Melissa,
It does no good to feel guilty about, your "good fortune" vs. others "Misfortune," there will always be someone with less then you, for various reasons some will waste and squander their opportunities. Others will never no matter how much you try to help will ever benefit from your well meaning altruism.  In nature which is what humans are an integral part of, (if you try to help an animal) the animal will always take the easiest way to survive. And this is very destructive to us as well as the animal. Take a bear they will beg and steal humans food, and this is harmful to them because they become dependent on us, and not there natural instincts. The people of remote locations were once self reliant and proud as well as distrustful of outsiders. They in effect relied on there own instincts.
That was before a bunch of well meaning, but destructive Missionaries altruist's and anthropologists tried to teach these people (who needed there wits) European ways of living. Which was totally foreign to the indigenous people. For hundreds of thousands of years these people were content and self sufficient. Now they are beggars and thieves.
Now there are people who are not only trying to force feed these people European, American ways and religion but also our food and we are making these people dependent on our unnatural sustenance, and support, they are now welfare dependent. The best thing one could do is teach them there old ways and leave them alone they will undoubtedly decrease in numbers to a population that is natural that the land can support. They will not breed in a careless way because we will not be there to provide them with hand outs. If Aids or other illnesses claim there lives it will be totally natural eugenics. It is as nature designed not as man wants.
These people have evolved in a different way then people of European decent. We were all created equal but, have developed and evolved at different paces and in different directions. Just as nature dictated.

Good Luck on your Hike, I wish you well, Michael Hunter

                         ============================================

Michael,

Thank you for sharing your views with me.  I agree with you more than you could even imagine, but I take things a step further. It's true that the Europeans (and later and still) Americans have gone into self-reliant, cohesive cultures and with staggering arrogance and complete ignorance taught them "a better way."  But I'm not entirely sure it was done with all  good intentions.  At the same time the earlier missionaries were going to "help" these people, the traders were coming in and exploiting the people and the land.  And all of this was supported by corrupt governments seeking wealth and power. 

And of course this kind of thing is still going on.  I don't know how up to the date you are on Latin American political economics, but it's a terribly corrupt scene and we (Americans) are benefiting from a terribly unfair system.  You might want to check out  www.witnessforpeace.org, there's an article entitled, "Hemisphere for sale: The Epidemic of Unfair Trade in the Americas."  There's much more info out there as well which I don't have time to point you towards  (maybe check out "The Nation" and "Z magazine" online.)

I'm not interested in giving hand outs to people causing them to be dependant.  But these kids living in the garbage dump have gone way beyond being wild bears; there's nothing left for us to destoy. And sure, while diseases killing us off is a part of nature, so is the human heart, and with it compassion.  You see, I spent time in Chiapas (Southern Mexico), not far from Guatemala.  The people there are the same as the Guatemalans--it's the Europeans who split them into many countries.  Anyway, I can't turn away from 3-year-old little kids selling gum in the town square, and abused children being raised by glue-sniffing parents.  Maybe helping teach them to read won't get them anywhere, but maybe it will!  I would like to give them that chance.  And I hope you will someday too be touched by someone much less fortunate than you.

Most importantly, you (all of us) must see that we are all in this together.  The earth is a huge place in some ways, but it's all connected.  And if we create an economic system that causes others to be dependant and steal, then we suffer too.  And if we cut down all the trees in South America so farmers there can grow cheap beef to supply our fat-bellies at the fast-food restaurants, then we will slowly die (as we are dying.) AIDS, cancer, and other maladies don't follow political, economic, or social boundaries.  We're all in this together. 

Sincerely (and with a lot of feeling),

Melissa Luce

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Hey Michael,

I do want you to know I mean well by all I said, and I had an idea.  Why don't you make a small donation to this cause and just see how it makes you feel...

Just a thought.

Melissa Luce

=====
The hardest journey you will travel is the one from your head to your heart.
                         --unknown Native American elder


                   ==============================================


Dear Melissa:
As you said in the opening of your first response to my letter, "I agree with you more than you could even imagine." Well, what's the problem with my heart then?
I have a wife and two beautiful children, and my loved ones would say I have a huge heart. But am a realist. Not burdened with emotionally based altruism. You see I once did not have anything but the clothes on my back and I too was abused as a child. If there was a person there saying its ok Mike you've had it tuff, here let me give this to you. I would have become lazy, and would still be happy to wait for some ones welfare to feed me and I would naturally figure, "if they take care of me why not my kids too." So I would find a female as deficient as I, and we would repeat the cycle of deficiency and another generation would inherit our attitudes as well as our defective genetics. But I did have the benefit of above average intelligence, an excellent work ethic, the discipline to delay instant gratification but most of all Will.  I think its more humane to Shoot a hopeless starving rabid dog than to give it a false sense of life by feeding it and postponing it's inevitable death.
While in the Navy I learned its best to throw a drowning man a life preserver than to try to rescue him yourself. Better yet don't go swimming with a person who is unable to swim.
Why is it the lowest quality of the population is always producing the most offspring?
Doesn't this seem suicidal to humanity? I say, as cold as it might seem if a people are too irresponsible to reproduce responsibly, ones efforts would be spent sterilizing the people. How come what is humane and responsible practice for our pets is considered evil for people.
Nike going into third world Countries to (exploit) have poor children make there shitty shoes to me is a crime. This also applies to the glue companies that sell model airplane glue (which is banned in the US and the only reason for this old formulation for this glue is to get high) to South American countries. You see this is the result of unchecked and irresponsible Capitalism. They send us Coke we send them Glue. Choose your poison! We Americans need the work. But as long as there is unscrupulous companies which will always choose the cheapest labor pool. They will try to divert the US labor laws, Unions, insurance, IRS, medical benefits, workers compensation, all so some greedy parasite can suck the blood of an already genetically disadvantaged person. Who will never rise above their low station in life You will see as you hike through rural Appalachia, there are poor people that would rival your poor Non Americans.
Latin America will continue to be exploited as long as there is an over abundance of cheep labor and land that's only use to its inhabitants is to be slashed and burned, to be used for animal grazing.
As for Cancer but mostly Aids, is a disease of behavior, and it is almost 100% preventable through righteous living and good genetics and in my opinion is natures way of thinning the weaker and most deficient of the flock.
Anyone who has Aids and knowingly passes this horrible disease to their unborn is too stupid and impulsive to be able to support life even without this scourge afflicting them, they would find another way of killing their child. Like becoming addicted to Glue and not feeding there children. An animal would never treat its young to this abuse. I will not give to people who do not have a chance and If given the chance would kill me for sport, But I will give to my local food bank and help those who will help themselves. I will not create another form of dependence for the hopeless. Just think of this, the people are now as dependent on you (for measly scraps hoping your good will, will last) as they are upon the Capitalist sweat shop owners. But the sweat shops don't give false hope.
I do enjoy having a philosophical discussion of a purely intellectually level. And without getting personally offended.
And I do admire your activism and passion. As well as your caring maternal instinct, which is why I love femininity.
~ Michael Hunter


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Dear Michael,

I'm sorry I entitled my last message "good luck with your heart"; it was a little snide. But it just seemed to fit so well as a response to your "good luck with your hike," and I think I was a bit annoyed at your sending negative thoughts about what I think is a worthy cause. Obviously you're a caring person, or you wouldn't have sent that email in the first place, and certainly raising children is one of the most unselfish, generous, and caring jobs one can take on.  But it's hard for me to see your heart behind your words. Afterall, I don't know you, I only know what you write.  A part of me would love to engage on an intellectual level and address all your points one by one, but I don't think that would be very helpful to anyone (and besides I don't have the time, I have a big trip to prepare for!)

I just want to say that it's clear to me that we are both caring people doing what we think is the right thing to do.  I don't agree with your conclusions, and you don't agree with mine.  I guess we've had different experiences in life.  I had someone help me out a great deal at one point in my life.  I think I would have died (spiritually & emotionally) if it had not been for that help. It was a hand out, but it was a hand I used to help pull myself out from the pits of hell, and I didn't become dependant on it.  Now I want to offer that kind of hand to someone else.

A friend of mine worked with Camino Seguro (Safe Passage) last summer.  He is a very intelligent, very experienced, and very caring person. He thinks they're doing good things there-- helping the kids develop a sense of self-worth, teaching them skills that will give them a chance, and teaching them to help others.  I trust his opinion. 

I don't think that you were intentionally trying to discourage me with your emails, but they actually felt pretty bad.  I guess I'm kind of curious why you wrote to me afterall.  You words remind me of how I used to feel (and how I still feel sometimes.) I used to feel so overwhelmed by all the suffering in the world that I would come up with intellectual reasons why the suffering was ok, or why it wasn't my responsibility to deal with any of it.  Because the amount of suffering in this world is great--it's HUGE, and mixed in with that is love, and hate, anger and forgiveness, insanity and enlightenment. It's quite overwhelming.  I'm not sure why I'm able to deal with it more directly now.  I guess I'm getting to a place where I can feel pain and not suffer over it so much.  It's almost like I rather be in the middle of things and feel pain, than be somewhere comfortable but cloistered.

Also the older I get, the less I see things in a strictly intellectual or rational way.  I'm trying to live more in my heart and to follow my intuition.  My heart is what brought me to do this hike, and my heart is what I hope this hike will strengthen (my feminine side I guess.) There's a million more words to say.   Thanks for giving me a little taste of what I imagine I'll hear a lot of on the trail.  Just one more phase of my training.

With good will,

Melissa

P.S. It's not too late to make a pledge!


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Hello Melissa, 
I wrote you because I read your web page and it peaked my interest in you as a person, and your thought process. I did not and don't intend to "ruin your Spirit." Your heart is in the right place. It's not where mine is, but it is where yours has to be at this time, for your journey in order to attack the Appalachian trail also for your journey through life.
I admire your perseverance and passion to work for another cause other than to satiate your own appetite for fame or glory. But it is OK for you to enjoy life without dwelling on how others are suffering.
I, in a way was playing Devils Advocate all the while being intrusive and a bit rude in order to make you explore other theories, and ideas. Did I have the right to do this? Probably not. From one who loves the outdoors to another, I took certain liberties.
I spent the past four days hiking the CT section of the Trail. I am not a hiking expert but I do enjoy it. And I try not to suffer to much, that would be masochistic. But when at the end of the day when you think of all you've seen and all you have accomplished it is a great feeling. When you are feeling low and feeling cold, tired, and lonely, if you can tap into a source of strength, and if that inspiration happens to be a poor exploited child in a third world country well then that is great. And if it helps you to feel like your working for a greater purpose, well that is great too.
You see in my life I don't have to look to far to see suffering and abuse I work at the XYZ Juvenile Detention Center, I have worked there as a child care worker for 10 years. As much as I try to help they and others keep coming back. It used to bother me to see them repeating the same mistakes. But now I've come to understand that some segments of our population just cannot and won't be helped no matter how much we care or try. I don't get personally involved in my work any more, Now I have My own children that I vow will never be a drain on our human services or Judicial system. Eight of the ten Children I work with are antisocial as direct result of there environment and genetics. There are the rare few cases of those kids that can and respond to the help we provide.
To save my energy and what little hope I have left, I work very hard with my 5 year old daughter and 2 year old son. We are trying very hard to teach our kids the same qualities that you seem to posses.
My Advice, to you for your hike:

1 Don't disregard your God given instincts, if it feels wrong it probably is. This goes for people, animals, terrain, and your surroundings.
2 Don't think that all the other hikers are also as good willed as you there are creeps, perverts and exploiters out there in the great wilderness as well in big cities.
3  Being feminine is not a sign of weakness in a woman, childbirth is very feminine but it is not for the weak, I've seen it first hand twice twice. WOW!
4 Most people on the trail are looking for something, most already possess what they are looking for, and don't realize it.
5 Watch out for radical purists (white blazers, ultralite's, anti zero dayers, runners) they are disturbed, and want everyone else to hike and think like them. All who don't will be less then them, "in their minds." Hike your own hike!! (over used but true)

Follow your heart, Michael Hunter                 
PS Please send me your web pages link, I lost it.


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Hi Michael,

Well that's better. Now I feel like I'm talking to a human being.  I do appreciate your intentions of playing Devil's advocate.  I feel that I'm playing that back to you as well.  Except neither of us is really "playing" advocate, because it seems we each genuinely believe in the points of views we're espousing.  Whether or not you have the right to do this, I don't know.  I did put my plans out there to the world (on the web) so I guess that invites comments in itself.  What annoyed me was that you came
in with arguments that I long ago dismissed as rationalizations for our society's continuing exploitation of this entire planet and its less astute residents.  Believe me, no one has to make me consider other points of views and different ideas; that's what I spend my whole life doing.  Of course you don't know me, so you don't know how much I weigh things out...  Mostly I think I was bothered by your negative thoughts because at the point of your second email, I was going through a period of doubt, so it hit me kind of hard.

Like I said before, you are clearly a caring person, and I think that's part of why you wrote to me, to try to reassure me not to feel bad about the suffering in the world.  And I do appreciate that.  But see, I don't ever want to forget the suffering in the world; I pray daily that all suffering beings find some peace.  Like I said before, I'd rather feel pain and be in the midst of the world than feel pleasure in isolation.  The trick for me is to feel the pain, breath into it, let it go, not suffer over it. Breath it in, let it go, and help in any small way that I can.  So I'm not looking to rid myself of feelings of guilt or gratitude or pain.  I want to use those feelings to push myself to become a better person and to help in more productive ways.  And I don't mean that to be hard on myself, I simply want to always be improving.  What else is there to do? 

I'm convinced you're not going to sway me towards your thinking.  I've already considered those views.  I wonder if I might sway you my way some.  See once again, we have very different experiences, and I'm pretty sure if I worked in a detention facility I would soon be thinking along your lines.  I chose to work in another line of work because I know that environment has a profound impact on one's outlook, and it would take a monumentally strong person to maintain hope and energy in a work situation such as yours.

You work at a Juvenile Det. Fac. where you are faced with endless recividism, and I imagine, horrendous bureaucracy, I work for the Prison Ashram Project under the Human Kindness Foundation where we're exposed to examples of transformation on a weekly basis, and are treated as fully human beings.  We send free books and offer workshops to prisoners (and kids in detention centers--tho' I don't see your facility on our data base) and we offer a residential communal living situation for ex-offenders who are ready to turn their live around.  I currently live with an ex-drug-crazed murderer (who started out as a drug-crazed juvenile delinquent), and an ex-car-thief.   I totally trust both of these guys with my life.  They are 2 of the dearest, most caring guys I know.  And I know them well; I live and work with them day and night.  They's no hiding possible here, and they have both (and are still both) working very hard to become the spiritual beings that they are. And this place has housed many murderers, theives, drug dealers, etc. that have all made profound changes and are out working for good causes in the world.

So while the argument that "some people can't be helped" is definitely true, saying "some segments of the population can't be helped" is not. I know first hand that some people (within these segments) CAN be helped.  And to me, that one in a million chance is what makes living in this world worthwhile.  I want to always live (EVERY MOMENT!) believing that every person I meet is capable of profound transformation.   And I mean that for the insane serial killer, the filthy-rich CEO, the child living in a gabarge dump, and for you and me.

It's so interesting that we're on two sides of the same fence on so many issues.  At times I feel like I'm arguing with a part of myself, and fighting against the urge to climb over to your side of the fence and rest in that familiar place.  But at this point, I'm committed to staying on this side and hopefully walking until I can't see that fence any longer--walking into the unknown and uncomfortable.   Are you familiar with Rumi (the 13th century mystic poet?)  He writes: 
       "Out beyond all ideas of right doing and wrong doing,
         there is a field. 
         I will meet you there... ' 

Reading your last email again, I feel the loss of hope and frustration you have had to face over the last 10 years (and probably longer--sounds like you've been through some rough times.)  And I do understand somewhat.  I haven't been where you've been, but I've felt hopelessness before.  It's a terrible feeling--sucks your life blood.  And I think you're smart to put your remaining energy into your own children--that's where you can have the most affect.  At the same time, I wonder what you can really give to your kids if you feel despondant over certain "segments of the  population."  I don't generally offer advice, but since you felt so free to offer it to me, I feel free to return it.

I sincerely pray you can find a way to have some hope for the kids you work with.  You see the guys that I live with, and most of the folks we help, make the changes they did because somewhere, someone believed in them.  I think you need to remember that every one of the kids you work with was once a little innocent baby, totally beautiful, filled with God's grace.   Imagine your children's faces on these kids--how would you want your children to be handled if they were in a similar situation.  And don't be so sure that it won't happen to your kids.  I don't mean to be disrespectful, and I'm sure you are doing the very best a parent can do, but we're living in really crazy times, and our kids (and I say "our" because I see them as belonging to our whole society) are faced daily with insanity. We (at HKF)hear time and time again of really good kids turning into a mess as teenagers--the pressure and despair they see in the world is sometimes too much against the good upbringing.  You know the old saying, "There but for the Grace of God go I."  I just don't think we have as much control as we'd like to think.

A dear friend of mine gave up teaching in the NY public schools when she found herself calling the kids "animals."  That's when she knew that the destructive system of the schools was stronger than her.  Maybe you need to change where you work, at least for awhile.  Work with people who are ready and wanting to change.  You said there's a "rare few cases" where the kids you work with respond to the help you offer.  Focus on them, believe that that can happen to any of those kids. You only see the ones who return—never forget the ones who don't. It can't feel to good be walking around with that cynical energy, and I would even go so far as to say that's you're hurting not only yourself, but also your family, the kids you work for, and the world.

I feel it's somewhat unfair of me to lay this on you when, like I said, I'm coming from a very different place, and I'm not on "the front line" as you are.   Nevertheless, I'd like to do something to help you out. A lot of people get a lot from what we have to offer--and hey, maybe you were lead to write to me because God or the Universe (or however you want to call it) thought you could use some help in this department.  Anyway, you can check out our website, www.humankindness.org, and if you like I can send you some literature.  Let me know.  If HKF isn't your cup of tea, perhaps there's some other organization or something that can help you move through this position you're in--a church, support groups, or spiritual books.

I wish you well Michael!  You've chosen a challenging path in life--raising children, working in the field you've chosen.  Remember, looking back over all your life and all that you've seen and accomplished, it should be a good feeling, like reaching the top of that difficult climb.  Don't give in to despair, believe me there's a beautiful summit up ahead, but between here and there may be the pits of hell.  If
the pits of hell are too tiring for you, take a differnt path--Just be sure to get to the top.

With Love, Melissa

P.S. My url is www.oocities.org/hikeforthechildren

P.P.S. I'd might use some of our correspondance on my website under "why am I doing this hike" or something to that effect.  I'll just sign your letters as "M" if
you like.

P.P.P.S.  This conversation has been enormously helpful in strenghthening my faith, so thank you.


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Dear Melissa:
Don't assume that I let my personal feelings interfere with my professionalism, at work.
This might be hard for you to understand but not every body has to be 100% committed and zealous to their job to be effective. Some people can put on a good face and good attitude as if it were a uniform. And that's all it is. I have to take it off, out of work other wise I look at ALL Kids as Delinquents. For me it is a job not a lifestyle.
I was in a major riot in my 3rd year on the job I believed and said all the kind words, all the compassionate acts and most importantly all the worrying on my own time about the kids futures.
Well, what it all came down to was, "Kill the white staff, Fuck the staff, Fuck them up. Get the keys!" All the while trying to protect myself against kicks and punches so that I'll make it home to see my family again.
Why? Why? I asked my self, Did they do this to me? I'm Cool. I'm the good guy I'm not mean or cruel, I Care!
Well, my Compassion was interpreted as weakness. Your friend who was a teacher was right in her assumption about the NYC school system and right to quit. She followed her instincts, and it saved her life and her sanity. You can't judge her, you weren't there. And as much as she wanted to help, her idealism lost out to Reality, her final conclusion was right, they were animals.

A man was walking in the woods he came upon a rattle snake.
He said to the snake please don't bite me, I will help you find food, and shelter.
The snake agreed.
After the Person did as he promised the snake bit him.
While Dying, the man said why?
"I did as we agreed."
The snake said, "You did what you do naturally, and hello! I'm a Snake.

You can use my Full Name, but not which State or City I work in. And you can forward all the responses to me OK?  ~Michael Hunter



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Dear Michael,

I have many responses to your last email, but don't want to continue to put you on the defensive.  I didn't mean to judge you. I made some judgements about your attitude, but there was no condemnation.  I admire you for being willing to stick through some very tough stuff. It's not something I could do.  And I certainly don't judge my friend either even tho' she decided not to stick it out.  But you must understand, she did not quit because the kids WERE animals, she quit because she didn't want to become someone who SAW them that way.

I guess unsolicited advice rarely goes over well, especially with people you know nothing about.  I think part of my wanting to give you advice was to get you back for giving me advice.  Perhaps it would be more fruitful to simply talk about our own experiences and not suggest to or make judgements about each others choices.  Hike your own hike; Live your own life.

I personally want to be someone who faces evil with an open heart.  I don't know if you're familiar with Peace Pilgrim (she walked all over the country for about 25 years talking about peace.) She said she was going to walk until given shelter, fast until given food, and continue her pilgrimage until people got her message.  She kept walking and touring until her death in the 80's (she was killed in a car she was riding in strangely enough.)  Anyway, at one point she was attacked by a deranged young man who started beating her, including around her face.  She didn't lift a hand to stop him, but instead (apparently) looked at him with such compassion that he broke down and cried.   Now some people think she was a lunatic, and others think she was a saint.  I think she might have been a little of both, but she's one of the few people in this world I consider a role model (and this year is the 50th anniversary of her walking the AT--which I found out AFTER I had decide to do this hike.)

So that's a little more of where I'm coming from.  I don't care what happens to me, how much I've been hurt or how much I've hurt others, whatever evil I see, I want to always face the world with an open heart.  Some old dead Indian guy, Neem Karoli Baba once said, "Do what you must with people, but never put anyone out of your heart."  I like that. I'm not there yet, but that's what I'm shooting for.  And while I hope that my offering of help is truly a help for these kids in Guatemala, I trust that reaching out in a sincere way without wanting anything in return has got to be a good thing in this world.  And I trust that if helping these kids get an education, healthy food, medical care is only creating dependence and not helping them in fact, the folks at Safe Passage will make the changes necessary.  And besides, the desire to reach out in this way is also a part of nature, and I trust nature most of all.

There's another story about a snake who goes to see a wise man:
 
The snake says, "Please give me some advice, no one likes me and I'm tired of being alone."
So the wise man tells him, "If you want other beings to like you, you have to stop biting them every time they scare you."  So the snake goes down to the village and hangs out waiting for someone to talk to him.  As he sits there so quietly, some kids start to get curious, and after time, when they see that he's not going to strike, they start to kick him, and then they throw garbage on him, and pick him up by his tail and swing him around then fling him  back on the dirt.
He's a wreck.

The wise man walks by sometime later and sees the snake all beat up and exclaims, "what happened to you?" the snake says, "well when I stopped biting people, they saw me as weak and started pushing me around, and he related the whole story."  The wise man shook his head with great compassion in his eyes, and said, "my dear friend, I never told you not to hiss!"

Anyway, I don't know how much longer I can go on with this correspondance.  It's very compelling, but I do need to get on to other things.  I wish you the best Michael, and see you as a caring person through all of this.  And I hope I can continue to believe in what I'm doing as strongly as I do now as I'm climbing to the top of some mountain in the broiling sun and steamy humidity in drought conditions on the trail this summer, and I hope I will remember then that I still have it better than most people in this world.

Many blessings, Melissa Luce



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I Prefer your Snake story over mine. Michael



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So that's where we've ended the conversation at this point.  I haven't stopped wondering about this project as I do everything: is this really the "right" thing to do.  But I'm starting to look at it a different way.  I'm just going to follow my heart and my instincts and trust that the truth will become apparent.  It seems hard for me to believe that we can really do much damage by making a sincere effort to help someone, especially if we're sensitive to what their needs are, and are always on the lookout for ego fulfillment, superiority trips, or other rationalizations on our own part.  But if we are wrong, and we have made a mistake and made someone dependant on us or just been gullible and taken advantage of, that will become clear, and then we can take the next step to remedy the problem. 

And I've also thought on some level, gee, maybe it would be better if some of our species knew how to survive in such dyer conditions as these people live; it would give our species a better chance of survival after the nuclear holocaust or global meltdown, or whatever.  But then I think, what do I care about survival if we have no heart, with people just looking out for themselves and their kind. 

I'll have plenty of time to contemplate this and more in the months to come.  And I hope I can live out these beliefs as I walk along the trail, and as I move through my life.  I've spent too much time doing nothing because nothing seemed "right enough" to do.  And well I'm tired of doing nothing, so this is what I'm going to do next... I truly hope it helps.

Melissa Luce
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What follows is a email conversation that took place between myself and someone who had seen my website.  He said it was fine to post on my site.  It's kind of long, but presents some interesting differences in points of view.  Seems we each got a little reactionary, so may not have presented our best arguments.  I myself also have a sore tongue from so much biting...

If you want to add to the conversation, send your comments to my email and I'll post as soon as I can--that is, before May 8th, 2002.
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