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

[kellenanne.livejournal.com]

I'm sitting here eating popcorn, trying to figure out how best to speak, since I am known for not being able to keep silent when it comes to political and social debate. LoL.

First of all, I want you understand that I am, in NO way, angered or disappointed in anyone for their views and beliefs. *shrugs* I'm one of those "to each his own" people, but I'll debate and defend my views -- sometimes not with wholly intelligent answers. LoL.

I am 24, working full-time, living hand to mouth, a member of the "fanatic" religious right and a registered Republican who drives a POS car with a recycled Bush bumper sticker. I plan on voting for him in this election because I cannot, in good conscience, vote for Mr. Kerry, for a variety of reasons.

Please don't flame me. I get enough flack for my bumper sticker. *rolls eyes*

As to the war in Iraq, I did fully support going in. I still do, and my reasons were never about WMD; it was motivated by compassion for a people living in opression. What sickens me, though, is the American attitude. We take life for granted. War is a terrible thing, and we act so blase about it... Civilians killed and we don't care. We are a nation at war, and you'd never know it by walking the streets in our cities. It saddens me that we are so wrapped up in our own little continent here that we don't care about the people beyond our borders.

Now I can't always agree with the methods we use while in Iraq, and I know our forces and leaders are jumpy, but such blatant disregard for life -- and I see it in both camps -- hurts me.

We need to realize we are at war. We need to start acting like a country who cares about those beyond our borders. But we also need to protect ourselves and our interests. Admittedly, its a difficult tightrope to balance.

Kellenanne's two cents... take it, leave it, flame it... *shrugs* I just htought I'd stick in a slightly different viewpoint.

cheers!

[firesignwriter.livejournal.com]

I plan on voting for him in this election because I cannot, in good conscience, vote for Mr. Kerry, for a variety of reasons.

I promise not to flame you, but you've really got me curious (and I'll admit, upset) with this line, because I've heard it in a few places (from Republican friends and family) and can never seem to get a straight answer from anyone about it. What is it about John Kerry that offends your conscience? Does nothing about the Bush administration's actions at home and abroad offend you?

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I would certainly not flame anyone for their opinion. My cynicism about and disillusionment with politics began at an early age, and I don't make a point of following it closely enough now to even make a completely informed choice between candidates. I don't think you can believe a lot of what any of them say in the first place. To a great extent, they are actors, and spokesmen for the interests that fund them in their bids for power.

I never supported Bush, but one thing that turned me against him shortly after his election was his address to a university graduating class in which expressed pride in attaining the presidency in spite of a 'C' average in college. Unforgivable.

I agree that there is oppression of human rights in Iraq. There is oppression of human rights in many countries around the world. So what makes the Middle East so special? I'll give you three guesses.

[kellenanne.livejournal.com]

*laughs* Three guesses? I only need one hon... Oil is a hot commodity, I will grant you that.

I have followed politics closely; it is one of my, I don't know, hobbies... passions... Neither of those words are right... but its the best way I can describe my political involvement. And I take my due share of pride in it, being a younger person who is aware and voting. (Ok, some people, based on my political leanings, may dispute the "aware" part... LoL)

cheers,Kellen