Hierarchy of Survival

Five years later, and what was once a horrifying, unifying event in our country has somehow been twisted and politicized into a bevy of protests, negative t-shirts, conspiracy theories, misrepresentation, slander and finger-pointing. One side warring, the other pontificating. Neither is correct.

One thing is perfectly clear, though. While Ben & Jerry and a host of others may want to decrease defense spending, with terrorism becoming a way of life, defense, protection and interception must be top priority. Everyone would love it if the world could operate in Candy Land, wearing tye-died t-shirts, sharing Chunky Monkey and feng shui techniques. The problem is that if you're not safe. none of that exists. If the grocery stores are bombed out, you don't have social welfare programs. If the hospitals are victims of bioterrorism, there's no need for a Medicare debate. No schools left? No children left behind. Who cares about social security when you can't find drinking water?

And if you can't reason with them, if you can't discuss and negotiate with those who threaten you, if they are so consumed with destroying you that they are willing to destroy themselves just to cause you pain, if they consistently decieve you by pretending and if they use your own kindness, generosity to get in to kill innocent people, how do you peacefully protest that to the point of positive change?

The only way we will win this, the only way we will have lasting positive change in the Middle East or here at home, is if we are all in this together. If we all work toward the same goal, we can do this. It means foregoing the gas-guzzing SUVs, it means curtailing the unnecessary consumption of petroleum products (plastics), it means stop stirring the pot to entertain yourself with political drama, it means joining local emergency organizations, it means coming up with solutions, it means not being a ethnocentric traveler, it means not wasting natural resources, it means raising children who love this country, not to be cynical about it and it means not taking advantage of America's hard-won gifts.

Peace comes at a price. Are we going to pay for it or are they?