Xen's Mixed Bag

To do something is not always easy...it requires action. How does one act to help ease a problem no one wishes to admit exists? Often things occur in our everyday lives that make us uncomfortable ( a sexist or racist joke, a religious put down, a snide remark) but due to time, or perhaps our political correctness, we ignore or overlook the event. Some of us become immune , others of us become embittered and some of us may internalize and become depressed.

I see this state in America today. I know that with the few people i interact with now on a daily bases we struggle to share the things on our minds. We really talk less and less openly about the serious things that effect our daily lives. People with different views are not appreciated more and more and all are encouraged to view others with suspicion and distrust.

Today it was reported that a general in the USA Marines says it is fun to shoot people...this is what i read...

At a panel discussion in San Diego Tuesday, a top Marine general tells an audience that, among other things, it is "fun to shoot some people."

The comment, made by Lt. Gen. James Mattis, came in reference to fighting insurgents in Iraq. He went on to say, "Actually, its a lot of fun to fight. You know, it's a hell of a hoot. I like brawling."

"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for 5 years because they didn't wear a veil," Mattis continued. "You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them."

http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/february2005/030205funtoshoot.htm

This is proof of the insesnitivity and racism of the feelings of our government from the top. This dehumanizing of people and trivilizing them to kill is what permeates our culture. In order to kill with impunity it is known that one must dehumanize the prey.

There are many men in the USA that physically abuse their partners. Should the Marines kill them, also? In the internet chatrooms there are many chatters that identify themselves as members of various units of the military. The refer to the iraqi people as 'sand niggers'. They say they want to kill all of them. They call them derogatory names like 'muzzies'. They lump all the people together and blame the iraqi people for 9/11. Of course, not ALL military are like this but there are enough that are to make it okay to discuss in open as we see with the above activity.

Today, i will call my representatives to tell them my displeasure of the statement the General made in San Diego. I will send his message to my pals and friends. I will talk loudly about this with my friend when i go my doctors office for a visit. I will email NBC and tell them of my displeasure, too. I will tell them if America has to go to the dogs...let it be like the one in the picture above and not like the one represented by America's ugly Marine General.

Admitted, my actions are small...but they are ...something.

What will U do?

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