When?

The greatest question facing mankind is "when." When will there be peace? When will there be justice? When will children have all that they need? Instead of setting in motion the actions that will bring about the answers, we are mired in the mindset that there is actually something "real" stopping this from happening. We invent reasons why we are unable to accomplish that upon which we all agree.

The lack of a universal "we" only seems to exist when there is work to be done. We seem always able to go to war. We are perfectly able to be greedy, jealous and fearful on a planetary scale. Why then, are there so few instances when "we" are able to work the other side of the street and show compassion, patience and respect. Why are we not willing to sacrifice for the benefit of "others?"

The ultimate sacrifice, according to those who wage war, is to give one's life (get killed to be more accurate) while engaged in defending (killing others) one's country. It doesn't matter what side one is on -- the reasoning runs the same in all countries on all sides of all conflicts at all times. How wrong can a truism be?

How about the ultimate sacrifice being the one in which one sacrifices from the heart. A sacrifice of life instead of death. Perhaps the honors given those who die on the battle field might better be bestowed upon those who share. That's right -- share. Basic Living, 101.

Well, that's it for today. Back to work.

The Kids These Days

I've worked with high school kids for nearly fifteen years now, and feel that I've at least started to get a feel for how they approach the world. A great deal of the published literature is on solid ground. Kids are stuck in the netherworld between childhood and adulthood. Their bodies are telling them one thing and their minds are unable to speak. They act on impulse because they can. With an inability to distinguish a safe environment for one fraught with dangers, teenagers take little notice of the possible consequences of their actions. Why would they?

In modern, middle-class America we have created the ultimate responsibility-free zone on the planet. It seems sometimes that there is virtually nothing a kid can do that will cause lasting harm . . . at least to him or herself. We don't report instances of dishonesty to the colleges at which our kids enroll. We don't discipline kids of whose parents we are legally fearful. It doesn't take much intelligence to figure out that the rules are often for show. Slowly, the younger generations (my own included) have taken the bellows to our house of cards.

As they grow, the brains of teenagers eventually create their own ability to assess results prior to action. The problem so often seems to be that the road to this new talent has left them with the knowledge that consequences are, for the most part, theoretical guidelines that are only the starting point for negotiations. I fear that this mentality might not bode well for the future. Even the best of kids, when given the information that repercussions are transitory, will stray from the path. What happens when the majority of adults starts to act this way? I guess we'll all find out in a few years.

Justice(?) Roberts

As the hearings get underway and the future of the Supreme Court is debated, it is difficult to muster much concern. The imperial Presidency has emerged once again under the guiding hand of Karl Rove, et al. and has reduced the relative importance of the Court proportionately. Robert's confirmation would simply cement an already existing decline of the balance among our three governmental powers and leave the country open to Constitutional crisis when the political pendulum swings back across the center. Let us hope that the brilliance of this justice will outweigh his reluctance to assert the power of his co-equal branch.

Perhaps his reticence conceals his stated willingness to approach each debate with an open mind. There is, as they say, always hope.

Katrina Ire

As the billions of dollars add up and the press reveals the finger-pointing and blamestorming that has ensued, the caring response of the American people has been wonderful. One can't open a magazine, turn on a television or listen to the radio without hearing about individuals who are donating time, money or goods to the relief effort.

While I applaud the motivation of these Samaritans, the reality that middle-class families are sacrificing (yet again) to underwrite the cleanup as wealthier Americans enjoy their tax-cuts and profit-swollen corporations make haste to dismantle remaining environmental restrictions, remains our dirty, little secret. Already spending into deficit, the Bush Administration and the Republican controlled congress are likely quite satisfied with this turn of events. If our federal government were doing its job and adequately financing prevention as it taxed appropriately, the "little guy" would not need to send his hard-earned hundred dollars to the Red Cross. It would mean, however, that the tax cuts and corporate welfare would not be so appealing. The system is broken and, just as we did with the New Orleans canals, we refuse to fix it.

What will the breach look like when it finally and inevitably comes. Riots in the streets? Economic revolution and collapse? I don't have those answers. Nevertheless, fear of the solution is rarely a good reason to avoid confronting a problem. Instead of finding someone to blame for the mess, this country needs to wake up and look to the future.

The beginning . . .

As the title suggests, this first post to Going Down the Road is a starting point. Exaclty what is starting remains anyone's guess. I enjoy the process of exchange. I spend my days with young people who understand the potential for technology to empower ideas over impressions and thoughts over things. I may be the only one to post here. I may be the only one to pass this way. It matters not. What matters is that the ideas have a home. In the end, it's the ideas that matter most.