Consequences

So much to think about these days. Changing seasons, odd weather, changing climate. Future sources of energy (not oil!), domestic violence shifts, international violence, and unrest among religious minorities and still more topics to ponder. But here is a series of thoughts that oddly fit together. All of these are taken from the internet. They keep us wondering and thinking…

Please read them all through to see what I mean. This is not political, but then again it is. Try to ignore that and focus on the core ideas expressed here:

First is a quote from Andrew Sullivan:

“There’s effectively no Republican Party anymore. There is a radical movement to destroy the modern American state and eviscerate its institutions in favor of restoring a mythical, Elysian, majority-white, 19^th century past.”

In policy matters this controlling party in the U.S. House of Representatives and a controlling minority in the U. S. Senate appears to want to gut all government programs except the Department of Defense. That would leave a government only concerned in military matters and a very precarious foreign affairs arena destined to use the military power.

As Alan Grayson (Democrat Florida Congressman) has said:

“We have to get past this bizarre notion that every time there’s something in the world we don’t like, we bomb it.”

That is an overstatement but it illustrates the danger of being only concerned with military issues and then applying it to foreign affairs because you are effectively ignoring all other matters – public education, public health and welfare, public transportation, environmental issues, etc.

And if you need more ammunition for this, just look at what John McCain has said in the past 18 months:

            2013: “We must arm ISIS to defeat Assad (Syria).

            2014: “We must help Assad defeat ISIS.”

Which should we be focusing on, John? Syria or ISIS? Or your re-election, or your presidential aspirations? What drives you to open your mouth in public, John?

I may be wrong about this, but I think we Americans need to focus on what makes us human and get better at managing those issues. Lots of problems, lots of solutions, much to be grateful for, much work yet to do.

The largest task is healing from all the hurts we have suffered – real or imagined! Shifting outside of ourselves toward the needs of others is a good start. And then forgiving and ridding ourselves of resentments.

An old American Indian idea freely interpreted states the following:

“Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives.” – Author Unknown

Wounded yes. But no longer letting it control our lives. A good thought to remember as we move forward doing the best we can with what we have.

Increasingly it is more valuable and potent! Just think of the positive consequences of that!

September 9, 2014