Bennett,
When I woke up this morning, my initial thought was “this is September 11th”. My very next thought was, “I am so sorry that my son won’t know life before 9/11”. You see, son, 10 years ago there was no war in Afghanistan, no war in Iraq. There were two beautiful buildings in New York that looked like this:
Now it looks like this:
Thousands of American troops have died (not to mention the tens of thousands of “enemies” that have lost their lives). The “War on Terror” has costs us $1,078,433,915,021 at the moment (talk about terrifying).
Your great-grandfather, Bob, was a medic in WWII. If there ever was a necessary war . . . it was that one. Yet, ten years ago he told me “there is no such thing as a good reason to go to war.” I didn’t agree with him at the time. I’m starting to think he was right.
In this post-9/11 era, your overspending, overtaxing, overpowered government won’t be of much help to you . . . I’m afraid. They seem to be much more worried about steroids in baseball, cronyism with big business, and covering up the truth about one of the
most noble Americans ever. Likewise, you may find that religion can be equally radical and ridiculous.
Politics and Religion . . . touchy subjects. Here’s your first lesson in both (and it may be
all you need to know about them).
1. As a free man in a free country, you have “unalienable rights” such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Again, I say, pursuit of happiness. It’s not the government’s job to provide (a job, money, happiness) for you. If they ever try to give you happiness or take it away, politely decline (exception: pay your taxes, regardless of how you feel (but have a good accountant that will help you minimize them)).
- Have a relentless pursuit towards your own happiness (just don’t impede others from the same pursuit . . . especially, me).
2. Avoid any religious belief that separates you from others. There is no reason to fight (or take down skyscrapers full of) people that don’t worship as you. There’s more than one way to skin a cat (so I’m told. Never tried). Similarly, there is more than one way to practice faith and religion. You may find that in a church, a synagogue, a mosque, a temple, a meditation mat or a hike through the woods. It’s up to you.
- Always (as hard as it sometimes is) practice the ethic of reciprocity. Take your pick:
- Buddhism - Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. Udana-Varga 5,1
- Christianity - All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:1
- Confucianism - Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no resentment against you, either in the family or in the state. Analects 12:2
- Hinduism - This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you. Mahabharata 5,1517
- Islam - No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself. Sunnah
- Judaism - What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellowman. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary. Talmud, Shabbat 3id
- Taoism - Regard your neighbor’s gain as your gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss. Tai Shang Kan Yin P’ien
- Zoroastrianism - That nature alone is good which refrains from doing another whatsoever is not good for itself. Dadisten-I-dinik, 94,5
"Every religion emphasizes human improvement, love, respect for others, sharing other people's suffering. On these lines every religion had more or less the same viewpoint and the same goal." - Dalai Lama
Today is Patriots' Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance. I hope you always find this a day of charitable unity and volunteerism.
Blessings to you, son,
Dad
9/11/10
