I remember having a conversation with someone regarding what she does for a living. She works in an assisted living facility. She was saying that she felt like something was wrong with her because years ago, when (not if) one of the residents passed away, she would cry. She would feel loss. But as of lately, she said she just felt numb.
I felt what she was saying and said, What I find interesting is that you hear how dumb our country is (and to a certain extent that is true). But what occurs to me is that our country isn't necessarily being "dumbed" down. We're being numbed down.
I hate to admit that maybe I fall into that category. I am sad and heartbroken by what happened at VT. I am outraged, in a way, about people speculating and hypothesizing that this could have been stopped. On one hand, that may be true.
But what I'm talking about is that parents everywhere want to know they can send their babies out into the world and they will be safe. Despite every measure toward safety and security we take, you can't stop madness.
Madness is an energy entity that we cannot prepare for entirely.
And a random act of madness is almost completely unstoppable.
The thing is, we see so much that makes us immune to basic human caring.
And we see so little that puts us in touch with it as well.
There are unspeakable horrors that go on on a daily basis. But we get the CNN version, the Fox News version. Hell, we can't even see a picture of a flag-draped coffin.
We get so used to hearing about atrocities that we tend to shrug our shoulders and just go on about our day.
And then we do feel something and we balm it with whatever. Myself included.
What is it that we can't feel anymore?
Do we think we're too busy?
That we're above it?
What is it that we think feelings are so 1960's and 70's?
Is it that we think we can better survive but being one, giant collective hamster on a wheel? Nose down, not thinking, just acting. Going through the motions.
Day in and day out.
What many may not realize is while we block out negative feelings, we may also be blocking out the
Joy, as well.
I know that often times people that know me in 3-D life might tend to look at me as a gloom & doomer. That I'm, perhaps, too sensitive. That I see all of the trouble. I see all of the problems.
And I guess, to some extent that is true.
I'm not a surface person.
I'm a meat & guts person.
I cannot help that I can feel what someone is feeling.
I cannot help that, at times, I embrace hard times because they, in the past, have made me the person I am.
I know that once the turmoil abates there is a new, stronger version of myself that has learned something. That has somehow reaped a benefit or a character value.
I think by keeping the world at an arm's length, by keeping ourselves so far removed from what humanity really means, what brotherhood & sisterhood, mankind, and love means we are doing ourselves a great disservice. We are hiding from how things feel. How it feels to have someone cry on your shoulder and be a cocoon for someone. A place where they can harbor themselves from the storm and come out a little shinier than when they went in.
Our souls seem so cold toward one another.
And all while hundreds, possibly thousands grieve. They try to pick up the pieces of who they were on Sunday evening. While all of America and possibly the world is talking about this. Some of us are feeling it. And some of us are hiding.
Our President will try to fight lawmakers today.
In an attempt to gain funding and more support for a War.
A war that puts tragedies like VT into a grim perspective.
He will do this a day after he has spoken at VT.
I know how that makes me feel.
How does that make you feel?
Showing posts with label Political. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Political. Show all posts
4/18/07
1/22/07
Tearing Down The Walls From Within
Jen said something to me the other day. And it was a kind, little something. The impact, she's probably not even aware of. And I wanted to yell into my computer speakers, "Jen!! Hey! Can you hear me??? How did you know that this has been on my mind? Ohmygod. Let's talk! I need to bounce some ideas around..." But I can't yell into my speakers. One-way thinking, these speakers. So I just yelled inside my brain in Jen's direction. And made a mental note to take on the subject that I had been too scared to admit on here. However, her comment opened the gate & has made it ok for me to speak publicly about it.
Social causes and History are quite fascinating to me. (Bad)Politics and (Bad)Politicians in general, for the most part, leave a bad taste in my mouth. But I got to thinking awhile back about how to go about making changes. And that I hate to admit it, but one of the only ways to really make some permanent change, to actually hear people is to enter into politics. And then my stomach heaved a little bit & I began to feel a tad nauseous.
I don't see myself as a politician-type. And the thought of politics never entered my mind before. But lately I've been playing around with the notion quietly. You know, to myself.
You will by no means see my name on any ballot come 2008. And I'm not saying this is anything that will come to fruition. But what if it did?
What if?
Then I would be part of a process, a system that I have come to regard as smarmy and disappointing. That the things I hold so dear might disappear because then I would be a politician. Oh, I shudder.
But the thought that I come back to. The thing that I inevitably arrive back at, is that there has to be good leadership out there. There have got to be politicians out there who really do have honest intent and the greater good on their agenda. I mean, it can't be beyond the realm of possibility, can it?
I don't know the answers. I don't know that I would ever join the rank and file of beauracracy. But as I've said before, I do feel the need to become a part of something much bigger than myself that is ready to throw on their boots, toss their clinical, rubber gloves aside and get some grit under their fingernails.
But as I circle around again, I come back to wouldn't it make me a hypocrite?
Then I say to myself but that's where you can make some changes. From within the confines of those paper thin walls.
I just don't know.
What's your take?
Social causes and History are quite fascinating to me. (Bad)Politics and (Bad)Politicians in general, for the most part, leave a bad taste in my mouth. But I got to thinking awhile back about how to go about making changes. And that I hate to admit it, but one of the only ways to really make some permanent change, to actually hear people is to enter into politics. And then my stomach heaved a little bit & I began to feel a tad nauseous.
I don't see myself as a politician-type. And the thought of politics never entered my mind before. But lately I've been playing around with the notion quietly. You know, to myself.
You will by no means see my name on any ballot come 2008. And I'm not saying this is anything that will come to fruition. But what if it did?
What if?
Then I would be part of a process, a system that I have come to regard as smarmy and disappointing. That the things I hold so dear might disappear because then I would be a politician. Oh, I shudder.
But the thought that I come back to. The thing that I inevitably arrive back at, is that there has to be good leadership out there. There have got to be politicians out there who really do have honest intent and the greater good on their agenda. I mean, it can't be beyond the realm of possibility, can it?
I don't know the answers. I don't know that I would ever join the rank and file of beauracracy. But as I've said before, I do feel the need to become a part of something much bigger than myself that is ready to throw on their boots, toss their clinical, rubber gloves aside and get some grit under their fingernails.
But as I circle around again, I come back to wouldn't it make me a hypocrite?
Then I say to myself but that's where you can make some changes. From within the confines of those paper thin walls.
I just don't know.
What's your take?
1/15/07
A Moral Imperative
This morning started out a bit rough. Beginning with me being grumpy. After I poured myself a cup of coffee, I began to search the web for some writings and images of Martin Luther King, jr. I immediately found a video of his "I Have A Dream Speech". And instantly a calm washed over me.
As soon as I started the video, Connor excitedly yells out, "Hey! That's Martin Luther King! It's his birthday!!" My eyes filled up with tears and I'm still picking up the gelatinous pieces of my exploding, melting heart.
Way back in the day, I attended a rather new school in our district: Martin Luther King, jr Elementary. We studied Dr. King from September-May. Because of this new school, the name, the legacy, we reaped some pretty cool benefits. Coretta Scott King came to our school and gave a speech. Jesse Jackson visited as well. Though we only heard a few words from him as he passed through the hallways of our school. I have always felt that if I were at any other school, this would not have happened. We wouldn't have learned so much for so long. We might not have necessarily got to actually see Coretta Scott King in person or actually hear her words coming from her mouth only a few feet away.
As I listened to Dr. King's speech this morning, his words rested upon somewhat wisened ears. And so many thoughts came rushing forward. First off was how no matter how many times I hear that speech, it continues to give me goosebumps. Second off is that his message was inclusionary. He wasn't about lifting African-Americans up and pushing Caucasians down. He was about everyone living together because we are all from the same place. We are all, essentially, the same. I mean, you can't get any simpler than that. Then that got me thinking about my race. And some insights that I have been privy to. I've probably been privy too all along, but have just now allowed myself to actually digest them.
For example, in my History class last semester, we began talking about the Civil Rights movement, the women's movement, and John Kenneth Galbraith. We also began discussing the 'new face of poverty' - women and children, primarily. And a young, good-looking, well-dressed guy in my class of my race says, "Well, we don't have abject poverty in this country anymore. People aren't struggling like they used to." I almost fell off of my chair. And I don't know why. Because only a white person could say something so ignorant. And I mean ignorant in the actual definition of the word. I, of course, couldn't keep my mouth shut: "You mean to tell me that you believe abject poverty doesn't exist in this country? Has Katrina taught you nothing? And of course, many people don't think it exists because it's not a picture that this country is happy to hang on it's walls." His response was something that went along the lines of "Well, people are poor now because of Katrina."
Oh My Dear God.
We are so led astray by what is really going on. By our own government and media that I do not know why we are not rioting and marching again.
Which leads me to the next stream of thought. Where are our leaders today? Where are our MLK, jr's and our Rosa Parks'? Is is that they're out there, but they are essentially being censored, shut-down and shut-up? Or is it that no one is willing to stand up for the good of people? I'd really like an answer to this question. I know I'll probably never get it.
I want to feel hopeful that we, as a country, have not become complacent, that we have not moved backward in time. But it is my observation that
we have.
Some would argue that racial justice has been fought for and won.
Some would argue that sexual equality has been fought for and won.
Some would argue that this country has come a long way.
I'm not disagreeing with some of the progress. I mean, I can't be completely negative and say nothing has been accomplished.
But we have new challenges.
And we all need to rise up to those challenges.
The other night, Ravioli was watching the football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New Orleans Saints. The camera panned out and took a wide-shout of the whole entire football stadium. You could see how many people were packed into each seat. The amount of people was overwhelming.
I remember watching people in a football stadium not so long ago. During Hurricane Katrina. Desperation, hopelessness, hungry, thirsty, listless babies, panic-stricken mothers, elderly famished. I said to myself, Oh my god. These people were sent there TO die.
And when I saw that football stadium on TV Saturday night, I heard that voice again. Not that the people watching the football game were sent there to die. It was just seeing all of those people, the sheer numbers, was confirmation for some reason. I saw the actual number of people that stadium could hold. And that there is no doubt in my mind that officials knew what was coming. And why in the hell there weren't ample basic supplies was just beyond me. The questions just pile up and compound on top of each other. I'm just as mad about it today as I was then.
Is anyone else?
That is a clear-cut sign, to me, that racial equalities have not been settled. It's a clear-cut sign to me that we are in a class-war here at home. But neither of these, it appears, is being fought for.
What would MLK, jr. have done had he been alive to see such a gross mistreatment of so many individuals of this country?
I have felt the call to become apart of some organized thinking, some organized action. But I don't know where to turn. And maybe others out there feel as I do. Maybe they want to be involved, but don't know if there are any action groups. So, if someone out there knows where to go, please, comment and leave the information. Let that be your service today.
By giving of ourselves, we are giving to so many others. And many times, it takes little effort on our part, to give. And the smallest thing could be the biggest miracle to someone else.
I don't mean to get all preachy. I'm not trying to jam anything down anyone's throat. I just have my own dream of a better way, a better intention. And I know others out there must have the same kinds of dreams.
Let me end this here. But I'm going to make a long post even longer by adding lyrics to a song that I keep hearing in my head right now.
Picture of Jesus
By: Ben Harper
It hangs above my altar
Like they hung him from a cross
I keep one in my wallet
For the times that
I feel lost
In a wooden frame with splinters
Where my family kneels to pray
And if you listen close
You'll hear the words he used to say
I've got a picture of Jesus
In his arms my prayers rest
We've got a picture of Jesus
And with him we shall be forever blessed
Forever blessed
Forever blessed
Now it has been spoken
He would come again
But would we recognize
This king among men
There was a man in our time
His words shine bright like the sun
He tried to lift the masses
And was crucified by a gun
He was a picture of Jesus
With him so many prayers rest
He is a picture of Jesus
In his arms so many
So many prayers
So many prayers rest
With him we shall be forever blessed
Forever blessed
Forever blessed
Some days have no beginning
And some days have no end
Some roads are straight and narrow
And some roads only bend
So let us say a prayer
For every living thing
Walking towards a light
From the cross of a king
We long to be a picture of Jesus
Of Jesus
In his arms
In his arms so many prayers rest
I long to be a picture of Jesus
With him we shall be forever blessed
With him we shall
With him we shall be forever
Oh-Oh- I long
I've got a picture of Jesus
As soon as I started the video, Connor excitedly yells out, "Hey! That's Martin Luther King! It's his birthday!!" My eyes filled up with tears and I'm still picking up the gelatinous pieces of my exploding, melting heart.
Way back in the day, I attended a rather new school in our district: Martin Luther King, jr Elementary. We studied Dr. King from September-May. Because of this new school, the name, the legacy, we reaped some pretty cool benefits. Coretta Scott King came to our school and gave a speech. Jesse Jackson visited as well. Though we only heard a few words from him as he passed through the hallways of our school. I have always felt that if I were at any other school, this would not have happened. We wouldn't have learned so much for so long. We might not have necessarily got to actually see Coretta Scott King in person or actually hear her words coming from her mouth only a few feet away.
As I listened to Dr. King's speech this morning, his words rested upon somewhat wisened ears. And so many thoughts came rushing forward. First off was how no matter how many times I hear that speech, it continues to give me goosebumps. Second off is that his message was inclusionary. He wasn't about lifting African-Americans up and pushing Caucasians down. He was about everyone living together because we are all from the same place. We are all, essentially, the same. I mean, you can't get any simpler than that. Then that got me thinking about my race. And some insights that I have been privy to. I've probably been privy too all along, but have just now allowed myself to actually digest them.
For example, in my History class last semester, we began talking about the Civil Rights movement, the women's movement, and John Kenneth Galbraith. We also began discussing the 'new face of poverty' - women and children, primarily. And a young, good-looking, well-dressed guy in my class of my race says, "Well, we don't have abject poverty in this country anymore. People aren't struggling like they used to." I almost fell off of my chair. And I don't know why. Because only a white person could say something so ignorant. And I mean ignorant in the actual definition of the word. I, of course, couldn't keep my mouth shut: "You mean to tell me that you believe abject poverty doesn't exist in this country? Has Katrina taught you nothing? And of course, many people don't think it exists because it's not a picture that this country is happy to hang on it's walls." His response was something that went along the lines of "Well, people are poor now because of Katrina."
Oh My Dear God.
We are so led astray by what is really going on. By our own government and media that I do not know why we are not rioting and marching again.
Which leads me to the next stream of thought. Where are our leaders today? Where are our MLK, jr's and our Rosa Parks'? Is is that they're out there, but they are essentially being censored, shut-down and shut-up? Or is it that no one is willing to stand up for the good of people? I'd really like an answer to this question. I know I'll probably never get it.
I want to feel hopeful that we, as a country, have not become complacent, that we have not moved backward in time. But it is my observation that
we have.
Some would argue that racial justice has been fought for and won.
Some would argue that sexual equality has been fought for and won.
Some would argue that this country has come a long way.
I'm not disagreeing with some of the progress. I mean, I can't be completely negative and say nothing has been accomplished.
But we have new challenges.
And we all need to rise up to those challenges.
The other night, Ravioli was watching the football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New Orleans Saints. The camera panned out and took a wide-shout of the whole entire football stadium. You could see how many people were packed into each seat. The amount of people was overwhelming.
I remember watching people in a football stadium not so long ago. During Hurricane Katrina. Desperation, hopelessness, hungry, thirsty, listless babies, panic-stricken mothers, elderly famished. I said to myself, Oh my god. These people were sent there TO die.
And when I saw that football stadium on TV Saturday night, I heard that voice again. Not that the people watching the football game were sent there to die. It was just seeing all of those people, the sheer numbers, was confirmation for some reason. I saw the actual number of people that stadium could hold. And that there is no doubt in my mind that officials knew what was coming. And why in the hell there weren't ample basic supplies was just beyond me. The questions just pile up and compound on top of each other. I'm just as mad about it today as I was then.
Is anyone else?
That is a clear-cut sign, to me, that racial equalities have not been settled. It's a clear-cut sign to me that we are in a class-war here at home. But neither of these, it appears, is being fought for.
What would MLK, jr. have done had he been alive to see such a gross mistreatment of so many individuals of this country?
I have felt the call to become apart of some organized thinking, some organized action. But I don't know where to turn. And maybe others out there feel as I do. Maybe they want to be involved, but don't know if there are any action groups. So, if someone out there knows where to go, please, comment and leave the information. Let that be your service today.
By giving of ourselves, we are giving to so many others. And many times, it takes little effort on our part, to give. And the smallest thing could be the biggest miracle to someone else.
I don't mean to get all preachy. I'm not trying to jam anything down anyone's throat. I just have my own dream of a better way, a better intention. And I know others out there must have the same kinds of dreams.
Let me end this here. But I'm going to make a long post even longer by adding lyrics to a song that I keep hearing in my head right now.
Picture of Jesus
By: Ben Harper
It hangs above my altar
Like they hung him from a cross
I keep one in my wallet
For the times that
I feel lost
In a wooden frame with splinters
Where my family kneels to pray
And if you listen close
You'll hear the words he used to say
I've got a picture of Jesus
In his arms my prayers rest
We've got a picture of Jesus
And with him we shall be forever blessed
Forever blessed
Forever blessed
Now it has been spoken
He would come again
But would we recognize
This king among men
There was a man in our time
His words shine bright like the sun
He tried to lift the masses
And was crucified by a gun
He was a picture of Jesus
With him so many prayers rest
He is a picture of Jesus
In his arms so many
So many prayers
So many prayers rest
With him we shall be forever blessed
Forever blessed
Forever blessed
Some days have no beginning
And some days have no end
Some roads are straight and narrow
And some roads only bend
So let us say a prayer
For every living thing
Walking towards a light
From the cross of a king
We long to be a picture of Jesus
Of Jesus
In his arms
In his arms so many prayers rest
I long to be a picture of Jesus
With him we shall be forever blessed
With him we shall
With him we shall be forever
Oh-Oh- I long
I've got a picture of Jesus
1/1/07
A Country's Call To Apathy
I can always tell when I'm being sucked inward by the weight of a thought or topic - inward within my own mind, my own thoughts - when I'm looking at things around me, but not seeing. When I'm walking through the day, but not living it. The past few days since I've learned about the execution of Saddam Hussein, that's exactly what I've been doing.
So since I've been in my outwardly shut-down, mulling-things-over mode, I know that this has had a great impact on me.
I just now have come to be able to write about it.
I'm not sure where this post will go. Just bear with me.
The news rocked me. More than I ever could have imagined it would. And for more reasons than I can fully wrap my mind around.
With the start of the New Year, we ended the deadliest month for American casualties for this year in Iraq. But the innocent who have died, I'm sure is above and beyond ours. Why do we not mourn for them? And I have to wonder what is in store for our troops & all of the citizens of Iraq now that Saddam has been hanged. More blood-shed? More torture? More hunger? More crying? More waiting & wondering?
And for what, exactly?
I can think so clearly about how desperate mothers must feel over there. Desperate to protect their babies from bombs & rubble & evacuation.
I've run through that scenario in my own mind. If something catastrophic were to happen outside of my door. Where I would take my babies to hide & be safe. To live. Breathe. Eat.
There are mothers living what I have the luxury of imagining. Half a world a way. But I feel them in their panic. Across the distance.
I so want a perfect world for my babies & for everyone.
I'm certain perfection doesn't exist.
Peace does, though.
So does humanity.
And humanitarianism.
I'm not even sure where I stand on Saddam. He obviously seemed like a bad, bad person. But I'm so confused by lies fed to me by my own government that I'm wondering who really is bad. I've entertained that fact that he didn't deserve what he got.
I can't help but feel like we are doing to Iraq, what we tried to do to the Communists for so long. I feel in my heart of hearts that we are now, The Iron Curtain.
It is so easy to be scared by things we know little of. We went into this war with a President - a country (including myself) who knows little of that culture, that religion. And here we are, pressing our government on this country. Without really getting to know what the greater good is for that country.
We haven't even figured it out here.
Like most of our war efforts, we are only there because we think we have something to gain.
I feel sick as I type this because I have no solution.
I have only thoughts. Gripes. Criticisms.
Pity.
Pity for my country. That I was brought up to believe was great.
But have now seen it for what it is. A big, callous, corporate, apathetic bully.
People like me are viewed as not being supportive of our troops. Of being un-American.
If me wanting our troops home to live, hugging their families, being mommies and daddies, sons and daughters and citizens, is unsupportive, than so be it. It is wrong for me to wish them home, I suppose.
And if being un-American means I care about the state of the world for the whole of humanity, than I'll say it loud and proud, I'm un-American.
I feel pity because I feel that it's going to get way worse for everyone before it gets any better. It's this somber, sick brick in the pit of my stomach.
What I do not have is apathy. But most of this country does. Maybe I am mistaken. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places.
Our babies, our families, friends deserve a better world than what we are giving ourselves. Creating for everyone.
Americans are not the only ones who are deserving.
So since I've been in my outwardly shut-down, mulling-things-over mode, I know that this has had a great impact on me.
I just now have come to be able to write about it.
I'm not sure where this post will go. Just bear with me.
The news rocked me. More than I ever could have imagined it would. And for more reasons than I can fully wrap my mind around.
With the start of the New Year, we ended the deadliest month for American casualties for this year in Iraq. But the innocent who have died, I'm sure is above and beyond ours. Why do we not mourn for them? And I have to wonder what is in store for our troops & all of the citizens of Iraq now that Saddam has been hanged. More blood-shed? More torture? More hunger? More crying? More waiting & wondering?
And for what, exactly?
I can think so clearly about how desperate mothers must feel over there. Desperate to protect their babies from bombs & rubble & evacuation.
I've run through that scenario in my own mind. If something catastrophic were to happen outside of my door. Where I would take my babies to hide & be safe. To live. Breathe. Eat.
There are mothers living what I have the luxury of imagining. Half a world a way. But I feel them in their panic. Across the distance.
I so want a perfect world for my babies & for everyone.
I'm certain perfection doesn't exist.
Peace does, though.
So does humanity.
And humanitarianism.
I'm not even sure where I stand on Saddam. He obviously seemed like a bad, bad person. But I'm so confused by lies fed to me by my own government that I'm wondering who really is bad. I've entertained that fact that he didn't deserve what he got.
I can't help but feel like we are doing to Iraq, what we tried to do to the Communists for so long. I feel in my heart of hearts that we are now, The Iron Curtain.
It is so easy to be scared by things we know little of. We went into this war with a President - a country (including myself) who knows little of that culture, that religion. And here we are, pressing our government on this country. Without really getting to know what the greater good is for that country.
We haven't even figured it out here.
Like most of our war efforts, we are only there because we think we have something to gain.
I feel sick as I type this because I have no solution.
I have only thoughts. Gripes. Criticisms.
Pity.
Pity for my country. That I was brought up to believe was great.
But have now seen it for what it is. A big, callous, corporate, apathetic bully.
People like me are viewed as not being supportive of our troops. Of being un-American.
If me wanting our troops home to live, hugging their families, being mommies and daddies, sons and daughters and citizens, is unsupportive, than so be it. It is wrong for me to wish them home, I suppose.
And if being un-American means I care about the state of the world for the whole of humanity, than I'll say it loud and proud, I'm un-American.
I feel pity because I feel that it's going to get way worse for everyone before it gets any better. It's this somber, sick brick in the pit of my stomach.
What I do not have is apathy. But most of this country does. Maybe I am mistaken. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places.
Our babies, our families, friends deserve a better world than what we are giving ourselves. Creating for everyone.
Americans are not the only ones who are deserving.
11/29/06
Everything's Bigger In Texas - except our President's brain
Hey, dummy...I mean, President Bush. Try reading the definition, you idiot.
Civil war
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
For other uses, see civil war (disambiguation). See list of civil wars for individual examples.
A civil war is a war in which parties within the same culture, society or nationality fight for political power or control of an area. Political scientists use two criteria: the warring groups must be from the same country and fighting for control of the political center, control over a separatist state or to force a major change in policy. The second criterion is that at least 1,000 people must have been killed in total, with at least 100 from each side.[1]
Some civil wars are also categorized as revolutions when major societal restructuring is a possible outcome of the conflict. An insurgency, whether successful or not, is likely to be classified as a civil war by some historians if, and only if, organized armies fight conventional battles. Other historians state the criterion for a civil war is that there must be prolonged violence between organized factions or defined regions of a country (conventionally fought or not).
Civil war
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
For other uses, see civil war (disambiguation). See list of civil wars for individual examples.
A civil war is a war in which parties within the same culture, society or nationality fight for political power or control of an area. Political scientists use two criteria: the warring groups must be from the same country and fighting for control of the political center, control over a separatist state or to force a major change in policy. The second criterion is that at least 1,000 people must have been killed in total, with at least 100 from each side.[1]
Some civil wars are also categorized as revolutions when major societal restructuring is a possible outcome of the conflict. An insurgency, whether successful or not, is likely to be classified as a civil war by some historians if, and only if, organized armies fight conventional battles. Other historians state the criterion for a civil war is that there must be prolonged violence between organized factions or defined regions of a country (conventionally fought or not).
11/8/06
11/6/06
It's Your Right
SO VOTE, DAMMIT! Here are some reasons why:
-Take responsibility to institute a change. We desperately need it.
-Because if you don't vote & then want to bitch.....I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT!
-As said before 'it is your right'
-You're tired of taking things lying down
-You'd be setting a good example for your kids by being civically responsible
OK, that's all I have to say about that. It is important that you do, though. So, DO IT!
-Take responsibility to institute a change. We desperately need it.
-Because if you don't vote & then want to bitch.....I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT!
-As said before 'it is your right'
-You're tired of taking things lying down
-You'd be setting a good example for your kids by being civically responsible
OK, that's all I have to say about that. It is important that you do, though. So, DO IT!
10/20/06
Talkin' 'Bout A Revolution (Sounds Like A Whisper)
President Bush.
"Military Commissions Act"
Habeas Corpus.
DOES ANYONE CARE???
That's all I have to say. Otherwise, I may be put on a list................ & arrested.
"Military Commissions Act"
Habeas Corpus.
DOES ANYONE CARE???
That's all I have to say. Otherwise, I may be put on a list................ & arrested.
The above picture (as well as this Administration) scares the crap out of me. If I had the ways & means, we (and by we, I mean Ravioli, myself & little Ravioli's) would be OUT OF HERE.
Check out this blog and watch Keith Olberman's report. You must do this.
9/10/06
Misty Morning
I've been thinking about the inevitable 9/11 post for the past few days. And, like many things in my life right now, there's so much and so little to say.
What can I possibly say today, that hasn't already been said? I do want to honor the day. I do. But I just don't how to give this anniversary it's proper due.
Obviously, we are forever changed by the events of that day. That day will always remind me of static and silence.
The thing that bothers me, today, about 9/11 is that we haven't come as far as I'd like - as a country - in response to that day. And this day should be a reminder that we are not that far removed from what we are fighting against. We have actually used 9/11 as an excuse and as a path of least resistance. You may not understand me when I say that. Because going to war doesn't seem like a 'path of least resistance' does it? When I say that, I mean we as a country, are content to say, "We're putting up a fight. We've invaded. We're at war. We're kicking ass. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED." But that's not necessarily the solution. so, the path of least resistance is that we're sitting back on our haunches, fighting a ridiculous war. Wasting lives, and resources. Because it makes us feel like we're doing something. We've actually moved backward in our thinking since that day.
What we should be thinking about today is how the passengers on Flight 93 saw what was happening and decided to take a stand. They had a job to do. The same with all of the rescue workers and first responders. They had a job to do. It was a matter of life and death.
9/11 should still light a fire in our bellies. We should be standing up for right. And not throw blind faith at a President who builds our "freedom" based on his "Democracy"of earnings/profits, good ole boyism, lies, oil, terror tactics on his own people, and false wars. This is insanity. Abraham Lincoln said, "At what point should we expect the approach of danger? Never." He knew that no outside enemy was a threat. But that the bigger threat was that we would destroy ourselves from within. How true is that? Think about it.
We're content to let the smoke and ash of those buildings, planes, people and fields settle. And forget that we, as humans should be pulling together - for each other. Locally. Globally. For all of humanity.
I hate to say that I feel ambivolent about 9/11 - or writing about it for that matter. But I feel sad that we, as a country, can't see the mistakes we're making in regards to truly honoring what happened that day. It's already becoming too dull of a sensation. Instead, let's worry about which actress is too skinny, or which cyclist is doping. Or baseball player for that matter. Which "star" can dance. Let's feel like we're vindicating all of those victims of 9/11 by going to war, unjustly, and killing thousands - hundreds of thousands more. Because that makes sense.
Let's give 9/11 and it's victims their due. Let's say they did not die in vain.
Say a prayer, give lots of hugs today. Be humble. Be thankful. Be inspired by the bravery, the acts of humanity, and the redemption that comes from doing what is right.
I wish peace and love for all today. And I will walk quietly in the parking lot as I take my daughter to her first day of preschool on September 11th.
What can I possibly say today, that hasn't already been said? I do want to honor the day. I do. But I just don't how to give this anniversary it's proper due.
Obviously, we are forever changed by the events of that day. That day will always remind me of static and silence.
The thing that bothers me, today, about 9/11 is that we haven't come as far as I'd like - as a country - in response to that day. And this day should be a reminder that we are not that far removed from what we are fighting against. We have actually used 9/11 as an excuse and as a path of least resistance. You may not understand me when I say that. Because going to war doesn't seem like a 'path of least resistance' does it? When I say that, I mean we as a country, are content to say, "We're putting up a fight. We've invaded. We're at war. We're kicking ass. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED." But that's not necessarily the solution. so, the path of least resistance is that we're sitting back on our haunches, fighting a ridiculous war. Wasting lives, and resources. Because it makes us feel like we're doing something. We've actually moved backward in our thinking since that day.
What we should be thinking about today is how the passengers on Flight 93 saw what was happening and decided to take a stand. They had a job to do. The same with all of the rescue workers and first responders. They had a job to do. It was a matter of life and death.
9/11 should still light a fire in our bellies. We should be standing up for right. And not throw blind faith at a President who builds our "freedom" based on his "Democracy"of earnings/profits, good ole boyism, lies, oil, terror tactics on his own people, and false wars. This is insanity. Abraham Lincoln said, "At what point should we expect the approach of danger? Never." He knew that no outside enemy was a threat. But that the bigger threat was that we would destroy ourselves from within. How true is that? Think about it.
We're content to let the smoke and ash of those buildings, planes, people and fields settle. And forget that we, as humans should be pulling together - for each other. Locally. Globally. For all of humanity.
I hate to say that I feel ambivolent about 9/11 - or writing about it for that matter. But I feel sad that we, as a country, can't see the mistakes we're making in regards to truly honoring what happened that day. It's already becoming too dull of a sensation. Instead, let's worry about which actress is too skinny, or which cyclist is doping. Or baseball player for that matter. Which "star" can dance. Let's feel like we're vindicating all of those victims of 9/11 by going to war, unjustly, and killing thousands - hundreds of thousands more. Because that makes sense.
Let's give 9/11 and it's victims their due. Let's say they did not die in vain.
Say a prayer, give lots of hugs today. Be humble. Be thankful. Be inspired by the bravery, the acts of humanity, and the redemption that comes from doing what is right.
I wish peace and love for all today. And I will walk quietly in the parking lot as I take my daughter to her first day of preschool on September 11th.
8/20/06
Whirled Peas
I had a conversation with a friend yesterday about many of life's little dramas. And we both agreed that we (her & I) can laugh at just about anything. That in fact, we have to. It's the only way to cope. And I've used this blog, so far, to try and laugh through many things. I try to stay light-hearted. I've tried, so far, to keep things light, not get into personal feelings regarding politics, religion and other 'hot topics.'
However, these things have been weighing on me. And I just get so infuriated. I get infuriated that our country has re-elected such an idiot. I admit, that months after 9/11, I rooted for W to invade Iraq. I was a new mother & I felt like he was protecting my baby. But seriously, after my new mommy haze wore off, I saw things for what they were/are. And since then, I have felt so helpless and angry watching such a great country filled with great people get thrown under the bus, bottled up in a barrel of oil and sold. For what? $3-something a gallon? Is it worth it? Are we really serving the greater good here or what? Are we really a nation that is prided on being humanitarian and enforcing peace? I used to think that. Not anymore.
I've watched an actual city, I mean an actual city and the people of that city left for dead. And these are things that are just happening here. I'm not talking about some city in Iraq. I'm talking about NOLA.
We are so hypnotized by mindless, ridiculous television. War images are kept from us. The truth is kept from us. But it IS out there.
You know, I just don't feel like it's our job to force 'democracy' or religion on another country, let alone individuals. I believe in humanitarianism. I believe in an equal quality of life for man and woman. I believe that sometimes, war is inevitable and at times, just. But we also need to be a model.
This administration - this "president" (I use that term loosely) swears to end the 'war on terror' and that the 'evil-doers' will come to justice. Well, who really, is invoking terror and really who seems to be evil? Now, I'm not saying there are no terrorists. I mean, how can I reflect on 9/11 and honestly not think that? I know it's there. But our own government is provoking terror in us. They use that terror on those of us who have children. Isn't that so easy to do? I mean, that's who the voting base was for W's election in 'o4, Where his big numbers were. And there is something sinister about taking an alternative life-style group, and using them as a platform? How can a 'christian' say well, God loves this group, but not this one? Isn't that what judgement day is all about? Is it our place to say what God would want????? Why can't we just love each other as brother and sister? Isn't that what God would want us to do???????????
I guess basically all I'm saying is that the way things are going, isn't good. Duh, right? I know George Bush thinks that oil is worth fighting for. But what about us? Don't we think that WE are worth fighting for? Aren't our waterways and our air worth fighting for? Isn't TRUTH in our own government worth fighting for? Our children's futures? No brainer. What about upholding social programs, the elderly, the poor (and there will be more poor in this country than ever before. Just wait). Our education system, our healthcare, our OWN RIGHT TO DIE? What about being able to talk on the phone? I mean, how simple is that one? But we're so content to watch 'American Idol' and and drive in our big SUV's, live in our big houses, using up resources and energy like it's candy, eating crap food which poisons us. Salvation a la mode and a cup of tea. Yeah. Let's wake up.
My dream for my children & this country is Peace. Why is it too much to ask for basic peace? What about humanity, humbleness, and love? Why are these things so hard?? Things we learn about before the age of 8? Supposedly, anyway.
Listen, we need to be inspired. We need to be led, we need to be organized. For right now, this is what I can do. This post. Here are some songs that get me inspired that I thought I'd share.
Peace Train - Cat Stevens (I'm sure I'll get a few comments on this one!)
Get Up, Stand Up - Bob Marley and the Wailers
Talkin' bout a Revolution - Tracy Chapman
Imagine - John Lennon
Teach Your Children - Crosby, Stills & Nash
Redemption Song - Bob Marley and the Wailers
With My Own Two Hands - Jack Johnson feat. Ben Harper
3 R's - Jack Johnson
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