At long last, the most recent phase of the horror is ending today, Election Day. No one know how long the next phase will last. Will it be only long enough for the most disgusting, corrupt, hateful, amoral, dangerous politician and wanna-be dictator in history to be silenced by the courts in his efforts to overturn a fair election? Or will the next phase usher in an unthinkable terror: the wanna-be dictator achieving his aims? Time will tell.
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Would it not be wonderful if all world leaders—and their willing and reluctant followers—would adopt the following principle?
We commit to work together to maximize, for every single citizen of the world, the benefits of each and every one of our policies and our actions and to eliminate and, at worst, minimize any ill-effects of those policies and actions.
Utopian fantasy. The thing is…it’s possible. Rather than dismiss it as a silly utopian dream, if world leaders would actually lead the effort to change civilization, it could be done. Am I optimistic about the possibility? I wish I could be fervent in my belief humanity has the capacity to collectively change our direction, establishing a universal culture of compassion. I am afraid I am an unwilling realist, though.
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Today’s appointment with a radiologist will establish the next phase of my cancer treatment. I will learn what to expect in the way of radiation; length and frequency. If it is like my radiation almost six years ago, it will be five sessions per week for six weeks; a total of 30 sessions in all. Even though each session is painless and of short duration (around 15-20 minutes, if that), the frequency is what makes the process unappealing. The daily 46-mile round-trip into Hot Springs is not particularly taxing, but it does get old fairly quickly. Perhaps I’ll be surprised today; perhaps both the frequency and length of treatment will be considerably less than my initial experience, six years ago, was.
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Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children.
~ Sitting Bull ~
