More Ramblings of A Sane Man - By Dick Kazan

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

(Note: Dick Kazan holds a Candle Light Vigil each Wednesday from 6pm to 7pm on the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Palos Verdes Blvd in California."My Candle is lit in memory of all who have died or been seriously wounded in the War in Iraq. It is also lit in consideration of the pain and loss felt by their families.")

"Ramblings of A Sane Man"
by Dick Kazan (posted with permission)

Yesterday afternoon, suddenly my work stopped as I was struck by a series of images.

I could hear bombs explode in ear splitting thunderclaps and feel their force rock the ground. I could see bright orange plumes of fire mushroom into molten hot balls of reddish flames and the sky darken as gray acidic smoke choked the air.

Most of all, I saw the image of a woman standing in the ruins of what had been a white building and I could hear her cry out in pain and I saw her tremble as she stood over the charred and battered bodies of her children.

Children taken from her in the flash of an explosion and the collapse of whatever protection she thought they had.

I could feel her profound sense of loss, as in this life she would never again be with her children.

Then I saw the images of political and religious leaders far removed from this carnage. They were in different locations, comfortable and safe surrounded by staffs of people to serve them.

They were talking about their enemies who caused the killings and their plans to send their young soldiers to attack them in return. Not a single person took responsibility for the death and destruction that had already taken place. Nor did they weigh the cost in lives their actions would bring.

This is how I prepared for last night's 29th candle light vigil. A vigil that the public met largely with indifference.

An exception was a mid-40's man on a bike with black hair and a trim body who looked very much like actor Mel Gibson. While waiting for the signal to change, he talked about his 19 year old son, deployed in Iraq. He spoke in a flat, unemotional voice as if he was an accountant discussing a tax return.

After telling me his son had five more months to serve, he added with a shrug "Everyone creates their own life." It occurred to me that he had insulated himself from his fears for his son and I said, "From your comments, it's clear that you are proud of him." For the first time, this man smiled and then he nodded his head yes.

That most people are caught up in their daily cares and not thinking about the war as I do is understandable. Until more of us who care raise our voices in compassion, this madness will continue to take more lives and set the stage for future wars.

Dick

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[diddlysquat]

1. Thanks.