Monday, 07 April 2008

  • Currently Listening
    The Execution of All Things
    By Rilo Kiley
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    Today was one of the best days I've had in a long time.

    Everything about today was beautiful, well, except for the fact that I had to work at Taco Bell, and thus, missed out on a chance to go to a parking-lot carnival.

    Everything else was swell though.

    Good people, good church, good weather. I saw God moving today, and it was clear, effortless, like a crisp breeze. Things just seemed to click into place.

    I don't know what I'm going to do with my life right now. There are the things that I want to do, and the things that I can only dream about now.

    Like joining the Peace Corps or going on a long-term missions trip or signing up with Worldvision and going wherever they send me.

    Part of me wants to escape so far into a dark corner of the world so devoid of Western Culture that the locals don't bother to learn english.

    You're only 20 once, right?

    Life is for living.



    Why? Why? Why?

    I've been questioning a lot lately.

    Why the War? It's been 5 years? Wasn't this the war that was initially billed as an "economy booster"? I think I remember that term being thrown around a lot when this whole quagmire started. That's a hell of a reason for starting a war, isn't it? Is the loss of life (friend or enemy) worth having a gallon of gas that's a nickel or two cheaper? What about a dollar?
    Now, I'm all for offing oppressive dictators, but if you look back at our history, you'd find we've put more evil dictators in power than we've taken out. It's true. Look up anything concerning the political coups in South America during the Cold War.
    And this is all just some pointless rant with nothing more to illustrate other than the fact that I'm sick of the war -- and the opinionated pricks like me who keep ranting about it.

    I just find the fact that the world is suffering, even within our own country, and we have the means to put an end to it, or at least soothe some of the pain, but instead, we'd rather invest in newer and more efficient methods of slaughter.

    O, Glorious War Machines, in you, we place our trust.

    One nation under Idealistic, Cowboy rhetoric.

    What I'm getting at, essentially, is the fact that there are widows and orphans (in the truest sense of the word) living in their cars (if they're that lucky) while Uncle Sam is shelling out a Trillion on some crusade to prove to the rest of the world that we're still the biggest kid in the schoolyard.

    How's that panning out for us?

    Let me pose this: What if a nation chose to define itself not by its military might or fruitful economy, but rather, by its charity?

    What would the world look like? Better? Worse?

    But, of course, I could be a dreamer with my feet just a little too far off the ground, and nothing more.

    Probably.


    Cheers,

    [Imagine all the people sharing all the world.]

Comments (7)

  • adifferentkindofbeautiful

    Don't you have to go to college to go into the peace corps? 
  • adifferentkindofbeautiful

    I mean, graduate college
  • dmpkce

    It was great seeing you last weekend.  Love your post.  You are expressing what many are feeling including myself. 

  • bassguy52

    Yeah, I'm not sure of the exact requirements for admittance into the peace corps. I mean, I have an Associate's degree, but that probably isn't going to cut it.

    I plan on attaining a bachelor's, I just don't knew when that's happening yet.A loser? Me?bollocks.

    @adifferentkindofbeautiful - 
  • mcbaj89

    What's the rumor I hear...you are running for president?  Great Thoughts Stephen. 

  • strongandmanly
    Stephen, glad you had a good day.   Iraq War   First off, the US shouldn’t be in Iraq in the first place; it is contrary to the Constitution and basic fundamental principles of the Republic. The idea that because Saddam was a potential threat is rather impractical, after all North Korea and China are big potential threats, along with England and everybody else in the world. Why haven’t we attacked them?  You are so right the US wouldn’t be policing the world and meddling with the governments of other countries. The current regime in Iran was set up with the help of the US government. But as to if we should stay or leave Iraq is a question that puts America between a rock and hard place; if she stays, she will bleed to death both economically and militarily; if she leaves, she tarnishes her honor, breaks a promise, and there will probably be Cambodian killing fields part 2. I for one believe that any able-bodied man old enough to be in the military but is not, has no morel right to have an opinion about staying or leaving; it’s easy for me to say leave, it won’t be my blood and sweat being wasted, it’s also easy for me to say stay in Iraq, I’m not getting sand in my eyes and bullets in my back ( I wish my Republican friends would either stop using the war as a political thing, or else join the army and stop sacrificing young single mothers and 30-odd year old family to their party’s cause). I have no ideas on staying or leaving.   A country known for its giving.   Studies have shown that American people are the biggest givers to charity in the world and have given greatly toward world-wide disaster relief.  President Bush (I don’t care for him all that much, but he still holds office and deserves respect) has given billions to disaster relief around the world and fighting AIDs in Africa. Now I believe that the US government giving money away only deepens the national debt and increase the tax burden on the American working classes. I believe that if the government cut taxes and programs, such as the Department of Agriculture, the American people would have more money and more freedom to give it to charity.       To my friends on the “Right” who complain about not enough government control over morality, I say “What are you doing about morality in America today? Or you going and teaching those sinners about the love and power of the Gospel that can make them change, like Jesus commanded and did?” and to my friends on the “Left” who complain about the government not doing enough about poverty I say, “How much of your own money have you given to help the poor? Or you selling what you own, denying yourself many things, and using that money to clothe, feed, and shelter the needy, like Jesus commanded and did?” What Americans and, above all, Christians must realize is that there are many things that are our responsibility, not the government’s, and if we not doing any thing about it, we should stop heckling the government.     Grace, Peace, Love, and Truth,   Charlie P. S. Don’t mock cowboys, they’re my heroes! 3:10 to Yuma rocks!
  • bassguy52

    @strongandmanly - First off, sorry, I didn't mean to mock cowboys, a part of me regards them as heroes as well. Secondly, great feedback. I wish everyone responded to my posts that way.

    As with everything in life, I realize that the Iraq issue is double-sided with its own set of pros and cons that should be properly taken into account and not simply disregarded as a way of strengthening one's point. Granted, my expressed opinions were a bit biased, but I was hoping to stir up something in my readers (and it looks like I did).

    Also, I'd like you to know that I do read all your posts and I'm really proud of you for pursuing missions in the way that you have. Lately, it feels as if God is leading me in this direction as well. I don't know what will happen, I can only trust Him.

    And, while I don't always agree with your opinions, I respect them and the fact that you have facts and reasons to support your opinions rather than spouting-off whatever you feel.

    It's nice to hear from you. We've certainly led very different lives, but I'd still count you as a friend.

    cheers,

    Stephen Pell

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