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Jenna, I made my living off my writing and am used to seeing my "voice" on the page but it is a whole different story when it is on the 'net and out there for tons of people to see.
As someone who is nearly double your age, I so admire and respect your stand against unethical practices. I am certain that many of us (including myself), take the same stance as you on many of the issues raised here.
However, as someone who has travelled the world, lived in strange and difficult and 3rd world countries, I can say, that, the human condition is such that at times I despair. Some of the things I have seen, the corruptness of govt and how people can be corrupted by money, power, fame and greed, makes me a bit cynical. I am an idealist but it gets thrown back in my face, a lot!
I was in New Orleans in May. It was a horrible and eye-opening experience for me. I stayed with my girlfriend and her sweetheart. They took me on this "devastation tour", with Mary knowing I would write about it and tell many people... since no one was doing a thing down there to help the people. I took many photographs... it was like the hurricane had just hit, vs. it being 9 mos later.
We went to the lower 9th, which was the most horrifically hit. There were still cadaver dogs searching for bodies. We drove by this home. An old woman was sitting on her front porch, what was left of it, in a rocking chair. Alone. Surrounded on all sides w/a sea of debris from all the totally destroyed and condemned houses that went on for miles and miles around her. I was sick over that sight. I am haunted by this woman.
You cannot believe things like this happen in your own country. And it is proof positive that no matter how big an idealist you are, sometimes fighting the system is quite the uphill battle. Our voices, loud, strong and together, will make things happen if we believe it so...
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