Posted by
aqvik on Sunday, February 11, 2007 2:48:02 PM
I've had it with all the divisiveness,
vitriol, and just down-right rudeness in my world today. What are we,
spoiled illiterate brats, psychos, and violence-mongers? Is there no
reasoned discourse any more? Is every opposing viewpoint so threatening
that it immediately warrants a vicious, profane response?
Maybe
I'm just sensitive, but it seems like the most prevalent thread in the
blogosphere these days is hate. Don't get me wrong, I am not denying
that there are plenty of things to despise in this world: cowardice,
greed, exploitation, violence, self-centeredness, designer eyewear, and
political correctness.
And lately, we seem to find ourselves in
what is variously called WWIII, the War of Civilizations, the Culture
War, the Neocon War, the Islamic War, the War Against the West, or the
Last Days.
Of course I'm convinced that something serious is
going on, and maybe, just maybe, truth is relative, and if it weren't
for the Imperialistic United States and its ongoing crusade of
Capitalist Christian Compulsion, everything would be Peaches and Cream.
But I tend to think not.
In fact, my view is that the conflicts
we see in the world today are the same ones that have been going on
since time began, but with one significant difference: nothing,
absolutely nothing is local anymore. There is NO escape.
So
the way I see it, our options are limited. We can pretend to ignore it,
we can throw up our hands in defeat, we can try to straddle the fence
in the hopes that it will somehow pass up by, or we can choose sides.
Frankly,
I don't want to hate anybody, and I'm not real fond of being hated
either. It's hard on the metabolism. The truth is, I don't really like
being told what to do by anybody, but I especially dislike being
threatened or intimidated.
I don't want to be forced, nor do I
want to force anybody to do anything, except stop threatening to kill
me and my family... that would be nice. I do not see it as possible or
beneficial to force any one to subscribe to my views or way of
life, but I do believe my way of life is worth living, and I want the
freedom to continue in it, and I feel strongly that it's worth
defending when attacked.
And I have hope, but not necessarily in
this life. And I have purpose, but it may not be a purpose that the
world views as meaningful, and above all, I want the ability to share
the reasons for that hope and that purpose with anyone willing to
listen. So instead of sitting at home and getting angry or discouraged
or paralyzed with fear, I'm posting this blog. If you want to comment,
register and go ahead. Maybe a meaningful dialog can take place. Maybe
not. But it’s worth a shot, metaphorically at least.