I care because seeing some kinds of suffering almost physically hurts, and always has. I can try to rationally explain to myself what is happening, but the logic only can go so far. I don't fully know why. If I ignored it, or rationalized it away, I think I would lose some essential part of myself.

I was beginning to think there was some small taint of cynicism I was beginning to develop, in the last year or so, finally realizing to my relief it was really just a reaction to not having fully moved from caring but feeling powerless to just DOING SOMETHING. So, now I am getting involved in social issues online, and intend to do so locally soon as well.

Your comment about things like lighting some candles and whatnot as a response to some negative event was interesting. I think we do that for ourselves as much as for the victims. To actually help people directly or change a situation takes a lot more than just holding hands and singing, absolutely. It takes a LOT of effort and commitment. Which means I am going to have a very busy life, I guess.