Negative emotions

Sadness -- frustration -- anger.

What makes me feel so badly is the terrible things happening to ordinary people all over the world, every day, more and more.

What makes it worse is knowing it doesn't have to be this way.

We have enough resources on this planet, right now, to feed, clothe, house, educate and give basic medical care to every single person alive today. But, because of the greed and selfishness of a very few -- and they are VERY few indeed -- we fail on a daily basis to do so.

Maybe everyone can't have an Olympic swimming pool, a three-car garage, organ transplants, world travel, and instant gratification of their every whim. I'd say it was a safe bet to say many, if not most people would let some or all of those things go if they knew they would live in a better, more productive, healthier and safer world. Which is what you get when you reduce the gap between the richest and the poorest, and allow the middle to grow.

I'm not talking about "class" here. Just money. And other resources, which money generally buys. Middle incomes can afford all the basics, and a few luxuries too. Plus help those less able to look after themselves.

Canada used to have a society closer to this ideal. We no longer do. I want it back.

My spouse is really good at delivering help one-on-one. Me -- not so much. I'm more of a big picture person.

So, while he builds stoves, gives micro-loans and fund-raises, I'm writing letters to politicians and supporting organizations like Planned Parenthood and the Centre for Information. Because if we don't start soon, that ability to support the planet's population will vanish.

In my opinion, those very few ultra-rich had better start watching themselves, because if the have-nots they've come to rely on for their wealth start to collapse, they'll go with them. And so will we all.

This makes me angry. So I do what I can. Maybe it isn't enough, but I'm trying.

celebrating a life well-lived: Muriel Duckworth

Muriel Duckworth, a lifelong peace activist, has died aged 100.



She lived her convictions, becoming a Quaker and participating in numerous humanitarian organizations & causes related to social justice.
While strong in her own views, she remained open-minded, often bringing a note of realism & compassion to her activism. She refused to mount protests during Remembrance Day celebrations, understanding that to do so would make light of the honest mourning of those dead in conflicts around the world, regardless of the underlying justice of the causes in which they had died.

Her achievements have been well-cited elsewhere, so I won't burden this post with them. If you are interested, these are good places to start:

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/women/002026-299-e.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muriel_Duckworth

http://section15.ca/features/people/2000/05/10/muriel_duckworth/

If I were arranging her wake, I'd be sure to include Buffy Ste Marie's "Universal Soldier", along with Bob Dylan's "With God On Our Side" and "Masters of War". She might not agree entirely with my choices, but I think they're fitting ones. I don't agree with her religious convictions, but I admire her dedication & the causes she supported.

Thanks, Muriel, for a life well-lived. We need more like you.