As I ponder the condition in the world, I tend to want to sink into a hole so that I can withdraw myself from all the violence and pain. It is better for me to focus on the good around me and, thankfully, there is a lot of it for me to experience.
It looks like a good day so far. I’ve done a little reading, a little writing. It is Labor Day. I plan to do some labor things. I will do laundry and it promises to be a good day to hang out. Bernie wants to can tomatoes. I will help with that. I plan to see two friends today, one shut in because of a recent surgery. We plan to have BBQ ribs and corn on the cob for supper, a perfect Labor Day meal. I don’t know what will come, one never does. For me, I like to enjoy my serenity and deal with trouble only if and when it should come along. No sense in sitting in a hole unless there is a real reason to be there.
There are a few of things that can help keep me from sinking into the hole. One is what I have already mentioned…focus on the good around me. Another is seeing my beliefs expressed by others, especially by people who have power of some sort, either because of they are in a position to change things or they are able to influence others using the power of the written or spoken words. Another thing that keeps me afloat is movements that means people are getting together to energize one another and try to make change. Both make me feel like I am not alone.
This morning I read an article by Egberto Willis (never heard of him). The title is this: “Thank you President Obama for not having a ISIL strategy in Syria.” The subtitle is: “ISIS/ISIL is a problem that requires intelligent action devoid of shooting from the hip.” Here is one paragraph from his article:
President Obama got into hot water with the media this week. He was transparent and told the truth. “I don’t want to put the cart before the horse,” President Obama said. “We don’t have a strategy yet.”
What is so bad about that statement? It is the truth. America has never had a real international strategy other than war and henceforth its excursions into foreign lands that have been constant failures. That lack of strategy has gotten thousands of Americans killed and have decimated the country’s treasure. It however has continued to make billions for a small select group of folks in the military industrial complex. Profiteers love war. It is a direct transfer of wealth from the masses (taxpayers) to a select few.
These are my thoughts exactly. I am tired of war. I have no clue how to reverse the tide of killing going on around the world. I suspect, however, that it isn’t to do more killing.
As for movements, I really liked “The Other 98%”. You don’t hear much any more about marches or sit-ins by this group, but the questions they raised have entered the main stream of American (and world) politics. Another is “Every Town for Gun Safety”, a movement whose goal is to end gun violence in America. They have done a hell of a job bringing stories of the harm done by guns into the news as well as exposing the NRA for their rediculous position. Today I learned of a third. The above author, Egberto Willies, is the vice president of “Coffee Party USA”. Coffee! I have my third cup of the stuff sitting beside my computer at this very moment. I checked it out. I will share here from the website their civility pledge:
As a member or supporter of the Coffee Party, I pledge to conduct myself in a way that is civil, honest, and respectful toward people with whom I disagree. I value people from different cultures, I value people with different ideas, and I value and cherish the democratic process.
Check it out: http://www.coffeepartyusa.com/
Who wants to meet for coffee?