Communism

When the Communists used to–and still do, unless I miss my mark badly–say “you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet”, they are speaking, for all practical purposes, of human sacrifice, and ritual torture.

What is a Gulag, but a game played by sadistic psychopaths?

What is reeducation, but ritual torture?

Could there be any important distinction between a victim made to cry out Satan or Mao while in pain?

I myself am capable of inflicting pain.  I am no angel.  Where the protection of my children particularly is concerned, I am capable of anything you can imagine, and since I am more imaginative than most, likely much more.

But what I am willing to do is place my attention on this place, on taming it, on recognizing it, on allowing it to do the things which are appropriate, which are good.

I don’t ever want to lose my testicles.  I don’t ever want to be helpless coward.  I don’t ever want to give in to that very congenial lie that we can all get along if we just go along. I want to be a warrior who detests war, and does everything–everything–in his power to make it less likely, and its converse–a joyful peace–more likely.

This is what I think Life asks of me, and I try daily to show up and do my best. I can do no more.