FREEDOM

Were you watching the protests in Egypt? It kind of reminded me of the USA of the 60’s. Make love, not war. Get out of Vietnam. These are different revolutions but similar in that that they are primarily youth led. Several news reports credited the end of Murbarak’s government to the social network on the Internet. That is a youth medium.

Today there are reports of protests and other conflicts throughout the Middle East. Headlines read like a follow up to the government overthrow in Egypt:
Egypt echoes across region: Iran, Bahrain, Yemen
Police disperse Iranian protesters with tear gas
Syria sentences teen blogger to 5 years in jail
Israeli PM: Arab world undergoing 'earthquake'
Clashes in Bahrain before planned protest rally
Palestinian Authority Cabinet resigns
One dead as Iran protesters clash with police
Rocks and batons fly as Yemen protests erupt
Iran police fire tear gas at protesters
Iraqis target leaders in Valentine protest
Clashes in Algeria as opposition plans new protest

Certainly conflict is in the air. Middle Easterners want more than they have. It may not be democracy as we know it, but they want a say in things that affect their lives.

Pretty much we are all like that. We struggle with being told what to do, how to do it and when to do it. We know taxes are necessary, but that doesn’t mean we have to like it. We would most likely be more tolerant if we believed “our” money was being wisely handled in their hands. But basically we do not trust our elected leaders.

The natives are up in arms at The Home as well. Head office is trying to resolve conflicts, but is coming down with judgments like Judge Judy, but they will not hear the case like Judge Judy. They listen to part of a story — and decide. They appear to decide based on their feelings about one resident over another. Talk is growing.

No one here is likely to burn draft cards (where are they anyway) or burn their bras. They won’t march on head office, or even consider a sit in unless there are enough chairs for everyone. Once we get on the floor it takes a tow truck to get us up. We will not even attack via the Internet or try to get 10 million grey heads to march on Washington. We write letters and stir the pot with angry talk. We try to get more people agitated to make our numbers grow. Then we wait patiently for the next meeting and verbally attack from all directions. It does disorient leadership. When they leave, we have more fuel to throw on the fire of community unrest.
The difference with people at The Home is that our rebellion will not go past talk. No energy. Too tired. Can’t see very well at night.

I want what our government leaders have in abundance. I want an intern. I want a housekeeping intern that works for free. Now that would be real freedom.