The War in Focus

Another Day of Paradise

Recently, Frederick Meekins wrote an op-ed regarding Mindy McCready plight as a battered woman. In truth, his perspective is on point; she does have the ability and means to leave, but! In a rational world, she would leave and never turn back. The heart wants what it wants, and rationality does not enter in the course of human emotions. Unfortunately, our emotionality is the part of us, so when Meekins proffers that: “Since she is not bound by matrimony to this human detritus, there is nothing keeping her in this situation” (nor should it, even she was married to him). This, of course, is very true, since most women “feel” there choices are restricted in these types of relationship, however, I am not the one who going to cast stones at their choices and their decisions, but as a person who has seen this wretched circumstance of some of my friends personally, and knowing the snapshot domestic violence statistics, I have acquiesced to their decision of bad judgment. One cannot change the heart; nor subdue liberty.

Admittedly, Meekins’ point is not lost on me when he says, “… In this day of escalating cohabitation and out of wedlock births setting new records, I will probably find many so-called Christians and Conservatives who probably have fewer problems with this sign of obvious social decay than letting their kids go Trick-Or-Treating.” He deigns the present generation lack of morality, and condemns McCready.

Nonetheless, McCready has right to choose poorly. Meekins, on the other hand is correct when he says, “Given her fame and fortune, she is perfectly free to leave whenever she wants; and given her celebrity status, it is well within the scope of her resources to acquire someone else slightly used like herself with a more amicable disposition. It's not like she is dependent upon him as her only means of support.” This is all true, but humans are a curious breed, in that, we do not always do what is right or perfect.

In a perfect world we would all find the mate of our dreams. No spouse would abuse the other, whether in "traditional" convention, or any alternative style of living. Let me quote from our founding fathers:

"....That all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by the Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness..."


Which also includes the pursuit of being stupid; the choice in not "believing" the way others do, but the way you want to believe is an inalienable right as human being. This also includes, the way a person practices their religious beliefs. Sometimes, the lessons a person has to learn cannot be taught, but has to be experienced. Poor choices, bad decisions are better guides than any nannyist, or any authoritarian Father figure can provide. Sometimes, others learn from viewing others mistakes, sometimes not. But however one finds their moral code and their place within social construct and contract, it is the individual's place to determine, not someone else's. Therefore all one can do is lead by example, be the beacon of light, not the hammer of oppression in castigating the decisions of others.

Yes, she chose poorly, Mindy McCready, but it is not our job to try rescue her or anyone else. But instead, the best we can do sometimes is simply be there when they ask for help. Even Seventy times Seven, if it is necessary. To have compassion is one of the first lessons as a human, as a Man, one must be able to contribute to the community in order to demonstrate his wisdom for discernment. And so it goes, it is just another day in paradise after all; we live and we learn what more can one do…


Copyright 2005 by Gregory Kirk Stewart