We are the sum of our experiences.

Like each and every one of us, my own experiences have left me with my own predispositions to the first impressions of truth. Because of this we need to break out the charts fairly often and take our bearings, examine our positions, make sure that we have not strayed off course.

Unlike some, I do not believe in moral relativism as the Ultimate Truth. There *is* Good and Evil out there, and I do not excuse Evil or Injustice simply because a group of people or a culture has known only this for many years.

I suppose that's one of the several reasons I feel comfortable around Neo-Conservatives.

...on the other hand, there are many things that I believe to be "just so" for no other reason than it was simply the first way I came to know it or perhaps even the only thing I have ever known. Traveling the world in the belly of a great grey Minotaur (Go Navy) has taught me at least that much. There are a lot of ways to be human, a lot of different ways to be happy and to live harmoniously with one another.

Moral Relativism isn't useless. Like any ideology, it leads us astray when we substitute it completely for our own judgment.

Realizing that there is Good, Evil and Just Plain Different is one of the many reasons why I also feel comfortable with people who call themselves RINOs, DINOs, Classical Liberals, Libertarians or Conservative Democrats.

I am primarily uncomfortable with the closeminded people who may be found across the entire political spectrum but seem to be concentrated most heavily on the far left and the far right. Their exploits are the meat and potatoes of the Media Buffet that serves up dinner every night to the masses who are begging for distraction.

The MSM well knows that it is the disturbing, the controversial and the offensive that most easily distracts. They especially love the fallen. Don't we all? The longer the fall, the better the story; the higher the target, the stronger the yearning. Remember the ravenous, almost rabid hunger to take down President Clinton? I do. I felt it myself. To cheapen the White House in such a manner; I still don't believe that the missile strikes against targets in the Sudan were anything but a smokescreen for the Lewisnky coverage.

I try to remember that when I am shocked by this or that story in the news today. The desperate hunger to "take down" the Bush administration is almost farcical.

Look at the Code Pink sponsored Cindy Sheehan, the mother of fallen Army Specialist Casey Sheehan. At a glance, she makes for an excellent spokesperson. Who would assail the integrity of a mother who has sacrificed her son? Surely only the most heartless of bigots. This is what makes her such a valuable tool to groups like Code Pink, an organization that derides our fallen sons and daughters as contemptuous murderers while delivering aid and comfort (medicine, blankets, money) to the insurgents in Iraq.

Reading the transcripts of some of Mrs. Sheehan's public appearances is almost surreal. The transparancy of her scripted comments is appalling. Nuclear War? Palestine?

It's not the first time that this is happened.

It won't be the last.

That's a crying shame.

FURTHER READING:

If you are interested in reading more about Mrs. Sheehan, Michelle Malkin has a good roundup of articles here, here, here, here, and here,.

Greyhawk, a MilBlogger notes that Specilist Sheehan is not able to speak for himself, and offers prayers for the Sheehan family.

Mohammed in Iraq asks Mrs. Sheehen not to waste her son's blood.

More tips of the hat to:

The Free Republic
NPR
New York Sun
Discover the Networks
Front Page Magazine

Posted by Michael at August 13, 2005 06:26 PM