I grew up in the seventies. Back then, we all took terrorism as a way of life, a nuisance we simply had to put up with. Whenever the mail came, I'd look at it with suspicion. In those days, people frequently received letter bombs, or so it seemed. The television news made it seem that way. During the holidays, we were sure to be bombed, the likely target being the christmas shoppers downtown, but you could never be sure of when or where. And then there were the occasional car bombs. The lonely suitcase left in a door way, the bomb squad would have to come blow it up. Sometimes it turned out to be a box of abandoned puppies. Blood everywhere.
That was London up until I left in 77 and the conflict with the IRA continued on until the nineties. England had sent troops into Northern Ireland. It was not an invasion, they went in to protect British people that had lived there for many generations. After thirty years, the British government never won that conflict. Instead, they had to cave in, and withdraw from their "never talk to terrorist stance" and so too did the IRA have to change their ways, in order for peace talks to come about.
If Ireland was so hard, why would anyone think Iraq could be easy? How many decades will this go on, and in the end, when will we start to talk to the insurgents, to give in to their demands, like we did with the Irish? Because, after all, that was the only way to peace in Ireland, and it's still an unfinished job.
Location
South San Francisco, California, United States
"There is no creator" - the Dalai Lama. These are words of common sense, and it tells me that "spirituality" has nothing in particular to do with a belief in the supernatural. But then, those of us who grew up in the seventies watching "Kung Fu" already knew that being a vegan, atheist who follows the path of the buddha can reach enlightenment.
All kidding aside, what does a vegetarian atheist have to say? Stick around and you'll find out! Politically I'm rather liberal, but I do like to listen to staunch conservative talk show host Michael (the 'Whiner') Savage so I'll probably be mentioning him from time to time in my weblogs. So for now, how about some talk of broccoli, carrots and peas? Recipe's anyone??
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"As mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality."
- George Washington
"Maybe happiness is a fragment of existence, but with better packaging."
