These are persimmon blossoms from our tree. I probably wont make it out there to get a shot of them on the tree this year though.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Core Beliefs
In order to understand my viewpoint on current national politics I think it is useful to know a few of my core beliefs.
1. From a moral standpoint, I believe that killing another human being is wrong whether the killing is state sanctioned or not. If I were in a situation where I had to kill another person or be killed myself would I have the courage not to kill? Maybe not. Hopefully I will never need to find out. However, most state sanctioned killing is premeditated and avoidable so I will never sanction or support it.
2. To quote Desmond Tutu: "Anything war can do, peace can do better". So there is also no reason to kill from a practical standpoint. Although we may achieve the money, land or power that we desire through war, the unintended consequences are always worse than the gains. All war and violence is avoidable. Whatever we need to accomplish we can always do through peaceful means.
3. I also believe that non-lethal violence against other humans is unnecessary. Other than defending yourself against someone who jumps out at you from a dark alley, most violence can be avoided. And I assume that if I knew more about aikido I could probably avoid that as well.
1. From a moral standpoint, I believe that killing another human being is wrong whether the killing is state sanctioned or not. If I were in a situation where I had to kill another person or be killed myself would I have the courage not to kill? Maybe not. Hopefully I will never need to find out. However, most state sanctioned killing is premeditated and avoidable so I will never sanction or support it.
2. To quote Desmond Tutu: "Anything war can do, peace can do better". So there is also no reason to kill from a practical standpoint. Although we may achieve the money, land or power that we desire through war, the unintended consequences are always worse than the gains. All war and violence is avoidable. Whatever we need to accomplish we can always do through peaceful means.
3. I also believe that non-lethal violence against other humans is unnecessary. Other than defending yourself against someone who jumps out at you from a dark alley, most violence can be avoided. And I assume that if I knew more about aikido I could probably avoid that as well.
Sad News
My father passed away a few weeks ago and I have not really been able to think about much else since then. He is a wonderful person and a very big part of my life and I miss him very much.
My mother passed away about ten years ago and although the pain has become less as the years have gone by I still miss her. When I see something particularly special I sometimes catch myself thinking: "oh, that is something Mom would like" and then feeling sad because I cannot share it with her. I have had a few moments like that with Dad in the last few weeks.
I really hope there is a life after death and that they are enjoying each other's company there. I look forward to seeing them again there 60 or 70 years from now.
XXB
My mother passed away about ten years ago and although the pain has become less as the years have gone by I still miss her. When I see something particularly special I sometimes catch myself thinking: "oh, that is something Mom would like" and then feeling sad because I cannot share it with her. I have had a few moments like that with Dad in the last few weeks.
I really hope there is a life after death and that they are enjoying each other's company there. I look forward to seeing them again there 60 or 70 years from now.
XXB
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