The Craving For Something More

    I think we're all looking for something more, especially in this day and age. In this foul year of our Lord two thousand eleven, it's possible to talk to someone on the other side of the planet in the blink of the eye, and meet them the next day if you wish. Food is an issue only in the worst off social stratums. You can talk to almost any of your friends at anytime from anywhere thanks to the miracle of cellphones. Music is more expressive than ever, actors can ply their trade like never before, artists have digital means of expressing themselves that even the greatest of renaissance artists would have never dreamed of. We can develop complex social networks that encompass thousands thanks to webpages (which are a wonder even of themselves.) Yet, I can't help but to think that we're all reaching out for something more. It seems that everyone's looking for some type of great philosophical or theological meaning beyond the simple joy of existing. It makes me wonder what we're all looking for. After all, in a world where everything we have would be considered a miracle by our predecessors, what is left that could be considered truly amazing?

The Nature of Freedom and the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy

     Freedom is by it's very nature a thing that must apply to all, because if one man is free and another isn't, often the free man will scream for the freedom of his ensnared counter part. If you don't believe me, look around. Listen to the passion in the activist's voice, really consider the news paper headlines, and I ask, just once, really attempt to comprehend the words that come screaming out at you. Even today, in this foul year of our Lord, 2010, there are people in our very own country who are oppressed. In fact, the oppressed are everywhere. They're in your schools and work, they flood the streets and night clubs, they live as well as they can despite their chains. What's more, they serve beside me in the armed forces. They fight, bleed, and die, the same as any other soldier. In fact I know many homosexuals in the armed forces who push themselves above and beyond the call of duty. So I ask, if they fight, bleed, and die, the same as any straight soldier, why is it that they must deny a peice of their identity to do so?

     The heart of it is simple. They are oppressed because we allow it. Those of us who have freedom, who have the ability to speak on any subject we choose, we are responsible. We are too lazy, too weak, or too afraid to speak on their part. Well, where do we draw the line? When will there be enough injustice in the world for us to feel for our fellow man and stand up? You're allowed to feel how you want, you're allowed to do what you want, to love who you want, to be who you want, why are they oppressed? Are you afraid of them? They're there, and forcing them into silence about themselves doesn't help you, it only hurts them! I'm not asking anyone to believe as I believe, I'm not asking anyone to fight as I will, I'm not even asking anyone to accept homosexuals, I'm only asking that you tolerate them. I'm only asking that if you say you believe in freedom, extend that freedom to all, not just the select few you believe to be superior or whatever other nonsense you believe seperates homosexuals from everyone else.

     Simply stated, not everything can coexist. The straight populace and the homosexual populace already coexist together, but Freedom and Oppression can never coexist, either in the human mind or in society. When it comes down to it, the truth is there's more at stake in the debate of the DADT policy then what many view as simply homosexuals being open. There's a choice being made in every man, woman, and child. The choice is complete freedom, as freedom is by nature meant to be, or the acceptance of oppression; and as I've said, the two cannot coexist. I only hope that, even if you don't believe in homosexuality, if you believe in freedom you will let others be free. Tolerance is necissary for everything in life, and I hope that even for those who truely disdain homosexuals, you will choose tolerance over oppression.

                                                                                             Just A Thought,
                                                                                                      Leif L. Moak