Most of our politicians, in the wake of the Bhutto assassination, feel the need to strut their stuff as tough-minded, aggressive foreign policy activists. We need to "fix" the problems in Pakistan before they become worse. I have my doubts about this approach. It's true that we can use financial leverage in order to try to encourage democracy. But can we really "fix" Pakistan? And why stop there? Can we "fix" Burma, Afghanistan, Tibet, Iran, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Palestine, too? And all at the same time? Is it our business to "fix" anyone's country even if we could? Again, I have my doubts. I can't help believe that Jesus' saying about taking the log out of one's own eye before taking the splinter out of someone else's applies here. Usually, the answers lie within. And they lie in transforming oneself. We lead by example in this world. America has lost its moral standing in the world. Many people see us as little better than other bullying, abusive oligarchies around the world. And I can't blame them at this point. We have high ideals, but we're not currently living up to them. Let's be careful about spreading ourselves too thin "fixing" the world while we have troubles enough for the day right here at home.
3 comments:
Of course we can and should try to Fix the world. Don't you realize that everything is perfect here--just ask Gee Dub-Yah and his deluded people. Aloha
Does this blog work well for you? Given I'm using igoogle homepage now, maybe I'll start using Blogger for my main blog. Any input? Aloha
Well said.
For less than the cost of even one year of war with Iraq/Afghanistan[/Iran?/N.Korea?], estimates are that America could ensure nourishment & safe, clean water for the literally millions of children around the world that die each year from starvation and water-borne diseases.
I admit, it would take organization and care to do it efficiently & effectively, but as long as it wasn't contracted out to Hallibuton and his ilk, it is achievable.
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