No great advance has ever been made in science, politics, or religion, without controversy - Beecher
All great ideas are controversial, or have been at one time - Seldes
 

One statement that can be made with a degree of certainty is that we all enjoy controversy, especially when it does not concern us or touch upon those things that we wish to remain private.

The type of controversy that I am referring to is the one that most of us are familiar with; the one that Tabloid journalism thrives on and the dictionary defines as: a public dispute.

The controversy as described in the quotes above is not fodder for the Tabloids but the kind that precipitates significant change and is of interest to The Lang Report.

Think about it, all of the great advances in science and society were, at one time, controversial and most times threatened the status quo. This, in my opinion, is a good thing as it is usually a precursor for the kind of change brought about by society's deviants. For those who were once labeled as deviant for their views and behavior are now championed as visionaries who were bold enough to remain true to themselves when all around them condemned them.

I remember the first time I heard the word deviant, used in this context was in the film,  Lenny starring Dustin Hoffman as Lenny Bruce.  Hoffman, as Lenny, expounded on the need that society has for the deviants or those willing to differ from the norm or the accepted standards of a society and suffer its wrath. Lenny Bruce definitely fit that bill and certainly was a controversial figure who was once chastised but now is held in high esteem. 

Controversy can arise whenever there is a conflict of thought, belief or opinion or the norm is challenged or threatened.

Controversies run the gamut from the mundane, like should Paris Hilton go to jail for DUI  to the serious, like should George Bush go to jail for lying to the American public about Iraq, Katrina and Global Warming, for starters. 

An interesting but very sad commentary on our society's priorities is that there is far more interest in the sleeping habits of celebrities than there is over the tragedies of Rwanda or Darfur. 

The kind of controversy you are going to find written about in The Lang Report is that which is concerned with the transformation of people, places and things for the betterment of society. Not only will I chronicle these controversies but will also, from time to time, act as an instigator or as I like to call, a sh*t-starter so that I may be, in my own way.....a deviant.