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As you can see by the date on this one, it was written at the very beginning of the "Second Gulf War". At the time, I was supporting the HST Carrier Strike Group in support of Air Operations, onboard the USS HARRY S TRUMAN.
Because I'm an American, it's written from that perspective, but I think in many ways, this essay can be thought of as non-nationality-specific. I think that many of the ideals that I bring up here can apply to people of any country.
In my travels around the world, I've found that people are really just people, no matter where you might go. They all live in houses that look pretty much like houses anywhere. They all breath air and bleed red blood. They all laugh and cry, have brothers and sisters and parents, smile, and can look up and see blue sky or stars. They all sleep under the same moon, and are warmed by the same sun.
What I'm saying, is that aside from speaking different languages and perhaps having different colored skin, we're all about the same. Sure, our cultures and customs are a little different, but really, we're all just and only people, regardless of all the various lines drawn on maps.
I think that everyone has a certain pride in their own nationality, but I think that even there, the very essence and make-up of that pride is all the same. I feel it for my country, and for my flag. But I think the Australian, the Brazilian, and the Bahraini, all feel the exact same thing for their own country and flag and people and customs. We all have our own countries, yes, but I think the pride we have is still the same. So I think this essay can speak for anyone, of any nationality, but I'll let you all decide for yourselves.
As always, comments and critique are most certainly welcome and appreciated.
Disclaimer: I hate to have to put this on here, but this work is copyright me. Please do not distribute, copy, alter, etc, without my permission. Having said all that, feel free to download and use it for your own inspiration (or rants, as the case may be).
Because I'm an American, it's written from that perspective, but I think in many ways, this essay can be thought of as non-nationality-specific. I think that many of the ideals that I bring up here can apply to people of any country.
In my travels around the world, I've found that people are really just people, no matter where you might go. They all live in houses that look pretty much like houses anywhere. They all breath air and bleed red blood. They all laugh and cry, have brothers and sisters and parents, smile, and can look up and see blue sky or stars. They all sleep under the same moon, and are warmed by the same sun.
What I'm saying, is that aside from speaking different languages and perhaps having different colored skin, we're all about the same. Sure, our cultures and customs are a little different, but really, we're all just and only people, regardless of all the various lines drawn on maps.
I think that everyone has a certain pride in their own nationality, but I think that even there, the very essence and make-up of that pride is all the same. I feel it for my country, and for my flag. But I think the Australian, the Brazilian, and the Bahraini, all feel the exact same thing for their own country and flag and people and customs. We all have our own countries, yes, but I think the pride we have is still the same. So I think this essay can speak for anyone, of any nationality, but I'll let you all decide for yourselves.
As always, comments and critique are most certainly welcome and appreciated.
Disclaimer: I hate to have to put this on here, but this work is copyright me. Please do not distribute, copy, alter, etc, without my permission. Having said all that, feel free to download and use it for your own inspiration (or rants, as the case may be).
Category Story / Human
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 50 x 50px
File Size 58.4 kB
One of those cultural differences is, "When you can string someone up like a pinata and beat them till they die," or some other way treat them very badly.
In some parts of the world, it's okay to do that if someone breaks Shira law. In other parts of the world it used to be okay to do that is a peasant didn't press their face into the mud when a samurai walked past. In America and the UK it's currently okay to do that if a person looks at someone under the age of 18 that way. In all parts of the world it's okay to do that if you dare suggest that your culture's current criteria for 'pinata treatment' might be wrong.
And though I agree that all humans are fundamentally very similar (and putting aside the point that all mammals are fundamentally similar, and yet slaughter houses still exist) one of the ways they are similar is that one of things that you learn (as a human) is that there are people out there who think *you* deserve to be treated like a pinata, just for being who you are; and usually some of them are people you have to go to school with. Many people also learn the best way to avoid being treated like a pinata is to shout even louder for other people to be treated that way.
In some ways the situation is getting better. Pervasive technology makes lynch mobs difficult, and a much smaller percentage of people have to worry about running water, safe food, heat or housing. With those needs sated people tend to behave in a calmer way. That effect can be increased, and the pinata tendency deceased, but further sating people's hungers.
Except for those hungers which are never ending and cannot be sated. Religious fundamentalism, security paranoia (for yourself, for others, for your nation), uncontrolled consumerism, (amongst other things) all are never ending. Hence to minimise the pinata tendency, those tendencies, and the people who practice them, must ironically be pinataised. Which leads us right back to the start. :)
In some parts of the world, it's okay to do that if someone breaks Shira law. In other parts of the world it used to be okay to do that is a peasant didn't press their face into the mud when a samurai walked past. In America and the UK it's currently okay to do that if a person looks at someone under the age of 18 that way. In all parts of the world it's okay to do that if you dare suggest that your culture's current criteria for 'pinata treatment' might be wrong.
And though I agree that all humans are fundamentally very similar (and putting aside the point that all mammals are fundamentally similar, and yet slaughter houses still exist) one of the ways they are similar is that one of things that you learn (as a human) is that there are people out there who think *you* deserve to be treated like a pinata, just for being who you are; and usually some of them are people you have to go to school with. Many people also learn the best way to avoid being treated like a pinata is to shout even louder for other people to be treated that way.
In some ways the situation is getting better. Pervasive technology makes lynch mobs difficult, and a much smaller percentage of people have to worry about running water, safe food, heat or housing. With those needs sated people tend to behave in a calmer way. That effect can be increased, and the pinata tendency deceased, but further sating people's hungers.
Except for those hungers which are never ending and cannot be sated. Religious fundamentalism, security paranoia (for yourself, for others, for your nation), uncontrolled consumerism, (amongst other things) all are never ending. Hence to minimise the pinata tendency, those tendencies, and the people who practice them, must ironically be pinataised. Which leads us right back to the start. :)
this is a very profound essay!it's something to make people to think about how they feel for the flag, country, & people that that surround them & affect tier lives.
while unfortunatly i haven't served our country, I WILL DEFEND THE FREEDOMS, RIGHTS, & LIBERTIES THAT HAD BEEN BOUGHT W/ THE MOST PRECIOUS COMMODITY THAT MAN CAN GIVE FOR HIS FELLOW MAN! whether that be if this country is invaded (heaven forbid) going out to fight w/ my friends & family to repell them, writing our congressmen, & reading stories & essays in books or on the net then passing it along to my friends & family sometimes getting into some very involved discussions & (i have to say) heated arguments.
while unfortunatly i haven't served our country, I WILL DEFEND THE FREEDOMS, RIGHTS, & LIBERTIES THAT HAD BEEN BOUGHT W/ THE MOST PRECIOUS COMMODITY THAT MAN CAN GIVE FOR HIS FELLOW MAN! whether that be if this country is invaded (heaven forbid) going out to fight w/ my friends & family to repell them, writing our congressmen, & reading stories & essays in books or on the net then passing it along to my friends & family sometimes getting into some very involved discussions & (i have to say) heated arguments.
I'm very glad that you found it thought-provoking. That's really what it was all about.
I don't think that people should be required, necessarily, to serve in their country's military, although I think that most people that do, tend to gain a different perspective of their flag. It becomes a little more personal. Whether that's in a "good" way or a "bad" one, is really up to the person.
Again, I'm very glad that it got some synapses firing for you. :) Thanx for the comments!
I don't think that people should be required, necessarily, to serve in their country's military, although I think that most people that do, tend to gain a different perspective of their flag. It becomes a little more personal. Whether that's in a "good" way or a "bad" one, is really up to the person.
Again, I'm very glad that it got some synapses firing for you. :) Thanx for the comments!
Sir Raphael:
My apologies that I can’t really properly respond to this at the moment. As I said in my last journal entry, I’m headed off to the far side of the world for US Navy ops. That being said...
I’m going to take your comments with me, as I want to really put some thought into them, and then when I get back, post a proper response. Granted, it’ll be a month from now, but I still feel it appropriate.
You definitely make some very good points, most of which I agree with.
In the meantime, please accept my thanks for you comments and candor. You have certainly given me much to ponder. :)
Most Sincerely,
Shasta (aka Mickey iRL)
My apologies that I can’t really properly respond to this at the moment. As I said in my last journal entry, I’m headed off to the far side of the world for US Navy ops. That being said...
I’m going to take your comments with me, as I want to really put some thought into them, and then when I get back, post a proper response. Granted, it’ll be a month from now, but I still feel it appropriate.
You definitely make some very good points, most of which I agree with.
In the meantime, please accept my thanks for you comments and candor. You have certainly given me much to ponder. :)
Most Sincerely,
Shasta (aka Mickey iRL)
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