I can tell that this is going to be a frequent title for me in this blog. The reason is because I have this terrible sinking feeling that people don’t want to think or consider things any more. The masses, and it’s always been about that masses if I’m honest, only want food and entertainment. A Roman observation that still holds true today.
That certainly explains why Buffalo Wild Wings exists. It surely isn’t for the food. Moving on.
So why do I equate America’s interest in a middle aged white female bigot with the Latin phrase “panem et circenses”? It’s the same thing. Easy answer. It’s also one of those situations where I want to shake everyone and shout “Wake up!” Because people, Kim Davis is a distraction. While people are actually spending time debating, or worse defending, her actions real topics aren’t being discussed.
But then, perhaps the shouting matches are all the American populace is capable of these days. I sincerely hope that isn’t true. I hope that my perception of the intellectual level of the American populace is wrong. I would like to think that more people care about social equity than about some self made media **** ***. I would like to be proven wrong.
Until then I suspect it will be business as usual here on the interwebz, bad spelling, worse grammar, herds of cats and all the introspective depth of a puddle. And folks like me whingeing about it.
So… enough whining. Let’s do something about it.
If you want to know something about conscientious objectors, go read about Desmond Doss. There’s a great example.
Wikipedia, ok not the greatest resource but it is a start, also houses information about the Minnesota Starvation Experiment. This experiment conducted near the end of WWII involved conscientious objectors who volunteered to be studied to help understand the physiological and psychological changes encountered during starvation, and also to help find sound strategies for helping victims of starvation. (POWs and concentration camp survivors).
Once upon a time to be a conscientious objector meant that you found a way to help that didn’t conflict with your views. It is not a way to feed the ego.
True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.
Arthur Ashe(1943 – 1993)