A Rush to Judgment

It was a dark February night in Florida. In a suburban gated community in Sanford, a black 17-year-old male named Trayvon Martin had donned his hoodie sweatshirt and walked to a local convenience store. He was then on his way back to the home of his father’s fiancé with his now famous Skittles and Iced …

Gaining perspective…

Today I am posting something a little different. I have always loved the passage below. It was written by one of my heroes, Carl Sagan. From time to time I like to re-read it because I think it provides some valuable perspective for us all. Please give it a read... “The Earth is a very …

“Special Rights” or Equal Rights?

Three years ago here in my great state of Maine, the Legislature voted to legalize Same-Sex Marriage. Shortly thereafter however, the Conservative Right began pouring millions of out-of-state dollars into a media smear campaign that resulted ultimately in the law being put to a people's vote and narrowly overturned by a 53% to 47% margin. …

Welcome to my new home ~ johnnyb.me!

If you are a fan of Rhythms & Beats, you probably have noticed there have been some changes around here. The original concept for me behind starting Rhythms & Beats was to have an outlet for the musician in me. A creative place to embrace the drummer that is always lurking inside me - right under …

All grown up…

As I sit in the photographers studio waiting, I can't believe what I am seeing. I'm watching an incredibly beautiful young woman strike pose after pose for the photographer. She is tall, thin. blonde and gorgeous. The camera loves her and the pictures will be amazing. All I can see though is the slightly pudgy, …

On Freedom and Morality…

I have been thinking a lot lately about the freedoms we all enjoy as Americans, and the morality of how those freedoms are applied. Take our Freedom of Speech for instance. That most essential component of the First Amendment to the Constitution. We all know that the First Amendment gives Americans the right to well, …

A Glimmer of Hope

Well my friends, after months – nay years of growing skepticism and depression regarding our political landscape, there is finally a glimmer of hope. At least here in the Great White North. Yes, we lucky citizens of the great State of Maine finally have a reason to rejoice. If you follow my blog, you have …