Imagine ALL the people... living for TODAY

I hate war. I hate aggression. I hate thinking that there are people in need who cannot by any means fulfill those needs on their own. Would that I could do something that might make their lives better. If I could, I would. I've tried, in my own small way. All I can do is contribute money that isn't necessary for my daily needs. What can I do that I have not already done? I donate more to charity than "good christians" tithe. What has my contribution amounted to? How is it that my donations are not making a difference?

The world is in turmoil. Millions of people go to bed hungry, thirsty, and without much hope in their minds REGARDLESS of what I myself have contributed in an effort to end their suffering. No matter my contribution, they go to bed needy and worrying about what tomorrow might bring. How can I put an end to this? What can I do that might make their day a little better? Have I gone wrong somewhere? Have I given my extra money to the WRONG entity? How can I help?

I'm a veteran. I USED to be proud of that fact. I've been to places where American military men and women practice for war. I've seen bombs hit targets dead center, and I've seen machine guns obliterate moving targets. I've been a cheerleader, and in a way that makes me a facilitator. How can I apologize for that? How can I make up for things that have been done in an effort to keep me safe when I wasn't in jeopardy in the first place?

I am absolutely at a loss for the first time in my life. Suddenly I've been thinking about what's right and what's wrong. My life up until recently has been about ME. In December, my daughter came out to me and told me she was gay. FUCKING WOW. Has anyone here had their world-view changed in a single day? Since that time, I've evaluated many of my views about what is right and wrong, and boy, was I FUCKING WRONG about most of the things I believed in.

Bring the troops home. Bring them home NOW. Bring them home from wherever they've been stationed in foreign countries. Bring them all home. ALL OF THEM. Bring them home NOW. Don't put them out on the street after discharging them from their military duty. Employ them as civil servants to fix what's wrong with the country's infrastructure. Employ them as teachers. Employ them as firefighters. Employ them as facilitators of goodwill amongst the different races, ethnicities, and religions this wonderful country is home to.

I've been blind for so long... Who do I apologize to? How do I make this right?

Epiphany. I've had it. I hate it. I've been bad for so long. Who do I apologize to?

Where do I go from here?

are you a former right-winger?

to jeebus.

At least in America one has somewhat of a choice as to how one deals with such issues.

on entering a village our "partners" had "pacified" a few days before. Flies buzzed. The air was ripe with aromas I care not to recall.

That afternoon cost me thousands of dollars in therapy over subsequent years. PM me if you need to talk to someone who knows EXACTLY what you are feeling.

Trav