"Only a stone’s throw from despair…”

“You will believe that this understanding has not been with out it’s misgivings; they are heavy on us today, when the future, which has so many elements of high promise, is yet only a stone’s throw from despair…”
Robert Oppenheimer

The above quote is from a letter that Robert Oppenheimer wrote to one of his high school teachers after the detonation of the first atomic bomb. I find it very intriguing that a letter was written to a former instructor. Was it some sort of plea for forgiveness?


The scientists involved were not pleased at the breakthrough they had achieved. Makes me wonder what drove them to complete the bomb? I am well aware of the political climate of the era along with the driving force from a military point of view, but I question how did these people of science continue going forward with project?

This much I know. I have never read anything that describes any pride in their discovery. Very curious indeed. Was it ego? I suppose I will never truly understand… I wasn’t there side by side with the scientists to even begin to understand why they did it.

George Kistiakowsky, another key figure in the design of the bomb described the explosion as follows. “In the last milli-second of the earths existence the last men will see what we saw.”

The moment the explosion took place they were aware of the instrument of darkness they had discovered. The director of the test, Kenneth Bainbridge turned to Oppenheimer after the explosion and said, “Now we’re all sons of bitches.” They had enough theory to understand what they were unleashing. And yet… They did it anyway.

As we have been watching the situation with the nuclear reactors in Japan. We are finding out how dangerous it is bit by bit. Perhaps a tired phrase however I find it most appropriate. “Once the tooth paste is out of the tube you can’t put it back in.” Sadly nuclear waste is not going to just wash down the basin and dissipate with water.

The drive to split the atom has lead us to this moment, where not only as a group of living beings that has to deal with natural disasters, we had go and create a cataclysmic one all of our own design. One that could wipe out all life. Uhh, for the record that wiping out of life, ain’t going to be instant. Not for most. For most it will be a slow arduous death.

So if the minds of science can figure out destruction… Why not figure out a solution to this atrocity perpetrated on the planet? It seems like when listening to the groups of “We Know Better Than You…” they shrug their shoulders at us and say there is nothing that can be done, we are stuck with the situation. OK then. How about this to all the brainiacs… STOP. Find a solution or solutions to rid the world of this toxic nightmare. Put all that brain power into solutions. Contain this madness before we all slip on the preverbal toothpaste that got spilled on basin, and is now oozing onto the floor on which we stand. It just seems to me that the ability to find a viable solution is out there.

I am not a man of science. Some will argue I am not a man of logic either. So be it. But! I am a man of reason, you may not like my reasoning, but I bet you will find at the end of the day my motives and reasons don’t differ much from most anybody else’s reasons or motives. The survival of the future generations is in our hands, and I truly hope that a solution can be found before the robbery of the future takes place.

As Robert Frost said, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

Pay head to the past, but perhaps it is time to look into a future with a different approach. I do think that the splitting of the atom was bound to happen, science just can’t sit still. Exploration of science is a must if we want to advance. I just think that it is time for a new approach. As Albert Einstein said… “We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”

It boils down to this I truly believe that if we simply treated each other in the same manner that we want to be treated. Then all the bickering and feuding could become folklore. No further need for such destructive ways of life.

In closing let these words ring as the warning, I think they were intended…

“You will believe that this understanding has not been with out it’s misgivings; they are heavy on us today, when the future, which has so many elements of high promise, is yet only a stone’s throw from despair…”
Robert Oppenheimer









©2011
All rights reserved
Chris J Hutchins
Dog Hair Productions

A quiet message of wonder from afar.

I wonder if the earth is a peaceful reflection of light… That shimmers across to someone else wondering the exact same thing as I am right now? Does it send a quiet message of wonder from afar? Are there super stellar telescopes looking this way? Are they in a third dimensional exisistence?

Once one enters space is there any sort of direction left anymore? Is being in space leaving the third dimension? Is there up and down? Right to left? Are there sides? Edges of space are they possible, much like looking into a shoe box? Of course if there is what is beyond those edges?

If we can even begin to ponder these ideas… Perhaps that is all we will need to be prepared for when we find out? Courage is not just asking the questions… It is being prepared for the answers. In having the capacity to ponder, we open the doors to shape the quality of our existence.

There are times I wonder if those looking across the distance just look away out of fear of us? The same so many look away from the down trodden? Are we sitting on the beginning of a cosmic on ramp holding the cardboard sign?

In a blink, poof the vessel you are currently traveling in can shut down. Savor each moment as it were the last… Welcome each new one no matter how confusing it may appear.


Sometimes the off switch is just broken in the thought process. The thoughts race inevitably sure beats boredom.

Chris…


©2011
All rights reserved
Chris J Hutchins
Dog Hair Productions

“It” is a disease… Don’t shush… Please let people know.

As with any disease symptoms are merely signs that one is afflicted with a disease. The disease will run “its” course or “it” will be discovered and a possible treatment can be started to curb the disease. Possibly cure…

Cure, that is always what most want to hear. “Is there a cure Doc.?” Once confronted with the idea that one has a disease, many questions arise. There are all about the same. “How did I catch this? How long do I have to deal with this? When will treatment be over? Etc. etc. etc. etc.

Some diseases go into remission… Some are curable, some require treatment that will continue for the rest of ones natural life. In their current vehicle/ dimension.

It is known that certain percentages of the population are more prone to certain types of diseases. Certain life style choices can introduces a disease into ones body. I will not bother listing all of them I am certain the readership is an educated bunch that understands all the different types of disease that are out there, and that can be avoided by choice.

Along with all the diseases that are available by no choice at all. Some people just get them. And again the numbers the statistics have shown that a certain number of the population is going to have to deal with the ticking time bomb inside their current vehicle being used in this stellar adventure.

I find it exciting and interesting. The acceptance of clinical depression is being more and more widely accepted as an illness. Is it because it is treatable with a pill? Depression is viewed by me personally in the same way one would view high blood pressure, or diabetes. It is about blood flow. The advancement that pharmaceutical researchers have been making to assist a portion of the population in finding treatment, has been amazing. Acceptance of depression as a disease is critical in finding help… Wouldn’t you agree?

It was not that long ago in society when somebody was “suffering” from depression the impatient ones who did not accept, would tell folks “Snap out of it…” Makes about as much sense as telling a diabetic to stop being so sweet. It is a physical condition. Correct? I think most are in agreement you cannot tell a diabetic to just stop.

It is statistically shown that high blood pressure will affect certain age groups ethnic groups etc. etc. more than others. So we take precautions before the onset in hopes to avoid having to deal with the “symptoms” of the disease. Because really the symptoms are the red flags right? Symptoms can be very uncomfortable. One might say they cause dis-ease. So…

What I find absolutely amazing is how huge sections of the population view a disease (known, and recognized by the medical community) called addiction. Some still call “it” a moral issue, or a spiritual issue, or (your god) forbid a matter of will power. No kidding, for some reason many would rather contract a venereal disease then admit to having the disease of addiction. Why? Acceptance that’s why. Without society accepting the issue as a disease, many are very uneasy around someone who understands and accepts that they are suffering from a disease. They knee jerk into some super moral hero or something I suppose. Or do they fear facing their own addiction issue?

Addiction is not limited to only narcotics we all know that. (Alcohol is a narcotic accept that it is a mind altering narcotic.) There are many mind altering substances that are controlled and doled out legally. So what about this idea of mind altering substances?

Sugar is another one, caffeine, nicotine. How about this one… Food. Yet our prison systems are brimming with many who have been suffering from addiction. Last I checked obesity is a symptom of the disease called addiction. Some overdo it, some underdo it, bulimia is considered a disease, anorexia is considered a disease. Yet these unfortunate people suffering from a disease are not in the prison system.

Look I am not advocating get loaded and drive a car. Obviously when the actions of an addict cause harm to others that is where the line of law is crossed and the risk factor goes up. So that being said… The consumption of so called foods causes certain people to get unhealthy, that does put a risk economically on the rest of society. However I do not think anybody would be advocating the imprisonment of people suffering from poor eating habits. Look around you… there are everyday people functioning while under the influence of something. Something that is recognized as a mind altering substance.

Like diabetes and other illness’s a certain number of the population is afflicted with the disease of addiction, I have seen numbers that vary from 8% to as high as 14%, of a population will be afflicted with the disease of addiction. Sadly the acceptance of this issue is still a ways off.

It is getting better but nowhere near effective enough to actually truly start understanding and dealing with it. Many only see the symptoms of the disease of addiction and that causes great dis-ease too many.

For this cosmic camper the only way I can truly accept something is… I need to be open to the idea of absolute understanding. Then, and only then can I move on to the next step. You don’t start by dividing fractions, without understanding whole numbers first.

Will power is a choice of words. Used by those who don’t want to accept the idea of addiction as a disease… “Just stop it…” I personally love it when I have heard others preach the virtues of will power to others. As they sit in their self appointed lofty assumptions.

I once faced a certain individual of lofty virtues. I asked if there will power was strong? Strong enough to stop behaving in a certain way… Strong enough To change a behavior? “Of course!” They replied. I asked them to prove it… “Prove it by refraining from judging others and preaching to them for a month. Just accept people as they are for a month. Just stop being an arse for a month, just do it accept others and… Well frankly can you just keep your opinions to yourself? Muster up all of that lofty will power and hush.”

You know how long this strong willed leader of moral courage and will power lasted? Yep about two seconds after I asked… They began spewing forth their bile about their tremendous virtue and others just need to follow their lead. Upon the completion of the bile… I said “I rest my case.” I think of that person at times when my own arrogant lofty virtues get in the way of acceptance. Ahh, but I digress… (nothing new)

OK here we go. The laws of this country (the USA) governing the use of mind altering substances needs to be overhauled. It is not going to stop. People will always be looking for ease and comfort in whatever form. Outlawing mind altering substances is simply a backwards approach. Regulate and tax it. Across the board. Look we are talking 8 to 14% of the population correct? Only a small number of those afflicted with narcotic addiction. (If my numbers are off feel free to correct them.) I dispute the numbers my self.

Addiction is a disease, a disease about ease and comfort. Addiction has symptoms, if you have a head cold, you have a head cold. The runny nose can be treated while waiting for the cold to run it’s course.

If you have addiction… Just like high blood pressure or depression you have it. Addiction comes in so many forms. Some people cannot control how they spend their money, overspending or ultra cheap. So many forms of addiction. Yet who do we lock up? Those horrible drug addicts, whoops not all drug addicts, just the ones that do those really evil drugs… Hence my notion, my thoughts that acceptance is not fully realized yet on the subject of addiction. We are getting closer , but have so much further to go.

Fast food mega giants are pushing death the same way a heroin dealer is. So here comes the argument… “Dude a triple ground sludge burger with dairy imitations on it don’t cause car accidents.” Yes but a massive heart attack does.

Look the fast food giants are just as guilty of pushing toxic waste as the drug dealer. It only makes sense to let the government get all the way into the drug dealing. There are many institutions that deal death anyway.

Before anybody starts going off about obesity is not a disease, well think to yourself for a moment… Have you walked in the shoes of somebody who has been fighting the issue? If not then how do you know. The medical community are already trying to educate the ignorant of the subject. The eating is a symptom. Recall that the key point is the symptom here. The symptoms point out the fact that there is a disease, without a malfunction in the system everything would be just fine, but the overeating is a symptom. Some might say depression.

A personal side note here… I have done the yo-yo with weight. I sought refuge from comfort foods. I have attempted to end my dis-ease from whatever thru food. It is a conundrum, the more taken in the worse you feel later, much like with narcotics. Yep been down that road as well. Both legal and Dr. prescribed, government sanctioned.

So don’t tell me or others that overeating is about will power, please unless you have actually had to fight that demon you know not of what you spew.

If you find it funny when a large person has trouble moving around, ask yourself would you laugh at somebody in a wheelchair? Lets say for a moment that person in the wheelchair has ended up their as a result of diabetes, still laughing??? Still thinking it was all about will power? Well suppose that the person in the wheelchair, ate themselves there because they ignored some symptoms, or family history? Would you take away their chair? Would you get all lofty and arrogant towards them?

Here is another one to consider… Unless the person exhibiting symptoms is willing to look at the disease that is causing them to engage in the behaviors/ symptoms all the preaching and science in the world is not going to mean anything.

Prison for addicts is one of the absolutely worst interventions ever devised. I think that. I really do. It may stem the symptom for a while. Some might say anything to get the addict off the narcotic is OK. Well when then do we start locking up the smokers? Or the overeaters. Or how about the intoxicated prescription drug abuser? That shows no visible sign of drug abuse. Or the bottle of wine a night. Oh if that is a bottle every two or three nights look out you could be locked up as well. See the ridiculous nature of the argument to lock up the addict yet as a viable means of intervention?

If your addiction has led you to commit crimes against society that hurt others economically or physically we have a different conversation about prison. If your're convicted of a crime that is solely about possession,.. Hello! If you did not hurt anybody how is that a prison sentence? (Please use logic when defining hurting somebody…)

The point is addiction is hand in hand with depression, they are like the best of friends. I suppose it breaks down to this for me personally, with acceptance one can move on to the next step. Don‘t judge harshly. I see suffering each day. I see joy each day. I see others trying to look away while others look to help.

When you think about it addiction is the disease of seeking ease and comfort… What is it that makes you so uncomfortable that you need an outside stimulus to ease the dis-ease? When watching somebody suffering… Do you kick them when they are down, or lend a hand to help them up? The person mentioned earlier that judged and spoke of will power is somebody who is a caring person, they just need my help or yours in understanding that they need understanding… “What’s so funny about peace love and understanding?” Nick Lowe.

We all have our addictions. Currently I am attempting to feed my addiction for understanding… The rest will follow.

Chris…




All rights reserved
Chris J Hutchins
©2011

Dog Hair Productions

If I do nothing else.

If you’re going to minimize everything others say, why on earth would you be surprised to find you’re speaking to yourself?


Look, if you don’t let people know how much you appreciate them, don’t be surprised when they start drifting and then, one day, they’re gone. It is paramount to remind those close to you; to let them know they are appreciated. I have found words do much more than many think.

When I hear of people having troubles in their relationships with the world, the most common denominator is poor communication. Greet people the way you would want to be greeted; it doesn’t cost a thing. It could, however, cost everything if you take people for granted.


If I do nothing else, I will say I love you enough times to make sure there is no question. I have only to exert air and words…the look in your eyes will be enough of a thank you.

Chris…







©2011
Dog Hair Productions

Drill!!! Drill!!! Drill!!! ???

First of all what about the oil refinery situation in this country? Drill, and then what? The refinery situation is in sad shape. And that has nothing to with the current president. Thank the bureaucracy called EPA. Along with the oil companies that are recording huge profits, they lobby to bend and twist the supply line of fuel please understand that. The oil companies and the EPA work together. Or have you not wondered about that?

Moving on… “If “ The USA has this huge reserve and the rest of the world is being tapped and big money is being made… Would it not be more prudent to sit on the reserves until absolutely necessary?

I mean why tap the giant reserve if in the end the USA could end being the last player in the oil game? Mean while the smug EPA is happy, the smug oil companies raise the price of fuel steadily while others are forced onto mass transit systems, limiting their movement. Limiting their freedom. Who wins in the end… Yup big oil companies and all their buddies that appeared as the rescuing agents, that will strangle the oil companies, (the EPA) and in the end game of fossil fuel… The good ol’ USA is the last one standing. Who profits from that? (not you and I)

Drill, not going to happen. Not now any way. Many of the figure heads (appointed/ elected) will appear to fall on their political sword. And in the quiet of the night like a thief a gallon of fuel will settle at 5.00 or more. Then just like always…Some will have false hopes in another cooperate/ oil/ EPA appointed individual. Ain’t no president getting told to drill by those who are in charge. Best get used to that idea. No president is in charge nor will be. Of course don’t tell too many people that it could cause problems.

It breaks down like this (always has) Those who control the food supply, control the fuel supply, control the masses. False sense of security, or a false sense of ones security being threatened and the ones in control win. It has been that throughout the ages. Now drill that concept and reap the rewards. Acknowledge the illusion of power and the illusion will no longer have it’s grip on you.

I raise my glass to you all.

Chris…







Chris J Hutchins
©2011
Dog Hair Productions