Most obliged. I feel much better now.Kurieuo wrote:Sorry, corrected it.
The sad truth, for me anyway, is that the point Ed speaks of that BLM wants to make is actually an important one. It's just no better to discuss it with him or others like him on that basis than it is to take a cyanide pill because it happens to have a vitamin B supplement mixed in as well. And as frustrated as I get with them, I get almost equally annoyed with those on the other side of the . . . well, I can't say "debate," because that presumes discussion, so how about . . . useless bickering. I do meet a few fair-minded people from time to time, but even there, talking about it isn't much use. At best, you see how hopeless the situation is, and at worst, you end up being tempted towards a sense of superiority because you happen to be one of the smart people that "got it."
Nope, best to ignore it all. Know thyself and such things. In a democratic system, we are privileged to vote, and so we are obligated to vote ethically. (Forget all this nonsense about voting for the most conservative or liberal or even according to your conscience (yes, Cruz, I'm calling you an immoral buffoon.) No, that's a matter of right and wrong. But outside of that, far more important than trying to understand and fix society is trying to live with yourself and being the best you that you can be. I'm sure you've read Sufi Bayazid's comments on such matters:
- I was a revolutionary when I was young and all my prayer to God was, "Lord give me the energy to change the world."
As I approached middle age and realized that half my life was gone without my changing a single soul, I changed my prayer to, "Lord, give me the grace to change all those who come in contact with me. Just my family and friends, and I shall be satisfied."
Now that I am an old man and my days are numbered, my only prayer is, "Lord, give me the grace to change myself." If I had prayed for this right from the start I would not have wasted my life.
