst rampant corruption, "Lamplighters." Those who speak out in exposition of those who warp and pervert God's way. John F. Kennedy spoke at his inauguration about the rights of man being given by the hand of God. And that is what it's about folks ... honoring the hand of a God who gave us fallen angels a chance to "do the right thing." One more time.
The fight for justice against corruption is never easy. It never has been and never will be. It exacts a toll on our self, our families, our friends, and especially our children. In the end, I believe, as in my case, the price we pay is well worth holding on to our dignity. You are an example to others, and it is my belief, that many of those who have yielded to temptation secretly admire your courage and envy your honesty.
I wish you all success, health and happiness.
Frank (Paco) Serpico
We come across beautiful lamplighters in places we'd just never expect. I found most of them within a population of autistic people. The others in unlikely places with unlikely faces. Some are called to ring, ring, ring bells in the frigid air over blackened kettles of Salvation Armies. Some are called to speak from the mountains of microphones. Some are called to scribe visions and inspirations into echoes of words, silently toiling over keyboards and paper with often frozen fingertips. Frozen at times because, those types of "scribes" are frequently the manifestly poor among us. Toiling God's will and work while barely able to sustain a roof over their heads, food in their bellies, and heat on their shivering limbs. A modern-day twist to the Scrooge story. Bell Ringers and Lamp Lighters. Frank Serpico was called to uncover the external manifestations of soul corruption in the World. Little Dynamo was called to uncover the internal and often infernal manifestations of what and who rolls our souls. I think the autistic scribes and ringers were called to work in unison with all of us - to literally save our souls. Read about the autistic ones here:
OTTERS ROCK!
These Lamplighters and Bell Ringers often go unnoticed and unheeded by the most important ones - the ones who need to LISTEN. When we should pay attention and not dismiss synchronous events and people entering our lives, we often do the opposite. Downturn our eyes as we avoid the kettle ringers. So, some of us don't have an extra quarter to throw in the pot. Can we throw a warm smile and "hello" to those ringers anyway? We turn our faces, close our eyes & ears, and call the Lamplighter a jester, a kook! a retard, a nobody and a no-nothing. Well, aren't we just so special! Judge, Jury, and Executioners all wrapped up in little wads of turdy denial and privilege. I think our World suffers terrible Soul Constipation. Come on! Push another one out ... squeeeeze 'em till theydrop! We've gotta get the crud out of our souls. Pop! Let 'er rip!
If you want to hear what you need to hear ... and not what you *want* to hear to salve the Pox of Denial, then you may want to give The Black Whole a looksee:
I love this guy, how he writes, how he thinks, and what he teaches. Dynamo is a writer, investigator, soul worker, singer & songwriter - and well --- a foozler too. I don't think he's a scoundrel, hoo-hoobler, or a jing-jingler as some with Grinchy appetites may think. Annie works hard to follow God's will. She stumbles around a lot, but realizes that He sends us leaders amongst men who are not perfect. Who are a little rough around the edges. Who sometimes frighten us. Often, if you'd meet one of 'em in the street ... you'd hightail it around the block, taking the long way home. But maybe if you'd stop to listen with heart and soul, rather than the fear of mind & time ... none of us would have to take the long way home again. I call 'em Angels With Dirty Faces. God likes to do that. Cloak his speakers & prophets in the most unseemly garb. He challenges his children to go beyond the pale. Like Frank Serpico - Little Dynamo and The Otties [autistics] can help us find our way home.
Note to the guys in blue ... gimme a play!
Note to the remarkable Dynamo: Hey guitar man ... how about that for a record label gig? Little Dynamo and The Otters. lol
p.s. couldn't exactly work in the obelisk and hanukah lamp. I'll save it for the flaming crispy pepperoni story. Coming to a blog near someone at 8/7 central!
p.p.s. notice our lovely, neat links?! The guitar man pointed out the obvious on the tool bar for me last night. lol 10 Q ... yes, annie's still a computer doink.
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