Since my timing sucked the first time...

[Mythsaje]

"Hope and Humanity"

I believe in the future.

I know this isn't exactly a popular belief around these parts. We're supposed to believe that it's all going to come crashing down in some calamitous way because of our long-standing folly and disregard for our planet.

This is not to say I'm ignorant of the damage we've done, or the possible long-term repercussions. I do not deny that we've done some remarkably short-sighted things and those who have been in power have done their level best to consider the short-term interests of a few major industries rather than the long-term interests of the human race.

But I believe we humans are truly amazing creatures, beneath all our hatred, fear, and fumbling stupidity. We have accomplished some truly remarkable things, and I believe that we have it within us to accomplish things that make those things that came before look like little more than child's play.

I don't know if there's a design behind all of this. There are several things that lead me to believe otherwise. Religion holds no answers for me. I actually envy those for whom it does.

My faith, such as it is, lies with US. People like those who gather here at DU, who argue passionately about the fate of the planet, and of the people and other creatures that populate it. People strong, intelligent, and thoughtful enough to challenge the status quo at times and make their voices heard throughout the world.

We did it on November 7th. We replaced a Congress that did nothing to stop the runaway train of destruction with one that sees the danger ahead and may undertake the steps necessary to slow it down, if not stop it completely. A Congress made up of people who do not fear or distrust science, and who may help fund research that leads us to find solutions to the problems that confront us.

Without hope, there is nothing but despair. And nothing will destroy us more completely than surrendering to that despair.

I'm not good at surrendering.

So forgive me if I say to the doomsayers--say not that we're doomed, but that we MUST do what can be done to turn the tide. Speak not of death and destruction, but life and reclamation. Because it is THESE things that will prove to be the most important in the end.

The only guaranteed way to lose the fight, is never to fight at all.

On this Thanksgiving Eve I say to you-we are humanity, and humanity is more than just a species of tool-using primate. Humanity is more than that. Just the word itself means more than that.

I'm not waiting for the world to end. I'm waiting for the world to change.

[tavalon]

1. Thanks

A repost was in order.

[NanceGreggs]

2. Glad you reposted, because I missed this on the first go-round ...

"I'm not waiting for the world to end. I'm waiting for the world to change."

THAT really does say it all.

K&R for a wonderful, uplifting message.

[Leftisalwaysright]

3. Great!

Thanks, I also have never seen this and am very glad you re-posted!

[Mythsaje]

4. Welcome to DU!

Glad you liked it...

[canetoad]

5. I would rather take a position

that is somewhere between harbinger of doom and idealistic Pollyanna. Repeat three times: People Do Not Change.

To believe otherwise is naive and childlike. Human nature dictates that some people will be vicious and selfish and others generous and kind. It's the way the world is. We do what we can, when and where we can, but changing the very nature of the human animal is not something that can be done.

[Mythsaje]

6. Yeah...on thanksgiving I went to a public hanging

and next week I'm going to a witch burning.

People, and societies, DO change.

[canetoad]

9. There are still many people

who would be queueing up for a good witch burning if they could get the tickets.

[Mythsaje]

10. Fewer than there used to, I'm sure...n/t

[canetoad]

11. I would hope so

but to take a pragmatic viewpoint, suspect the only reason is because a nice juicy witch burning is no longer legal. Maybe I'm just getting old and cynical - your idealism is to be commended.

[freeplessinseattle]

14. damn! all that $ wasted on my counseling degree

wish the profs had been honest and told me people don't really change, I guess they just pretended too to fool their therapists.

[canetoad]

16. You were suckered

but maybe the profs didn't know any better. People do not change.

Now if you would like to argue degree and behaviour with me, I'll oblige, because nothing is ever cut and dried. But deep down, People Do Not Change.
And there will be no charge for this very important life lesson.

[freeplessinseattle]

20. wow, a true expert! and how do you profess to possess

such insight?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

7. for what it's worth

mystics agree with you-the world won't end, but there is a definate transformation of consciousness going on. http://www.mayanmajix.com has some interesting articles on the subject.

[durtee librul]

15. I can see it with my

daughter's friends....this new generation DOES care and is taking a better look at what is going on around them (even tho it may not seem like it). They are more into social programs....and I think Katrina had a lot to do with it among all the other crap going on around the world.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

8. You dumb, hopeful motherfucker!

:D


kick

[bonito]

12. Recommended

I think people are good and can recognize the truth that can change the world, but recognizing the truth weighs little in bringing about change, it is acting on it that will save us from ourselves.
The more people that realise this, the better our little world will be.

[The Doctor.]

13. I've been professing much the same thing.

Humanity will either transcend the control of the MIC or perish.

The good news is that either way, they lose.

[Mr_Spock]

17. I'm hopelessly optimistic as well

I believe that there is a Good that ties all of humanity together. The people who miss the point concatenated the word to "God" and made the concept into an image of a white man - how arrogant. I still believe in the Good of humanity and that we will continue to progress, ever so slowly, to a better place. Thanks for sharing your positive view of where we are ultimately heading - I am one of those dolts that thinks that good will ultimately triumph over evil.

[OneBlueSky]

18. "We, the People" do indeed have the power to change things, but . . .

it will only happen when we succeed in dismantling capitalism as it currently exists and, in particular, the modern corporation . . .

corporations are now more powerful than governments . . . and legally considered to be persons . . . virtually all of our major crises -- war, environmental devastation, jobs, human rights, etc. -- are either caused or greatly exacerbated by the new corporate/government partnerships . . .

as long as these legal "persons" have so vastly much more power as flesh and blood persons, these crises will never find resolution . . . we must thoroughly regulate corporations, and tax them heavily for their environmental footprints . . . and probably even dismantle the worst of them . . .

until this happens, nothing much else is going to change . . .

[Mythsaje]

19. I certainly won't argue with that point...

I've been opposed to the notion of Corporate Personhood since I first heard of it.

[here_is_to_hope]

21. Well, here is to

Hope?:)

[porphyrian]

22. Kick for change and hope. - n/t

[Dick Diver]

23. I am perpetually awaiting...

...
I am waiting for the Second Coming
and I am waiting
for a religious revival
to sweep through the State of Arizona
and I am waiting
for the Grapes of Wraith to be stored
and I am waiting
for them to prove
that God is really American
and I am seriously waiting
for Billy Graham and Elvis Presley
to exchange roles seriously
and I am waiting
to see God on television
piped onto church alters
if only they can find
the right channel
to tune in on
and I am waiting
for the Last Supper to be served again
with a strange new appetizer
and I am perpetually awaiting
a rebirth of wonder
...