The Peaceful Protest

It is always funny how one can twist rules to suit their needs. How when that time comes to do so, the rules will apply to them but not to others around them who hold the same rank as they do. Right now there is a
war on the home front, not what is flashed before our eyes, but what is placed in our minds. The tendency is now to push blindly forward, much like sheep to the slaughter; we no longer stop to question the simple things around us. We have forgotten the Golden Rule for the most part.

You know, do unto others --

I forgot, this is no longer in our society and we must be in our neighbors' business without actually knowing the truth. It is there we spread gossip and lies that will harm, maim, target, or destroy entities within a nation. When you become a fly on the wall and actually see things as they are presented to you, you usually go back to a place where values were instilled in you by elders who took the time to bore you with war stories. It is then you begin to question the things around you.

In my life I have tried to keep a balance of reality because sometimes fantasy is so much better to live in, with those rose colored glasses so I can't see what is going on with the world around me. It is funny to live in the place where the drama and rumors are started from, as you watch the city lights pass you by at 90 miles an hour.

I have always looked from the outside as to the fact that being an artist allows me the excuse of my reclusiveness from people. If you want to know the truth, it is that I can't stand people and they can't stand me. I like it this way. Makes my job easier, I have few connections. I like people to the point that I like the thought of having a terminal illness. I am sure you will feel the same after reading this.

I grew up in a few areas of the Mid-West. Now the Mid-West is one of the most patriotic places you will ever see. I know that first hand from Alaska to Maine. One of the areas where I grew up was small town USA where main street was the main drag, everyone knew your name, and you could not get home from school fast enough, hoping your parents did not hear any bad news before you made it there. There were several Veterans, people who honour and love their country to the point they would die for it.

Military personnel, we salute you as to the fact that you are doing what we will not. HooAhhh -- --

I never expected to live in the big apple, as it is lovingly nicknamed. For this small town farm girl, living here is like a dream. I am there where 42nd has her shining lights, however I must let you know that 42nd street goes a lot further than Times Square. Where I have the privilege of seeing Lady Liberty whenever I may have the time. Where families upon families have placed root and branched out.

Since the first time I stepped foot in this magical city, the reality of what it is, the beauty of the encompassment of the five boroughs still takes my breath away.

The amazing fact is that so many, from so many places can get along even when their homelands are falling apart. By homelands I do not mean far away, America is a Homeland to billions.

We so often forget that we has such precious gifts granted to us simply by being here, by being a citizen here. Our rights are gifts, our belief system that was founded by men who ran from tyranny saying "No More" to the point that their blood runs through the veins of every street, every tree, every being from the privilege of being here.

-- Oh, before I continue, please one moment for a disclaimer -- From here on out you may find my opinions and words offensive. I am warning you because I have a very solid foundation from where I am coming. Things programmed into my DNA and taught to me by many who knew more than I. My free thinking and speech may offend you. If you feel you may have an issue with this, please, either hit the arrow that takes you away from here or shut down your explorer, walk away from the browser, for I may offend you. However, if I do offend you, then maybe there is a reason as to why. I apologize in advance for any and all I may offend, I blame my teachers for instilling in me free thought, the education to do it, and the words that protect me when I take action.

I have a very strong opinion on many things, a lot of people have criticized me, saying that I am inflexible or Victorian. I get very passionate about things I care about; Things I hold dear. It took me a bit to figure out how to handle such a delicate situation as to the actions and realities of what is happening in NYC this August 23rd, 2010. I see people and the media around them being controlled by an iron grip of frustration.

Of course right now, you may be asking what this concerns. I believe I shall leave that to you, the reader, to do some research and form your own opinions as to the story that is hitting national news at this time. I do not believe it is up to me to sway you on your gut feeling or path. I believe that you are smart enough to know where you stand, then decide what to do about it.

Post 9/11, oops there goes a flag on some CIA or FBI computer. That is one. If you pay attention long enough or I don't drivel you to sleep, count and see how many times we can raise a flag. As I was saying, post 9/11, having your own mind and opinion is now politically incorrect and punishable by narrow-minded people.

At this time, I am at a very young stage in my journalism career and the path I cut from here on out will define me. My core values were drilled into me at a young age. I feel I must explain this to any new readers I may have, just in case they have not read any of my work. Thus the disclaimer above. For those of you who know my work, you know I am getting ready to pull out that soap box. Don't worry, I will put it away when I am done and go away for a little bit again till something else happens before my eyes that makes me feel like I am a Manchurian Candidate waking up.

Out of all the things that hold my core together, one is a few words written on an illegal paper, another was the marine corps father instilling and drilling these words into my head. How precious they were, how important they were for us to be a United Nation. So perhaps I had a unique insight of one's view who had served his country by choice.

At one point and time I wanted to make that a choice of mine as well because of my education on such a precious gift that we are granted so freely. To give back to a Country that gave so freely to me, only asking in return to defend her.

As I sit back and watch in horror of the nightmare that is about to outbreak upon the streets, to once again rein down blood that happened not to long ago, in close to the same location. I sit saddened to see that people want the words that are held not to far from here, that protect them, not to protect others.

I can completely understand both sides. I worry of the civil war about to erupt of the same words that protect us all in this Nation that is so young. Our milk teeth are barely cut in a civilization that has a history we know so very little about. I am sure by now you think I am completely off my rocker or you know exactly what I am talking about, either way, Congratulations.

As a reclusive artist who only pokes her head out now and then; I am hibernating from people, you see. I look at this situation from words on a paper that men, women, and children died for to have the words live.

If I allowed my personal feelings to come into this, then I would not have done my job correctly.

It is not about who is right or who is wrong here, it is about the protection we all have from a piece of paper. People are prone to have a lapse in judgment when feelings are involved, but when the written word is there for all to read and see and understand, there is barely ground to find away around it.

It is not my place to tell you my feelings about ground zero's newest battle site in the war of the words. Words of the past to meet words of the present day, to mix and mingle, collide; to have a short spat for the moment. No matter though of the short spat that is to occur, the impact will affect generations in the direction we go, redefining the words of old to suit our '˜new' nation.

I myself am thankful for those precious words that allow me to try to reach you before you leap. If I sound as if I am preaching, or if I have bored you to tears because the same words in the same paragraph protect all who are within the borders here as Citizens, no matter of their mannerisms, beliefs, or origin.

I will put the soap box away, and there were 11 red flag moments -- Thank you and have a nice day, stand clear of the closing web page -- .