Or are they and what are these truths? What does it mean to be self-evident? What if truth means one thing to one person, another to a second, and yet more to others as they come along? How are we to mesh the different truths and is there, in fact, only one immutable truth? How would we in fact be assured of recognizing it and then be able to transmit it to the rest of the world, supporters and non-supporters alike?
I believe these are questions that have been debated since time immemorial, or at least since we realized that talking and give and take are far better than bashing in the head of another. Discussion. Compromise. Adjustment. Rethinking. All terms with possibilities. However, there are the times when there is another truth so self-evident that one cannot ignore it. That is the self-truth of justifiable self-defense, a defense which often requires an offense as part and participle of that defense. That truth, too, is self-evident and yet many those talking heads who are deciding the fate of not only their own nation, but the fate of the world in general are too obtuse and, unable and/or unwanting to internalize and recognize that truth and act upon it in a logical, sane and humanitarian fashion.
I wonder why it is that when a man comes out of an immoral imprisonment, taken hostage, just about starved death, beaten to near death, and speaks the truth as his eyes saw, as his body and mind felt, and yet that visceral truth is vehemently denied, deemed outrageous and turned on its head to excuse all the evil perpetrated by the inflicted of that torture. How does one, many ones, get away with a blind disregard of the truth and worse, manage to convince those listening to subjugate their own inner knowledge of truth and recognition of such and buy into all the falsehoods, all the outrageous lies that are presented to them as gifts from the heavens, as truth from the heavens immutable.
How is it so? One can ask now, and historians of the future can ask then, that same question. Then as now no satisfactory answers will be forthcoming other than perhaps the realization that humans are tragically flawed and too often those flaws overpower virtues and knowledge and application of truth. Far worse is the fact that there are those amongst the human race who will purposefully, maliciously, knowingly, build upon those flaws in order to catapult themselves to the acquisition of unfathomable wealth and positions of power wherein they hold the lives of so many, too many within the confines of their grasping hands, twisted minds and blackened souls.
Is there in fact a realistically based possibility that we, the human race, can dig ourselves out of this quicksand and bridge the gaps, build new platforms of life? Build securely and avoid gaping suddenly appearing chasms, keep away from unstable crumbly edges of situations inimical to good and just lives, life in its better presentations? Can we dig deep enough in a lasting manner? Or is the scent of blood spilled in war too powerful, overcoming all protests and defenses against it and thus allowing, enticing, and attracting mankind to keep to the twisted paths rather than the straight ones leading on to the future, we all need, desire, and must have if we in fact are not to condemn ourselves to extinction. In fact, do not fool yourself for we are not far from the rather dubious achievement of that end goal. Tumble it around and gaze at it, on every facet and aspect. Think deep, think long and then the choice is yours. The choice is ours. Or is it that the choice is no longer any choice but already set in stone?
Personally, I bounce from one end of the spectrum to the other. I believe I am a realist verging into cynicism and find myself despairing of the future. Other times I look at my smaller, personal world, and see good people, look at the bright eyes and delicious smiles of the babies, and know, know, that we can, and we must do better. So tell me, and tell yourselves, ask yourselves - who am I, who are you, and who are we? Are we indeed the creations and embodiment of a benevolent G-d or are we the misbegotten spawn of the Devil? Is it upon us to make that decision? Are we capable of a wise choice? Do we understand that we are the ones who will draw the outlines of our fates, fill in the blank spaces, and live with the consequences?
We must understand that all of our
yesterdays,
all of our
todays,
weigh heavily in the composition of all our
on the morrows.
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