From adam Wed Jul 12 00:54:33 1995
Lately I've been thinking about what I think is most important in life. My conclusion is that things that divide people are not important, and things that unite people ARE important. Let me try to elaborate on that, using myself as an example.
I'm neither pro-abortion nor pro-choice. I'm neither for nor against the death penalty.
I don't believe in the right to life, and I don't believe in the right to die.
I don't care if guns are legal or illegal. I don't care if drugs are legal or illegal.
It matters not to me whether O.J. walks or takes a life sentence. It matters not to me whether Susan Smith lives her life in prison or is sentenced to die.
I'm not thrilled by freedom of speech, And I'm not thrilled about censorship either.
I'm not a proponent of affirmative action, nor am I against it. I'm not a proponent of government handouts, nor am I against them.
I don't think any person is superior to any other. I don't think any person is inferior to any other.
I dislike the strong for oppressing the weak. I dislike the weak for being oppressable. I dislike the masses for allowing oppression to happen.
I don't concern myself with any issue that makes people fight. Such issues are not worth wasting a bit of the short time we have here to live.
In the quarter-century I've had to live, I have come to realize that the issues that divide people are not issues worth getting passionate about. They are, almost without exception, a waste of time.
Underlying all the differences between people are some basic, important similarities.
Almost everyone tries to live as best they can, and almost everyone is well-intentioned.
Most people want the same things. Food, clothing, shelter, and love.
Most people want to be treated with respect and dignity and compassion, and most people want to feel a sense of belonging.
In this sense, the issues that unite people, and the search for the things we all want - ARE the issues worth getting passionate about. In fact, they are the only issues worth getting passionate about.
Life is too short for arguments. Every nanosecond a person spends disagreeing or disrespecting or hating or chiding, is one less nanosecond a person has for finer things.
To me, it is no longer a choice. I know what to do.
Love, Adam