Again, another night of talking. While Max, who has grown to be quite the debater, and I talked of privatization, the differences between "freedom fighters" and "terrorists" ... exploring denotative and cognitive definitions of words and meanings, my side was exposed to me more.

While talking to a friend who asked why I was up so late, and my response was, cause I want people to know I'm always there to talk to if they can't sleep ... as I have for years gone by.

And from a bitter sweet reminder of the pains of growing older, I see myself again.

My goals, are not to stir up controversy, to not find the perfect solutions to problems, or take sides in the wars we fight. But rather, to find patch work common ground, until something better comes along.

That's why, yes I believe this government has a responsibility to protect its citizens, to provide public education to those who can't afford it. That's why I don't mind a tax against the wealthiest in the country, which might cost them that trip to Europe. While the lowest classes are given the opportunity to afford gas to get them to work and their kids to school.

Some tell me its a rosy picture, that I fight for a sad story, and that the reality is: Look, some people are poor and some people are rich, that's not going to change.

But to me it's all too real. The luck I have to have a family that provides me with shelter and an extended education. Where I'm compensated for my physical disabilities and am expected in return only to pull off decent grades. A gift I appreciate every day.

Reality is seeing friends, not being able to afford rent, because gas prices are too high. Those close to you who clutch a bowl of .99¢ soup, because its warm and they can't afford to turn on the heat. Makes it hard for me to support legislation that strengthens their burden.

Reality is seeing a Palestinian who asks, "What would you do? ... You walk the street in fear, you see smoke rising from the crater that used to be your home, you're entire family gone, and you find pieces of explosive shrapnel that says, 'Made in America.'" And you sit and listen to his words and you begin to understand it, despite disagreeing with it. All it does is get me thinking, "right or wrong, I don't care, how do we stop the killing" and hopelessly latching onto that thought.

And reality is seeing people, with no permanent housing, an empty house with barely enough to eat, with members working multiple minimum wage jobs to survive, who, for some strange reason are still happy because of their faith in God. It drives me to defend their right to believe, and to ask questions and gage their answers and see how the come to decisions, regardless on how I think or how I differ.

The world is not equal. Some rise, some fall, some never live up to expectations, and some achieve far greater than anticipated. No institution should censor the thoughts, research, and arguments from all sides of issues. If we fail to find common ground, agree to disagree, nothing gets accomplished. It's a lesson I've learned all to well lately. Everyone has a say, has a right to believe what they believe,

And in this the greatest country on the face of this planet, these people I know, I witness, who are living in the cold impoverished reality, are "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

-Marteney

(Obviously inspired by Jefferson)