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KathyM: it's not about me. My sadness isn't due to my lot in life. Hatred and fear doesn't have to be a human condition. I can't find anything to be thankful for in this area because I'm only seeing a repeat of what I lived through in Chicago back in the 60s. Sure, laws are in place, but the hatred and fear hasn't changed - neither has all the hypocrisy, lies, arrogance and greed in [hu]mankind.

Well, KathyM -- this sounds like something you feel passionate about and passion is a very good reason for getting up in the morning. Maybe all you need to do is to find a way to change the world in your own way. You seem to be a fighter and the fight hasn't gone out of you yet. That kind of energy and passion can be used to effect positive change... somewhere.