Musings for Sunday, September 16th 2001
Fortress or Freedom?Posted: 12:45PM
I too, chose freedom over walls. I sincerely hope that this is the approach that all the nations of the world choose, and that we as Americans can embrace and sustain the approach Shad has so beautifully articulated.
I too, have came to the same conclusion that Shad has: we are at a crossroads, perhaps the most important crossroads that we as a species have ever faced. This is a conflict between those who want to control and oppress, and those who want true freedom for everyone. There are no national borders in this conflict, and the forces of darkness, oppression, and insanity are as much present in the United States as they are in Afghanistan. They are as much in power in Israel as they are in Palestine. They echo from the intolerant, bigoted words of the fundamentalist right and ring in the dogmatic stridency of the radical left.
Now is a time when we, the people of the world, have the opportunity to bring about a sane, just, world. We are presented with an opportunity. Realizing this opportunity will be very difficult, and will require sacrifice and steadfastness, beyond what most of us in this country never conceived would be called for in our lives. It may require our lives. Perhaps more difficultly, it will require we think and make decisions on our own, it will require us to listen and understand the positions of others, and not blindly follow leaders and ideology.
Let us not squander this opportunity. Let us hope the unity that has been growing around the world these past few days can be employed in the noble purpose Shad articulates. Let us work to help the entire world choose freedom over walls.
