These are the faces was written in 1999 and recorded live in 1999. It became the title track of a Cd project designed to raise money for a community centre. I wanted my musician friends who wanted me to perform in bands to understand my core values and these are embedded in this song.I hope that those who are truly concerned about poverty, whether it be in their own neighborhood or around the globe, that it is best to teach those in need, especially the young who are in fact, the future, than to give constant handouts. It is my hope that many Cd projects could be started around the globe to begin the process of building confidence and self esteem so they may make their way to independence from handouts.Having been in the military and seeing many of these very under nourished people,gave roots to the song 'Children and war'.I follow the Canadian guidelines for charities that I am willing to support. The standard is that a maximum of 10% of monies raised be for administration and the rest distributed to the cause(s) the charity claims to support.I deplore the handing out of religious material from any religion when the need is for food, shelter and water. Schools can train medical staff for employment in the hospitals we build.I personally am not religious but would describe myself as humanely spiritual.Humans are the only creatures on this planet who force young people to spend most of their lives heavily in debt for an education that should be free.As an example of my current views, I will use Afghanistan as an example. I believe in the UN and in Peace keeping, which should entail restoring the educational and medical communities, helping put in place a government that suits the people, not corporate anywhere.Unlike many of my former counterparts in the military, I do not believe that there is any honor in war, only horror.I do not support our being there but at this point in time, because of some very idiotic decisions by high ranking leaders on all sides of this dispute, it would disastrous for us to leave the Afghan people in such a horrific state as they are now in.
Peace
