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Date Posted: Thu, January 27 2005, 19:32:21
Author: Larry Lusk
Author Host/IP: 66.214.61.7
Subject: Re: How They Really Feel
In reply to: Jeff Northridge 's message, "Re: How They Really Feel" on Thu, January 27 2005, 13:59:56

Jeff, while I do have sincere sympathy for the victims of the tsunami and hope that the survivors are able to rebuild their lives as soon as possible I also feel that much of our countries effort in this endeavor will be both wasted and unrecognized. I don’t mean to say that we shouldn’t be helping in ways we can afford to but to expect that we will generate any good-will for the U.S. as a result is unrealistic. The world as a whole has been turning against us for many years now (for many political, religious and economic reasons) and the Bush Administration hasn’t helped the situation in the past four years.

The general perception of the U. S. and Americans around the world is that we are the richest and most powerful people and country in the world. If this were indeed the case then the largess that is expected of us would be justified but it’s not. There are people in our own country that go hungry and are uneducated not by their own choice. Among the modern post industrial nations we rank near the bottom in providing health care for our citizens. True, at present our military is the strongest in the world but some are beginning to question how long this will last as a result of our current “crusade”. The blatant consumerism by a fair percentage of our population does not jive with the shrinking industrial base of our economy. At some point the bubble will burst, the only question is when. Someday, perhaps sooner than later, we will face a disaster that we can’t cope with alone and there will be few nations or their citizens that will extend a helping hand to us. I personally see nothing happening in the future that will change the worlds perception of us.

Our “crusade” to promote “freedom” around the world is a waste of lives and resources. People will choose and fight for freedom when they want it badly enough. Freedom is not something that you can “buy” for other people, it has to be fought for by those who want it and are willing to sacrifice for it. In the same vein people who hate each other can be forced to live beside each other but if given the “freedom” they will try to kill each other as soon as the “freedom givers” turn their backs for a moment. Thus the freedom givers become more like prison guards than deliverers. Some day people who hate each other may discover that it is to their mutual benefit to set aside their hate and work together but it is a realization that they must come to on their own. Forcing a reason on them will only result in bitterness towards the forcer for generations to come.

Disasters happen and people die; that is the nature of our universe. To help mitigate suffering is only human and a natural reaction when people have reached a certain level of social understanding. I applaud everyone who has given something to help those in desperate need but it should be looked upon as a gift with no strings attached. Don’t expect more than a few sincere “thank-you's” or help in return when we may need it.

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