Safe?

The recent events at Virginia Tech are very troubling. Not because 32 people were killed. Not because the 23 year old student took his own life. Not because of the traumatic event that unfolded. Not even because of the media's sensationalistic coverage of it all. The most troubling thing about the whole event is that no one is asking the tough question. What is amazing about this question is that it is so simple. ARE WE SAFE? Can we be protected from such events? Society demands protection for all its' citizens from all forms of danger. But, what if the danger is ourselves? Our insatiable thirst for money, power, sex and fame have brought us to this point. Disassociation from everything. Narcissistic views. Are video games to blame? Is it the media's fault? I believe it is the lack of parenting in the homes. There are to many broken homes. Economic factors have forced both parents into the workforce leaving others to raise and teach our children. Day care, schools, churches, neighbors, anyone can raise them. Our children are growing up without any forms of discipline. Teachers cannot punish them for fear of their job. Parents cannot punish them for fear of child services. As a result our children grow up with no real repercussions of their actions other than detention and groundings. Video games, television, movies and the media desensitize our youth to violence and sex. People are objects to be manipulated and played with like some sort of game. Yes, it is the hardest thing to do, but we must as a society look in the mirror. WE ARE TO BLAME. We must make the changes necessary for the future of our children, our planet, and our way of life. I fear if we do not, things will only continue to get worse. Are we safe? Simply, no.

Looking Back

I stood atop the mountains overlooking the hills and hollows as far as my eyes could see. A Celtic song came to mind. Uillean pipes played in my head. I sensed I had been here before. Right here, or somewhere eerily similar. I stood and gazed over the landscape, amazed at its' beauty. Enjoying the colors, scents, sounds and feelings as I let my mind wander. Closing my eyes I felt at peace with all around me. A piece of heaven right here on earth. I opened my eyes and began to have a different vision. A coal mine in the distance formed a black and gray pock mark in the far off valley. A strip mine in the hill to my right looked as if a giant had taken a bite out of the mountain. Men busy in their trucks driving along the roads below going about their business like tiny ants. Old logging roads winding up and down the surrounding hills leaving timbers strewn about like pick up sticks that had just been dropped out of the sky. Iron colored water runoffs from production of the states number one resource and this countries number one favorite fossil fuel. I began too look around me and saw evidence of wildlife amongst all the hustle and bustle of mining and timbering. The animals, apparently, do not seem to mind. Cows lick the gob piled up outside the mine absorbing minerals. Deer droppings dot the ground along the trail meandering up through the thicket. Matted grass areas surround me where white-tailed deer had been laying. Birds flew high above and enjoyed the cloudless blue sky. I closed my eyes again. Looking back I had been here before. A piece of heaven right here on earth.