Where do we go from here America?

Amid all the tragedy this week the sun still rises for most of us.
The empathetic soul of America is stronger than its ever been.
Everyone wants to weigh in. Some with a more humble spirit,
and heavy heart. Others not so much... Instead of taking political
potshots at the less sophisticated thinkers of the world. Let's share the numerous stories of profound sacrifice and heroism.

It has become fashionable to dwell, and commiserate with each other
versus lift each other up. I'm so tired of hearing how bad
the economy is, and how bleak our future is and will be. What I would like to hear is some form of optimism, however, depending on where it's coming from only a few will see it as hope versus spin.

Only in these moments of national mourning, and ground swell of
patriotism do we somehow come together. It's not
even a hopefullness that arises, it's more of a gathering of hands.
This unity is something that shouldn't need a harrowing catalyst.
We are the same cast of principle characters. We have to stop
doubting the intentions of our neighbors, and assuming the worst
case scenario for every new idea.

There are some Americans that want some version of our nations history that is not possible, and we can't repeat. On the contrary, some are drawn to that connection and community that is enabled by our smartphones and computers to share everything, but still pine for those days of simple solitude of 50's America. We want it both ways.

There's the other side of America that wants more, and isn't
satisfied with accepting the way our Grandparents believed and
accepted. No offense to their elders but they want more freedom,
when it comes to what they do with their lives, their bodies, and
their privates. It's this divergence of ideas that are very
similar in theme but different in content.

This nation needs to reflect on these days of tragedy, and in
earnest, break from this habitual hatred for what we proclaim
to be so proud of --our democracy. As a nation of immigrants,
with different values and faiths, we are proud of this diveristy
on one hand and angrly opposed to the very thing that made us
great. A nation of pioneers, and pilgrims, and yes... the darker side of our history slaves and conquerors. From these individuals we have grown into the most powerful country in the world. Yet we can't
accept the fact that our lives are all valuable, and worthy of the
American dream. It's only in the chaos of imagery we now
see 24 hours a day, and exploited and bastardized on
Facebook like some elaborate game of telephone that we set aside our differences and judgement.

Is it now American that tragedy is the only thing that brings us
together? We should stand up for each other now, and accept
that the very qualities that make us different are also what
makes our idealism stronger. A constitution that allows us
guns centuries ago, doesn't necessarily allow us the most
technologically advanced weaponry available. Yes, I get it
the government makes you uncomfortable with all that
"power". Did it make you uncomfortable when it got the
right to tap all of our computers and telephones? Are we
so accepting of the idea that freedom is somehow an absolute
that can't be discussed in our great democracy? Immigration
we've accepted as a problem with the only way to fix it is
to deny the very same way our families once arrived on this
land centuries ago? Is it beyond our capacity as Americans
to discuss these very polarizing differences without assuming that because they are different, they are evil. It's not our freedom, it's the fact that we don't just fall in line. We are adaptable, and we can compromise. That's what's hard to figure out. The countries that don't have this capability, or freedom --hate us because of our capacity to work together even though we don't all have the same faith, and creed. That's American.

I'm so tired of the hate, and shame that comes from being in
dissent of the majority. This passive-aggresive bullying
that occurs in so many families, and social circles where
brother and sister talk down to each other, and belittle the
so-called "ignorance" of their family member because they
read a blog, or a chain-mail, or Uncle Rush told them so.
That is not American, no matter how loud they say it or
how much they cover themselves in Red, White, and Blue.
That is not patriotism, that's fanatacism not unlike having
your dog, car, and house decorated in your favorite team's
colors and logos.

Let's learn from these moments where American's rich and
poor, democrat and republican, and christian and
non-believers reach out for each others hands, and help each
other up from the blood and ash. I love this country, but I
can say without a doubt that we aren't perfect, and we never
have been. But we all will come together and fight for it
when the time comes. We all get that rush of blood up our
neck when we hear the national anthem, or our president say
"You're with us, or your against us." We are at the tipping
point, let's push through not fall. There's too much at stake. God bless America. God bless Boston.