We all think, do and say things which are admirable and kind. Yet, every person also engages in actions which are regrettable, mean and harmful. Though we know this, political, social and religious leaders often convince us that some people, societies and nations are more moral and deserving than others.
Such attitudes lead to,the endless task of dividing up our world into us and thems, into the good and the bad. Sometimes our tribe is as small as our family or community, and other times our group is as large as a nation, or even a region.
Often times the others are deemed so dangerous, bad and evil that we feel justified in the punishing, killing and sometimes torturing or starving of entire groups of people. We may bewail that those people are taking our jobs, or that the danger they pose is worthy of their annihilation.
I have a difficult time justifying the systematic harm to others through war, sanctions, military intervention, or drones mainly due to the fact that someone belongs to a certain geography, is living in a land run by an unfriendly leader, or has a belief system different than my neighbors.
Humanity would never have survived and the global population would never have gotten into the millions let alone the billions if people were incapable of working together or if survival of the fittest were the only or dominant mechanism. Yet, the more we allow the ambitious, hateful and fearful to set policy and act on our behalf the more tenuous our future survival becomes.
So, while nobody is perfect or even always well intentioned, on a moment to moment basis the global ledger has generally favored life over death
lyrics
Everybody 5/13/04
I do feel this life so frail as I walk my path each day
There are woes and times to sail, I’ve had conquests and times I’ve bailed
Everybody lives everybody dies everybody gives everybody tries
Well I don’t know if it’s right to say
Everybody is everybody smiles everybody wins everybody lies
Well I won’t be here when it goes away
I’ve seen troubles I’ve been dismayed
I’ve been excited I’ve played in the rain
Everybody laughs everybody cries everybody cracks everybody sighs
Well I just hope we love each day
Everybody asks everybody whines everybody basks everybody dines
Well I just wish we could share the grain
I do feel this life so frail as I walk my path each day
Everybody’s right everybody’s wrong everybody’s trite everybody’s strong
Well I just know we find our way
Everybody’s good everybody’s bad everybody cares everybody’s sad
Well I feel a passion to get inside
I do feel this life so frail as I walk my path each day
I’ve seen troubles I’ve been dismayed
Everybody lives everybody dies everybody gives everybody tries
Well I don’t know if it’s right to say
Everybody is everybody smiles everybody wins everybody lies
Well I won’t be here when it goes away
I’ve been excited I’ve played in the rain
Well I just wish we could share the grain
Everybody’s right everybody’s wrong everybody’s trite everybody’s strong
credits
from Opportunity Lost,
released January 16, 2014
Jim Guido Vocals, Horns, Bass, Percussion, Guitar
Drums Ryan Thompson
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