Life of a Child is more than a Forest, Border and Religion!
We’ve lived our life in hysteria as Middle Eastern youth; but maybe hadn’t something to call disaster. Bad or good, we’ve grown up with some bruises that might’ve influenced our life in the way of our own countries wars or our neighbors.
Today Afghan, Iraqi and Palestinian children are suffering and it seems it doesn’t matter too much to United States leaders and even their people!
Patrick Cockburn in his new book, The Occupation: War and Resistance in Iraq once said: “There was no reason why Saddam Hussein should not be defeated with the same ease as the Taliban. His army was a rabble, his heavier weapons, such as tanks and artillery, obsolete and ill-maintained. Iraq was exhausted by its eight-year war with Iran between 1980 and 1988, the humiliating defeat in Kuwait three years later and the thirteen long years of UN sanctions. If Bush and Blair had truly believed the Iraqi leader possessed the military strength sufficient to pose a threat to the Middle East through weapons of mass destruction, they probably would not have attacked him.”1
The 2003 war not only created the conditions for further health decline, but also damaged the ability of Iraqi society to reverse it”. Women, children and the elderly are the most vulnerable. Children in particular because of their not fully developed immune system. In its report of last November, the Norwegian-based Fafo Institute for Applied Social Science found that acute malnutrition among Iraqi children between the ages of six months and 5 years has increased from 4% before the invasion to 7.7% since the US invasion of Iraq. In other words, despite the 13-years sanctions, Iraqi children were living much better (by 3.7%) under the regime of Saddam Hussein than under the Occupation. Officials from the institute, which conducted the survey with the UN Development Program and Iraq’s Central office for Statistics and Information Technology, revealed that the Iraqi malnutrition rate is similar to the level in some hard-hit African countries. 2
UNICEF in 2005 called for priority attention to be paid to the needs of Iraqi children, saying the “loss of so many innocent children is unacceptable”.
“Iraq’s recreational areas, as well as its schools, must be respected and protected as safe havens where children can play and learn without fear,” Roger Wright, UNICEF Representative for Iraq, said in a statement.
“Children’s lives, health and psychological well-being are increasingly suffering as a result of Iraq’s ongoing conflict and displacement,” Wright added. “Protecting and supporting Iraqi children must be the first responsibility of everyone, no matter what the circumstances.” 3
Does United States president, George W. Bush understand? I don’t think so! He is insatiable and can’t see the region to be in peace!
Although he did not explicitly mention Senator John McCain, President George W. Bush on Friday sought to unify the Republican Party behind its eventual nominee, describing the election of his successor as president as a stark ideological choice.4
And in the case of John McCain, he is the greatest fan of continuing war in Middle East and especially in Iran. “More wars” could prove to be the oddest of all presidential campaign slogans. Especially if it works!
Presidential candidate John McCain shocked observers on Sunday when he told a crowd of supporters, “There’s going to be other wars. … I’m sorry to tell you, there’s going to be other wars. We will never surrender but there will be other wars.” 5
Just watch McCain: War with Iran is more reality than hypothetical on youtube.com
Oh, God, this John McCain is a dead stupid! Just read his aims as the upgoing president here: John McCain for President! I believe he wont be less than Hitler in Middle East! Someone should stop this mad man, somewhere!
I cant understand these republicans and they also cant see humanity!
Chris De Burgh has a beautiful song called The Simple Truth (a Child is Born) that I suggest everyone to watch here (youtube.com):
“A child is born on a battlefield,
A soldier boy falls to his knees,
And a woman cries in joy and pain,
When will we all live in peace again?
A child is born where the wild wind blows,
In a country torn from the south to the north,
And a family runs from day to day,
When will we see our home again?
When will we see that simple truth,
That the only thing that’s worth a damn,
The life of a child is more than a forest,
The life of a child is more than a border,
Could ever be;
A child is born in the desert sun,
A tiny life has just begun,
And a mother cries for her hungry babe,
When will I feed my boy again?
A child is born to an ordinary home,
East or west, it could be anyone,
But we all want to know,
Will my child survive to see the day,
When we will be secure again?
When will we see the simple truth,
That the only thing that’s worth a damn,
The life of a child is more than a forest,
The life of a child is more than a border,
The life of a child is more than religion,
The life of a child is only a heartbeat from eternity,
We must believe, for the sake of humanity,
We must believe…
For the sake of humanity, we must believe.” 6
————————————————
1. http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/43412/
2. http://www.countercurrents.org/iraq-hassan020405.htm
3. http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/3f2dbfeee9455694e3e0b55a7ca4a176.htm
4. http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/08/america/repubs.php
5. http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Buchanan_McCain_win_means_war_with_0128.html
6. http://www.lyricstime.com/chris-de-burgh-the-simple-truth-a-child-is-born-lyrics.html
Join the Conversation
Hey, Lord
Your posts are really great, believe me. Your last post, about Evolution and else (that long post you suggested us to read offline) could be a great start point for a deeper discussion over Evolution, and I was very eager to begin such a thing. sorry that Im too busy these days to do what I really enhoy.
and this post is a good hit again.
bottom line: “If Bush and Blair had truly believed the Iraqi leader possessed the military strength sufficient to pose a threat to the Middle East through weapons of mass destruction, they probably would not have attacked him”
thanks
Dear Mohammad:
thanks so much for your comment! I’d like to be here more, but the same as you, I’m very busy these days!
I’d be happy to have some discussions with you, too!
Hope to see you then!
Lord, the song you quote is quite beautiful. It suggests that there is nothing more important than a child: not a forrest, not a border, not a religion, etc. I agree with all that. So what type of ideology should we embrace? What should we believe in, to give your song its meaning?
Dear Nissim:
Here, this song preaches humanity; I think it does worth to see our acts and judge’em based on such a thing (Humanity)! Then we would’ve more respect for nature, life, our world and also our own kind (human beings).
And I suggest you to watch the clip here at youtube.com and try not to cry!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLFxyL9AyWw
We should believe in Humanity!
Pingback: Iraq News Blog » News & Views 02/09/08
Dear Lord:
I did watch the video, and again, very touching. I didn’t cry, but I did feel something important.
You speak of a sense of “humanity.” To me that suggests that we all share certain experiences which make us “human.” For me, the wisdom borne of shared experience is “common sense.” It is “common” because it is universal, and it makes “sense” because it is self-evident and logical to almost all people the world over.
If we want to give substance to the sense of “humanity” that you rightfully speak of, we have to begin embracing the wisdoms that we have all come to share.
“Treat others as you would have them treat you.” This is the Golden Rule, and it is universally shared because it makes sense the world over. We should treat each other well by Investing in one another. Just as a mother invests her energies in the survival of her baby, so too should we invest in one another to assure our mutual survival. We cannot allow the brutality to persist, because in the final analysis, the brutality that we permit against others, will eventually come to haunt us here at home.
“The truth is not an extremist position but is to be found somewhere between extremes.” This universal truth, The Golden Mean, would have us moderate our views by using Common Sense as our Ideology. Instead of believing what we want to believe, it’s time to begin believing in what makes sense.
“Do what brings the greatest happiness to the greatest number.” The Greatest Good is also universal, and would have us maximize justice by organizing ourselves around a Vision of Hope. There is enough wealth and enough intelligence in the world to bring about justice. What we have to find, is the will to make it happen. You have the compassion, Lord, and somehow, against all odds, you have to find a way to give substance to what you know is right.
Lord, I also believe in a universal sense of “humanity.” I am trying to find a way to make it real. For me, the formula for peace and justice is not all that complicated: Ideology plus Investment equals Hope, and with Hope, all things are possible, even the impossible dream of peace. What is complicated, and very difficult, to the willingness to do something about it. Just as the song moved you to tears, so too must we find a way to move each other to action.
Nissim,
It seems that you’ve found your own ideology to embrace
It did not move me to tears but as I liked this song very much, this mixture of music and video was overwhelming!
I accept with all that you noticed above and when I used the word “humanity”, I think it has some cognitions of “common sense” in it; cuz we all know that we’re human
yes, and I just wanted mention in this post that I’m wondering why these american leaders cant see the world in peace! Why should weapon trading be their best way of earning in life? They just want more with no respect to what they’re exactly doing (suffering people and as you said to allow the brutality to persist)
Just watch these refugees or any refugees and tell me how they were brutal against others? And I think if we are some good guys, it doesnt reflex goodness to us! does it?
Then we should establish a better ideology than “Treat others as you would have them treat you.” what do you think?
Great. I agree with and I still believe life of a child is more than a border and religion; because it makes sense to me! why should an innocent child be slaughtered for War of Borders and War of Religions? These things (religion and border) doesnt make sense to me! How many palestinian youth and childern should die to come in conclusion that Humanity and our existence is more than Islam and Jewish? Or how many should be killed in Iraq to some U.S. presidential nominee understand that he should give up genocide?
Its a long way to go and Esra is trying to do some by her MEY
Kavi dear
let there be war!
Maybe after the human race is close to being extinct, some will rise to feel for the fortune of man in this little planet, maybe not, does it matter any more? Every one will be affected, if some think some will not, that’s an illusion, the cheerers of war way more, but here we cannot get rid of the chain , this enslaving chain of cause and effect, so…let there be war……… maybe one day light will be there as we are promised.
Dear Elinor:
Nice slogan! maybe this negative way could’ve more effect in the eyes!
I, myself do not believe in such a thing and as there’s no hope for this utopia, and also we wont be extinct easily, then we should find some solutions to get rid of sadness, untill we disappear from earth!
And till then, its better to stand against for our own well-being. Doesnt it worth?
Amen LOrd Kavi
You sound positive that is nice
Yes it is worth it sure
solution please
Lord, thank you for your comments.
Part of the problem, as you point out so well, is that many of the policies endorsed by our governments are short-sighted, to say the least. The U.S., for example, may sell arms to protect its vital interest around the world, and frankly, to promote the profits of U.S. corporations. This policy sometimes works, and sometimes doesn’t, and arms can often end up in the wrong hands, or may end us being used to prolong war and suffering.
The U.S. and Israel could help themselves and others by embracing policies which can inure to the benefit of all parties concerned. We need some win-win solutions. For example, if you look at the world as it is today, you see three major threats: Ideological Extremism, Poverty, and Global Warming. There are other problems, of course, but these are three big ones. So, what kind of policies could help these problems. I propose a solution that can solve all three in one shot, believe it or not.
The U.S. and Israel and the West, for that matter, and the wealthy Arab countries, should begin investing in factories and other businesses which create products that will protect the environment. Suppose, for example, that you open a plant that produces batteries that could be used to run cars, instead of gas. Or a filter that can go on diesel trucks to eliminate CO2 emmissions. Or giant suctioning machines that can remove CO2 from the atmosphere.
You hire Palestinians and other Arabs. You train them to produce these products. They will benefit from the pride that comes from good paying jobs. And once they have something to lose, they will help you fight ideological extremism. The extremists will not be able to capture the public’s imagination, once people begin to imagine the possibility of a better life.
Why would Saudi invest in such projects? For serveral reasons: It will be good for PR. It will be profitable and can be used to diversify their investments as oil runs out. It will produce a product that protects the earth, and that stabilizes the Middle East with good paying jobs. It will bring back the legacy of dignity and pride to the Arab world. It will help to neutralize the extremists who threaten Saudi as well. It will promote the Saudi plan for peace with Israel, and Israel, with her technology and her drive, could be the linchpin of an effort to revitalize the economies of the Middle East.
Imagine, Lord, policies which bring peace to the Middle East, which eliminate poverty, and which protect the earth, all at the same time. These are the kind of policies which can bring an end to a lot of the problems that you so rightfully complain of.
Now all we need to do is to find some rich Westerners, and some rich Saudis, who are willing to listen. Stranger things have happened.
Nissim,
That’s interesting and strange at the same time! But in reality, I think, is hard to achieve!
Maybe one day that comes true, but you know religious drive and temptation is more than economy and friendship! I believe at the first step some should try to get rid of religious dogma at government levels! Maybe a religous friendship! I dont know how and where it should be started.
Your solution is nice overall, but as I said, in reality there are many factors that stand against! maybe we should first, count these factors and find a solution for them one by one and then, apply them to achieve our goal!
what do you think?
Lord,
My solution is not only “hard to achieve,” but is also “close to impossible.” It’s as close to impossible as you can get, but considering the alternative, what choice do we really have but to try?
I know what you mean when you say that religious extremism is hard to deal with. And you suggest dealing with this first. Well, sometimes the best way of dealing with something is by not dealing with it directly, but rather indirectly.
What I am suggesting, is to create facts on the ground which speak louder than words. The religious extremists do a lot of talking, but often, they can’t do much to improve the lot of their people. They may hand out charity here and there, but charity is not enough to restore the dignity of a person.
If you build a factory, and create jobs, and allow people to earn a decent living, and produce a product that protects the earth, if you do all these things, without talking too much, then the reality on the ground will speak much louder than the words of hate. And soon enough, people will begin to imagine the possibility of a better life, and you will see that gradually the air will be sucked out of the ideologcal extremists. They need misery like air to breathe, and they won’t have it when people begin to dream of a better life.
Today, if a poor man looks at the table, and sees only an ideology of hate, and some charitable handouts, then that’s what he’s going to buy into because that’s all there is. But if he looks at the table and sees a good job, and an ideology which makes more sense, then now there’s a choice, and most people will choose a life, and would fight those who would take that life away.
The West and the wealthy Arab States are well advised to put that alternative on the table. If the West is good at anything it is making and investing money. Why not use this strength as part of our strategic arsenal to bring solutions to the problem of poverty, to the problem of ideological extremism, and to the problem of the environment. We’ll be solving all three problems with one “simple” solution. I think it can be done, but if you have any ideas, please don’t hesitate to let me know. Believe me, I need all the help I can get.
Nissim,
Now your solution makes more sense. It should be more armoured, I think to become an issue.
Now I have not much to say, but I’ll think about it and tell ya if I had any idea.
Have fun.
Keep thinking, Lord. The world can go either way, and everything we know and love hangs in the balance.
Take care.