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

Challenge of Change (1)

With the extended 4th of July we had this year completely behind us, I hope it gave everyone a chance to really think about the meaning of the holiday and compare it to how we're currently honoring this very important day. I'm not speaking about sparklers, bottle rockets, and bbq's either. And I've come to the conclusion that I will no longer use the term "4th of July" when referencing Independence Day. To me, the term "4th of July" fits right into our current culture of entertainment and anti-substance. Ask your friends and family what they think about when they hear the term. PARTY TIME! Another reason to drink alcohol, eat food that's terrible for us, and blindly celebrate our independence. I'd be willing to bet that a lot of folks don't even know they are the same holiday.

Now that I got that out of my system, I'd like to share a conversation I had with someone this past weekend that really opened my eyes to the challenge I (and you) face. I went to my mom's house this weekend for a cookout and got to talking about Bush, voting, etc., etc. with her fiancee. Fortunately, he's not a Neo-Con or anything like that. As most of us know, that's a completely different discussion (that usually goes nowhere.) He is anti-Bush, a veteran, and has NEVER voted. We started discussing the Day of Action rally I went to and what it was all about. He agreed that it was a good thing to do and that he understood why I would do such a thing. But then he goes on to say that even though it was a good thing, it doesn't really make that big of a difference. ALL POLITICIANS ARE THE SAME. That's why he never voted. And of course I couldn't let that one go by unmolested. I don't want to bore you with the bantering back and forth, but I do want to let you know where I had the most problems trying to CHANGE (not the person, but) the thought process.

A COUPLE POINTS I TRIED TO GET THROUGH TO HIM:

1) We rarely get greater than 55% voter turnout.

2) If you're dissatisfied by what you see, how can you expect it to change, without YOU changing?

3) You have a RESPONSIBILITY to participate in government

4) Freedom is not guaranteed; and it should not be taken for granted.

5) Local government is as important, if not more, as Federal.



The difficulty of change is no secret. People naturally gravitate into their "comfort zones," and hope against change. Everything from an increase to the (former) PA Occupational Privilege Tax to a player from your favorite team going elsewhere, it's difficult to accept. Through time and understanding, we realize that this is the new reality that must be accepted. I feel we're at the point of making our own change. And with that, will come the challenge of those in their comfort zones to realize the new reality. The new reality will be here soon enough; we have to accept the responsibility to be a part (not apart) of this change.

I'm confident that all who want to be a part of this change are going to have to be very persistent towards those who do not care. And the above issues I ran into will be pretty consistent across the board. The following is some guidance for your future encounters, and I welcome your contributions.

1) Imagine if everyone that shares your views, and disgust, with the current state of the Democratic process voted. The majority of people that vote are seniors. We need to take a page from their book. They've lived through what we are living through now, and they vote in larger numbers with more efficiency than the younger demographics.

2) If you're dissatisfied with the results of what you have done, and are currently doing, isn't it logical that you must make adjustments? You cannot consistently mix a chocolate cake and expect vanilla. Adapt-it's a primary human trait.

3) You can't have it both ways (anymore). You can no longer say you love America because of its Constitutional freedoms, and ignore what the document says about protecting them.

4) We are losing more and more freedoms everyday. See the Patriot Act, Military Commissions Act, Net Neutrality, Mandatory Psychiatric Evaluations of children, The stripping of Habeas Corpus, Torture, Intolerance of minorities, etc., etc.

5) See my previous blog, WHO REPRESENTS YOU?

This is, if nothing else, a starting point. Hopefully, it can be used as a forum to reference in the future. We all need to be educated and PREPARED when trying to explain to people the importance of OUR TIME and the responsibilities OUR GENERATION are accepting. Change is imminent; let's be a part of it before we have no choice at all. By taking action NOW, which consists mainly of informing people and waking them up to the way of the new century.

Imagine if 18-24 year-olds were aware of the power they have instead of being sidetracked by the entertainment industry. It won't be easy, but nothing worth a damn ever is.





P.L.U.R.,
zAy