Melancholy

It's a very somber world out there today. There's too many frustrating things going on in the world right now. Despite the sun shining and the approaching weekend, people all over seem a bit hopeless and fed-up with all of the going-ons of the past week. This week has brought a state government shutdown with thousands of employees out of work. This week we've also been reminded of our president's refusal to cooperate with implementation of global policy to reduce harmful polution. We've been reminded that terrorism are alive and well. Moreover, we've been reminded that our so-called "war-on-terror" clearly isn't working.

We face some tough challenges ahead, and have some important decisions to make.

It is my hope that Muslims and Arabs all over the world do not experience increased hostility and discrimnation as a result of the recent terrorist attacks. I beleive, however, that they will.

It is my hope that the leaders of the western countries involved in the "war on terror" will begin to acknowlege international opinion and open up their eyes to the true sources of terrorism. I believe, however, that they won't.

It is my hope that our elected officials in the state of Minnesota will understand the harsh consequences their choices have had on the state and come to an agreement regarding the budget. I believe, however, that they won't.

It is my hope that the new leg of the "war on terror" does not become a strictly religious crusade between Islam and the West. I beleive, however, that it already has.

Finally, it is my hope that this generation comes to realize that we must take action against environmental pollution. We must realize that our environment and the future of our planet is more important than the state of our economy. If we don't have a planet, we surely won't have an economy.

I have always believed that the future is simply the borrowing of time from those yet to come. If we don't change our current path of environmental destruction, however, we'll not only be borrowing more than our share, but we'll also be outright stealing it from future generations.

Only when the last tree has died
and the last river has been poisoned
and the last fish has been caught
will we realize that we can't eat money.
~ Cree Proverb ~