I shall bridle my cry for peace today.
And resume my cry and plea for peace another day, when perhaps more ears shall tilt towards her message so sound.

Rodney's Painted Pen Commentary

Cry Peace Tomorrow.

As the day struggles to finally puts on sun here in New Mexico, I find myself still riding through the day experiencing an unsettling hush round about me.
How indeed is one to respond in word to such dramatic events sweeping our globe this day?

I feel personally to some extent, no matter what our personal opinions of yesterday, that when our chosen leaders of our country do launch a course, to our liking or not, that we perhaps as citizens need to rally around our flag and countries course.

We shall never, given the grim gravity of such decisions, necessarily be able to support our leadership with happy and fully persuaded hearts, yet I believe today, that when ones country, and duly elected officials, have chosen a course, especially one as monumentally important as war, that we as citizens have few choices but to support such things even if it must be in reluctance.

I will not continue during this military campaign to raise my voice any longer against the horror of war and the likes, for today we are at war! I did not pick it, as I may not have chose the leader of day, yet we each, one and all remain citizens and countrymen alike draped under the once noble banner of the United States of America.

Once recognizing in revelation this fact today, we must ask ourselves indeed, when is the appropriate time to shout out our cry of dissent, and when does it indeed border on bad taste and anti-American sentiment. Though all who know me, understand that I stood and do stand diametrically opposed to this military campaign, I must this day in good conscious now withhold my antiwar cry, till a time I deem more appropriate, for the fact is, my voice swayed none of the primary players I fear, nor did I suspect it ever would.

Though these remarks this day might appear as waffling and vacillating to some, nevertheless, we each and all must give our own account at days end, as to how we have lived, spoke and stood, I must answer my conscience at days end personally, when the blinds are pulled upon the day, as all others must as well.

I cannot and do not feel comfortable voicing my distaste for such things, right in the midst of such an act unfolding, for I feel it paints me in colors untrue , for I love my country, as well as the many youth. our yes children, now standing in our defense on foreign soil.

Does not true democracy glimmer brightest when we support the majority rule that our country is based on I ask this day? And is not the true test of our respect and reverence for the system announced and depicted in the way we react in a democracy when things don't go our way?

I for one, for a long time have been quite disturbed with how we taunt, malign and make fun of our elected president when he is finally inaugurated, for it seems once elected, you cannot find one soul who will even admit voting for him! No, I feel a mature society dwelling under democratic rule must in respect and reverence uphold, support and pray for whoever ends up in the oval office, be it our choice or not! For surely in a democracy where the majority opinion rules, there shall always remain those in the minority, that remain not pleased with the current and appointed leaders, decisions, or course taken.

I did not vote for Clinton, yet during his colorful reign, I did nothing but defend and support him all the way! Why? Because he stood in the highest office of the nation I live and dwell under, he was my President! Therefore no matter who is in office, I shall support them to whatever extent my conscience shall allow.

Do their remain other options than this I ask? For surely if we all insist on having our way all the time in a country established under democratic rule, this could only lead to borderline anarchy or utopia.

There is a time to protest and a time to resign ourselves to the reality of the facts. There is a time to shout our voice in protest, and there remains a time to acquiesce, submit and go along. Does not democracy in it's very essence, painted, depicted and spelled out, insist upon it?

I guess I speak to the matter of tasteful this day, for is it indeed tasteful and acceptable behavior for me to cry against my countries course, while our children stand in our defense this day? I cannot with clear conscience do such a thing. So I shall bridle my anti war rhetoric until a day I find more suitable indeed. A time draped and resting in tomorrow perhaps, when the voice of peace shall find more ears to embrace it's mighty call and cry.

Perhaps if we in the antiwar camp this day, conduct ourselves in honor and taste, they shall hear our voice on the morrow, and if they hear our voice on the morrow, perhaps there shall never be another day in history such as today.

Yes, God Bless America! Though she rest's this day in turmoil, dissent and suspected disgrace as perceived by many worldwide, she still, in all her flawed elegance, remains the brightest star in the sky, representing hope to a world, needy and wanting indeed.

Yes, sometimes a cry of justice bridled today, can be released in more power on the morrow.
Peace,
Rodney Evan Bohen
wwwrodneybohen.com