Well, it's about Hitler

There are very few ways one can begin a blog about Hitler and this is one of them. We all know of Hitler, blame him for the atrocities that he committed, and I certainly agree that what he accomplished is atrocious. However, I think we lose sight of something. I do not know (as I am no history buff by any means) if Hitler actually killed anyone himself. His murder seems to be secondhand; someone else was doing it. Someone else was convinced somehow that this was the right thing to do.

I think we forget about the process that happened to get to this point. Germans felt wronged and abused. Somewhere along the line, they started believing lies. These lies undoubtedly made them feel better about their current situation and allowed them to take out anger and frustration.

I do know from history that Hitler did not come right out screaming "Kill the Jews!" No. He progressed slowly, beginning with taking away rights of the Jews, discriminating. Slowly, the German people bought into these lies and began to see these people as anything but that. They saw them as less than people, less than themselves. Germans were after all the "Aryan race"; the perfect race.

I do not know how this went on, but I do not think that most of the German people realized what was happening to them (I do not mean to dissolve them of responsibility from their actions however). The process was slow and likely well thought out. One does not convince a nation overnight.

There are dangers here. Can we, as Americans, think of any race or group of people that we have been brought up to believe is less than us? Less than human? Does this not only strip them of their humanity but us as well? Surely we have not realized it as these ideas grow slowly to fruition.

When we see others as they are, as people no different than us when it all boils down, then we can love them. Then we can break down the hostility that has separated us.

I do hope we wake up soon.

Protesting the Civil War!

I recently read a remark regarding Obama's trip to Copenhagen in which multiple planes were used. Arguments arose about the seeming hypocrisy of promoting "green" living while using the planes.

It broke my heart.

Not anything concerning the plane usage (I'll keep my opinion on that hushed for the time being). Nothing about that at all. I felt like I had entered a war zone. Back and forth people argued over the President's trip. We are such a divided nation. We can't even get along when our leader is selected. There's always something wrong.

If a Republican is elected, the Democrats count down until he's out of office. A Democrat, the Republicans count down. All the while, they each scrutinize the candidate, pointing out every fault (even diligently searching for them in any situation).

Truly, it seems impossible for one side to see anything redemptive in the other.

I find it hard to call this the "United" states.

Maybe one will come that will put an end to this division.

We certainly can't do it.

I'm John Sebesta and I support the economic recession

Yes, my friends, you read that correctly.

Something I have been learning of late is the very relative nature of what is good for us. Over and over I see how the things that are "good" involve us and gaining more of something material (or perhaps just not losing any more of it). I often wonder if this is really a healthy of mind.

Generally, when we have enough (which for most Americans, is all of their lifetime more or less) we are content, self-sufficient, and quite concerned with keeping it that way. Truly I must confess that perhaps "enough" is enough and the problem lies when we acquire any more than that (which for most Americans, is all of their lifetime more or less).

So when we (please note that when I use "we", I include myself as the first-most in that collective "we") have our plenty, we get used to that plenty and view it as enough. Maybe even just "not quite enough". So the hunt continues. For more.

We fear that any loss in our current amount would be absolutely, irrevocably terrifying. I myself have gone to great lengths to ensure that nothing becomes less; unless of course, it means I get a little more. Used to this norm, we continue until such things come along that, heaven forbid, might threaten our beautifully crafted and zealously guarded status quo of crap.

Enter the recession.

//satirical sarcastic clause//

Suddenly, our world turns upside down. No longer may our precious earned dollars go to sweet nothings that made up our life. We might actually have to take a long look at the trails of our dollars, where they lead.

//end clause//

The more I see how bountifully excessive we are, the more I wonder if an event that makes us consider what we spend is really that bad. Yes, jobs are lost. Can't they be lost at any moment anyway? Yes, banks and companies may close. Aren't they all just dollars from ending anyway?

Can we really call something that makes us spend more carefully, realize where are lives are, cherish relationships that aren't tagged with a dollar amount, and live more gratefully with the money and jobs and things we do have, can we really call that thing bad?

I do not think so.

So with pride and verve do I say:

I'm John Sebesta and I support the economic recession!

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