Rich Israel
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Youth to the Rescue

3/27/2018

6 Comments

 
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Heartache  |  Anger  |  Pride  |  Inspiration
​ Hope 
|  Déjà Vu  |  Gratitude

These are some of the feelings I’ve experienced recently:

Heartache that another senseless mass shooting has taken place while our legislators continue to stand by and do nothing.
 
Anger that again and again we hear sympathies from our congressmen rather than action to curb the violence.
 
Pride for our brave, young survivors for rising from the ashes of tragedy and channeling their grief and anger into powerful and positive action.
 
Inspiration from our brilliant, courageous youth, who have so eloquently challenged our political leaders, proclaiming they will not be denied the safety they deserve. These kids are holding the legislators hands to the fire, making small dents in the fabric of today’s politics. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
 
Hope that at last the large population of decent citizens is beginning to wake from their slumber and demand that change happen. And that gun violence is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the issues that desperately need to be addressed.
 
Déjà vu as today’s events mirror my own experiences from the ’60s, causing me to relive Vietnam era anger, hopes, fears, and doubts, all expressed in my writings. I’ve found myself again observing how exposure to ongoing injustice takes us as a people to a boiling point—forcing us to demand change.

During the ’60s, we marched to the battle cry of “Make love not war!” Today we find ourselves rallying behind the slogan “Enough is enough!”  
 
Gratitude that never before has greed, narcissism, prejudice, pettiness, homophobia, and misogyny practiced by many of our top legislators been so transparent—not to mention a disturbing disregard for the environment. There has always been corruption at the upper levels of government, but I’m appalled at how shamelessly widespread it is with our current lawmakers.

This makes it all the more difficult for those of us who value honesty, integrity, freedom, and equality to ignore the daily affronts to these treasured attributes. After all, aren’t these the cornerstones of our democracy?  

Here’s hoping that today's unrest is the kindling for positive change.
6 Comments
Randy link
3/28/2018 02:58:30 pm

Enjoyed your blog. I support the teens whole heartedly and in action when called upon. Feet on the ground

Reply
Rich
3/28/2018 05:32:26 pm

Thanks Randy!

Reply
Jim
3/28/2018 04:09:08 pm

I have adapted two political stances on the gun issue:
~'Thoughts and Prayers' for politicians, but not my vote until they commit and campaign on meaningful gun control.
~Repeal and replace the Second Amendment.

Reply
Rich
3/28/2018 05:33:21 pm

Sounds reasonable.

Reply
C. Michael
3/29/2018 12:26:48 am

Hey Rich!

I'm really glad I live where and the way I do. I live in the center of 20 odd acres of land, only one way in. Tho due to my reputation around here I very rarely have to deal with intruders. Of course I have to leave to go to the village to get grub and all, that's not so bad. Unfortunately, I can't keep the Internet out and have to go to the city fairly often to the VA. Fortunately that is located on the very edge of town and due to what is now mostly a freeway I can sneak in and out of w/o too much trouble tho a trip to town is always an all day sucker and my ptsd kicks my ass. I have had to distance myself from family and worse, my friends. My mind screams as I try to control myself. Want to take one of those 'non-assault' AR- 15s and deliver the 2nd amendment to every one of those bible beating bastards right between their eyes. Not to mention, literally all those members of 'our' gov't., idiots who haven't wakened up yet and are sincere about their misguided beliefs about guns in this country. Civilians shooting civilians, i.e. all the mass shootings too numerous to mention etc. et al. The people supporting the 16 yr. war in A-Stan which is a mass shooting too. I rant here on the 'puter and my remarks are censored over 70% of the time (which just blows me away...who are those guys that do the censoring?)

I could never be the peace love dove person you are and I admire you so but...there does come a time when a person has to take a stand. I felt it in the 60s and feel it stronger today. You can't get rid of rats by live trapping them and letting them go into the wilderness. Sometimes you just got to shoot them. And rats can wear many masks but you still need to see who they are under that mass and shoot them for the evil (a word I very rarely use but have come to believe exists) that they are. We had to do that once, then settle that 'once' again tho it never really settled like as in 'the south'. I did not believe in the 60s that there was a peaceful way to overcome and move on and I don't believe it now. The time is coming and the lead is going to fly. I don't know which way the military will go but suspect, like us, they will be split. Having served in the VN era and before and after...yeah Rich after...I cannot hate the soldiers. It was alway a split decision for me. I can hardly believe what I am seeing now...nazi flags flying from American house and in the streets...My god! IMHO, I believe that bullets are going to become ballots cuz it's just too late for ballots. I'm sure you disagree...you have always been steady on peace.

I can't type anymore or I'm going to lose it. What's the story on your next book? I eagerly await it! Be well. All of you.

Reply
Rich
4/5/2018 01:02:34 pm

Don't hold back C. M. Let us know how you really feel.

Stay well old friend.

Rich

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