*grabs mic and steps on soapbox*

No, I can’t just walk away, I have more to say.

Our ‘war’ continues, the ‘war’ we fight with one another, the ‘war’ we wage against ourselves.  Our place in this ‘war’ is often defined for us.  It is defined for many because they are powerless to choose. 

They are destitute or suffering.  They are a minority of sex or race or religion.  They are poor or disenfranchised.  They are abused or disabled, physically or mentally, and they have forgotten or never learned how to stand up for themselves.

But…there are a few that are different.  They have advantages of knowledge and insight.  They know the ways men destroy themselves and of the reasons they do so.  They know the enemy who threatens us all.  Because they know these truths, they are empowered and can choose the ground they would defend.  They have an obligation and a responsibility to decide where they will stand.

Who are these people?  Where are they?  I count myself amongst this group.  Where am I?  Where I have chosen to be.  I chose my ground a long time ago.  I did so because I was no longer afraid.  I did so because even though I am not the last, I was made strong by the fire that tested me, and I was given a purpose.

Yeah…what he said.