Reviewer:
Dr Bongo D
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April 19, 2005
Subject:
Anatomy of Forgivness - Bud Welch Interview Outstanding
Amy Goodman's interview of Bud Welch, father of Julie Welch, victim of the April 19, 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing was simply outstanding.
Bud's heartfelt story of his emotional transformation from a lifetime of opposition to the death penelty, to no trial for Timothy McViegh and Terry Nichols, to we must have a trial, there must be a conviction, and the death penalty a necessary result, to drug addiction (alcohol) to mask the pain, to recognition that calling for the death penalty was furtherance of the hate and negativity that McViegh and Nichols expressed through their bombing, to forgivness of McViegh and Nichols, to befriending Timothy McViegh's father, Terry and realizing that ironically Terry was more of a victim of the bombing than Bud himself, to becoming an international speaker against the death penalty.
This interview is the most simply put, articulate, direct example of what I call the "Anatomy of Forgivness". A number of interviews of family members of 911 victims were also compelling in their eventual choice of "the High Road" of acceptance and forgivness, through the tools of healing and service to others.
Bud and others who have choosen the path of acceptance and forgivness are, indeed, offering us an compelling alternative to surviving trauma via the tools of self transformation and service to others. True Heros and Patriots.
Thank you Bud.