A little less conversation, a little more action

So before I explain my reference to Elvis, allow me to tell my parents that I am alive and well; breathing and learning. I know I don't call home (ever), but like I say, that just means I am having a very good time. So, dear family and friends, know I am well.

I spent this last Shabbos with the Stenge clan (Mott, Sara, Yehuda Tzvi, Shoo, cousin Erin) and Esther in Ramot Bet. It was great. Wanna hear something crazy? I didn't smoke. That's right. I totally kept Shabbos. And for that I am pretty proud. Sure I totally sucked one down after Shgiya like nobody's business, but that's not the point. Point is, this past Shabbos was spiritually, as well as physically (Sara's cooking.....yum) fulfilling.

Elvis. Singer, entertainer, lyricist. He affected a lot of people, but the heading for this entry is what I know of him. And what better way to define the West's (in)action concerning the growing international crisis that is terrorism.

If I look at today, May 28th, 2006 in a vacuum, I would feel pretty darn good. The conservative movement is gaining worldwide....George W Bush, Angela Merkhel, Stephen Harper, etc...But when put into context, I start to worry about our society post 2008...and here's why......

Democracy v. theocracy/dictatorship.

In a democratic country, leaders are not only accountable to their citizens for their actions and policy, they are subject to their whims. So, even if a leader is truly a great leader, chances are, his term as leader will be limited. Whether by constitution or simply growing voter apathy when things are good, in a democracy, leaders time are quite finite and short. In a theocracy/dictatorship, it is the reverse. It is almost impossible to remove a leader, even if he runs his country into the ground. This is also the difference between a Free Society and a Fear Society (coined by Natan Sharansky.....The Case For Democracy, 2004).

What does this mean for us?

Well, it means that when W's run is done, whomever is elected in his stead (Clinton, McCain, etc...) will definitely take a softer, more diplomatic approach to the issue of international terrorism. But who will be leading Iran? Syria? PA? The same old guard, bent on Islamic world domination; subjugation of minorities and women's rights; destruction of freedoms and injecting the world with anarchic cancer. Who will answer the call then? Who will stymie these nutballs when our present leaders are gone?

Who knows.....

I heard a very interesting idea in class today. Something that all Canadians will understand.

Multi-culturalism.

You know what multi-culturalism really is? It's neo-paganism. Allow me to explain....

Paganism was the belief that ethics (from the Greek ethos...meaning customs) was the primary focus of the definition of right and wrong. Meaning that there was no absolute right or wrong. A great example is infanticide. The great Greek philosopher Aristotle argued that infanticide is necessary for numerous reasons, one being a form of population control. This is what the world was until the Jews came and explained the idea that no, Right and Wrong, Morality, is absolute. It is unquestionable. It is not for us to determine. Today, no one questions the fact that infanticide is a gross miscarriage of injustice and plain old wrong.

Multi-culturalism states that who are we, the West, to push our own values, morals and ethics on others? The Western world has adopted much of the Jewish views on these issues, and we are all better for it. But now, in today's age of political correctness, we have begun to revert back to those Pagan days of yore. We now say...."Oh, if that's your custom, who am I to question it?"

How stupid have we become?

Truth is absolute. Morality is absolute.

For us to dilude this idea is paramount to taking a giant leap back in history. Killing babies is wrong. Targeting civilians is wrong. Declaring a state, and people, should be wiped off the map is wrong. How much further will we take this neo-liberalism down the path towards chaos? How much longer before we take a step back and realize this is not how humanity is supposed to function? How many more words will fall on deaf ears before the unwilling are willed into action?

Take heed, my friends. Society is changing and not for the better. Our lives continue to reflect this change, and our souls suffer for it. Please....find a cause you believe in and fight for it. Nothing in this world is worthwhile unless you are willing to stand up for it.

Aish Hatorah Rosh Yeshiva Weinberg says:
"You can't start living until you know what you would be willing to die for...."

I can't say it any better than that.