Short term thinking.
The war in Iraq is yet another powerful example of humanity's inability to apply its intelligence to long range problem solving. At this point in history it seems clear that there is no choice but to force the disarming and removal of a brutal dictator who unleashes his violence with impunity. How can an advanced civilization stand by while ruthless individuals acquire the means to control and manipulate humanity with terror?
Still it is the same short term perspective that causes us to eat pizza, donuts and ice cream without any regard for the long term effects these foods have on our arteries. then we are surprised when we reach old age and the only choice we have is to spend our life's savings on medication that slowly drains our physical and financial resources. It is the same short term thinking that makes us want to drive our cars everywhere without any consideration for the long term effect of the cumulative effect of air pollution and resource depletion on our children and their way of life. It is the same short term thinking that causes us to strive for the "conveniences" of life without any consideration on the detrimental affect on our personal well being from the chronic and systemic lethargy that results in our physical atrophication.
Yes we can continue to attempt to negotiate with tyranny but if the tyrant is not acting in good faith we run the risk that he is just stringing us along to buy more time while he develops an ultimate weapon. Yes it should have never come to this point but now that we are here how long are we prepared to wait for disarmament? How much risk are we prepared to take?
Whatever we may think of the corruption and manipulation of the politicians that "lead" the democratic nations of the world, the fact remains that citizens of these nations have a level of personal security and freedom that is maintained through the self serving actions of those politicians. Some would argue that they are not democratic at all because the elections are somehow "rigged" or "controlled". Still by publicly supporting and defending a charter of individual rights and freedoms these countries and their political systems leave themselves open to criticism, and accountability.
Even if we think that it's the corporate mandate that controls our governments, these corporations all function under public rules and procedures that the individual citizen can learn to understand and participate in. The citizens are free to purchase shares and vote for or against the leadership of these corporations. If that is not enough, we are also free to control the strength of the corporation by choosing to buy or not to buy their products. In this way we can regulate the lifeblood of the corporation in a big way.
Each of us is free to think our own thoughts, to apply our intelligence and to start acting in the interest of peace and sustainability. We don't even have to wait for the ballot box, we are free to vote each and every day. One dollar, One vote. We can vote with our wallet and have a true impact.
It is an abstract concept to think that some nations are in support of the action in Iraq while others are opposed. In fact a country like Canada, whose government decided not to support the action, is divided on the appropriateness of its government's choice. Germany and France have large sectors of the population that support the war while the US and Britain both have large sectors of the population that are against the war. Even within Iraq the population is split over weather the US intervention is an invasion or a liberation.
The dynamics are more complex than the rhetoric. A complicated, decades long process, has created an out of control dictator that threatens the security of the world. The United Nations, which itself is not a single entity but a dynamic organization that in fact is a composite of the world's political leaders, was unable to agree on the appropriate course of action, even after many years of diplomacy had run its course. The US and Britain felt it urgent enough to risk condemnation and real casualties to force the issue after diplomacy failed to bring results. So now there is a war that may become increasingly messy and protracted. We can abdicate all responsibility and simply blame our governments for taking us here. Or maybe it is time we applied ourselves to long-range solutions as individuals in our every day lives to build a civilization that can exist in peace and harmony, allowing for personal liberty and freedom, and at the same time is environmentally sustainable.
If this war is being fought over oil it will not be the last one as the world oil reserves start to dwindle. If this war is being fought over security, it will not be the last one as the populations of the planet swell to unimaginable proportions, creating regional and global conflicts as they go.
Maybe its time to do some homework and ask some probing questions. Where does Iraq get the money to buy the technology and sustain itself while it builds weapons of mass destruction? Why have western governments seen fit to support certain governments in the Middle East over the decades whether they were democratic or not? Have we been true to our moral resolve "Liberty and Justice for all" for every nation and government we provide aid to or do business with? If not can we start now?
Please don't stop when you get the answer you like to hear, keep probing deeper. The writer has done this and has chosen to act in his personal life to make a difference. Maybe you can find a way to spend your money that will remove you as a passive supporter of a situation you find distasteful or threatening. You could take an inventory of the items you purchase every day. Do the choices you make support your personal value system? Does your money flow to corporations and governments that echo your personal ideals? When you open your wallet, who and what are you truly voting for?
Think about it. Then act on your knowledge.
