This should have been a post about my third annual hike into (and out of) the Grand Canyon. I'm sure everyone knows why that didn't happen this year, but in case you live under a rock or in a commune, I'll sum up. Throughout human history there has been a thing called power. Everyone wants it. Some people have a little power and some have a lot. Those who have a lot of power, want to keep it. Those with a little want more. There is another concept that needs to enter the stage here. Acceptable loss. Everyone seeking power or trying to hang on to it has their own level of acceptable loss. It just so happens that in our current political climate, all sides have defined their level of acceptable loss exactly the same. 800,000 people instantly out of work, countless children left un-cared for while their parents go to work in low paying jobs, elderly people without meals and a kind word from another person, hard earned dollars spent on dream trips to national parks, and the stock market plunging due to unnecessary threats to the value of US currency. (Please don't start fuming about the things I left off this list. No doubt we could go on and on, but you get the picture.) There doesn't seem to be a limit save wholescale murder of WWII vets. Because of this, I will not vote for any incumbent candidates in the foreseeable future, and, really, I am considering a personal, lifetime moratorium on voting for them. That may be the only thing I can do for my country. There are no term limits for our Congress unless we impose them through our right to vote.
So yes, my vacation took a left turn due to the government shut down. A yearly dose of Grand Canyon has probably been the only thing keeping me off of mood altering drugs, but onward, right: We hauled our butts to the Superstition Mountains and did an overnight in Haunted Canyon. It was fun, but in all honesty, a poor substitute for the majesty of one of the natural wonders of the world. The next two nights were spent at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood, AZ. Just PS and I, enjoying a rest surrounded by Mountains, watching the stars and the lights of Jerome, AZ on the mountainside. Spending time there makes me realize just how much I miss the desert. That smell of ozone before it heats up. Someday I will be back there for good.
That time also made me appreciate kindness. I say that because there was a power hungry madman in the campsite near me. I did not hear a civil word pass from this man to his wife or two kids. It was an almost endless stream of profanity and verbal abuse the likes of which I have never seen. I heard barely a peep out of those children and yet they seemed to be saying and doing everything wrong. The wife was giving it right back to him occasionally, but for the most part tried to keep the peace and reason with him.
I am including this actual conversation for illustrative purposes. Turn back now if you are offended by profanity.
"I NEED FUCKING HELP!"
"What do you need us to do?"
"TAKE ALL THIS SHIT OUT OF THE TRUCK!"
"...WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
"Taking the shit out of the truck! You said you needed HELP!"
"DON'T PUT THAT SHIT THERE!"
"Where do you want it?"
"NOT THERE!! ANYWHERE!" (I'm not making this up.)
"I CAN'T GET ANY REAL FUCKING HELP!"
He actually said, "We'll just nigger rig it," at least 3 times.
I think this man does more to hurt humanity than any of the things we bicker over and vote on.
Some people exclaim the downfall of America and ask how we got to this point. We got here because of unkindness. Not pre-marital sex, not alcohol, not homosexuality, not abortion, not electing a Democrat/Republican President, not skipping church on Wednesdays, or not being religious in the least.
Unkindness.
Because when Jesus said, "As I have loved you, so you must love one another," we chose unkindness instead. When the Buddha said, "Radiate boundless love towards the entire world - above, below, and across - unhindered, without ill will, without enmity," we chose unkindness. When the Prophet Muhammad said, "You will not enter paradise until you have faith, and you will not complete your faith until you love one another," we chose unkindness.
