But isn't the true challenge to extend our solidarity even to those who exist only as statistics in our mind?

Both progressives and conservatives have this same sense of empathetic solidarity. There is solidarity among the eliete and wealthy just as there is solidarity among the poor.

The defining difference is the decision to empathize, at your own expense, with the rest of the world, the have nots, and to give up immediate personal gratification to benefit people who we will never meet, even in a thousand lifetimes.

The true solidarity is not merely speaking of "us" From the word "us" often springs that cruel dichotomy of "us versus them." The true solidarity is to speak of "everyone, ...

But isn't the true challenge to extend our solidarity even to those who exist only as statistics in our mind?

Both progressives and conservatives have this same sense of empathetic solidarity. There is solidarity among the eliete and wealthy just as there is solidarity among the poor.

The defining difference is the decision to empathize, at your own expense, with the rest of the world, the have nots, and to give up immediate personal gratification to benefit people who we will never meet, even in a thousand lifetimes.

The true solidarity is not merely speaking of "us" From the word "us" often springs that cruel dichotomy of "us versus them." The true solidarity is to speak of "everyone, every man, every woman, every person, every mind that ever has been and ever will be."

What is more, solidarity is not merely this realization, not merely observing and appreciating that fact. It is action. So many who appear to take act in solidarity are really seeking nothing more than a personal identity, and in the end their actions benefit only themselves.

I believe that the protesters and activists I have seen in America today mostly are do nothing more than developing their social circle. Once their identity of opposition is established and secure, the outcome of their struggle is irrelevant. This is why I feel that despite public sentiment against, these wars have continued and Bush's power remained largely un-checked.