Friday, July 9, 2010

Why settle for billions?

Today in the car I was listening to one of the top 40's stations on the radio, not so much because I like that music, but mostly because it was the only station that came in where I was driving. Seriously, there was nothing else on the dial but this song. It was Billionaire by Travie McCoy. I laughed at myself as I thought back to Bare Naked Ladies singing If I had a Million Dollars. It seems inflation has skyrocketed over the past decade, a million dollars just won't cut it in this economy.

As I said I usually don't listen to a lot of pop music, but every now and then I like to check it out, just to hear what's being said out there. On the surface the lyrics seem almost altruistic. The man dreams of making an obscene fortune so that he can adopt orphans and give away free cars. But as I listened I realized there was nothing selfless in his intentions at all. His philanthropic musings are only a front, deep down he just wants to be noticed, loved, and adored.

Besides, when you have that much money, is it really a sacrifice to blow a couple thousand here and there? What about all the average, middle-class families who adopt even though they may not have the means? Hey Travie, why wait until you reach 10 figures to do some good? Instead of buying those $400 sunglasses you could finance a child's education. You think just throwing money at problems makes you mother Teresa? I didn't see you at the Superdome after Katrina hit, giving out food packs and shoveling up human feces because all the toilets were clogged. I guess that's not as much fun to sing about though.

Monday, July 5, 2010

The Rocket's Red Glare

So last night like most good Americans I went with my family and friends into town to see the fireworks display for the 4th. It was a beautiful night, perfect weather for remembrance, but I doubt many think about that, I know I usually don't. As I was sitting there I randomly remembered something I learned in my high school American History class. During the revolutionary war the British used to launch flares into the night sky in order to illuminate the battlefield. Such rockets were certainly a death sentence to young colonial soldiers as any cover which the darkness may have provided was suddenly eliminated, leaving them visible and exposed to enemy fire. Yesterday I felt fortunate to be able to look up in awe and wonder at the colors and sounds in the night sky instead of begin filled with dread and terror. I felt blessed that I can sit with my niece nestled in my lap instead of a rifle and powder horn.

I thought about the men who fought and died. What conviction they must have had to march on that field time and time again not knowing whether today would be their day of deliverance, or if they would have to trudge on enduring fear, and pain, starvation, and death in the name of liberty. To sacrifice comfort, safety, family, careers, and finally life itself all for the hope that they had not died in vain, so that their children would be able to determine their own destiny. If it were me, would I have sought the preservation of my life and fled, or if I had stayed and fought would my beliefs have sustained me even in the lion's mouth? Would I have died for my rights then? Would I now? Do I consider my own life more precious than the promise of a free and just life for future generations? If so, what do I live for, and what would I die for?

I'm sure there aren't many of us who would wish for the opportunity to discover the answer to these questions. But the finality and certainty of death often lead us to other questions. What is most important, and how should I live? Once we have those figured out, perhaps it would be easier to answer these other questions.