The headline reads, "Gunman kills two before he's shot dead."
"Los Angeles. As Americans braced for possible terrorist attacks on the
Fourth of July, a lone gunman opened fire at Los Angeles International
Airport, killing two people before he was shot dead by an airline security
guard."
"The F.B.I. said that there was no indication that the shooting were connected
to terrorism and that the gunman acted alone."
As I write this, today is July 5th, finishing a week of two countries' patriotism. Canada.
United States. The Elephant and The Mouse, as former Prime Minister Elliot
Trudeau once called them in a comparison. Funny how just yesterday The
Elephant was being cautious. And with reason.
Freedom. Independence. The ability to do what ever you would like, whenever
you feel like doing it. But what about crime and punishment? Laws. What
freedom really, truly is, is actually being able to do what you would
like, while not interfering with other people's dreams. Man, do they sure
suck the fun out of that.
While both Canada and the U.S. made preparations for their patriotic days,
they both took precautions. Our freedom is precious. If it is threatened,
our lives are as well.
And, although patriotism was celebrated on these days 100, 200 years ago,
our morals have changed. Things grow, and things change. Both countries have
done so.
Freedom now supports different values. We can only restrict laws to so many
people, in such an area. And there will always be people who choose to break
the laws. So now freedom involves power.
It is no longer an ability to do whatever you want, whenever you feel like
doing it. It was the power to do what you would like. Forget about other people's
beliefs. Now, that's not true. It only applies sometimes. How close to home
do things have to "hit" for us to react?
In 50 years, if we make it, we won't remember this shooting. We may remember
the event of September 11th, memories etched in our minds. A film without
sound, playing over and over again for us. Until we're gone. What happens
when we're gone?
Patriotism to our country isn't enough. Why can't we be patriotic to the
world?
Giggler01
Growing and Changing (all the time)
