What’s it good for?

I usually leave the gloom and doom for Cheesespread, but I have heard so much lately about war, mandatory smallpox vaccinations and other rumors of the “evil empire” that I can’t get it out of my head. I think the greatest hurdle to escaping what many consider to be an inevitable clash of world powers is the fact that we have sold ourselves short on what it means to be human. Within our own community it is apparent to me that we come together only in times of crisis, and therein lies the rub. How can we expect to achieve any unity to effect any change if the only time we stand side by side is when the poop has already hit the fan?

Oftentimes the greatest contribution to overcoming the greed of war that I hear locals say is, “Think good thoughts.” While noble in sentiment, this really isn’t enough. Now is the time for action. Be bold enough to discuss the possibilities of a future without war with strangers. Invite friends to come together for a purpose, rather than for a bland night of oneupmanship. Take the true test and dive within yourself, past the superficial realm of “good thoughts,” and try to get to the heart of the matter. For it is fundamental change that will mandate a society moving away from war, not a simple repeated axiom.

When you get past the inclination to bomb each other to pieces and reach a higher ground, it becomes obvious that we are on this earth only to amuse and learn from each other. What is it you can do that contributes in a constructive way to the community in which you live? In what way do you truly make the town you live in a better place? Look inside and find your “special talent,” and be brave enough to make it shine. How can we ever expect to grow as a society if we live in fear of ourselves?

In 1992 and 1997, I printed a headline in a paper that said, "War in Iraq by X-Mas." What is it we are trying to achieve with this action that we have repeated it over and over again? One must look at the fact that Rome took over Palestine 60 years before the birth of Christ. We are engaged in a struggle that has lasted over 2,000 years. If you cannot figure a way out of this, then who can?