Courage

In Europe and America they came for the Communists
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Roma,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Roma.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the Negros,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Negro.
Then they came for the Asians
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't an Asian.
Then they came for the Arabs & the Muslims,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't an Arab or a Muslim.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't in a union.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant
Then they came for the asylum-seekers,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't an asylum-seeker.
Then they came for me,
and by that time no one was left to speak up.
-Pastor Martin Niemoller

Courage means many things to many people. Some people don't even have their own definition of courage; they just relate it to acts done by others. We don't like to feel uncomfortable; and to me, that's the only time you can exercise your own courage. You can't truly be comfortable without the affects of courage, either your own or someone else's. Courage comes BEFORE comfort. It's not easy by any means. That's why so many around the world live oppressed. Even though their lives are horribly uncomfortable, it's easier to remain as they are than to build up the courage to incite change. And as hard as that may be to comprehend for Americans, it may be THEIR best choice. But it's not for us! Others may know nothing else, even outside of their situation. May it be their government, social structure, economy, natural resources, or any other of countless perceptions/realities that keep them "in their place." And I can understand THAT. But I cannot understand how people (especially Americans) can idly stand by while everything they claim to love and hold so dear quietly diminishes.

I've used the term APATHY more in the last six months than I have the other 32.5 years of my existence here on earth. And I'm not using it just because I learned a new word. It's true. AMERICANS DO NOT CARE! At least not enough do. I believe the MAJORITY are so used to depending on "someone else" to fight for them, to stand up for them, to exercise THEIR Constitutional responsibilities for them, (and the list goes on and on), that they now believe that this is THE WAY. IT'S NOT! We, as a culture, love to point the finger, so we don't have to be held accountable for OUR actions (or more times than not our INACTIONS.) This mindset of "one person can't make a difference" is COMPLETELY untrue and is a result of brainwashing. For people as a whole to accomplish anything, it starts with the individual. It's rather simple. But unfortunately, not as simple as our current mindset of sitting on the couch, complaining and watching brain-mushing reality TV. THINK! It's what separates you from your family DOG!



Whew...not that I got that out...from where did it come? Amongst all the other issues causing my frustration, these two stories really sent me over the edge this week. Firstly, my ex-governor and Secretary (CEO) of Homeland Security (Inc.) admitted to falsely elevating the terrorist threat levels. This is abuse of this system for political gain. For those like me who never paid any attention to this system, it may not seem like that big of a deal. But I am amongst a very small (but growing) minority. And to those who may not be as "informed" as I, this will make them grab their water and duct tape and await the president's instructions. And (very) coincidentally it happens around election time.

Secondly, former US Surgeon General Richard Carmona admits to being censored by the administration. Absolutely disgusting! And if burying ANYTHING to do with science isn't bad enough, he was also told to include the president's name THREE TIMES ON EACH PAGE on any report he was able to complete. What! How arrogant! Remind you of anyone?
And the icing on the cake was that Carmona was forbidden to attend the Special Olympics because of the affiliation with the Kennedy's. And they didn't want to support that.



It's TIME! Everyone needs to take personal responsibility. Hold yourself accountable first. Then, do your part to inform those that have fallen VICTIM to the propaganda. And yes, it is PROPAGANDA! That is not a Nazi term. Although they used it to perfection, they didn't invent it. And it's not just posters anymore. TV is 98% propaganda. Don't be foolish. The marketing and public relation firms are now nothing but psychologists holding the carrot in front of the ASS (or horse if you prefer.)

The election will be here in no time, and the spin-meisters are gearing up to scare the HELL out of the uninformed. We've seen what happens when we sit back and HOPE our government will act with integrity. Bury your doubts and prepare to fight for what you believe in. Know what you believe in! It will take COURAGE, but you are not alone.

P.L.U.R,
zAy

Troops are Human

In the wake of yet another POLITICS BEFORE PEOPLE decision by those that "represent" us, I wanted to point out what a lot of people don't seem to understand. The term "troop(s)" is used so often that it gets lost in translation that these are actually PEOPLE. They're not (yet) disposable robots built by the DoD, or even HELLiburton for that matter. They're your family, friends, and neighbors. And the decision of the REPUBLICANS to deny the people of the Armed Forces satisfactory R & R is absolutely DISGUSTING! It's inhumane and borders on slavery. How can this be anything other than partisan politics? Republicans = pro-war; Democrats = anti-war. The details of any of the issues seem to be irrelevant. This is an outrage. How can you vote in good conscience against giving a human being ample time to recover from being in a war zone? At the same time, tours have been extended without any outcry.

Is it that Republicans are not of the same species as non-republicans? I can't fathom how you can live with yourself while treating these people like puppets. If you're not upset at the how the troops are being USED, you must either be rich enough where you're confident enough that the military will NEVER be an option for anyone in your immediate circle, or you base your beliefs on what is fed to you through TV. For those with the untouchable status, please step out of your bubble and take a look around. Although, you will never go to the "southside of town," it's still a part of your city and country. And the fears you have about that side of town is a direct result of you segregating yourself from it. Why not contribute to society, so everyone can share your status? Wouldn't it be a much more civil society? Nobody wins when you sin.

And for the TV-educated crowd, pick up a book...PLEASE! America is not accurately portrayed through your propaganda box. For example, US soldiers, marines, sailors, and airmen are dying EVERYDAY. And when was the last time you've seen the caskets coming home? The closest you get is the occasional story about how they do not show them on TV. Just a coincidence? NO! These images of our dying servicemen and women are intentionally kept out of your sight to keep you in line. If you saw the reality of the situation, you wouldn't stand for it. A majority use the fact that we lost 3,000+ people on 9-11 as justification to "stay the course." Well, guess what...the number of military personnel KILLED has reached, if not exceeded, this number. Is that the REVENGE you were hoping for?

And when the TROOPS are not being completely ignored, they're used as tools to support the cause (whatever that may be.) For those with a short memory, remember our beloved (for the moment) montaineer, Jessica Lynch? Or what about the blatant cover up of the death of ex-NFL player, Pat Tillman? They might as well have spit on his grave! We all witnessed how the Democrats were attacked for not supporting the troops during the debate of whether to vote on the latest defense bill when the exact opposite was true. Supporting the troops is getting them out of harm's way. Why is that so hard to comprehend? "SUPPORTING THE TROOPS" is political rhetoric!And another insult to our intelligence is the NEED for debate on whether to LOWER THE FLAGS ON FEDERAL BUILDINGS to honor the ultimate sacrifices made by the citizens of the US, who decided to serve in the military. The fact that there were objections to observing the deaths of people who GAVE THEIR LIVES defending the right to that objection is a total lack of respect. And in my opinion, a flagrant attempt to cover up the very fact of these deaths. The morals I thought our country were built upon are apparently doublespeak.

Please enlighten me how this is supporting the troops...

Back in 2000, when I was still in the Air Force, a new COMBAT PAY was authorized as a result of continuous long deployments. At the time, it seemed like a move in the right direction to increase pay levels to a point where the military was on level ground with their civilian equivalents. But, of course, there was a loophole authorizing the president to suspend such pay if needed due to NATIONAL SECURITY. And as you might have guessed, shortly after 9-11-2001, it was suspended for the duration of the WAR ON TERROR. ONE STEP FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACK!

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE...don't feed into this manipulation of the (mis)use of the military, the media, and to a large extent our public school system...

"In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." ~ Mark Twain

P.L.U.R.,
zAy