what do you think of this article?
February 202010
A Justification for Peace – Maxime
After the attacks of Sep.11th it appears that out nation has become a hotbed for domestic and international violence. The focus on National security (or public paranoia) and the "War on Terrorism" are pulling the United States further and further out of touch with the rest of the world. Not only is the "War on Terrorism" an extremely vague operation but also it is one that typifies the American persona internationally. The pure violent aggression shown by the United States in response to Sep.11 is the same aggression that creates our unpopular and even hated image through out the world. In these uncertain times it is necessary to change the way that the USA deals in terms of diplomacy with all nations and peoples, for out government’s aggression will only increase the hatred that is felt for it abroad.
So what position or action is necessary in these times? We must ask ourselves if it is wiser to fight things like terrorism with peace or to fight it with violence.
History shows that violence results in only more violence, and in turn creates more hatred, placing us in, if not the same situation, but an increasingly more hostile one than we had before. If we proceed with this war and attack more nations, cities, families, and children we will create growing numbers of generations, internationally, that will be raised claiming the USA as the enemy. More generations that will view America as the main source of evil in the world due to our violent pressure to succumb to our will. When a people are attacked, and suffer much loss and tragedy from them, they will feel intense hostility toward the aggressor and in turn will seek and want revenge for their loss. The best example of this was our own country after Sep.11th. The people wanted revenge; they wanted to make the aggressor suffer how they had suffered. Again, this is the same sentiment that Usama bin Laden stated after the attacks in his press release video, saying that revenge was the justification to the attacks. It would seem that war is not the solution to getting rid of terrorism, if anything it appears that it will create even more.
Now, what would be the outcome if we turn to a peaceful plan of action? And how can we do that? First and foremost the United States must start dealing with the world at a level where we do not appear to be dictating it. Our country needs to learn how to act in international politics with out always putting its military strength behind its words. In short the USA needs to start acting like a peaceable nation rather than just claiming that it is a peaceable nation. Secondly, our government must remember that we are a country inhabited with people from every culture and nation in the world, and that every violent action taken by it overseas has direct domestic ramifications. Be it hate crimes or the destruction of rights to specific peoples in our nation (look at the situation in Dearborn, MI, right now), it is seen that war tears our own communities apart and creates even less harmony between all ethnic groups in the USA.
The only solution to end violence is to act as a non-violent entity, and through that perspective deal with the rest of the world. If the USA does not listen to its own citizens on this issue maybe they will take the advice from their contemporaries around the world. In one of the most promising speeches given by a politician in the 21st century so far, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, coming from a nation that knows the harsh realities of war, made a call for peace. In a speech that he made after his second election a month ago, he said that the ".terrorist attacks in the United States on Sep.11th, as well as more recent attacks in Djerba, Bali, and Moscow, have shown the world that global security is less and less achievable through military means. Rather, preventive conflict resolution through social and ecological security, economic cooperation and the upholding of human rights of minorities is critical." When asked whether his country would take part in a war with Iraq, he said, bluntly; that "Germany would not take part in a military strike."
If our government were to engage the rest of the world with a priority of global equality, financial equality and peace, the way that the country would be viewed would change ten fold to the positive. The goal to success in anything is to make sure that all members involved are comfortable and secure with all other members, creating a peaceful and rational platform to debate issues with out conflict. In short, the key is respect, with out it we will never get along and we will never have peace. Lets hope that our nation starts coming to terms with the reality of the situation and through a giant act of change decides to make peace its primary goal.
Nice rant, but it would never work. You can not reason with people who want you dead so much so they will blow themselves up in order to kill you. They must be eliminated or incarcerated for life…scratch that, eliminated.
February 20th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
what a worthless piece of garbage. for the zillionth time, i could care less what the rest of the world thinks! i want my family to remain safe, and if that ticks off the canadians or the french, then tough!
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February 20th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
interesting.
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February 20th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Nice rant, but it would never work. You can not reason with people who want you dead so much so they will blow themselves up in order to kill you. They must be eliminated or incarcerated for life…scratch that, eliminated.
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February 20th, 2010 at 9:16 pm
*BELCH…..!!!*
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February 20th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
An excellent explication of a peaceful alternative to Bushits warmongering, hatred generating foreign policy. Thanks
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MOVE ON
February 20th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
This one is too long.
Wisdom and wisdom is the solution to all conflicts.
A better CIA and good relationship with people/countries will win the war quicker than weapon.
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February 20th, 2010 at 10:42 pm
The author of this article is naive about politics and human nature. I’m not going to defend the Bush Administration’s foreign policy for the past eight years. But the viewpoint and ideas advanced in this article are a recipe for national suicide.
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February 20th, 2010 at 11:07 pm
Only problem is, history shows exactly the opposite. This whole article is based on false assumptions.
If you actually believe that if we be nice to the terrorists they will leave us alone you are unbelievably naive.
This attitude stinks worse than a three day old dirty diaper.
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