I haven’t been writing much of late. Some might claim writer’s block, others just being uninspired. I write here on personal revelations and in another Disney related blog about a passion, and I’ve been trying to figure out for the last couple of weeks why I have not been able type more than a couple of lines text before the synaptic link between fingers and brain melts into nothingness. In the last couple of days it has been so bad, that the mere contemplation of transferring thought to text eliminates those synaptic links before they are even established. For me, troubling times drive toward a self-analysis where my mind refuses to rest even when the body must. The disconcerting idea that I could not and might never again put pen to paper, or more accurately put fingers to keyboard cogently to articulate my thought, has led more than a few sleepless nights over the last week, as writing is the first thing I think about every morning, and normally my last thoughts before sleep over takes me at night, a very frightening time for me, contemplating this challenge.
After many sleepless hours of reflection, I have realized; my blockage is not one of lack of inspiration, but rather one of conflicting stimulations. Like many others, I live my life trying to balance between two worlds. One of reality and one of fantasy, trying to make sense of the current unpleasantness in reality, while still dreaming of what could be, if only… This blog is a reflective indulgence of how I arrived at my current level of enlightenment, or lack thereof, depending on your perspective, and how that relates to my reality. My Disney blog is an indulgence of a passion, and a part of my fantasy life.
As we approach the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on this country, reality has clashed on fantasy, as it was actually the events of 9/11/2001 that really crystallized the direction of my fantasy. Those who know me or have read my Disney blog, knows that prior to 9/11 I was planning a fishing retreat to decompress after a particularly stressful work period. After those horrific events, I was left with a feeling of dismay at the thought of leaving my family for any extended period of time, so my wife and I planned a trip which included the whole family. Since the girls had enjoyed their first trip to Disneyland a few years earlier, we decided a second trip was in order, and the event that began to focus a realization of my intense interest in the man that created this unique piece of fantasy called Disneyland. With other recent challenges presented in my reality, 9/11/2011 rapidly approaching, and how little it appears that we have learned from those horrid attacks, my brain apparently decided it was easier to shut out both, rather than give either precedence. But, in my ultimate refusal to succumb to challenges presented me, I will find a way.
I mentioned how little we’ve learned from the attacks on the United State on 9/11. What was there to learn?
Nothing seems to change. 60 some years ago, we imprisoned American citizens simply because of the color of their skin or the sound of their surnames associated them with a then known enemy nation. There was no investigation, or due process – a fundamental right of every U.S. citizen. No, they were expeditiously rounded up sent off to internment camps. Many losing everything they had worked for all their lives, never to see any compensation.
Over the last 30 years there have been dozens of terrorist acts (murders, attempted and successful, arson, bombing, etc.) conducted in fight against abortion. In Oklahoma City several hundred people were killed or injured, because Timothy McVeigh retaliated for government intervention in the fundamental Christian backed militia movement in the early 90’s, most specifically the siege in Waco, TX. We have some Christian leaders applauding these acts while other giving tacit approval in their silence. Very few actually condemn the actions. These and so many other acts of domestic terrorism can be traced back to one of many of the fundamentalist Christian sects, and there has yet to be a national condemnation of all of Christendom for these acts of terrorism. It is merely chalked up to a few whack-a-doodles nut cases with a deluded understanding of Christianity.
Yet today, well ten years ago but in more recent history, when a few dozen fundamentalist Muslim whack-a-doodles commit a horrendous act of terrorism on this country for their deluded understanding of Islam, and some Muslim leaders supporting them, we seem to have no problem condemning all of Islam on an almost national level. Ten years later, our Muslim communities are still being harassed, threatened, and condemned because of the actions of a few whack-a-doodles professing to be Muslim. I guess we should, or better yet, they (the Muslim community) should be thankful that we are not sending them off to internment camps.
The events of September 11th 2001, were without any doubt some of the most vile and horrendous acts in our history. The financiers, perpetrators, and supporters of these acts should, and will ultimately, pay the price for their crimes against humanity. But, we would be far better served to understand why these events have taken place. Understanding will hopefully help to lead to prevention in the future. The first thing to understand is that poverty and despair are fertile soil for hatred, and there are far too many fields around the world to sow those seed. Don’t believe me??? Just look in your own backyard. As our own economic woe mount and more and more people are driven into the ranks of poverty and despair here in the great country in the world, we see a growing group of citizens becoming angry, destructive and anti-government. AND!!! We have a small group of political, religious, and social leader whipping these angry citizens into to an even greater frenzy by blaming these woes on our government. Nothing really different than want a few fringe leaders in the Muslim communities around the world are doing. At stake, our freedom and liberty.
It becomes easier to slowly and quietly surrender our personal freedoms under the guise of greater security, and we do so with great fervor not understanding what is at stake. It will continue until we yield everything, for that really is the ultimate clandestine goal. While I don’t put much stock in conspiracy theory, there are those who believe the unwashed masses, here in America or around the world, are undeserving of the liberties guaranteed by our Constitution. There has been a continuous assault, both domestically and from abroad, on this document since its very creations. Unless we are willing to really live our lives free, regardless of the dangers inherent in such an endeavor, we will lose those Constitutional guarantees of liberty and freedom. If you want the right to practice your religious belief, then you must allow others the right to practice their religions!!! And, this must happen with the understanding and acceptance of the disagreements this will create.
Benjamin Franklin has been quoted as saying, “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
So on this 10th anniversary of the atrocious attacks on the United States of America, I will remember and continue to mourn the tragic loss of live that resulted, with a specific remembrance of those heroic members of the New York Fire Department, who rushed in with complete disregard for their own lives, while others rushed out. It is the finest act of humanity that one is willing to sacrifice his or her life for another. In the thought, I will also remember on this day all those soldiers who have given their lives, since 9/11, protecting this country. Regardless of your views on the wars they have been tasked to, their sacrifice and that of their families, cannot and should not be ignored nor dismissed.
I have taken this thought with me since 9/11, and will continue with it until my ultimate departure; I would rather die a FREE man, than live as mere drone to tyrants, no matter how benign their intentions may seem.
One last Ben Franklin quote to close. “How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them.” I, like every single person on this planet, am a flawed individual, and I spend every day trying to discover and correct those flaws, knowing and accepting that I will never get them all.
May you today be better than yesterday and your tomorrow better than today.
Your comments or questions are always welcome.
