Ah ha, yes, F L E S H, you make a very valid point

I guess I always knew that I would leave (after all, that's what I promised her I would do), but was looking at the possiblity of being able to forsake my moral code, for the sake of the children. I suppose what I was really trying to do, was justify my actions by arguing the pros and cons with my conscience.
Hmmm...interesting counter-arguement ..lol..I will ponder this for a while

Thanks for your sympathy lol..although, if you knew my ex-wife, I doubt that you would blame me for leaving lol...she is/was/and always will be a queen bitch.
That said, it is sad when a relationship breaks down, no matter what the circumstances
Especially when there are kids involved

Back to the question of choice.
Yes, I pondered the alternatives, therefore giving me the choice - but, based upon my moral-code and understanding of myself, I only had one real choice. That I am able to speculate on the alternatives, doesn't necessarily provide me with choice - rather, the awareness of the consequences of making the other choice.
As in the example in Matrix Reloaded - they could have shut-down the life support mechanism, but the consequences of such an act, would mean that they would probably die soon. Therefore, they appear to have choice, but in reality, they do not.
Same as with my situation - I could have stayed, but I knew that the ramifications of doing such a thing, would ultimately result in more heart-ache for all concerned - better that I deal with the pain sooner, rather than later, plus saving the kids from being exposed to a 'hostile' relationship.

I used to say that there was always choice - but now that I look at the bigger picture, and consider my moral code, I realise that the ability to choose, is really quite limited.

hehehe..you almost had me there

Look at it this way.
Analyse your life - lifestlye, occupation, the people around you, everything.
What would you change about your life?
And, how would you change it?

Of the things that cause you sadness (for want of a better description), how much power do you possess to change those things?

I look at my life:
I hate the society in which I live (people and attitudes) - but I love some of the things that come with it (materialistic things - ie, internet, cars, PS2, dope, etc)
I hate having to go to work for people who only see me as a number on the payroll - but, I need the money to survive.
I hate having to be civil to my ex - but I must be, otherwise I risk 'damaging' the kids, or even lose the right to contact with them.
I would choose to stay at home, and play on the PS2, or spend all day on the internet, get stoned, or drive my car about the countryside...but, I can't do that, because of the restrictions of the societal protocol and my responsibilty to my children.

Of all the things that cause me angst, I am unable to change most of them.
So, I must float between worlds and make the best of a bad job - go to work and interact with society, whilst enjoying the things that make me happy.
The Yin-Yang philosophy.
The only choice I have is to swallow the bitter pill, and somehow be grateful for those small mercies that I do have