Dear Joe:

I want to thank you for taking the time to read my blog and to write me with your opinions. I love to get feedback, positive or negative, because either way it reinforces my beliefs. You wrote me:

"GREAT writing but kind of "Trite" as if there is anything YOU can really do about the "War"
We tried in the Sixties and Seventies with Vietnam and you know what? Whatever you do it will end when those in power WANT IT TO END, other than that youd proberbly get more attention writing about J-LOS Butt or the fact that NYC subways arent carpeted.
Sorry.
"Pigs return to thier own vomit to feast"..... me
Joseph

I understand that there are several (okay, thousands of people) that are rallying others to do something to end the war, so to you my writing is "trite." You are entitled to that opinion. But I have to disagree with you on your statement that there is nothing that I can actually do about the war as an individual because there are those that are in power and they alone hold all the cards. No. There are many examples of individuals taking on huge governments and making social change. In this country alone there was the suffragist movement where women took on the great President Woodrow Wilson (pre-manifest destiny delirium) in a time of war, much to the horror of the nation, and they stood their ground until women were granted the right to vote. Martin Luther King, Jr., I think we are all familiar with the work he did for civil rights. Ghandi took on the British empire for India. Here were individuals that made a difference through peaceful methods. I believe it can happen again.

Secondly, you say that the Vietnam War is proof that those in power will decide when this war is over. There are inherent differences in The Vietnam War and this war, Operation: Resistance is Futile, or whatever it is called. This war was created on lies, lies, lies, on the greed of a select few without care to the men and women they are sending off like lambs to slaughter, and this war is moving much faster than the Vietnam War. It took years for civilians to start carrying guns to the market place and fighting against US occupation in Vietnam. In Iraq, it has only taken one year. One year for a whole country with their own civil unrest between sunnis and shiites to turn against us! The protests during the Vietnam War was also very much anti-soldier, with vets coming home and being spit upon in the streets. This time around we have learned from past mistakes. We support our troops and are fighting domestically to bring them home rather than scorn them for being drafted into a senseless war. ( I know we have not begun to officially draft soldiers, but give me a break, if you are in the National Guard to make money for college and they send you to Iraq and then they won't let you come home by extending your tour of duty, then you have been drafted!) As a country, I believe we have learned from the casualties and the economic waste of Vietnam and that's what makes it so much more possible for us to change events now. We have a more realistic interpretation of what war is and since the Nixon impeachment and the Clinton madness, we can understand the fallibility of our nations leaders, another reason why the protesting against Vietnam was not as successful. People were not ready and able to think that their leaders had made such a huge, costly error and so many of our nations youth were dying without purpose. We were a much more innocent country. The protests of the sixties and seventies enabled people to question their government and to use their voice in a cry for social justice. That has left its mark on our society, despite any doubts that our current national apathy might invoke.

Finally, I think that if I were to write about J-Lo's butt THAT would be trite. We as a nation have had every outlet oversaturated with meaningless gossip in an effort to distract us from the problems of our nation in a well played game of three card monty. Don't think of the economy, think of the hunt for Osama. Don't think of Osama think of Iraq, Don't think of Iraq think of the break up of Bennifer. I have stated before, thinking critically is not encouraged here in America. The focus on Jennifer Lopez's life is. I could maybe "get more attention" talking about her but I would just be adding to the meaningless noise in everyone's head that distracts them from more important issues. What's the point of that? As much as there might be a growth in anti-war rhetoric, it never will get old until changes are made. I believe wholeheartedly that an individual can make a difference. Especially now in this political climate when action is so critical.

Feel free to write me again, I appreciate it!

For other readers, you can also leave comments below this posting.

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