My last post caused a bit of controversy. Friends emailed me to express their concern, worried that this rogue state is escalating tensions. Hey, just chill, man. Put those nukes away, dude. Get a grip. I think I've been pretty big about the whole thing. I've avoided confrontation, I've played down my anger, I've tried to make it easy on everyone. But seriously, do you expect me to be okay when I see them together?

I miss the love and laughter too... but it's it's all fucked up now. I didn't create this situation, and like most of you, I don't know how to deal with it either. If you can't stand other guys hitting on your girl, how can you expect more of me?

The unfortunate truth is that it's impossible to not get involved, no matter how neutral you wish to be. The moment an accident occurs, every witness becomes a participant in the drama. In a crisis situation, taking no action, is a form of action. Even if you don't think it's a crisis, even if it means nothing to you, to the viewer watching you on their TV screen, how you react is a measure of the person you are.

When faced with a difficult decision, many are tempted to make no decision. They convince themselves they do not have to decide today. External factors may intervene. The situation may defuse itself. Maybe nobody will notice, if you stand absolutely still.

War in Iraq is imminent. Your investment portfolio is in the red. You are faced with a sell or hold decision. Do you cut your losses or hope for a miracle?

You are an Iraqi. War is declared. You are called upon to defend your country. Do you stand and fight with your comrades, or do you run away?

You are an Australian. The way you see it, this war is between the US and Iraq. You decide to stay out of it. America occupies Iraq, and the Iraqi in the last paragraph dies a sad, anonymous death.

Even so, some just shrug and say "Shit happens, hey?"