These things, we hold..

Over the past few months, and years for that matter, I have found it hard to keep perspective on the world and all of the horrible sadness that is happening all the time to all sorts of people, in all sorts of places.  That's partly because I've been caught up thinking about loss of my own, sunk heavily into my own despair at times, doubtful that I am objective enough to understand the complexity of the situations around the globe.  I can't fathom premature loss, death, or disease in my own life, much less fathom that in another land and culture, so who am I to form an opinion to pontificate on the struggles somewhere far, far away.  Syria's troubles, as well as those of Iraq, Nigeria, Israel and Gaza, the Sudan, and many more seem like 3-demensional spider webs of connections between factions and ethnic groups, like the tangled mesh of ganglion, complex and tangled beyond understanding.


Although I would like to understand the age-old animosities between Sunnis and Shiites, North and South Sudanese, and the underpinnings of so many conflicts, I never will.  Factions will continue to strike cease-fires and peace accords, and many conflicts will ebb on for centuries after our pundits are gone.  Nevertheless, we should try to fight aggression and misunderstandings, because the most important things in life are life, love, and liberty.  I believe that, and in my naivite, I think everyone yearns for those ideals in their heart of hearts.


In a tiny country of 1.8 million, already 1100 people, mostly civilians have been killed in the last 21 days.  For what?  I'm not sure even Benjamin Netanyahu could say.  In Sudan, a civil war rages on, as well as in Syria, Ukraine, and many other places.  It just makes me realize that the loss that I have felt for family and friends lost in these past few years, that despair, unflinching fire, rages in other hearts every day, their entire lives.  So when we question diplomacy, peace talks, negotiations with other nations, we are questioning the noblest of pursuits.  Nothing is more important than improving lives, ending conflict, satisfying need, ending loss and despair.  Nothing. 


I am unapologetic in my disdain for war, and our nation's emphasis on defense rather than poverty alleviation and peace.  We cannot solve the problems of disease, population control, polluted water, soil, and climate change without first addressing poverty and conflict.  Arsenals will never alleviate those problems.  There are more persons employed to operate 1 aircraft carrier than the US has diplomats around the globe.  Don't tell me we're a peaceful nation.  Don't tell me we're a democratic nation.  Don't tell me we're a Christian nation. 


So, on this warm July evening with soft breeze blowing in, I ask you to advocate real peace and understanding, and be fearless in your support of what matters.  Remember the unnecessary loss and hopelessness that so many are feeling, and be an advocate for change.