A Man for All Seasons

                                            Sir Thomas More - Truly A Man for All Seasons

Sir Thomas More really was a man for all seasons.  A figure one could admire and respect for standing up to the vile King Henry VIII.  He paid for his integrity with his life.  Do we have any people like this today?  Through the years, I can think of men and women who were deserving of respect for their principled stands on various issues.  Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King to name a few.  So who in this era could be a man or woman for all seasons?  I truly can't think of anyone at this time.  Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa, Mahatmas Ghandi are several more but they are gone.
Amongst today's world leaders we seem to have a vacuum of true leadership.  I believe President Obama has done a decent job in a very difficult time.  I worked in his election campaign because we needed a change.  His election was a truly historic event, our first black president.  He has faced unprecedented opposition from a party that doesn't care about the USA.  The republicans only care about their wealthy masters, who have bought and paid for them plus the ugly racist wing of their party.  The President has done a decent job but I believe he could and can do better.  Maybe he is too cautious, I'm not sure.  I do respect him but admiration?  I will have to consider that.  What of the other world leaders?  Putin, Merkel, Cameron, Hollande, etc.  None of them seem to be in position to make this world a better place.  So maybe in the end World Peace is really none of our business.

My friends and I were talking at the Bar the other night (after 20 beers) about who we admired.  Fortunately, no one said they "idolized" someone, so that at least says something.  Several mentioned sports stars, to which I said, I can't admire someone who puts a puck in the net or a ball through a hoop but I respect their talents.  There was no mention of current politicians but a few past ones.  One guy said he admired his Dad, which I respect. When It came to my turn I said the only person I admire is Morrissey.  This of course prompted some odd looks and the comment he's only a singer.  I had the floor so I explained Morrissey is much more than just a singer.  As lead singer of The Smiths, he was the voice of a generation in the UK under the horrid Margaret Thatcher.  Here was an extremely shy, backward teen who very seldom left his bedroom at times.  He overcame all of that to become a music icon.  His lyrics are genius.  People's lives have been changed by the words he has written.  His music offers comfort in times of pain and loneliness.  The lyrics are full of humor, satire, sarcasm and irony.
He has had a brilliant solo career after The Smiths, continuing to write amazing songs and perform wonderful concerts.  He also speaks truth to power.  How many people in the music business are truly unafraid and intelligent enough to speak their minds.  I don't always necessarily agree with him but I am so glad he says what he feels.  He won't go back and reunite The Smiths, even with offers of huge money.  In this age of so many older bands getting back together to cash in, Morrissey says no thank you.  That's what I call integrity.  That is part of why I admire Morrissey, the other part is extremely personal and what effect he has had on my life.  The rough times I got through because I could listen to his music and felt at least there was someone out there who understood.

                                                Morrissey - The man I respect and admire

Is Morrissey a man for all seasons?  I believe so.  He has integrity as a musical artist.  The genius of his writing ability is unmatched.  He fights for those with no power, animals.  He is unafraid to speak his mind, even if what he says may not be popular.  He lives for his art.  How many people can truly say that?  He fought against major shyness in his youth to be able to perform on stage.  He has influenced countless lives and a generation in the UK.

Morrissey's latest tour has been cancelled due to him being ill.  I have heard recently he is still in the hospital.  I hope this is not true, as he has had some recent past health issues.  If it is true,  I sincerely hope and pray for a speedy recovery.  You know there is more to life than Morrissey, but not much more.  Please don't let this man for all seasons be lost behind the sun.

                             
                                                   A Man for All Seasons by Al Stewart

Lastly, my quest or maybe quixotic adventure is a sincere hope to someday come close to being a man for all seasons.  I have reached the age of reason and am not sure if there is a reprieve.  So far the sojourn has been wrought with potholes and diversions.  I'm certainly not pleased with my progress.  I seem to some days gaze long into an abyss and the abyss gazes into me.
Many times I have fallen into the crevasse.   I need to find my way out.  The walls are slippery and smooth too many times to easily climb out.  I must find something to grab onto or I need something to grab for.

                                                   Ric Ocasek - Something to Grab For

Where and when does it end?