Every once in a while, my dad feels strongly enough to craft a message from his heart and send it along to me. I thought this was a good message to make available to the world at large.

Well, Kristin, I know we are going to write some kind of in-depth note to each other soon but today is not that day. Today I am revealing a astonishing discovery and will simultaneously insult myself. How is that for an intro to get your attention?

Several years ago, I saw a very offensive painting of a crucifix in a glass of urine. If you have ever painted anything, you know it takes considerable talent to be able to paint something like that and actually make it clear what you are depicting. My reaction was typical and negative. I thought it strained the bounds of freedom of expression. However, I am quite prepared to apologize to the guy and thank him for that painting... So, what brought about this revelation?

As I listen and watch our progress into the future, I see so many forces and trends that continue to limit and reduce the value of expression and freedom. September 11 has absolutely energized and mobilized large numbers of us along that very path. "A-terrorist-behind-every-bush" attitude has the country looking over its shoulder and making rules like crazy.

A discussion this morning on NPR was reviewing the definitions needed to define and limit child pornography in movies. What they are most proud of is that technological innovation is progressing very quickly in the imaging arts and they want to have the necessary laws in place BEFORE THE TECHNOLOGY so they can limit criminal activity WE DON'T EVEN HAVE YET!!! This is termed proactive jurisprudence I guess.

As I look at these and other laws we are passing, I see they are not prohibition of an act or a result, but actually include process, technique, and procedure. We are slowly confining ourselves more and more to a narrow path of little color or value. Our freedoms are being limited quite easily to protect even imagined victims we don't even have yet.

The painting wasn't about urine, God, or the crucifix. He was trying to insult me. He was trying to get me to feel something. He was trying to offend me and get me to defend what I believe, whatever it is. OK. Two years late, I figured it out. He is right!! The painting belongs in the National Museum of Fine Art. Not for what it is but for what it might cause, a revolution back to where we started. The past is no inspiration to me but the future is beginning to lose what it most needs to have. I am sorry it took me so long. I have to be smarter or my future really will be what I most fear, just another day like yesterday...

love you, n