George was watching the news last night. More bombings in London; more security in New York.
How do we survive the terror? More to the point how to we get away with feeling oppressed and terrorized when we see only a tiny part of the action. Yes Americans die, and innocent bystanders also in peaceful cities. But how do we account for all those innocent bystanders who happen to have been unfortunate enough to be born into the wrong country? Do we hear about the poor Iraqi citizens, who are dying in far greateer numbers than we? Do we think about what they go through everyday? Do we ever even dream, in our worst nightmares, what it might be like to live in a place were your just surviving the day requires courage and luck, where every waking moment is spent in fear that your children might be the next to die, that your women might be raped, that terrible things beyond your imagining are just around the corner? Each of us is saddened when we hear about a neighbor or friend of a friend who passes away, we think consoling thoughts about the remaining family members. Do we ever think about the grieving wives, mothers, and children in Iraq? Do we ever think of those for whose suffering we are largely to blame?
What right do we have to feel sorry for ourselves when we are so out of touch with so many?
-- Thanks to Rebecca's Pocket where I was pointed here .
