On 'To thine ownself be true...' or at least do no harm

People I have known and continue to know have advice for others about how one might have lived their life 'fuller' or 'more honestly' and with greater love.  And as we examine the lives of the advisor, but NOT under any microscope, we think to our selves... 'physician, heal thy self'.

I suppose, tho, that it's unrealistic for us to take advice only from people who are well and healthy, mind and/or body...  for we'd search forever for THAT physician.

What then, to expect of those who would offer advice about our individual life predicaments?  Compassion, I might suspect.  Empathy, surely.  And understanding of why we might make the choices we make... even should some of these choices appear to be 'safe' and even dishonest.

Perspective is everything.


But don't stop talking...  For god's sake don't stop the dialogue.

Beat me, Daddy...eight to the bar....

Today I watched the former VP of this nation [USA] tell us that waterboarding is NOT torture and suggest that we not burden him with 'hypotheticals'.  One such hypothetical HE wouldn't want to deal with is... "If his own child was so treated would it STILL not be torture"?  Or, under what circumstances might it be torture?  Or is there any circumstance under which torture would be/should be allowed? 

He's answered that, of sorts, suggesting that IF it does a great public good, then it might not only be allowed but it should be 'praised'...the perpetrators held as praise worthy.

To this man and those who side with him I suggest that it is not I that needs to 'love it or leave it';  it's they that should be banned from the borders of this country...  a country  that should restore itself to greatness...a country that should insists on remaining true to the principles of its founding, refusing to become like those we abhor. 

America does not torture?  Sadly, "Does so".  And with a population that believes that protection trumps our humanity, double sadly it will continue to do so.