I’ve not been feeling all that well this weekend, but with luck my health will hold. There is much to do.

Saturday V and I ventured downtown to watch 300. In the Boston Common opposite the theater there happened to be a gathering of war protesters. Since we were early, we strolled through the park for a while, taking in the atmosphere of the day.

The energy outside was anything but peaceful; in some ways it was much more aggressive than in the theatre, where all sorts of artistry were being focused toward creating war, where I could practically feel the hooks pulling at my testosterone. I think I understand why there was anger, and there’s a lot to be angry about. Around here, the Transgressions of the State has almost surpassed the weather, sports, and celebrity gossip as default watercooler talk. You can almost hear the dollar sign when some people pronounce “Bu$h.”

As we took our constitutional the words of the rally’s speakers wafted across the Common. We’d get words sometimes, but the tone was always clear, and it was one of violence. Violence and hate against the perpetrators of violence and hate. Enforcing peace through righteous anger.

This is my dilemma; I support the cause on Saturday, but feel that the method in some ways subverts the cause. If one truly wishes for peace, to convince another person to settle his grudge with another person or group, then one must not have the fire of anger in ones own heart. I just can’t see “I will be angry with you until you stop being so goddamned aggressive, dickwad” actually working to create any lasting peace. In the much pithier words of the Buddha: “Never by hatred is hatred appeased, but it is appeased by kindness. This is an eternal truth.”

The Common was saturated with policemen on horses, bicycles, motorcycles, car, and foot, ready in case the peace protest got out of hand.

I am now left with a question — how to work for peace in the spirit of peace; not theoretically, but in my own life, right now. This war is taking a huge toll on our country, and on our world, and the anger and hatred on all sides will continue to burn brighter. This was a lot to take away from an afternoon when I was just expecting to see guys poke each other with spears, but if don’t take what life gives you, what do you have?