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5:13 p.m. - 2008-09-11 In the years since, I've been able to be somewhat flip about it, in terms of how to combat terrorism. Like as in "Feed them and get them laid." But really I don't know what to believe or do about it. I know that in my world, terrorism is cowardly. Yet in other people's worlds, WE are the terrorists. Their terrorists are heroes and martyrs to them. I can't believe that. Yet there are aberrations in every thing. Well, now here is where I really wish that I had a better command of the language. I know, let's try to elucidate my feelings by going to list form. 1. I love this country. I get to be here, I get to live here. I get to have FifiLand, I get to have a family, I get to walk about wherever I want to, I have the freedom from fear. I do not take this lightly. 2. The Amercan people by-and-large are huge-hearted, hardworking people with vast reserves of goodwill. I have found that if you give a person here even the fagment of a chance to do some good, they will. Almost every time. 3. I know that to have a huge country, in this dangerous world, with all of its frailties and misunderstandings, a military force is a must. Many a military is made up of young people. Young people can make mistakes, can let emotion rule. 4. I have never, EVER known of a military campaign of this country to be maliciously planning to kill as many people as possible for some obscure ideology. 5. I don't feel competent to comment on the Iraq war. I feel, this is only my opinion, that I have and continued to struggle with. I do not believe that the reasons that were presented as the justification for the Iraq war were completely transparent. I feel that it was started over a sense of filial duty or competition on one hand, and oil, on the other. BUT, I know from first-hand experience how very inportant it is to a country to protect its citizens from harm and danger. 6. So when Americans say that America is a terrorist, I feel torn and shredded. Honestly, I feel a sense of outrage and disbelief. I don't know one single malicious person!! Then again, I AM rahther clueless, not that I am proud of it. But then again, I also know that governments can make mistakes. 7. So while I still struggle with this, I am encouraged to see that each person can safely and freely express their opinions of this and every matter without fear of retaliation, be it upon themselves or their families. Again, I am profoundly grateful. Well, apparently this is even more complicated than I had realised. I could take the easy way out, delete this and put up some fluff, but that it not my way. I fear that I shall anger some, and that is not my intention. On this solemn day, I grieve for those lost, those left behind. I admire the bravery. I admit humbly to my failings. I find my own scrap of bravery to admit that I am still confused, buffeted by the feelings and thoughts, all valid, of all who freely speak. I am mortified that I am not stronger, nor more intelligent than who I am. I can only wish that when I was gone, I can be remembered as someone who participated, and as someone who loved. Unreservedly. 7 comments
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