(no subject)

[pandora_parrot]

x-posted from here.

We were driving back to work from a lovely lunch when we passed a shopping center that'd been festively decorated for the holidays. They had signs calling for 'Peace' with doves and other such peaceful things all along the roadside. I turned to my love and said, "You know what my least favourite thing about this holiday is?"

Ironically, it's also my favorite thing. I love the way people call for peace. I love the way we talk about loving each other, peace on earth, goodwill toward all, etc.

So why is something so beautiful in essence also my least favourite thing?

Because it's for one month out of twelve.

Take the Christmas truce, for example. (It's a true story.) Thousands of soldiers lay down their weapons on Christmas and defied orders and refused to fight and kill each other.

Don't get me wrong. I think that's beautiful! Wonderful! Amazing! It's even a miracle, in my opinion.

But why just on Christmas??! Why just on one fucking day of the year? Why only for one month out of twelve?

Why can't soldiers refuse to fight all the time? They don't like it. Most of them don't really want to kill anyone. Most of them just want to be at home, doing normal jobs with their families. What if we all refused to fight?

Why can't we have peace on earth all the time? How about it? Is it really that hard? Come on, people. Goodwill toward mankind? Yes, please, very much! But why just in December?

I don't get it, and it upsets me. It feels hypocritical to me, all these people who would usually spit in my eye rather than help me up if I slip on the dreaded Black Ice, calling for peace and love just because it's the 'holiday season'.

Guess what? Every day is a holy day. Every day is a miracle. Every birth is special. Every moment of every hour deserves to be a peaceful, loving moment where we treat each other with good will.

Merry Thursday, everyone.

Comments

[soquili-gitli.livejournal.com]

Why?

Because.

Because we are ordered to. Because we are sheep. Because somebody got their panties in a bunch and decided that we needed that oil. Because the people who have the oil do not want to share it, or want to overcharge us for it.

Because it is human nature to fight.

But now, for just a short time, we can forget that. And that is what it is, and nothing more and nothing less.

I do not remember the source, but it sounds wise.

One person is an island unto themselves.
Two people are likely to try and communicate and get along.
Three people will try and form rules.

Any greater number, will result in government, and in the long term, war.

If we had everything handed to us on a silver platter, we would demand a finer platter and shoot the server. We are humans, and therefore prone to this.

Do I feel that we can overcome it? Maybe. But not anytime soon.

[paradox-puree.livejournal.com]

Wow... That's bleak.

[soquili-gitli.livejournal.com]

Well, it is mostly the current administration. Under Clinton, I thought we might be on the brink of overcoming our cranial-rectal inversion problem. Sure, we screwed up a few minor things, but it was not an intractable hopeless war.

Additionally, I will note that I have a slightly bleak view because of some background history. I am much more optimistic than I once was, but I am also more of a realist. I do not watch the news any more, unless it is comedy news like Jon Stewart. It just leaves me mad, sad and hopeless.

Bleak? Just a little. But it could change.

I really do not mean to be such a downer, but I felt that this deserved a full contact answer. Mankind has been waging war on one another for millenia, at the very least. Resources, space, a better view of the ocean, trade routes, skin color, religion. Just to name a few.

Until people like us start having an impact on things, a real majority impact, the status quo will remain as it is.

The sad thing, from my POV right now, is that people like you and I do not generally tend to have children. Children are the direct path to the better future I want. Raise them right and the world will change. But, I am not going to bring one into this world for a plethora of reasons to large to list (comment size limit at the very least would stop me). And I would just be ranting anyway.

The thing that bugs me is that the warmongers, the petty minded and the downright mentally/morally deficient are the ones that ARE breeding. En MASSE! It really, really, pisses me off.

But anyway, that went on longer than I intended. *hugs*

[paradox-puree.livejournal.com]

They all still believe there is a genetic imperative to procreate and increase the size of the human race. :(

[soquili-gitli.livejournal.com]

Well, it IS in the BIBLE. Be fruitful and multiply.

Great, wonderful, peachy. But what happens when we run out of room? What happens when all the resources are over HERE and the people are over THERE?

NEVER FEAR! God WILL provide!

*mutters*

Sorry, you pushed a sensitive button. I apologize if I cross any lines.

[paradox-puree.livejournal.com]

I'm rather enjoying your ranting, TBH. Although there ARE some christians on my f-list, so I hope you haven't offended them.

[soquili-gitli.livejournal.com]

I do hope I have not offended either, honestly. I don't mean to offend Christians. I mean to state my opinions in regards to extremists. Which are not very positive.

I love CHRISTIANS just fine. People who follow the SPIRIT of the teachings and not the letter of the book. I also understand full well that the majority of Christians are not fundies, but I hope that they understand that their voices aren't heard because they are quiet. The voices that ARE heard are Pat Robertson, George Bush, et al.

/rant.

If we shadows have offended, Think but this, and all is mended: That you have but slumbered here, While these visions did appear.