Tuesday, June 1, 2010

A New Perspective

You may be surprised to learn that many of my cares and concerns, regarding this world of ours, are now Gone with the Wind. Recent events between Israel and the Gaza-bound flotilla, my husband's return to Iraq, and my acceptance of the disappointing reality that I, in fact, can not change the world brought on the winds of change.

I'm absolutely uninterested in any debates regarding Israel, Turkey, and Palestine. Actually, I'm uninterested in debating period. Mainly I just wanted to share how Turkey's Prime Minister played a tremendous role in my new perspective. He said this: "Psychologically this attack is like 9/11 for Turkey because Turkish citizens were attacked by a state, not by terrorists, with an intention, a clear decision of political leaders of that state."

Holy crap, what drug is he high on? First of all, his statement simply doesn't make any sense. Secondly, it speaks volumes as to just how blind a large part of the world chooses to be regarding the horrors of 9/11; how very little they care. Nine civilians were killed in this flotilla incident. Thousands of lives were taken on 9/11. Not to mention the far-reaching effects still felt to this day, almost nine years later. I'm not insinuating the nine lives lost are less important than any other life lost. But logically, the numbers nine and 2,973 are far from comparable. I'm sorry Mr. Prime Minister. The 9/11 attacks were planned for months, took place on our soil, involved four jets, and targeted innocent civilians. There is no similarity with your situation, that took place in international waters, between one ship (the other 5 had no incidents) and Israel. You say they attacked, they say they were acting in self-defense. There are many sides to the story. There is only side to 9/11. On that day, innocent Americans were simply going about their daily lives. Without provocation, our entire country was attacked and terrorized. The entire country of Turkey has not been attacked. Nothing about your current situation is, as you said, "like 9/11". Your statement is both absurd and screaming with ignorance. Proof that you have no idea how horrific 9/11 was, and you don't care either.

The remainder of my new perspective comes from the pain felt as I sit, once again, without my husband in this home. Where he belongs. I really wish I could be more noble, more patriotic. I don't know how to give any more than I am currently giving. I don't know how to love this country any more than I do. You know I'm nothing, if not honest. And I'm ready to be completely honest. I hate where he is, I hate that he has been sent there. I hate that the Commander-in-Chief doesn't care more. I hate every bit of it. And, I'm sorry it took a deployment to move me to this perspective. I understand this is what we signed up for, I just wish it made more sense. I can't give details or explanations, but trust me. So much of it makes no sense.
None. Whatsoever.

I'm pretty certain many of you will strongly disagree with my thoughts, but here goes. I want our country to take care of our own now. It's time. True, there are starving women and children in third world countries, but you can find starving people in your own town too. You can find homeless, downtrodden, desperate, exploited, and abused human beings in your city. For years I've imagined ways I can get myself to the war-torn Congo. I've imagined all the good I could do, all the children I could "save". Now I've decided I'll try to help here, in my small, insignificant Georgia town. I can't save the Congo and neither can you.

I've grown beyond weary of this country suffering because we have some Superman complex pushing us to get involved and "help" everyone else. Have you noticed this rarely gets us anywhere and garners little more than harsh criticism? Here I will add that yes, my husband has been greeted by grateful Iraqis. Of course it's heartwarming and touching. Yes, they can vote and attend school now. Some amazing things have happened there, but at what cost to our own country? At what cost to our fellow Americans?

I guess I'm realizing this great country of ours is a lot like parents enabling their drug-addicted children. There comes a time when you've done all you can do! A time when you just have to step back, let people make their choices, and suffer the consequences. We need to take care of the poor, hungry, abused, exploited, hopeless and helpless here in our country. My church gives tremendous amounts of global humanitarian aid. I love and support those efforts. But I've noticed, that aid is never given in a way that comes back to harm the church or its members. It is in no way an enabling parent. I want to help others. I don't support standing idly by as people suffer. But it's time for America to seriously reevaluate. Much of what we're doing really isn't working. I'm tired of this country harming itself, and its people, all in the name of helping others.

If you know me, you know I'm wholeheartedly in favor of protecting our country, defending this nation and preserving our liberty. That protection, defense and liberty should start right here, on our own soil. We can't save the world. We can't make nations agree to disagree, or choose to live peacefully. They've been fighting since time began, and they will continue in their attempts to destroy each other until time ends. I would just like to get our own country back on track, financially stable, with secure borders so we can protect ourselves. I would like to make certain America's children are well cared for, well educated, and protected before we set out to make life better for everyone else (something rarely appreciated because maybe they don't even want things to change)...leaving America behind in the process.

I'm not so naive anymore. And to the rest of the world I feel like saying...go ahead, fight, feud, disagree, whatever. But leave me out of it.
Because I'm beginning to feel a lot like Rhett!
"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."

And I'm also feeling a lot like Scarlett.
"I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy."
"I'll think about that tomorrow."
Maybe I will. Maybe I won't. I'm leaning toward the won't.

13 comments:

Nawie2 said...

Natalie, I totally agree! I have thought for quite a long time that we should be taking care of our own before sending financial aid to other countries. We certainly do have plenty here that could use the help and would be willing to take care of themselves if someone gave them a hand to get started! Don't get me wrong, I don't mind helping anyone in need. I just think we need to start at home first!

caitsmom said...

I'm sorry this has affected your family to closely. Sending hope that your husband is safe and remains safe. Peace.

KatieB said...

AMEN!!!!! I love you to pieces :)

karen said...

I have to say I agree with you. I don't know if I'm right or not, but I do agree. We can't help EVERYONE willy nilly like we are now. We're flying in too many directions. 'Nuff said.
I'm thinking more about you and the kids right now - and your poor husband. I hope the time will fly by until you can be together again. It's a hard trial for you all. Wish I could do more than send my love and some prayers your way. But maybe that's enough.

Anonymous said...

From one Scarlet to another...AAAAamen!

Carly said...

Thank you for always having the strength to tell the truth. It is not easy! I think of you and other military families I "know" often (I guess I've never technically met you), and wonder how they really feel about all this. Because you are the ones making the biggest sacrifices, your opinions should count double--triple--okay, a thousand times more than those of us that pick apart abstract principles from our couches. And you should be heard. Even though I know you have stopped caring--maybe you should send this post to your congressman anyway. They need to hear it from someone like you.
You are the best!

Susan Anderson said...

I am definitely feelin' ya. And I have often spoken of our country as the Great Enabler.

Not good.

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jen said...

This is tricky. And I don't know a solution. I do know that we overextend and try to help change things to the American way of life, and that way of life is unsuited to most if not all of the world. But I also know that if we ignore what is transpiring outside, the that will gradually seep inside.
But I do agree that we need to look at the inner problems and try to fix them first. In this global world, there should be no excuse for ignoring the home fires to extinguish others when no one else in the world will help you.
Jumbled, garbled, ugly comment. Hope you can decipher it.

Unknown said...

Here, here and a great big AMEN! Just in case I haven't thanked you lately by the way. THANKYOU for the sacrifice you and your family are making! Love, L

Jess said...

I don't know that it gets more patriotic than you- you take an interest and learn about the issues and you form an opinion and then share it- that is what this country is based on. I'm sad to hear that things feel senseless to you (I've felt this way for a while)- but I love that you still see that you can make a difference where you are. You are a very noble lady and the world could use more just like you.

Melanie said...

Natalie, I totally agree and that is no surprise. I told my husband that I agree with most things that you write and I just can't express them like you do. It is so nice to read someone that thinks like me and has a common sense quality like I do.

Have a good evening. Where are you in Georgia? I am heading to LaGrange next week.

Ash said...

I've been fighting the urge to scream "circle the wagons!" for some time now.

If everyone thinks we're such greedy, money-grubbing, power-hungry Americans, then maybe they should go at it alone for a while.

This country I love should take its ball and go home.

Eloquent as always my dear - thank you. You and your entire family remains on my mind.

TuTu's Bliss said...

I hear you. Doesn't it feel off to have the love of your life deployed and be so damn unpatriotic. Sometimes I have the urge to egg cares with "Support out Troop" stickers..I think support my trooper and go there your flippin' self.

Disclaimer: I know it isn't right. I have not keyed, egged or cursed anyone. It's just a bit of hormone, depression induced madness that I'm owning up to. Not to mention the stress from a little..ummm...how should I say this..deprivation?