Uncomfortably Numb

Bill Maher said something really funny on his last show. He asked John Mellancamp, who was representing struggling small farmers, what people who pretend they care can pretend to do. So many people I know, myself included, go on and on about things they care about, from the horrors of animal abuse to corporate corruption. Then they drive through McDonald's and go shopping at Wal-Mart. We say we want to see change, but we want other people to initiate these changes.

My attempt to be shallow is failing. I'm unable to close my eyes to factory farming and Republican conspiracy. Every time I see Arnold Schwarzenegger's political ads, I feel like throwing up. The thought of another four years with George W. keeps me up at night.

Every time I have a conversation with Summer, I realize that she's right - that our diet is not only causing the most horrific abuse to animals imaginable, but it's also killing us and the planet. But its people like her who will change the world, if that's possible. Even if the world becomes more and more fucked up, Summer will have made changes within her own world by living a compassionate life and not swaying from her beliefs.

I, on the other hand, sometimes feel like there's no point. I was always a fighter, but since George Bush came into office and the United States was changed by the events of 9-11 and the War in Iraq, I've become less and less hopeful that change is possible.

There's a saying that goes, "Change your thoughts, change your world." I think this may be the only thing we can hope for. If we all change the way we think, the way we treat each other, the way we treat all living things, maybe the world around us may become a better place. Or maybe Bush will be re-elected and we'll see the end of the world as we know it.