Reply II

I best keep this brief lest I be accused of grandiloquence.


1. Thank you for the “you write very well”. I am trying to get my words out there – NO – I will get the words out there..

2. Misunderstanding. The stepping stone to understanding.

3. long winded. Guilty. But you must accept some responsibility for it was your comments and questions that ‘pulled’ that long response from me. I suppose if you want a short reply … write a stupid letter, not one that raises interesting thoughts/points.

4. “run for politics”. I realize that in any discussion of complex and emotional issues that it is possible to touch a nerve and provoke an unexpectedly extreme reaction. But to go so far as to associate politics and politicians with me is abusive, unconscionable and borders on libel. As you noted I have passion and a stand on this issue – a desire to address the issue and take actions thought-out and designed to accomplish something. Not to mention a willingness to take a stand on other important but contentious issues. Equating me with politics – blasphemous.

The question WAS and IS about the kind of world you want to bequeath the next generation. Your actions, mine, those of your neighbours, business associates, friends are what shape our society. How often have you heard others complain about how our society is deteriorating? They ignore the fact that their actions shape the society.

The point I was trying to make was that if we want to change or ‘improve’ our society/world we have to look to our own actions. We are society, it is a reflection of all our actions. Sitting around complaining will not lead to a ‘better’ society. If we want a better society it is up to us to put in the ‘better’. Small acts of manners, kindness, caring and compassion will all help in developing a ‘better’ world.

So … Let me try again here. Children grow up and go out into the world. When the time comes what kind of world/society do you want them to find? The kind where everyone lives behind lock doors, walks down the street nervously and if they run into trouble are left to live/die/survive on their own? Where people leave someone lying there in need of medical help as they walk around the body. Or where the first person stops and summons help.

Society is a reflection/result of our collective actions. If we want to have a better society it is up to us to make our actions more positive and helpful. Or stop complaining about how bad society is getting as one walks around the person huddled under an awning – homeless, hungry, cold – a fellow human being.

Sorry, passion got loose and it got a little long. Let the homeless situation sit in the back of your mind and if an interesting idea bubbles up, make sure it gets out into the discussion.

Thanks for giving me things to think about and consider

JWB