Cindy, I don't know precisely what Aaron Bushnell had in his mind that day, but I feel that I can understand some of the possible motivations. Being in the military, he was certainly inundated and indoctrinated on a daily basis with government "truth" as opposed to reality. As I assume him to have been a person of conscience, he would have had a much more difficult time than a civilian trying to square his government's actions (or inactions) with reality 'on the ground'. The contradictions would have been way more extreme than what the rest of us see or expect to see. Publicly killing himself may have been the only way for him to resolve those contradictions.
It reminds me of my lifetime best friend, Luis. We both, unbeknownst to the other, refused the draft during the era of the war against Vietnam. Our refusals weren't in response to Vietnam; we both would have refused the military at any point in history. He ultimately went to trial in L.A. over it, and during the FBI-chauffeured drive to the federal court building, one of the "Special Agents" (ha, ha, ha...) turned to him and said "do you think you're going to stop the war?" My brilliant friend immediately responded with "Yes, for ME !" And ultimately that is all we have - what works for us. I think that anyone who is the least bit aware realizes that these acts do not and will not likely have a broad effect, but it still comes down to doing what our conscience tells us. The Buddhist monks in Vietnam and Rachel and Aaron, I believe, did what they knew was right for them. We can feel terrible knowing that there likely is no broader effect, but we can also find some solace in the thought that they were at least able to free themselves of that burden. "It is a good day to die" --- Klingon battle quote.
Rachel Corrie didn´t commit suicide. She was defying the demolition of a home where her hosts lived. Rachel´s death was more akin to a protester being shot by a sniper or a journalist being assassinated.
Rachel took great precaution to be noticed as a protester. Her death was not planned nor expected.
You know, I don't believe that young Aaron Bushnell was mentally ill. That's what the msm is selling. His clear and purposeful commentary prior to dousing himself with gas was focused, determined and heartfelt.
S Brian Wilson, a Vietnam veteran and antiwar protestor who attempted to prevent a train carrying weapons for war and lost both of his legs, posted this on Facebook yesterday:
Bushnell left a final message on social media early Sunday morning.
"Many of us like to ask ourselves, 'What would I do if I was alive during slavery? Or the Jim Crow South? Or apartheid? What would I do if my country was committing genocide?'" he wrote in his first Facebook post in nearly six years. "The answer is, you're doing it. Right now."…..
"They will try to spin-doctor it as mental health issues, but he was rational and clear about his political reasoning, which resonates with [the] majority of the world," Syracuse University professor Farhana Sultana said on social media. "May his sacrifice not be in vain. Indeed. it was legitimate moral outrage and courage against the holocaust and barbarity in Palestine with U.S. full participation. May his sacrifice not be in vain, may his last words on this earth ring true. #FreePalestine."
…The late Vietnamese Buddhist monk, peace activist, and author Thích Nhất Hạnh explained in a letter to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. that the monks and nuns who self-immolated were not committing suicide. Rather, their self-sacrifices were aimed "at moving the hearts of the oppressors, and at calling the attention of the world to the suffering endured."
"It is done," he explained, "to wake us up."
Aaron Bushnell, Presente!
Charging us with loving the crap out of everybody is key! xoxo
Watched/listened to the video, which was awesome! Sorry to hear there were so many negative comments in the thread; I left mine about the "burning bonzes" of Vietnam, and hopped off to the next thing. My observation is that some have taken the Gaza genocide as an opportunity to vent their anti-Semitism, or, more specifically, their anti-Jewish prejudice, totally ignorant of the historical context that Jews have been made scapegoats, historically, for the sins of others; while on the other side, the "Blue no matter who" crowd treats all criticisms that are brazenly obvious of Israel to be expressions of anti-Semitism, thereby masking their blatantly anti-Arab prejudice. It's practically impossible to reach people drowning in their own bigotry. That being said, this is a great Spot for a Thot!
I agree. I am sorry the post may have been misunderstood by many. Since timing is everything. I think many people are vulnerable to the forced injustices being perpetuated domestically and globally and are responding how they have been conditioned. The key to everything is unity and solidarity.
Both Brian Willson and Rachel Corrie were victims of the same sick minds that were filmed killing the journalists from the Apache helicopter in Baghdad. Whether by train, helicopter, bulldozer, AK-47... a perverse system doesn´t seek intelligent, compassionate people to achieve their quest for domination.
Thanks for your thoughts. I respect what you say about stereotyping people based on religion. It really is a cop out that allows someone to refuse to see the complicity of the US in the situation (and the cynical profiteering). Someone who "blames all Jewish people" does so to avoid looking at the state of our own house, so to speak.
I don't know if what Bushnell did or his trauma (at mass murder promoted and funded by so-called leaders in our country) is a result of "mental health issues." It is a form of protest, albeit extreme. Vaclav Havel once referred to someone who committed suicide under communist oppression as one of the people "who cared the most of all" about humanity (I am paraphrasing). I had a friend who committed suicide who was also this sensitive. It is a cultural failing that there is no room in mainstream America to respect people like Aaron Bushnell for who they are and allow their contribution. It seems Bushnell cared much about the USA as well as the people of Gaza. Perhaps if there was a true place for his voice and the strength of his sentiment, a place for what he could have contributed, he might still be here. (If this was a saner, balanced place... but it's not) Perhaps he reached the conclusion there was no other place in the US culture for what he had to offer, his strong conscience and respect for human life. I'm just speculating. Of course I don't know exactly what went through his mind. But maybe this was both his protest against US complicity in Gaza and also a way to try to force the US mainstream to look in the mirror.
Thank you for your beautiful thoughts. You radiate love and compassion.
Cindy, I don't know precisely what Aaron Bushnell had in his mind that day, but I feel that I can understand some of the possible motivations. Being in the military, he was certainly inundated and indoctrinated on a daily basis with government "truth" as opposed to reality. As I assume him to have been a person of conscience, he would have had a much more difficult time than a civilian trying to square his government's actions (or inactions) with reality 'on the ground'. The contradictions would have been way more extreme than what the rest of us see or expect to see. Publicly killing himself may have been the only way for him to resolve those contradictions.
It reminds me of my lifetime best friend, Luis. We both, unbeknownst to the other, refused the draft during the era of the war against Vietnam. Our refusals weren't in response to Vietnam; we both would have refused the military at any point in history. He ultimately went to trial in L.A. over it, and during the FBI-chauffeured drive to the federal court building, one of the "Special Agents" (ha, ha, ha...) turned to him and said "do you think you're going to stop the war?" My brilliant friend immediately responded with "Yes, for ME !" And ultimately that is all we have - what works for us. I think that anyone who is the least bit aware realizes that these acts do not and will not likely have a broad effect, but it still comes down to doing what our conscience tells us. The Buddhist monks in Vietnam and Rachel and Aaron, I believe, did what they knew was right for them. We can feel terrible knowing that there likely is no broader effect, but we can also find some solace in the thought that they were at least able to free themselves of that burden. "It is a good day to die" --- Klingon battle quote.
Thank you for your thoughts, Cindy. I too have my clearest, most refreshing thoughts when walking out in nature.
Looks beautiful have a great day
Just loved this, thank you!
Rachel Corrie didn´t commit suicide. She was defying the demolition of a home where her hosts lived. Rachel´s death was more akin to a protester being shot by a sniper or a journalist being assassinated.
Rachel took great precaution to be noticed as a protester. Her death was not planned nor expected.
I think your sentiments are spotless.
You know, I don't believe that young Aaron Bushnell was mentally ill. That's what the msm is selling. His clear and purposeful commentary prior to dousing himself with gas was focused, determined and heartfelt.
S Brian Wilson, a Vietnam veteran and antiwar protestor who attempted to prevent a train carrying weapons for war and lost both of his legs, posted this on Facebook yesterday:
Bushnell left a final message on social media early Sunday morning.
"Many of us like to ask ourselves, 'What would I do if I was alive during slavery? Or the Jim Crow South? Or apartheid? What would I do if my country was committing genocide?'" he wrote in his first Facebook post in nearly six years. "The answer is, you're doing it. Right now."…..
"They will try to spin-doctor it as mental health issues, but he was rational and clear about his political reasoning, which resonates with [the] majority of the world," Syracuse University professor Farhana Sultana said on social media. "May his sacrifice not be in vain. Indeed. it was legitimate moral outrage and courage against the holocaust and barbarity in Palestine with U.S. full participation. May his sacrifice not be in vain, may his last words on this earth ring true. #FreePalestine."
…The late Vietnamese Buddhist monk, peace activist, and author Thích Nhất Hạnh explained in a letter to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. that the monks and nuns who self-immolated were not committing suicide. Rather, their self-sacrifices were aimed "at moving the hearts of the oppressors, and at calling the attention of the world to the suffering endured."
"It is done," he explained, "to wake us up."
Aaron Bushnell, Presente!
Charging us with loving the crap out of everybody is key! xoxo
Watched/listened to the video, which was awesome! Sorry to hear there were so many negative comments in the thread; I left mine about the "burning bonzes" of Vietnam, and hopped off to the next thing. My observation is that some have taken the Gaza genocide as an opportunity to vent their anti-Semitism, or, more specifically, their anti-Jewish prejudice, totally ignorant of the historical context that Jews have been made scapegoats, historically, for the sins of others; while on the other side, the "Blue no matter who" crowd treats all criticisms that are brazenly obvious of Israel to be expressions of anti-Semitism, thereby masking their blatantly anti-Arab prejudice. It's practically impossible to reach people drowning in their own bigotry. That being said, this is a great Spot for a Thot!
I agree. I am sorry the post may have been misunderstood by many. Since timing is everything. I think many people are vulnerable to the forced injustices being perpetuated domestically and globally and are responding how they have been conditioned. The key to everything is unity and solidarity.
Yup. I got a good walk this morning after too much rest lately, and it made a difference. We're meant to move and make, not to sit and talk.
I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone interview Rachel Corrie's parents recently. I wonder if they still do interviews.
Both Brian Willson and Rachel Corrie were victims of the same sick minds that were filmed killing the journalists from the Apache helicopter in Baghdad. Whether by train, helicopter, bulldozer, AK-47... a perverse system doesn´t seek intelligent, compassionate people to achieve their quest for domination.
Maybe Joanna and I will join you on one of those walks one, that’s if and when Joanna walks on her own two feet again 👣
https://youtu.be/o_8_6iZlyc8?si=FrAQ1TVzt3RM_nVP
Thanks for your thoughts. I respect what you say about stereotyping people based on religion. It really is a cop out that allows someone to refuse to see the complicity of the US in the situation (and the cynical profiteering). Someone who "blames all Jewish people" does so to avoid looking at the state of our own house, so to speak.
I don't know if what Bushnell did or his trauma (at mass murder promoted and funded by so-called leaders in our country) is a result of "mental health issues." It is a form of protest, albeit extreme. Vaclav Havel once referred to someone who committed suicide under communist oppression as one of the people "who cared the most of all" about humanity (I am paraphrasing). I had a friend who committed suicide who was also this sensitive. It is a cultural failing that there is no room in mainstream America to respect people like Aaron Bushnell for who they are and allow their contribution. It seems Bushnell cared much about the USA as well as the people of Gaza. Perhaps if there was a true place for his voice and the strength of his sentiment, a place for what he could have contributed, he might still be here. (If this was a saner, balanced place... but it's not) Perhaps he reached the conclusion there was no other place in the US culture for what he had to offer, his strong conscience and respect for human life. I'm just speculating. Of course I don't know exactly what went through his mind. But maybe this was both his protest against US complicity in Gaza and also a way to try to force the US mainstream to look in the mirror.