We can’t give up!



“Based on your despicable actions worldwide, you should pray there is no afterlife where you would be judged.” Dr. BLR

 

I sat in front of my computer for several minutes before beginning this essay. My mind is overwhelmed with turmoil, and I didn’t know where to start. No doubt, those reading this already know what’s been happening in the world, especially the recent unprovoked war on Iran. The first report was about an attack on a school filled with children. As a father, I cannot imagine the pain the parents of the fallen children are feeling. Behind every death is a child who will never grow up. A parent who will never see their children blossom or become parents themselves. And for what? Just because a “man” said it was okay for our country to bomb another nation? What have we become? 

For those witnessing the carnage inflicted on innocent citizens in various countries over the past few years, when will enough be enough? While I have no personal stake in these incidents where innocents are slaughtered, I have a heart, and it is broken. The actions of those in power are carried out by individuals tasked with executing the destruction ordered by those “men” who issue the commands. At some point, when will they say, “I cannot fulfill those orders, so I am standing down”? Being a conscientious objector is not a bad thing because it shows that your morals and values are important to you. 

The best thing anyone who volunteers for the military can do is research the history of military actions over the years. Look at who was in the presidential office during each war, and find out the reasons those leaders sent men and women into battle and what the results were. I hope that after doing an in-depth study, they will change their minds. While I know boots on the ground are needed, I would hope that it would be for a just cause, not just because some “man” said it was a good thing to do. 

I'm not one to get it twisted; the idea of “government” is really about people, not some faceless entity that makes decisions for its citizens. Like in most societies, people get caught up in the hype and forget that, in the end, we are all human beings with a limited number of days to live, and those days shouldn't be cut short just because “men” can't get along and wage brutal wars. 

A careful look at the chaos happening right now highlights the world’s obsession with the Epstein files and an attempt to distract from them. We’ve seen this kind of trickery during multiple presidential administrations, and honestly, it’s getting tiresome. I wonder, when will the people say, ENOUGH! You know that the ultra-wealthy and politicians responsible for deciding who faces danger are not risking their loved ones, so why do you keep being their obedient followers? It’s easy to criticize without understanding your backgrounds and financial situations, but does that really matter when you're asked to risk your life so they can keep doing their nonsense? 

Politics aside, if you have any compassion, can you honestly support killing innocent men, women, and especially children? Military personnel willingly enlist and are paid to risk their lives. It’s their choice, but innocent people shouldn’t be dismissed as collateral damage, as many military leaders have called them in their explanations. Have we become numb and desensitized to the unnecessary violence in the media?

While I understand I can't change everything, I can never completely ignore the pain and injustice happening around the world. I will always mourn the innocent and hope that someday people wake up and stop accepting this behavior from those we elect to represent us. War has consequences: human lives. Humanity urges us all to do better. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The rise of the First Amendment

“Social media has provided an opportunity for the misinformed to become the voice of the miseducated.” Dr. BLR   As a strong supporter of the First Amendment, I am disappointed that, in this era of political correctness, voices are being silenced on both sides of the political spectrum. A lively debate fosters intellectual growth, regardless of how unpopular someone's opinion may be. In this context, I will discuss the recent death of Charlie Kirk (Kirk) at a speaking event on the campus of Utah Valley University. For the record, I knew nothing about him before his untimely passing, until I visited his website and the algorithmic whirlpool directed his information my way. Unapologetically, I have a selective indifference to his death because I didn’t know him. Nonetheless, I genuinely appreciate young people, even if their views are controversial, stepping up and speaking out on issues that will impact their future. Some examples include Nick Fuentes, Ben Shapiro, Candace Owens, La...
Read more

Losing my brother

“As you lay on your deathbed, I looked into your eyes and knew you were ready for the next chapter, and my sorrow for your departure was eased.” Dr. BLR   In a chaotic world, you can never predict what will happen next. Life has a way of surprising us. Yet at some point, you have to expect the unexpected. Earlier this year, I lost my twin brother, Aaron Keith Royster. It hurts to write these words because I am still grieving, and I hope that writing this will help with the process. I don’t think there’s a stronger bond than being a twin, whether identical or fraternal. My brother and I were born about four minutes apart. I wanted to stay in my mother’s womb a little longer, so I kicked him out for my special entrance. Our bond lasted for the next sixty years. My earliest memory of being a twin is from when I was around three or four years old, when my father was trying to teach us how to box. He rewarded us afterward with colorful licorice candy. Unfortunately, not long after,...
Read more

Not my enemy

“I can’t believe what you say because I see what you do.”  James Baldwin   No one will ever agree on controversial issues or people. Recently, someone reappeared in my life after a period of dormancy. Assata Olugbala Shakur (also known as JoAnne Deborah Byron and JoAnne Chesimard), an African-American woman, was convicted of the murder of a New Jersey State Trooper, Werner Foerster, on the New Jersey Turnpike in 1973. As a retired New Jersey State Trooper (NJSP), I am conflicted about why I have allowed her to occupy space in my mind. She allegedly killed a state trooper, and according to the law, she should have spent the rest of her life in prison. However, I wasn’t entirely convinced that she was guilty.  Growing up as a young Black man in Newark, New Jersey's inner city, I heard a lot about our struggles to survive in an oppressive, white, male-dominated system. I vaguely remember the 1967 riots in Newark, but later I researched the NJSP’s role in trying to suppr...
Read more