Look for Subtlety

 When I read posts on Facebook all too often I see friends and acquaintances looking at the world in black and white. Every problem, every issue has hundreds of different perspectives. If, of instance, I’m pro choice I must be in favor of abortion. For me, that is not what being pro choice means. I look and say I cannot see a scenario where my decision on what a woman should or should not do stands between her and her doctor. It is, I hope, the most difficult decision a woman will make in life. It should involve some serious conversations with whom ever she feels can help her make the best choice give her circumstances. I may or may not agree with her choice but I should not unreasonably restrict her ability to make a choice. Would I prefer there were no abortions? Yes. It would be ideal if no woman was ever impregnated by rape or incest. That no fetus had defects so severe that survival was impossible. We don’t live in an ideal world. 

It isn’t just abortion. Look at the current war in Ukraine. All to often recently I have seen posts claiming that if I am not for peace I must be for war.  It is not that simple. Russia invaded Ukraine. They took, by force Ukrainian land, in violation of international law. The United States, Russia and Ukraine entered into an agreement when the Soviet Union collapsed that Ukraine would surrender its nuclear weapons in exchange for protection of its sovereign territory. We have not, under multiple presidents, honored our obligation to protect Ukraine. We should not negotiate the loss of Ukraine’s sovereignty over some of its territory with Russia without Ukraine being involved in every meeting and decision. If Mexico took part of our southwest back we wouldn’t be comfortable with them negotiating with Canada without our participation. When I look at the current situation I often think of the words and wisdom of President Lincoln. 

Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration

which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause

of the conflict might cease with, or even before, the conflict itself

should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less

fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible, and pray

to the same God; and each invokes his aid against the other.

It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's

assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces;

but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both

could not be answered--that of neither has been answered fully.

The above is from Lincoln’s second inaugural address. It is my hope that peace will come but it must be fair, just and enforceable. Negotiations must include all parties. There are shades of gray. Hues of thousands of colors. Not wanting an unfair peace treaty does not mean you desire endless war. Look beyond the headlines and the either or choices presented on social media. Life is more complicated than those limited tropes.