Ruin a Terrorist's Day ... with Jazz

Here is another piece I wrote about 10 years ago. (Yeah, yeah, I'll start writing new pieces
soon. I've been thinking about this for so long and putting it off, that I had to do something
to get started. And anyway, this is good stuff ...

I maintain that the music played by Doctor Jazz is a powerful weapon against the
kinds of threats our modern world is facing. Why? The humor and normal-ness of
our music melts the fears in people and makes them feel better, stronger, more
positive. I have long been maintaining that the best way to combat terrorism is
to not be afraid. Or as President Roosevelt put it during World War II, "We have 
nothing to fear but fear itself."

I have been playing Dixieland in Israel, mostly in downtown Jerusalem, for going 
on 9 years now. It is one of the reasons I came here from quiet San Diego. I make 
a point of frequenting and playing in places that have been or are considered to be
targets. Yet I have never witnessed or been close to a terror attack.

Or, to put it another way, there has never been a terror attack on my watch. I
have been considering offering the services of the Doctor Jazz Band to the IDF.
My theory is that the music repels terrorist types. It creates an atmosphere
where the potential "victims" of an attack are relaxed, comfortable, confident,
and not afraid. Since the terrorist thrives on fear, this atmosphere will be
repulsive to him, and defeats his purpose.

Don't believe me? Try it sometime. Go play in your downtown centers a couple
times a week for a few weeks. Watch the changes that happen. Watch how people --
shopkeepers, police, trash collectors, shoppers, bums, whoever is out there,
will light up when you arrive and start setting up. People will dance and sing
with you. You'll start getting comments that you made someone's day.

Now there are people who don't want this to happen. They are the people who like
to keep the masses subdued and under control. Government authorities, cranky
businessmen, and our neighborhood terrorists. They like it when people are weak
and afraid and miserable. There is always someone around who can't stand to see
anyone having a good time, and will do what they can to shut you down.

So I say, ruin a terrorist's day, and don't let him ruin yours. Go out and have
a good time in public. Travel. Go where you want and enjoy yourself. And best of
all, play that classic happy jazz.

In fact, come on over to Israel and dance or play with Doctor Jazz. Friends who
have been here will confirm that they feel surprisingly comfortable and
safe here. (That was your cue to speak up, folks!) Our police and army do a 
wonderful job of keeping things quiet for us. I can't promise you a paying gig, 
but I can almost surely fix you musicians up with a chance to play with and for 
some local folks. And my wife Krina is a tour guide, so we are happy to meet 
visitors and show you around.

Nu, what's taking you so long?