random spout

This picture is directly from Iraq. It epitomizes the sadness and devastation caused by an unnecessary war. No one should have to live their lives dodging bullets and no child, no matter who they are, should have their innocence shattered by violence and war. It is inhumane. When I first started this blog, I thought it would go over well if no one knew if I was a woman or a man but you know, women in the 60's fought hard so that I could have a voice so ... I won't be hiding behind an identity anymore. I am a woman. A woman who believes that speaking her mind is the only way to be true to myself. A woman that was raised knowing that this world can be beautiful but there are a hell of a lot of wrinkles to work out. Out present state of government is a prime example of just how blistered our country has become. We were once a country that fought for freedom of speech (mind you, this was a right our Forefathers gave to us and somehow along the way, President's saw fit to strip us of that right), the right to a peaceful assembly (though no one would know that now the way rubber bullets fly out to an nonthreatening group of protesters), the right to believe any religion we want (even if that means we don't buy into the Evangelical Christian movements our current President pushes [which I hope people are smarter than that] ... and if he was so worthy of being a good "Christian", his tired, hypocritical self would realize Jesus, should he be here, would scoff at him and his intolerance. Hopefully, God might come down and actually give him a swift kick in the ass for all of the hatred and violence he and Daddy have spread throughout the land). We were a solid, admirable country and now, thanks to the current Administration (and the fact that the Bush family has been in the White House for over 20 years) we are now in a very volatile state. We look unstable to the rest of the world. We look cocky and unfit to lead as an example of Democracy ... I can't say that opinion of us is too far off. We have one year left with Bush and how I hope that their reign is over for good. Somehow, they should have to make a public apology to the world for all of the negativity they've propagated. It's a shame that power leads to such irresponsibility. Our own government has run this country by fear (raising terror alerts, continually filling our minds with news that al-Queda is out to destroy us all, using terms like "axis of evil"). As a result we're not all that different from Cuba or North Korea. The reality is, our government, at least the one in power now, doesn't like us to speak our minds, to question their decisions. They want compliant little obedient sheep and I for one am not here to follow their lead. On the contrary. This is our life - our chance to enjoy each moment, to take chances, to use our voice. I encourage you to do just that. Use your voice, see the world, enjoy each moment because no one else can live your life for you. Fear is a crutch; a soul-rotting idea that causes you to live life just barely living. Don't buy into the fear. Buy into hope ... Without it, we've lost everything we stand for.