Then I hit the mute button..

Six years ago this month I wrote the following article. For some reason, I ran across it this morning and realized I needed to say these things again. Not so much for my readers as for myself. In this post I state truths that I believe, but have not been practicing in recent times. I have "strayed from the path" so to speak. 

So many of the events taking place when I first posted this are occurring again today -- with additional people involved in them. Good news is that Bill Gates and Warren Buffett and their philanthropic organization The Giving Pledge are flourishing. The number of billionaires who have pledged to give half of their worth to charitable causes to improve the world has grown. If one looks at all the good that they and others like them working on behalf of the betterment of our world, their accomplishments far outweigh the actions of those we hear about in the media trying to promote the negative and hate that seems to run rampant in today's politics.

I am continuing my efforts to refrain from listening to and reading the worst of the news. It is difficult to catch what little news that does not cover the election campaigns or the atrocities of war taking place. I'll keep trying. But then I think of "nonresistance". I feel that sometimes I'm "damned if I do and damned if I don't". When I hear something now that raises my hackles or strikes fear in my heart, I try to let it just run off me like water off a duck's back. My version of nonresistance. Then I hit the mute button.

"..I'LL DEFEND TO THE DEATH.."

Lest some of you think from reading my last blog entry that I condone censorship, I must fall back on my French ancestry by quoting the famed philosopher/writer, Voltaire: "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."

(Photo of First Amendment [free speech] Zone at 2004 Democratic National Convention)

I was half-joking when I remarked that Warren Buffett and Bill Gates would be doing us all a favor by paying some of the more obnoxious people who's voices are so strident in the land today to "stay home and shut up." Of course, they have a right to speak their minds.. even when they are spouting lies and half truths, and even when they are advocating violence, as some do. If I truly supported censorship, I would not have suggested they "pay them"!

In light of this, I'd like to state that I am sorry if I offended any of my readers of this blog. I did not start this blog to be a forum for dissension or political debate. If some of my words create a need for such, I suggest these debates take place in a different forum, such as Facebook or one of the many political blogs already doing so. Or... you may start your own blog. I am happy to print your comments, but I will not be dragged into a heated discussion on issues that are important to each of us. My own opinions, as I am sure yours have as well, have been formed over many, many years of study, observation, and personal experiences.

I have suffered many experiences that would cause most people to view the government, law enforcement, and the "establishment" in general with much suspicion and indeed, fear, as so many seem to be doing today. I choose not to live my life in fear. I choose not to believe the "voices of doom" or the conspiracy theories so loudly proclaimed in our land. I choose not to believe President Obama or the current administration - whom I proudly voted for - have anything but the best interests of this country at heart. I choose not to view with suspicion people of color who may or may not be in this country legally. I choose not to believe that people of a different faith than mine are somehow unacceptable anywhere in this country.

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"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." Sinclair Lewis, 1935
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I choose not to believe that rallies that are prone to incite violence and promote dissension are the way to solve the enormous problems we face in our country. The voting booth is my preferred way, and words spoken in an honest, calm, and deliberate way by me as well as the candidates I support.

I choose to believe in the edict issued by some religions to practice "nonresistance". What we resist, we do maintain. That is often very difficult to practice, especially in today's world. Carrying signs proclaiming the power of love is very different from those proclaiming anger, hate, and ignorance. As Mother Teresa said, "Let me know when you give a march for peace." Do not ask me to support a march to "take back our country", especially when many of those making these statements vow to "carry a gun"..and some blatantly do so.

I suggest that many of those would do better by arming themselves with facts and the truth of the issues they think they are supporting.

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Enough of that. I had a delightful visit yesterday with my "boys". We ate a huge "brunch", then - even with full stomachs - they decided to play golf anyway. Craig later returned and told me that they had a really "fun" game, putting aside their initial competitiveness about half-way through the 18 holes, and just plain old enjoying themselves. I wish I had been on the golf course to photograph them, but I located an older photo of another time they played golf. I might add that Matthew does not wear a beard now. (I don't think!) Craig, however, still does.

I am indeed a proud mom. We had some really good discussions, and I have great hope for the future of both of my sons. They are both intelligent, warm, loving human beings, who are raising children to be the same.

I love you guys,
Mom (Marilyn)