fantasticmuse | Because it's in the air.

I really hate doing this. I hate inflicting my opinion on people who I can't see face to face.

I know a lot of people like the internet because of the anonymity of it, but I'd much rather deal with people in person, I feel more confident then. I can never tell what's a joke and what's just being mean online. I saw something once where someone suggested there be an official sarcasm font. That's not a half bad idea.

Anyway.

I'm seeing a lot of conflicting opinions right now. And I feel like I have to say something and I have no idea how to.

There's so many bad things happening right now. The prisoner abuse in Iraq, the video-taped beheading of an American soldier. And people everywhere saying things like: "Yeah, the abuse was bad, but we've had worse done to us!"

Now, I think the last statement is definitely true. But I also think saying things like that is stupid. It's childish- like saying "they started it!"

Yes, yes they did. But that's not an excuse for our actions. I just... I'm not sure what to say, exactly. Only that hearing this over and over is really getting to me. I feel like it's not going to change anything and probably just brings bad karma back on those who say that.

I guess the point is that no one seems to be understanding that everyone is at fault. Everyone has done horrible things. It's not about American and not American, it's not about a war half a world away. It's about every single one of us, being afraid of what is happening.

I'm afraid. It makes me scared to see people in this squabble. A boy who went to my college was just recently killed. My uncle just came back from Iraq, he's leaving again in a week. It about killed me when I had to watch my grandparents tell us that news.

More and more of us are being affected. And we're acting like children. All of us, both sides. We're children with knives and bombs and a cruel sense of humor.

I'm young. I'm only 18 years old. I haven't been alive two decades yet. And I've never lived through a war, or at least one I could remember. Desert Storm took place when I was five. I remember seeing pictures of men in the sand on T.V., and that's about it.

Is it always like this? I don't know, and the adults around me don't seem to have any answers either.

I'm young and I'm scared, for my countrymen across the ocean, for the people they come in contact with. For myself, as civil liberties are beginning to be written out of the constitution. And at the same time, I'm acutely aware that this is just a moment in time, a blip in thousands of years of history.

I'm young, and I don't know what to do. So I'm going to go to the movies and watch Hugh Jackman look hot and Tina Fey be funny. I'm going to listen to sugar pop music and read for enjoyment. I'm young and there's nothing else to do.

I've tried hard to have strong opinions and become knowledgeable about politics. I really have. But everything's being ripped in a hundred different directions now. And maybe I'm being melodramatic. And maybe I'm being young, too young to understand. I just don't know anymore.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

And at the same time, I'm acutely aware that this is just a moment in time, a blip in thousands of years of history.

That's exactly what you have to keep at the front of your mind. When I was your age (oh my god, I'm saying when I was your age! *wails*) I felt the same way. It's hard not to be afraid when the world's in chaos and you're watching your country go to hell. Only the highly medicated wouldn't be touched in the nerves by that.

There's this Elvis Costello lyric: "You shouldn't cry for lost souls, you might drown." I made that my motto whenever stress would get to me, whenever I'd start hurting for someone who'd been murdered or an animal that'd been tortured or whatever. You can't worry about everything. People that do, they wind up in padded rooms.

You're young, and here's what you do: You just keep living. Everything's going to pass. You tell yourself that if past generations could deal with the worst of times, we'll deal as well. Take up a meditation routine, distract yourself with some stupid internet game and for heavens sake, don't think about it. The situation, the future, it's not going to change with your worrying.

I know I probably sound old, and hope you aren't taking my advice as condescending or flippant in any way. I remember the anxiety. I'm just trying to offer what little I can to you.

*big, squishy hugs*

*hugs*

Thank you. I'm usually really good at keeping it all in perspective, but there was too much for me tonight. It was just hitting too close, ya know?

Anyway, thank you so much just for listening. *hugs more* I'm feeling much better.

*WAR! HUH! What is it good for? Absolutly nothing! Sing it again* or as I now like to think of it < /war>

Hey, I know how you feel, and I am right there with you. I saw CNN this morning and was left speechless at all of the images flashing up on the screen. There is nothing I could do about it all. I take that back. I am 19 years old. I can do something about it, I can vote. Until something happens to stop all of this bull there is not much we can do. I sat on the couch to watch a movie with my root beer float and mom said, "What are you doing?" I replied by telling her I was figuring out world peace... or else drinking my float, because I am pretty sure that one has to do with the other. She just looked confused and went back to whatever it was that she was doing, which is how I think it was meant to be. Any time I speak I hope it leads to confusion because at least then people have to think about it. But just like you war or no war, I am going to continue to drink my root beer float.

*hugs infinity plus one times*

Because it's in the air.

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