Far ahead of his time, Bill Hicks espoused the philosophy of Gentle Anarchy. For a cynical, open minded comic to speak openly about humanity being inherently good, it gives me a sense that I can overcome my overly cynical nature and give humanity the benefit of the doubt. Far to often I find myself writing humans off for the idiotic actions and inane garbage, but there is generally a good side that I ignore.

It seems comedians are some of the primary people in all cultures to push the boundaries of common thought and cultural awareness/examination. No others seem able to get the message across in a fashion that people are willing to actually hear. Now if only people would change based on those messages.

"I don't want to toot my own horn here - you couldn't hear it from this distance anyway - but, I think I'm fairly open-minded when it comes to ideas of Freedom. I think I'm one of the only former drug abusers and alcoholics who doesn't decry the years I partied, or regret them. Instead, I look on those experiences As fun and exciting and crucial to getting me where I am today. And I believe all drugs should be legal and available. In fact, I believe that as long you don't harm another person, or get in the way of their freedom ALL THINGS should be legal and available. As no amount of laws passed seem to prevent people's love of freedom, nor squelch their curiosity, nor their basic humanity, we would do better to look through the eyes of love and compassion, rather than condemnation and fear.