It Might Get a Little Preachy

I have been inspired lately to get closer to my spiritual side. Although most of my blogs are not religious by nature I have the need to talk about my beliefs. Ever since I have decided to become a Minister, which has only been a couple of days with a lifetime of debate in my head, I have recently found the need to move forward with it. In time I will learn how to do the many ceremonies and stuff as a Minister but at this time I would like to start doing something I have been doing for many years. Helping people with their problems and issues. One of thier issues, I feel, is what to believe in. Many of us, including me, were brought up in the religion of our parents and thier parents. They didn't question things in past generations as much as we tend to today. They did what they were supposed to do for family and faith. Nowadays we question things and try to figure them out. I also think that many of the organized churches haven't changed much or caught up with times either so it leaves many of us out in the cold. I think its time to change our systems of organization and my church, The Universal Life Church, is the correct path. The ULC accepts all beliefs. There is no wrong or right religion just as long as you are trying to be good. Does that sound crazy. We need to stop labeling ourselves and putting ourselves in little boxes and see the Universe as a whole. We need to grow together as a people and change the world to be better. We need to accept each others ideals and philosophies and just do good in the world. There is no winner and loser in spirituality, we can all win. Sounds like a good place for all does't it?

I grew up as a Roman Catholic. I was baptised. I went through Communion and Confirmation and went to church on every Sunday, just like a good Catholic should. My father and mother thought this was important for me and my sister to be a part of the church. My father actually before he was married and had kids, went to the cemenary to become a Jesuit priest. He truly believed in his religion so much he wanted to be a part of it and do good work. Unfortunately, although nobody knew back in the 60's what was wrong, he had a mental Illness. The Priests of the cemenary didn't know how to handle this, to be honest not many did, so they both decided that it would be best for him to leave the Cemenary. So he got a job and eventually met a girl, my mother, got married yadda, yadda, yadda. So obviously he believed whole-heartedly in the Catholic Church. I always joked with him that he got kicked out but he always reminded me that wasn't true. I am my father's son so some has rubbed off on me. Obviously becoming a Minister would have made him proud but unfortunately he died a couple of years ago. I am not trying to bring it to a sad part but its neccessary to understand my background. See my father accepted everything the Catholic Church believed in, for the most part, but I didn't follow those ideas. I found it odd he was so dedicated to a church that couldn't handle his illness so just asked him nicely to leave. My mother, unknown saint, put up and never kicked my father out of anything because of his illness so it always amazed me how a church can't handle things but my mother could for 40 years. Look I understand that an organized Church is run by men that are hopefully inspired by God or whatever diety you choose. I think my father gave priests a lot more respect then he needed it too but that is also not my call.

In any case I had issues with the Catholic Church and some of its history does't help either. Religion carried out by men don't always follow the righteous path. This made it hard for me to accept it tottally like my father and will make me question it the rest of my life. I do realize though that in my belief, God just inspires. He doesn't make us do right, he hopes that with our free will, we will do right. This is my mission: to bring people back to God or Gods of thier choice. Some people might not need Religion in thier lives and that is fine too. I can do both; help people with problems and with thier faith. I might not be able to help people with major mental illnesses but I can help them with the basics day to day. I have an uncanny knack to see the other sides of things. Some may say I can debate with anybody on subjects that I believe in, others say that I sleep with the enemy. The truth is, I like to bring other sides to the story so that I can help people deal with thier problems. I have been doing this for friends ever since I was in my teens. At first the issues were more relationship types with a couple of other subjects on decisions we all must make in our early years. I have called myself a pseudopsychaitrist. I really enjoy talking to people and finding out about them on a deep personal level. I have helped many over the years but as we grow older we tend to deal with things by ourselves. In my new status as Minister, I now believe I can help people spiritually and mentally. I also think that people always need someone to talk to and I want to help in any way I can. Eventhough I'm not a doctor, I am still a legally ordained Minister which means that anything that is told to me will be kept secret. You have the freedom to talk to me without judgement and worry about anybody else knowing your issues.

If you are reading this and you need guidance or know somebody else that might need it, send this to them. They can send an email to me through this site or send me an email to mrmikenomad@yahoo.com. I am very serious about this and the worst that happens is I give some advice which you can do with as you want. I'm not going to force you to do anything more then be honest. I will always be honest as I see it. If I don't know what to do I will be honest about that as well. I'm still a man that is trying to do the right thing but I'm not perfect either. I am very passionate about this and will respond to all. Take the chance, you won't regret it.

Never talk about Politics or Religion, well now we need to talk.

     When friends and family get together most people talk about the personal things in life but usually stay away from the subjects that could cause debate.  We know
that in any debate we could push people away especially if our views are not the same as the other.  If we aren't excepting of other views and just push our views some
will shy away and see you as close minded.  Religion is one of those many topics.  Personally its time I came out of the closet, so to speak, and express my beliefs or
at least talk about my new chapter on life.


     Over many years I have fought inside myself about what I believe in or not.  I was brought up a Catholic by my parents and for the first 18 years of my life I
went to Roman Catholic Church.  My father whom actually at one time went tothe cemenary to become a Jesuit and my mother whom was a protestant turned Catholic, thought
it would be best for me.  When I was young it became a place to fall asleep.  When I was older I wanted to sleep but was to old to do so.  Every Sunday I hated going
to mass because I was bored and it cut into my weekend.  I didn't really care to understand anything at that point and I wasn't mature enough to do so.  I received the
sacrements of Communion and Confirmation and I went to a Catholic Grammer School and did what my parents wanted even though I could care less.  When I finally became a
man at the age of 18, I told my mother that I won't be going to church anymore because I didn't like it.  The priests that I was around during that time were actually
very good, well at least some of them were but it didn't matter to me.  I felt forced to go and that i still believe that is the wrong way to handle things at least
with me.  I'm not saying my parents are bad for trying to bring God into my life, I just wasn't ready at the time I guess.


     Over the years as I grew mature and thought about many ideals and subjects in my life, God still came up.  However, I was conflicted.  Did I believe in God
because I was force fed the information during my growing years?   Well I definitely still talked to God at times when I needed advise or I wasn't feeling well or when
I wanted God to help somebody I cared about. I questioned myself many times but always lived in a good way.  I believed at least that if I was a good person and helped
people either way with God or not, that would be a good way to live.  I didn't follow or believe in every rule set by the Roman Catholic Church but I did what I
thought was right.  I got married, divorced, and married again.  I lived my life as most people do. From time to time I would research my beliefs in God and see what
other religions are out there.  I wasn't happy with the politics of the Catholic church so I knew I would need to find a new home. In my quest to believe or not in God
I realized that I was forming my own ideas on God and his teachings.  I started to think that I wouldn't be able to find an exact church that would fit my beliefs and
I should start my own.  I love people and I have been helping them with problems for over 25 years.  I'm not a psychologist but I have helped many with questions on
life, relationships and stuff like that because I have an uncanny knack to see the other side of the issue.  Some people get annoyed by this because I can understand
your side of things and also see the sides of others which makes people think you aren't on their side. In any case its a passion of mine to talk with people and help
them see all sides of a story for better understanding so they can be happier in thier lives. God and my philosophies that I believe God would understand has now come
together.

     I always have known and heard about that I could become a Minister online with a real church under my beliefs.  I have thought about doing this for at least 15
years of my life.  I have finally been inspired and become one.  I don't take this lightly and I feel now I'm ready and mature enough to follow my path with God.  I am
a legally ordained minister of the Universal Life Church.  This church excepts all religions and beliefs from Roman Catholic to Paganism. It believes that we are all
children under the same universe.  Which means we can believe in what we feel is right and coexist with others with different beliefs and accept each other as equals
in the same purpose to make the world a better place. No competition on which religion is best and what you should believe.  I believe that God is part of everything. 
He is loving and transcends our pety thoughts.  He understands what he has created and has given the gift of free will to those who can conceive it.  There is no right
or wrong way to be spiritual but all encompasses his Grace.  I could go on and on but this is just the beginning of my new chapter in spirituality.  As I grow inside
my new church and become more active in my community through performing weddings and other types of ceremonies and acts of good will, I know that God is with me as He
is with everybody.  I want to bring God into the lives of those who need him and want him.  I want to show people that you can be with God under no exact rules but
doing what is right.  I will never force anybody to believe in something they don't feel right about but be there for them in whatever way I can to help them find
peace in thier lives.  I am here for all those who may read this.  Sexual orientation does not matter we are all God's children.  You don't even have to believe in God
and I will be there for all that needs guidance.  This is what I believe and this is what I will do.  All you have to do is open your mind and let the love through.

   

     

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Another year, another shame.

Its another year and another group of nominations has come out and there are some great muscians on the list.  You feel good for them although there are still bands and muscians that don't make it.  Bands that have been around longer then the twenty-five year minimum.  Bands that are still together and writing music for over twenty-five years.  Muscians that are still creating their art and yet no nod.  It is a black spot on the music that I love and the people I admire that they don't get thier rightful due.

In a past post, I have talked about my favorite band Rush.  Their first album came out in 1974, Rush, almost 40 years ago and yet they don't even get a nomination.  WTF.  Some of the nominations this year:  Guns N Roses, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, The Chilli Peppers, Beastie Boys, and Donna Summer.  This is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, isn't it?  I love Donna Summer to death, my first music I got into was Disco but never did I consider it Rock.  Actually most of the nominations I put up I like in many different ways and eventhough I don't neccessarily consider Beastie Boys a rock band.  I can appreciate thier style with Rap and Rock in a unique way and see them in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Who made it out of my little list?  Guns and Roses, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The Beastie Boys will be inducted.  I remember when all of these bands came out.  Its hard to think in my old body but young mind that they have been around twenty-five years but obviously they meet those requirements. 

I don't know how the committee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame picks their nominees an article I read Forbes broke it down but it still seems that it doesn't mean much.  They pick people who write music perform it and deserve it in my eyes and then pick a singer that had some hits, ok, maybe a lot of hits.  There are so many bands and musicians out there that deserve a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and some that don't.  If I wrote an album full of songs in 1986 and it was a little bit interesting and I toured around and people loved that album it seems that I could be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  I could have ended my career in 1988 and then come out for a music special and some showcase or fund raisers and my chances are probably better.  If I influenced a couple of grunge bands in the 90s with my style of music.  I am now an inductee.  There is a band this year that did almost that and they are now in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Or perhaps it was just that the band gained some famous people a couple of years later.  Its all very interesting and frustrating at the same time but overall depressing.

It just seems that again the people who buy the music and visit the museum and spend their money don't have a say.  We want to fight our government for not listening to the people but why should they be any different we are constantly told what should and shouldn't happen.  We accept it all the time.  Now, maybe, the music hall of fame isn't as important as the government economy but it just shows that we just take it year after year and its not changing.  People are fickle and they don't always know whats best for the group, but there still has to be a better way. 

For me, its just a small battle for one band, which will open up the door for the other deserving nominations and soon inductees.  I would like to go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland someday.  I love music and been playing music for many years.  I enjoy many of the bands in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just like the ones that aren't in that Hall of Fame.  I can't go there obviously because it wouldn't be fair to those that have been pushed aside.  Until the bands that really deserve to be there are in there I can't take the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame seriously.

Charlie Sheen: Man or Myth

     Charlie Sheen has been in the spotlight for most to all of his life.  His father being a famous movie star at a young age, he is no stranger to the Hollywood scene.  Lately Charlie Sheen has gone through a lot of stuff in front of our eyes, but is he just being himself or is he spiraling out of control to the end of his career?  The news story Charlie Sheen being himself would not be a very interesting but spiraling out of control, now that's money.  He has never been a stranger to being controversial.  Wasn't it only several years ago that he was named as a client in Heidi Fleiss's Prostitution Scandal.  For goodness sake, he plays a drunk and somewhat selfish rich guy on Two and a Half Men. 

    Is he crazy?  Is he a drug addict?  Is he a famous, rich, TV and Movie Star?  A drug test showed that he doesn't have any drugs in his body.  Boy, that must have really disappointed the media frenzy, but, oh wait, there is always that crazy angle.  One thing for sure, he is rich and famous.  That is the reason why he has any problems right now.  We are interested in him because he is a celebrity and we want to see them fall.  I have been watching the news clips and although he seems a little manic it does not mean that he can not handle his responsibilities.  In the real world, people live in various forms of "normal" and  they do just fine.  They raise their kids and work their jobs and pay their bills.  He is no different.  He just has a couple of more million in his bank account and people that are interested in his life.  He lives his life the way he wants to live and he doesn't make any excuses for it.  Is he supposed to be a role model?  He is an actor and he is rich.  He should have a life that many do not have.

    He seems to be more real now then he has ever been in his life.  He works hard and he plays hard.  How many of us do the same thing?  The media love to throw us the tragedy of his life or the most interesting part of his life so they can get the people to watch their shows and get the big ratings.  They are the only reason why he might have to worry about his career but really, does he?  He has been famous all his life and he will continue to work and be rich for the rest of his life.  He is not a young man and he will be quite fine.  Mel Gibson is still working and we all know his problems too. 

   I watched the tape of his kids being taken away from him, by cops, at his kid's bedtime.  Wow!  What do you think is worse for the kids?  Being stripped from their father by strangers or living in their father's house?  Well lets think about this in his life not personalize it to our lives.  This is Charlie Sheen.  Do you really think that he is all alone with his kids and just getting crazy with them in harms way.  Charlie Sheen is rich, he has a support network of people from housekeepers to nannies taking care of various areas of his household including his kids.  They are safer then most families in the world, not to mention that he probably has security systems up the wazoo that protect the rest.  This is just a soon to be ex-wife power play to keep control over Charlie Sheen because we only care about her because of him.  The one that controls the kids controls the Sheen.  This is all ridiculous.

Charlie Sheen should be applauded by the masses for being real in a society that works hard to be fake.  We have this Utopia idea that people are very normal and only a few are crazy.  We hide our true feelings so that we can be a part of society and not have anybody look at us differently.  There are many bad things in our civilized world but there are good things too.  We need to stop trying to follow some "status quo" and be ourselves.  We love, we hate, we do good, we make mistakes, we are prejudice, and we are compassionate.  It does not make us evil to have different ideas it makes us individuals.  It does not make us evil to not be perfect.  No one is perfect!  We all live in a grey area of life, things are not all black and white or bad and good.  The definitions of those previous terms change from person to person.  We are animals with a brain that is all.  We can choose what way we want our lives to be within the walls of Law or not, always excepting the consequences.  We grow up in this world through many obstacles, most of us survive and some don't.  That is Natural Selection.  We can not save everybody we can only save ourselves.  Each form of salvation has a different meaning from person to person as well.

Charlie Sheen will live through this and we will eventually forget most of it as time passes.  We probably don't really care anyway because we all do have to worry about our own lives anyway.  We just like to see some go through "hard times".  We don't like to be alone.

Chapter 2: Politics in tragedy

   This is an excerpt from my book that I'm writing called Rantings of an Ordinary Madman.  Its a philosophy of ideas of mine.  If you like it please let me know with a comment so I can see if this book will be interesting to read or not. 

     Why in this world of ours, we are always out to help someone else.  Inside of this country we constantly have tons of problems but as soon as there is some tragedy in some other country we not only run to help governmentally but anybody who has extra money that day will give it to that country while this country could use the money.  It becomes a Media sensation that everybody will become a part for good reasons or for bad reasons.  Its great to be charitable and I know some people give money for many charities and issues here and abroad, but it seems during certain tragedies it just gets out of hand and becomes somewhat hypocritical.  The economy which is sucking right now, and there are millions of people that are hanging by a thread in this country and all this money, millions of dollars, is going to places that no one seemed to care about before.  It just seems that we forget the people that actually live around us.  There are many types of poor people in this country.  There are some that get the rent help, food help, and basic welfare and there are some that make too much money for those services but barely make enough money to live.  I understand that we need to put restrictions on these types of services.  If we didn’t a lot more people would be on these services and us as a country wouldn’t be able to pay for it.  Everyone does pay for it.  I don’t make much money and I struggle with it every day and I work really hard to just get by.  I know that if I lost everything that the government would eventually assist me if I have no income but I never let myself get to that point.  I still pay taxes not as much as a richer then I pays but I still pay.  There are no charities for my situation.  Am I jealous?  Probably a little bit.  Do I feel like other people should pay for problems not at all but it’s hard when you see people that don’t work and constantly get help?  If the people of this land are paying for them why shouldn’t they pay for me?  Is that such a weird question?  I am working 90 hours a week.  It’s not ridiculously hard work but it does take a toll on you.  I make decent money but overall it’s not really enough.  I still need my wife to work to live a little bit.  Yes, my life is my own doing.  I made choices.  I am responsible for where I am in life to a point.  I understand all of this but it bothers you when you see people having excessive amounts of money just throw it away on some third world country it drives you a little bit crazy.  Our own government runs there too to help everyone else.  I don’t know why we think we have enough money to help everybody else when still can’t help everyone here.  Oh yea, I know, we have to be part of the world but doesn’t seem that this country is the first one all the time.  That gets annoying too. 

            Millions of people are going through similar circumstances that I am going through.  We are all frustrated on equal levels and just sit back and try to do their best and do better for their families.  Some of these people did everything right from the beginning and still are in the same situation that I am in.  That just shows that it’s not always what you do that causes you to struggle.  Factors of environment fly all over and hit us on the head and money just goes to others.

            When do we stop helping everybody else and look fully here amongst the people?  Even big businesses get help from the government and they had tons of money at one time.  Talk about making their own mistakes but yet the government gave them billions of dollars.  If they took that money and gave a little bit too every family that makes under $100,000.00, it would have been a great shot to the economy.  How was that money going to be spent?  My first guess would be bills, but that’s me.  My second guess would be: “Go Shopping!”  The money would have helped America instead of just a few banks that have never been here for America.  They just want to hold all the money.  They are constantly avoiding the reality of our lives to help themselves.  If we all just helped ourselves we would be so much better off in this country and the world. 

            I have always done things by myself with some help from friends and family and I am very lucky to have that.  If we as a society tried to help each other locally the rest of the world would do the same, they wouldn’t have a choice.  I think we make it too easy for everybody else.  It’s great to be helpful to the world but we should only be helpful if we can fix the problems of our own.  No other country is going to help us if we really need it.  So why should we help them.  I know there are matters of economy that I don’t know much about and some of what I’m saying may not always be perfect, but I know it would be better for all in the long run.  Can we solve all our problems?  It is not an easy task at all and my ramblings are a small matter of thought but it’s a thought that needs to be said if not said before. 

            The sad part is there is a lot of money out in the system that doesn’t get used properly.  Our governments are filled with corruption.  Money that we pay goes to all the wrong issues just to keep politicians happy.  We need a new way of doing things or find better people to manage our monies and this land.  I know how much a million dollars can help and yet with billions of dollars we don’t seem to help enough.  To many internal battles get in our way always looking out for number one, in this country.  Don’t worry world when your country needs help somehow we will be there with bells on and we find ways to help.  Great!  Let’s help some third world country and forget about the rest of us.  I know its selfish to think like this but when you lived the way I have lived, basically a decent life and still struggle, the frustration builds and you don’t really care about some person in some foreign land.

"Cause I'm a pothole"

    Have you ever heard or perhaps seen the comercial about pot holes.  I'm not sure what's it selling but it has a very southern women talking as the pot hole.  On the radio, its actually a very funny commercial because her voice and her accent makes you laugh.  I saw the TV spot but it wasn't as good because it didn't show much but a pot hole.  It was better to imagine her talking like a pot hole.  Although that commercial was enjoyable to me the real things is getting to be a problem and its not a very funny matter.

    After the recent snow storms on the East Coast pot holes are growing in numbers.  They are small pot holes, large ones, and many in between.  These pot holes are becomming a nuisance.  As I drive around the area I constantly see cars pulled over changing flats, usually after a bunch of them.  It seems with the constant problems of the economy these pot holes aren't being filled up quick enough.  Some roads have had problems way before the barage of snow storms but many are due to this weather.  We need our governments to take care of these issues as soon as possible.  The winter months are not the best time to fill up the pot holes permanently but that doesn't mean we shouldn't do anything.  The are many options to temporary repairs.  The dangers of a pot hole is a lot more then just tire damage.  People swerve to avoid them.  People stop short in thier cars to get around them.  People avoid them without even thinking.  This opens up a can of issues, mainly car accidents.  Car accidents that happen around pot holes can be prevented.  Fix the pot hole, fix the issue. 

   I tried to look and see how bad are the problems with pot holes and couldn't find to much on it.  There was a lot of reasons why they occur but not much more.  Overall its an issue that is shared by many of the world's countries.  Well at least those that have the most season change.  The winter plays havoc on the roads of this fine state and you have to be dilligent in avoiding them at all costs because one bump into it and you can have a flat tire.  We need to stop this menace by complaining to the authorities that don't react fast enough with fixing this problem.  Thousands of dollars are spent in fixing tires maintain usually by us, the people.  Tires are not cheap and besides the rubber companies enjoying this time of year we have to finish this once and for all.

I have changed three different flats on three different occassions and I can't take it anymore.  We have enough issues to deal with. Can we try to fix the issues that are possible to be fixed?

RUSH and Canada VS. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

     The 2011 inductees of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are in and guess what RUSH is not in it again.  This is a crime of music.  Can you believe that some of the best musicians in Rock and Roll history never get inducted?  Maybe its because they haven't been together or around for a long time.  They say you need to be in the business for at least 25 years.  Let's see RUSH's first album, Rush, came out in 1974.  Yup, they have been around and still creating music for 37 years, only 12 years longer then the requirements.  This is a pure shame to me and many because I love RUSH and not afraid to say it.  Yes, I realize they were never the big popular band on the charts but their albums have sold in massive amounts.  Rush currently places fourth behind The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Aerosmith for the most consecutive gold and platinum albums by a rock band.  The three bands before them are all in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  There fan base isn't as big as those bands but really, why doesn't RUSH belong in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? 
    
     I researched this a little bit online, I had to find out why RUSH doesn't get their fair shake at the Hall of Fame.  I decided to look at Canadian Rockers and see if maybe the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is just prejudice against Canadian Artists.  Not knowing many Canadian Rockers besides RUSH I looked into it.  Well a lot of the people in Canada I didn't know but some that I did know were; Anne Murray, BTO, Neil Young, Bryan Adams, Triumph, Loverboy, The Guess Who, and other smaller bands.  OK, Triumph had a couple of hits but overall just a small time metal band (sorry, Triumph fans), so what they aren't in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  The funny thing is that in that small list of Canadian Rockers (hey Anne Murray had some hits), only one is actually in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  Can you guess which one?  Neil Young is the only one.  Who knew he was from Canada?  I didn't know that.  All I knew is he has some great songs and has a lot of political views and talk out about war.  Neil Young deserves to be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, no doubt.  But look at that list of rockers.  BTO, Bachmann Turner Overdrive, has a little known song called "Taking Care of Business".  I don't care how old you are you know that song probably more then a bunch of the people that are in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  Aah, the Guess Who, never heard the song, "American Woman" and yes it was covered by Lenny Kravitz and again the song became famous.  Dion is in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  How many songs can you name from him?  I'm guessing two, Runaround Sue and The Wanderer.  I love these songs.  What makes him qualified to be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?  Loverboy's "Working for the Weekend" is another iconic song, will they ever be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? 

     Now on that list is one of the most prolific song writers ever, Bryan Adams.  He and his song writing partner, Jim Vallance have written songs for bands like Kiss (not in R&RHF), Bonnie Raitt (in R&RHF), Rod Stewart (in R&RHF), Neil Diamond (2011 inductee in R&RHF), and Joe Cocker (not in R&RHF), plus many others.  Wow they can write for inductees but they can't be in it themselves.  Bryan Adams as a Canadian Rocker has tons of hits over the years and he isn't in it.  I'm starting to think that maybe the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame does have something against Canadians.  Bryan Adams wrote a bunch of songs with Jim Vallance but I don't want to hear that this is an issue because Bernie Taupin has been partnered with Elton John and Elton John is in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame by himself.

   It makes me feel better about RUSH not being in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame considering the other bands, just from Canada, who isn't in it.  The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is definitely prejudice against something because year after year bands and many bands that deserve to be in it, aren't.  RUSH is a great band they have written many albums of songs and their musicianship is awesome.  Geddy Lee is one of the best Bassists of all time.  Alex Lifeson is one of the best underrated guitarists of all time.  Neil Peart is one of the greatest Drummers/Percussionist and underrated Lyricists of all time.  Hands down.  Try to fight me and argue those points.

RUSH deserves it more then Metallica, The Alice Cooper Band (really???), ABBA, Jackson Browne, Traffic, and so many others I never heard about.  And I do love Metallica. I can't even look at all of the inductees because I get sicker and sicker with some of the bands that are on the list.  I love some of the bands that are in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame too.  AC/DC, love this band but they play overall the same beat in every song.  The Ramones, love them too but they are 3 chord song writers and talk about having almost the same beat in every song.  I love The Eagles (in there), I love Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (in there), and I love Black Sabbath (in there) but do they deserve to be there over RUSH.  For those who only know songs like Tom Sawyer, Limelight, and Subdivisions you really need to go on you tube and listen to a couple of more songs from the beginning in 1974 til now 2010.  I bet you will find a couple of more you like.  And please listen to the lyrics and come back to me with poetry, lyric writing, rhyming words that Neil Peart comes up with.  One simple verse in Tom Sawyer; "no his mind is not for rent, to any god or government, always hopeful, but discontent, he knows changes aren't permanent, but change is".  I can sit and write tons of reasons what made each album RUSH put out new and different in music in the Rock category but then I might be considered preachy.

Overall this is an outrage for Canada and especially RUSH.  I'm not even Canadian, and I'm appalled and outraged.  I will never go to that place called the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame because they obviously don't pick bands on merit or style or longevity or song writing ability.  And don't give me that the ones in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame were the pioneers of music there are few artist that really changed things most were just lucky to be born earlier.  We need to find out what criteria bands and artists need to fit in.  Some say it depends on what they do within society and life beyond the music.  So a band that plays great music, are great musicians, and have sold many albums can't get in if they aren't public with their ......FUNDRAISING!!!!!