…from my mind. How can it be when our nation is waging two of them simultaneously with who-knows-what in store for the future?
Yeah, I heard Obama was buddying up with Hugo Chavez and that people are up in arms about it. Had to listen to room full of Democrats tonight giggle about how it must be driving the Republicans nuts. Bless their well-intending hearts, but that’s annoying. Didn’t like listening to it coming from the other way, so there’s no need for a repeat in smarminess. Personally, I’m reserving judgment on the Chavez/Obama matter until things unfold and there’s more to go on.
Sunday, a speaker presented a slideshow of his recent trip to Iran and it was mildly shocking to see a woman with a nose like my own. Just interesting was all. Her eyes were lighter and prettier. It’s not that often I see photos of Arab women smiling – just not normally included in my typical reading material. The event was put on by a Catholic anti-war organization inside a Protestant church, signifying people of all stripes were welcome to listen about the speaker’s trip to Iran and see photos illustrating our similarities as people. It didn’t go deep, but it doesn’t have to – our current wars cut deep enough to set the imagination wandering.
I keep wondering why we never hear anything about Saudi Arabia anymore in the news. Been wondering this for many months. It’s like they’re completely silent after hearing plenty about them in the ’80s and ’90s. I don’t know much about that country, despite my ethnicity, and wonder if the people are in agreement with the Royal Family? ‘Cuz it definitely appears corrupt (is there anyone tied in with the Bush family that isn’t?).
Some nights I watch disturbing war documentaries to gain a sense of sympathy/empathy, particularly those about veterans and the devastation left in war’s wake; other nights I listen to Democracy NOW! to learn what’s going on currently, though admittedly it’s not as frequent as it ought to and will be. Keeping abreast of what’s going on will matter more as my involvement in this peace organization increases since they ask me to help with events.
Just so it’s known, it trips my mind a bit to come into close quarters regularly with such a wide variety of ethnicities, particularly Middle Easterners whom I otherwise might not have the opportunity to mingle with. They all hold intrigue for me, especially the women. I don’t know any of them well and try to stay quietly to myself as much as possible, but I watch innocently, inquisitively. The few I do come into contact with since this is, after all, the Midwest, but it’s a definite perk to belonging to this organization where I can learn about these cultures. It helps demystify them even if projected through a “liberal” lens.
I volunteer with them because their hearts appear solidly in the right place, despite whatever differences we may have in philosophies. I never claimed to be a pacifist myself but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to be lent a hand for a good cause. It cheers me to be in their optimistic company. They are very kind people.
Of course it takes kind people to devote hours of their lives volunteering for a seemingly unpopular cause. My aim is to listen and learn from people who never sold out their beliefs and continue to stand up for justice.
But is it wrong to admit that the efforts appear meek in light of our great problems? Not that they’re irrelevant, mind you. Perhaps it’s a testament to the fable of David and Goliath and how enormity isn’t everything. Only time will tell…
Everywhere I turn there’s a mention of Israel doing something sinister, to the point where the headlines have all started running together and looking like repeats. Did I read something about Obama pondering reducing their arms funding? Bah. Will believe it when I see it.
Books recommended tonight were:
- Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo (yes, I’ve read the reviews and am aware Trumbo was a communist)
- War Is a Force that Gives Us Meaning by Chris Hedges (investigating the “myth of war”)
- Blood Makes the Grass Grow Green: A Year in the Desert with Team America by Johnny Rico (raw recounting of his experiences as a stop-loss veteran of the war in Afghanistan)
- Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent by Eduardo Galeano (the famed book given by Chavez to Obama, said to be very good)
Not sure which ones I’ll order first.
Can’t think of a more depressing topic than war but how do we ignore the reality it’s creating for soldiers, civilians, and the world as a whole? Seems disrespectful (not to mention stupid) to sleep on such an important period in human history having the potential to radically alter life as we know it if tensions continue escalating. Still I feel helpless and emotionally-drained from staring at it all day in and day out, unable to stop it, unable to escape it. Can’t claim to give a damn about our troops and veterans if unwilling to learn of their perspectives and experiences.
I aim to be more involved with protesting from here on out now that the organization has me partaking on a planning committee. Their guidance is needed to learn about effective demonstrating since anything beyond contacting my Congressmen is new to me.
Living and learning…
Newsvine
wakemenow said
Ordered “Blood Makes the Grass Grow Green” and “War Is a Force that Gives Us Meaning” from half.com a few minutes ago, adding to my mountain of must-read books.
wakemenow said
Watched the movie for “Johnny Got His Gun.” Morbid but completely worthwhile older film.