Mood: Depressed

[dwgm]

My dear ones, I know you don't remember the helpless disillusionment of the '60's and early '70's. You will perhaps say that no, we weren't helpless, that the war was protested strongly. Yet it went on and on anyway, as you know, and it was later revealed that our leaders, people who supposedly cared for us and our country, concealed information, distorted information, let themselves turn a blind eye to truth that might have spared the lives of so many.

In many ways the world is a better place than it was a hundred, or even fifty years ago, and I try to keep that in focus to fuel the optimism that seems much more natural to me than despair. But human nature is what it is, and there are too many people who still consider violence, and particularly large scale violence, to be a viable solution to life's problems, and too many people who allow themselves to be sucked in by a shiny package of lies and propaganda and false patriotism. It breaks my heart. This country can be great, in very many ways it is great, but we need to look at ourselves with clear vision and see ourselves as citizens of the World, not just as Americans.

I generally try not to think of this stuff much, as it does provoke such a feeling of helplessness. However, firesignwriter posted this link, and I could not remain silent.

Comments

[ladymora.livejournal.com]

Not to creat horrible quantities of debate in my mother's journal, but I'm curious why you support an amendment that limits, rather than reaffirms, the rights of American citizens. Viewpoints on gays completely aside (I myself am a happily married bisexual), I shudder at the thought of anyone but me deciding who I am allowed to spend my life with, including who visits me in the hospital, inherits from me, and helps me raise my children. That is not within the rights I would give to any governement. What makes you see it differently?

[fnordelissa.livejournal.com]

may I also add that though Bush's ideology may agree with yours in principle, he has made the government larger, and he has imposed more restrictions/possible invasions of privacy than there were before... I second the comment that perhaps if you are dissatisfied with Democrats for ideological reasons, but perhaps have questions about Bush's actions, that you vote for a third party instead? Libertarians are good for the whole smaller government/less infringement on the individual's rights thing. (I have a good friend who was Republican but changed to be a member of the Libertarian party for exactly those reasons)... though I can't speak for their morals, etc. I guess I just feel like, if you don't like or you question his actions as president, that you shouldn't necessarily vote for him anyhow because his beliefs still match. there might be a better candidate out there for you? It's just a thought.

[fnordelissa.livejournal.com]

sorry; I had one other thing to say... I don't think Kerry advocates pulling out of Iraw unequivocally. My impression (I believe I read this on BBC World News) is that he wants to make the restoration a more international affair, and hopes to bring some of our troops home, but does not support leaving the country completely. I agree, it would be a very dangerous and chaotic thing for the Iraqui people. I think the same site said that Nader advocates that sort of immediate and total pull-out. I usually agree with the Green party on things like the environment or the issue ladymora's brought up above, but I do not agree with pulling out of Iraq in that fashion. besides, there's a sort of 'let's finish what we started' kind of feeling I have about it. I think Kerry does understand that... and also, I was told by my better informed boyfriend that Kerry has even said that he would have gone after Saddam, but that he would have gone about it differently. I guess on this issue, I feel like you are totally entitled to disagree with Kerry and not vote for him because he doesn't resonate with you (in fact, that's why I'm not voting for Bush) and his beliefs don't match yours, but do at least be clear on what he's actually said about specific things when you disagree with them.

(thank you Geek Mama for allowing debate in your journal.)