Complexity

 Sometimes I post things here that I fear might rankle some. I do it anyway for I believe that thinking is preferable to clinging to, as Plato observed, false or erroneous perceptions and belief.

I saw a post about Vietnam Veterans that sparked a long simmering thought of mine. Followng us just a finding of facts, that’s all, not a condemnation.

Back in the 1960s, John McCain was doing the wrong thing, but doing it honorable on orders from, and in service to, his country. He did not order the bombing of innocent people. Self-serving and misguided people did. After being shot down, he acted in the most honorable way imaginable. He was a hero then, despite what Donald Trump may think.

On the other hand, Jane Fonda’s beliefs were honorable, but she carried them out stupidly at best, dishonorably at worst.

My take on all this? Life and the pursuit of righteousness is a complicated affair and not achievable through sound bites and Facebook posts. I’m going to work on new perceptions today. That should be the basis for action.

Regrets

When I was young, I came to the conclusion that America was not a perfect country. While it held a great future for me, that future wasn't available to others that I knew who worked and strived as much as anyone. Sometimes I felt that we operated on shifting sands.

As I grew older and more aware, that thought grew. It peaked when I was sent to an immoral war, from which service I received no thanks but some benefits. Even those benefits eluded a large segment of the brothers and sisters with whom I served. Through it all, though, I strongly believed that, though not perfect, the country I served had the potential to be a good and righteous place. It was showing a movement thereto,  a movement led by its better angels. Then one day, selfish and greedy people, seemingly from out of nowhere, began taking over.

Now they, and their counterparts on the opposite end of the political spectrum, seem hell-bent on combining forces to destroy this needy country that I love so much. I weep not for myself. I’ve had a good run and have learned to survive. I weep for the young, and for friends who cherish their young. We are faced with such a waste of unwanted promise.

I only wish I'd had more courage.