[This type of thing is, today, treated almost universally as corny
and worthy of sarcasm.  Probably it is.  I don't care.  It's still
true and I'll go ahead and say it.]
















	   Week of Normalcy
	   ________________

What if.

What if, for just one week, everyone cared.

What if there were no violent crimes,
and everyone respected each others' personal space.

What if young women could jog at night without fear.

What if, for just one week, all cops were cool and professional
and all citizens gave them the respect they deserve.

During this week, what if everyone paused now and then to
help someone less fortunate without judging them.

And if we all tried to look at things as they are
without passing things through the filter
	of republican and democrat
	or personal gain strategy
	or zero-sum game
	I win you lose.

During this week, what if all our schools were really places of learning;
and metal detectors at the door were seen as an unnecessary abomination.
If all the students helped and looked out for each other.
If all of society looked on teachers as respected professionals
and all teachers treated their students with dignity.

On the street, just during this week, 
	people in business suits
	and people in jeans and T-shirts
would smile and nod to each other as they walked by.
And no one would have to fear looking someone in the eye.

Suppose for one week we really did consider the content of character
	instead of race
	or religion
	or hairstyle
	or dress
	or the car we drive
	or the money we make.

We could all leave our doors unlocked, this week.
And because we wouldn't have to guard our possessions
	we could all be more generous with them.
And we would all make an effort to give someone a break this week
	whether they "deserved" it or not.

During this week we would all resolve not to be petty,
	and to leave people alone
	who aren't harming anyone
	and let them live their lives the way they want to.

No scapegoating allowed during this week,
or too-simple bumper-sticker solutions to complex problems.
We would all try to listen just a little more 
and admit when we are wrong or don't know
and soften our hard, crystallized ideologies.

This week all our leaders would be thoughtful and responsible
	and work for the people
	and not for their own power and privilege.
Because otherwise no one would follow them.

It really could work, for just a week.
If we all decided that we wouldn't tolerate any less.
And we all watched ourselves and looked out for others too.

At the end of the week we could all go back to our old selves.
And things could return to the way they are now.
And it would be just like the week never happened.
Except everyone would remember what it was like, for just one week,
	to live without fear
	and to feel like they belonged
	and maybe to feel a touch of hope.
Then a few of us might be inspired by the memory
to get down to the long, hard job
of working on ourselves
so a week like this
is a week of normalcy
not an aberration.







	_____







	   Why Not
	   _______

I *want*.
I like to make fun of people, and not in the good-natured comedian way.
My group would fall apart without another group to hate.
I've never known anything but hate and I don't intend to change now.
People will take advantage of me if I don't stick it to them first.
You can't trust anyone these days.
I've got scores to settle.
I don't owe anything to a society that treats me like dirt;
	that I don't feel like I belong to;
	where I can't even get a decent job or support a family.
I've already got mine, and no one is going to take it away.
They aren't like me; they're barely human.
My life has gone pretty well, so if someone else is having hard times
	it must be their own fault.
It makes me look so cool and radical to go around spouting about
	social Darwinism.
My only feeling of worth comes from denigrating others.
I'm selfish and proud of it.
I hadn't noticed that anything was wrong.
That kind of world would be boring.
Caring makes you weak; it just isn't cool.
I am insecure, but if I can push others around I must be something special.
Why bother?
I prefer to just pretend it isn't there.
The only way to get anything is to take what you want.
I am too busy just making ends meet.
For their own good, I must force those people to live their lives my way.
Stop telling me what to do.
I am a born predator.
This is just one more chance for me to open up and get burned.
What a downer.  I don't want to think about it.
Don't give me that kinder, gentler nation crap.
Treat them with dignity?  They just want a handout.
I am on the inside; change may cost me.
I am on the outside; things will never change.
Nice words, but your real agenda is to force your views onto me.
You're a damn < insert slur here> !
I don't want to get involved.
Oh yeah?  If you really cared you'd do < some action> .
Oh yeah?  Well I know that you do < unsavory thing> .
I can't stand to live in this world; it poisons my soul; turn it off. 
I can't explain it, I just hate those people.




	_____



Deadlock:
   A is waiting for B to do something
   B is waiting for A to do something
Nothing happens.





Positive Feedback:			(systems theory)
   A increases B
   B increases A
Mathematically A and B will both increase without bound.
"Blaming" either A or B is pointless.





Positive Reinforcement:			(psychology)
   Good work.  Nice job.





	_____





Those people are all criminals.
Those people treat me like a criminal anyway, why not be one?

Those people don't work; I wouldn't hire one.
Those people won't even consider me for a decent job, why bother?

I see the look of disgust when they look at me so I get a look of disgust too.
I see the look of disgust when they look at me so I get a look of disgust too.

They don't give me any respect; why act professionally toward them?
They don't act professionally; they don't deserve my respect.

Those people keep to themselves and won't even associate with us.
Those people expect us to be just like them and change our very identities.

Those people denigrate my serious religious and moral beliefs.
Those people are self-righteous, and try to force their views on me.