Where Do We Go From Here?

This weeks events in Egypt brought forth the most common question facing any society, family, or individual whenever an event of great magnitude arises. That question being, where do we go from here? I myself have pondered that question more than once in my life. In fact that question arises more now than when my children were younger and not scattered both physically and educationally. But living life according to the program my God has laid out for me has made my life easier.

I had to laugh when President Obama (and I can’t quote verbatim) said once in our lives we witness an event that changes the world. Umm Mr. President I witnessed many. Well they might have not changed the world, they changed me and my world! To name a few isn’t hard, getting married, the birth of my three children, vacations, and possibly the most important one, getting sober and finding MY God. (The MY God part will be discussed at a later time.) Those are just things that effected my world. Events like Viet Nam (we can actually go on vacation there, and have a trade agreement with them?), 9/11, Iraq, red light cameras, and the Internet are things that not only effected me but everybody else. I added red light cameras because they are one of the many pains our Government has to torment us. I digress.  But each time something happened I stepped back and asked that question, you know, where do we go from here?

In the case of Egypt, what history unfolds in the coming days, month, and years will not only affect them but also me. How? Simple really? Egypt has long been one of our Middle East Allies which we give only $200M a year in aid. That averages out to a mere $2.60 per capita in that country. Will that aid be cut off ?  Never. I withhold my opinion at this time regarding that issue. One thing is for certain, the shipment of oil hopefully will continue out of Egypt’s ports and through the Suez Canal or else there will be a real rise in our cost of living. Will  they end the blockade to the Gaza? A major dilemma for Israel and the US. Where is Egypt headed as far as culture and religion? Will they have a ruling party that is more extreme? Will they have the Muslim Brotherhood as a major influence? (Side note, a piece on Al Jazeera news I was watching stated that the Muslim Brotherhood had only 20% support in Egypt and in recent years have become much more moderate in their beliefs.) All these questions I have will be answered, and you know what? I am completely powerless over their outcome. Or am I?

The revolution in Egypt began with a few things that culminated into one big thing. Tunisia + Wael Ghonim (and a few others) + Repression = Revolution. What started out as violent confrontations with Mubarak’s Secret Service quickly grew into mass, and for the most part peaceful demonstrations.  All of which were orchestrated on Facebook, Twitter, and every other social media available. The one really major factor in this is it wasn’t a revolution brought on by another ruling party or extremeist organization. It was brought about by young people!! College students, young business men, doctors, and everyday people who were tired of the same ole’ same ole’. 

So I get back to my original question. Where do we go from here?  Maybe the bigger question is if I had the chance would I change the world? History is amazing to watch unfold.

To the people of Egypt, the Pharoah has let you go.

Where do you go from here?

References

http://carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=23282

Your Home Soldier

Originally appeared on my FB page and in the Daily Herald Newspaper in 2010.

by Ray Vegter on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 5:51pm

I was traveling on 294 northbound right by the 87th street toll plaza today, just rolling along with traffic, listening to the chatter on both the CB and AM talk radio. It is interesting to listen to the conversations on the CB. You get a pulse of the working class on all sorts of topics, from politics, to illegal immigrants, to dealing with teenagers and spouses. I listen to the information and suggestions like I was at an AA meeting. I take what I need and leave the rest.
Anyhow, I was rolling along when I noticed the chatter got very quiet. I looked out towards my right mirror and glanced over one lane. There traveling along was a hearse. He had come out of the manual lanes of the toll plaza and was merging in amongst all the 18 wheelers. I looked at it and just froze in thought. It was a newer hearse, one that had panoramic windows like an old Olds Vista Cruiser. Inside sat a casket draped in an American Flag tucked tight at the corners, without a hint of a wrinkle showing. He moved over a lane and in front of the truck I was following. How ironic that the truck was pulling a rolling advertisement (I know you’ve seen them) for “The Few, The Proud”. That truck stayed behind him and I swung out to the second from the right lane and the Soldier did the same. The Marine truck stayed a couple of feet back on my right and some hot shot was coming up on my left when He noticed what was in front of me. He too stayed back. No one wanted to show disrespect to that Soldier.
I don’t know what moved me to do it but I picked up the mic for my radio and simply said “God bless ya Soldier”. Some one got on and said “Thank you driver you said it for all of us”. We followed that hearse for another couple miles until he put on his signal and moved over to the right to exit onto I55 southbound. I warned the drivers on I55 that a hearse carrying a Soldier home was coming down the ramp and one of them thanked me for the “heads up”.
I don’t know if He was an old veteran or one of the many casualties that are inflicted upon us every day in the Middle East. But I do know this; I cried and all my problems became so insignificant because of a Flag draped coffin.
Your Home Soldier. Thank You And God Bless You

A Beginning

Welcome. Remember when AOL signed on with that? “Welcome” and “You’ve got mail”  became catch phrases all due to a slow dial-up connection and a graphically hungry public. I never had AOL. I tried it though and like now I had no patience. I had Compuserve. But I digress.

I really don’t know where this journey is going to lead me. But I have taken many roads and seen many things. Not your run of the mill vacations, though there was quite a few of those. I am talking journeys of personal growth. Many of which came by way of detours thrown up by addictions, my children and my best friend my wife. 

I signed on to WordPress over two years ago. It takes a while for me to decide if I want to use certain things or not. So here I am. Journeys? I have many to tell. Opinions? I have many of them too. Sometimes they change due to the influx of information, but otherwise they just stay stagnant until my mind decides to barf it out. Whatever the case, buckle up, be ready to laugh, cry or be indifferent. You can be angry with me that’s alright. You can even shock me and agree with me. Whatever the case I hope you enjoy my babble and don’t be a stranger. Peace