A friend of mine is in the hospital right now because her legs aren't working. She's in the military and was off, somewhere, and came back, and now her legs won't do what she tells them to do. And so she's in the hospital. And this situation made me think. I have never given a whole lot of thought to the role of our military. I know generally that Canada has historically had a peace keeping role, which I appreciate. I know this has been changing recently, which I do not appreciate. I know that for many people it is the current fad to be negative about the military, and countries engaging in military action, and there appears to be a general lack of respect for the individual people who are engaged in such activities as well. I have steered clear of these conversations bcause to me there is a lot involved. I am not an advocate of the use of physical force. And yet, I do not believe I am strongly enough against it to always condemn it. There is always more to the situation than meets the eye, and to denounce something just because, from way up high and removed from the situation, this I can not do. And since I am not ready to make a decision on where I stand, or to advocate strongly for any particular position, I steer clear of the conversations, listening only, gathering information and processing my thoughts. But back to my friend's situation....
Picturing her in the hospital, unable to move her legs, because of her dedication to protecting what we have here in Canada made me think. It recalled to me how I have read, or seen, at various times, evidence of the lack of respect and appreciation that our society appears to have for the work and dedication of those in our armed forces. We, as in those not in the armed forces, may not always agree with the actions of our armed forces. We may in fact disagree entirely with the approach the armed forces takes. But.... sometimes I think our intentions align. I, for instance, have concern with general human rights. I believe everyone is equal and should be granted equal standing and consideration. I work for that, in my own way, here and abroad. Abroad I am concerned with places where they do not have this, sometimes to the extreme. Here, I am concerned with improving situations, because there are still many where people are not granted equal rights, as well as with protecting what we have, and what we have, believe me, is worth protecting. My approach to fostering improvement and protecting what we have attained does not involve the use of physical force. It is a quieter approach focused primarily on peacefully drawing attention to inequalities, pointing out actions that are being taken that might erode what we have, and by behaving in accordance with my understanding of equality. Some would say that this approach is slow and ineffective. It is certainly slow. And it is at times ineffective. Nonetheless it is the way I have chosen to approach the situation. But just because it is the way I have chosen to approach the situation does not mean it is the way. Other people have other ideas as to how to approach the same goals. Like those people wandering around with guns. Some of those people have the same goals as I do, even if our methods appear to be in opposition. And sometimes this appears to be what we focus on, the methods. To the extent that we completely ignore the intent beneath. And this is where I become disturbed. I know that I do not have all the answers. I know what I would like to see happen, but I do not know for sure what will accomplish this. I know that situations are generally quite complex, and that one singular approach will likely not accomplish my ultimate goals. I suspect we all have to work together, the trick is in how. And so, although I do not necessarily fully understand the workings of the armed forces, or the motivations of all involved in them, I do appreciate that there are those involved with the same goals as mine, to protect the vulnerable, to provide opportunity to all, to safeguard what we have already. It is simply their methodologies that are different. And so it disturbs me to see them provided with no respect, or even condemnation. Because... who are we to condemn them? Who suddenly made us so much better than everyone else that we are capable of so fully evaluating the human situation as to make us suitable judge and jury? Instead of condemnation, derision, or denunciation, we need to, well, see. To look at the intent, the basis behind the actions, talk to each other, and work together. Acknowledge the differences, and work with them. Grant them the validity of their position, hope they can do the same for ours, and see if we can't find some way to work together to accomplish our joint goals. Respect their intent, even if we may not fully agree with the methods. And so, when we run across others who suffer losses as a result of their dedication to a cause the same as our own, regardless of the methods they engaged in to achieve those goals let us grant them the respect due that dedication and sacrifice, and remember, and act upon, that. Let us not fight within ourselves.
Picturing her in the hospital, unable to move her legs, because of her dedication to protecting what we have here in Canada made me think. It recalled to me how I have read, or seen, at various times, evidence of the lack of respect and appreciation that our society appears to have for the work and dedication of those in our armed forces. We, as in those not in the armed forces, may not always agree with the actions of our armed forces. We may in fact disagree entirely with the approach the armed forces takes. But.... sometimes I think our intentions align. I, for instance, have concern with general human rights. I believe everyone is equal and should be granted equal standing and consideration. I work for that, in my own way, here and abroad. Abroad I am concerned with places where they do not have this, sometimes to the extreme. Here, I am concerned with improving situations, because there are still many where people are not granted equal rights, as well as with protecting what we have, and what we have, believe me, is worth protecting. My approach to fostering improvement and protecting what we have attained does not involve the use of physical force. It is a quieter approach focused primarily on peacefully drawing attention to inequalities, pointing out actions that are being taken that might erode what we have, and by behaving in accordance with my understanding of equality. Some would say that this approach is slow and ineffective. It is certainly slow. And it is at times ineffective. Nonetheless it is the way I have chosen to approach the situation. But just because it is the way I have chosen to approach the situation does not mean it is the way. Other people have other ideas as to how to approach the same goals. Like those people wandering around with guns. Some of those people have the same goals as I do, even if our methods appear to be in opposition. And sometimes this appears to be what we focus on, the methods. To the extent that we completely ignore the intent beneath. And this is where I become disturbed. I know that I do not have all the answers. I know what I would like to see happen, but I do not know for sure what will accomplish this. I know that situations are generally quite complex, and that one singular approach will likely not accomplish my ultimate goals. I suspect we all have to work together, the trick is in how. And so, although I do not necessarily fully understand the workings of the armed forces, or the motivations of all involved in them, I do appreciate that there are those involved with the same goals as mine, to protect the vulnerable, to provide opportunity to all, to safeguard what we have already. It is simply their methodologies that are different. And so it disturbs me to see them provided with no respect, or even condemnation. Because... who are we to condemn them? Who suddenly made us so much better than everyone else that we are capable of so fully evaluating the human situation as to make us suitable judge and jury? Instead of condemnation, derision, or denunciation, we need to, well, see. To look at the intent, the basis behind the actions, talk to each other, and work together. Acknowledge the differences, and work with them. Grant them the validity of their position, hope they can do the same for ours, and see if we can't find some way to work together to accomplish our joint goals. Respect their intent, even if we may not fully agree with the methods. And so, when we run across others who suffer losses as a result of their dedication to a cause the same as our own, regardless of the methods they engaged in to achieve those goals let us grant them the respect due that dedication and sacrifice, and remember, and act upon, that. Let us not fight within ourselves.
