It is a question I am asking myself. As I type these words the 2012 presidential election approaches and I thought to myself, if I supported Obama would the lies out of the administration cause me to change horses. I might stay home, but I wouldn’t switch to the other guy. What about you guys?
Are there beliefs that we hold onto so strongly that we are willing to suffer a few dings in our own character if we believe it is for a greater good? What are we willing to compromise on and what are we not willing to compromise on? What standard do we hold others to and is it the same standard we hold ourselves to?
I am also thinking about the price I am willing to allow others to pay for my beliefs. I’m thinking about the Middle-East. It’s so complicated. I don’t want US troops over there, but I can’t help but think about that little girl who was shot in the head for wanting girls to get an education. What would I be willing to do myself? What am I willing to say that a US soldier should be willing to do? You always hear the term “American Interests” bandied about. What exactly are the “American Interests” in the Middle-East? As far as I can tell it is oil and American Interests really means the private interests of oil companies. Maybe some of you can give me your take on this. If I had my “shoulds” I’d say that freedom is a worthwhile idea to foster, but can we really do that at the point of a gun? Ideas are more powerful than bullets – unless of course you are the one getting the bullet. I just don’t know. Brutality and cruelty are pretty powerful too. In the end though, I’d have to give the edge to ideas. How many innocents have to die in the interim, though. These are just some thoughts swirling around in my head this morning.
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.
— Gandalf, J.R.R. Tolkien
I’m Alright
Life Less Ordinary
