Winners and Losers

There are winners in all wars! Who might they be?

Before and during wars the manufacturers of weapons, munitions, and transportation equipment owners all profit.

After wars companies that do the reconstruction, suppliers of materials and all resource that are used along with supporting industries all profit.

Even politicians is some countries receive paybacks and other benefits which though possibly illegal is often accepted by the people as that is the way things are done. There are times when politicians have personal investments or their relatives and friends have investments in those companies that stand to make large profits.

There is nothing new in these observations. This is simply a reflection on the realities of our world and human nature.

Now, who are the losers?

The losers are those individuals who gave up their lives fighting and those who became physical and mental casualties of the war. As well, their families and friends suffer.
The costs of goods and services frequently are increased. Look for example, the price of oil and the subsequent gas at the pump prices that all consumers face. We can easily relate to the fact that there are many losers.

As well, the war efforts are supported by all taxpayers. The quality of life of all is negatively impacted.

We can at time be both winners and losers and in the trade-off, accept that fact. Perhaps the hardest aspect to be absorbed by individuals is to live with the stress induced by the war, from day to day and the many days that follow the end of the war.

Wars are destructive of property and human beings and these losses go on for ever, from generation to generation. Genocides have taken place during wars and these will never be forgotten. One can look at the hate that exists between and among nations and how memories of past wars are not easily forgotten, if ever. How can the children of those who gave up so much during wars ever forgive those on “the other side?”

So predictable...

I just learned that the meeting in Rome to move to a cease fire in Lebanon ended in utter failure.

What is happening was so predictable. The Israelis have convinced the US that it wants time to take care of its northern problem, the Hezbollah. Although Israel with its powerful air force which has been highly successful in the past, it can’t deal with the existing situation. Tanks may move into Lebanese territory but the more tanks that are there the more targets there will be; the Hezbollah may be able to take care of these.

Now, just wait until the Hezbollah unleash longer-range rockets against more southerly cities in Israel.

The nations of the world will become more united it their criticism of Israel and the US.

How long has it been that the US has been praised by many foreign nations? Can the “Ugly Americans” ever become beautiful in the eyes of the world? The American image is being deformed day by day.

The US is losing the war in Iraq. But how can the US save face? No way!

The future of the world is in the hands of the US. When will the Americans do the right thing for peace around the world? Or, is this just too much to ask of the Americans

What a Mess

The Cold War ended in 1989 and the dissolution of the Soviet Union took place on December 25, 1991. Shortly thereafter, Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan completed their book Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors. We are now in a time of crisis with a “war” between the nation of Israel and an organization called Hezbollah. To date, the Hezbollah are holding their own to perhaps to the great surprise of the Israelis.

Sagan and Druyan wrote that in spite of the end of the Cold War, the world was not “home free.” They explain: “New dangers edge their way onto center stage and old familiar ones reassert themselves. We are confronted with a witches’ brew of ethnic violence, resurgent nationalism, inept leaders, inadequate education, dysfunctional families, environmental decay, species extinctions, burgeoning populations, and increasing millions with nothing to lose. The need to understand how we got into this mess and how to get out seems more urgent than ever.” Fifteen years later that quotation is as fresh as it was when the ink was drying on the pages of that book.

This “war” in the Middle East is a mess. So many unnecessary deaths, so much property lost, so much of two nations’ economic systems destroyed and with what final outcomes? The Sagan/Druyan words have as much merit today as they did when they were written. Somehow though I wish it would be otherwise, I believe that little will change in the next fifteen years. The Middle East will remain in turmoil.

The sons and daughters of the present Hezbollah will carry their torches of freedom ever forward. They will desire nothing less than the destruction of the Israeli nation.  Israel may win this “war” which is but a big battle; the true war is yet to come

Middle East Wars

Middle East Wars

For centuries there have been wars in the Middle East. What is taking place in Lebanon is the result of Israel, once a secure and powerful nation that has fought wars successfully in a few brief days, much shorter than the present “war”, to be now involved in battles that are continuing.

No matter how this conflict ends, the Hezbollah will be the winner. The once powerful nation of Israel with its much superior air power and weaponry is now faced with a determined group that is military and has a political identity in Lebanon.

Even if every member of the Hezbollah military were to die, within a few short years another powerful military will come forward as the children of the many individuals who have suffered because of family members who have died or became physical and/or mental casualties. Other Muslim peoples will view the actions of the Hezbollah as heroic; all military deaths will be viewed as act of heroism. The result will be an Israel that will be viewed as a nation that can be successfully fought by an enemy using tactics and with weaponry though inferior, used by a determined foe, will be able to bring the proud nation of Israel to its knees. The economy of Israel will suffer. Many nations of the world will hold contempt for the present over-zealous military actions of the Israelis.

The United States and Britain will suffer a further loss of respect by many nations of the world.  Canada which has marched in lock-step with the Americans will also suffer. Canadian values are different from those held by Americans. Canada has in the past often held its own ground and not followed the US, for example into the war in Iraq.

There can be little doubt that The Americans have wanted this “war” to run longer to give the Israelis time to bring the Hezbollah to a position where no further launching of rockets would be possible. The British have gone along with the American decision not to seek a cease fire at the present time.

To bring the Hezbollah to a point of stopping the launching of rockets is an impossible task. Hezbollah will move farther back and regroup and will continue to using guerilla tactics to harass and “control” the Israelis. Now we have not seen the total power of the Hezbollah. We have not seen the unleashing of other rockets which are more powerful and which have a longer range.

Israel may have some friends in the Middle East who at may condemn the earlier actions of Hezbollah but may turn to the support of Hezbollah and in particular as Hezbollah continues to inflict heavy wounds on the Israelis.

The non-cease fire position of the Americans will do greater damage to Israel, damage that the Israelis had not anticipated. Israel will find itself in a position of being obliged to withdraw before meeting its earlier objectives and it will not stop its warfare without being obliged to complying with a UN resolution. Israel will not stop on its own initiative for that will be a sign of giving up, of having “lost” the battle.

Middle East Interest

Middle East Interests

There is little doubt that the US supports Israel in its present war in the Middle East.
The UN may want to have a cease fire but the US would like to give Israel more time to get into Lebanon with its ground forces.

Israel and Lebanon have been involved in warfare in the past. Israel did occupy Lebanon for a period of time. This gave birth to Hezbollah which is supported by many individuals who have either suffered directly from the actions of the Israelis or are well aware of the historical military happenings in Lebanon.

Now, my limited view of the history of wars leads me to believe that the suppliers of military equipment, weapons and ammunition, including highly sophisticated bombs are making “big” dollars. In whose pockets do these dollars end up? Some Americans have lived very well off of the rich rewards from the sale of military goods. Before the US entered each of the World Wars, sales of materials of war were made to the eventual enemies of the US. In its fight against the Nazi forces many of the eventual allies died from the war materials sold to the “axis” powers.

If an embargo were put into effect, supplies to Israel would dry up and the war in the Middle East would end and the big loser would be Israel and the US for the Muslim powers of the world would be stronger in support of all radical organizations that oppose, in particular, the US.

I wonder where Canada stands in all of this. Canada entered into some form of long term commitment to the war in Afghanistan in support of the US. Canada, under its Prime Minister Stephen Harper appears to be “marching in lock-step” with the US. Do the peoples of Canada really want this?

Canada and the US would do much more for the peoples of the world if internal problems of health, education and the treatment of aboriginal peoples would become a stronger focus for their administrations. After home problems and issues and problems were resolved then external situations could be addressed, in particular along side with other nations through the direction of the United Nations.

I have little doubt that Hezbollah will become stronger from day to day as Israel continues its incursion into Lebanon and the rather indiscriminant bombings of areas where civilians live. If Israel has justification for the excessive force being used in Lebanon, I wonder what it must be. Has Israel and the US used a situation to do what it has been planning to do for some time, in particular as the US is strongly opposed to the government of Iran. Might Iran become involved more strongly in any support given to Hezbollah and the US then come to the support of Israel and attack Iran? Did the US not become involved in a war with Iraq without the guidance and support of the UN?

Now, where do the British under Prime Minister Tony Blair stand? On a continuing basis, the US can almost be assured of the “Blair” support.

It has been said that in world politics, the British have supplied the “brains” and the Americans the “bucks” to support and advance the cause of world domination of Christianity. Now could it be that the Muslims of the world vie for the religious control of the world?

Are we involved in a world war, the WWIII? Throughout history individuals and families have suffered greatly because governments wanted to have more control of world affairs and of course internal affairs for the benefit of the leaders and those who possessed wealth. I have lived through two world wars and many other wars around the world. I have experienced the suffering that results from war. I have seen the destruction of villages, towns and cities. I have seen the suffering of families. I have witnessed too much and am filled with sadness for those in Lebanon who are refugees, for all those whose lives have been lost and the suffering that has resulted for their families, the loss of property, and the loss of happy days with comfort for tourists and families receiving relatives from foreign lands?

Will Lebanon ever recover? Yes! Who will gain from this recovery? Those who are presently wealthy and the reconstruction of the country will make many wealthier! This will be simply history repeating itself!

highs, lows, summer 2006

highs, lows, summer 2006
 
high temperature, high humidity 
     high concerns
 
troubles in the Middle East
     Muslims fight
 
seek defeat
     Israel others
 
Sunni,  Shia
     Muslim
 
Hezbollah, Lebanon
     Syria
 
Iraq, Iran
     USA
 
low faith, low hope
     low interests
 
UN, Christians
     reactions
 
North Korea, China
     Russia
 
Where is Peace?
Where is Love?
 
highs, lows
    summer 2006


© 2006 by Lou Reeves

Crisis in the Middle East

Crisis in the Middle East

I left the world of computers and TV after the first two days of the present crisis. It was good to get away for not only did I leave a world of stress both physical with the high temperatures and humidity but the Israel and Lebanon situations with the destruction of people and property was too much to take!

Returning to find that the situation is getting worse is most unpleasant. I wish we all could “hide” or escape from all the unpleasant and horrific news.

I have the feeling that the US is backing Israel in all of its activities but must not disclose its interests there. Americans do not like what the Iranians are about in terms of the development of potential nuclear power but can’t do anything about it directly. Now I believe Americans are entering a stage of greater fear for there is a threat that Hezbollah members and supporters in the US could take action on many internal fronts. I believe the internal threats are greater than any nuclear threat from Iran, now and into the distant future.

So where does that leave the Americans. Bomb shelters of the WWII vintage are useless. Being involved in ground warfare with other nations has proven to be useless. Diplomacy with some countries has proven to be useless.

With all the fear that will be there, Americans will suffer from additional stress and their individual lives will be shortened. All the American wealth will become useless for individual survival.

What does peace mean to the US? What does peace mean to the poor of the world? What does peace mean to the many refugees and slaves that are around the world? I can’t believe that peace will ever be there. The most we can hope for will be the reduction of pollution and poverty in the world. The wealthy of the world need to share their wealth that so often came from the labors of the poor and of the slaves.

Americans can’t hide from the fact that the land on which they reside did belong to the Native Peoples. Nor can many of those living in Latin America. Many live well or perhaps too well. They need to share or have governments take money and much of their wealth away to help solve the problems of the poor of the world, including health and education. Americans could start at home. All the money spent on the war in Iraq could have solved many internal problems and issues.

So, Americans, where do you stand?

Our World

Our World

What is our world coming to?

We in Canada support a military that has been committed to a “war” in a foreign country.
We, a small county in population attempt to solve problems in a foreign county while many of our internal problems remain unsolved and many important issues unresolved.
Why are we involved in Afghanistan? Why did the prime minister commit Canadian forces to provide military personnel well into the future?

Around the world today there are many wars going on. There are many reasons for these wars but we in Canada are not involved in these. I believe that we should be involved in providing economic assistance to countries on a selective basis to alleviate social problems relating to food and health and education. There are areas in which we can specialize, but warfare should not be our strength.

Should we have a military force? By all means we should for the defense of our borders against the intrusion of foreign powers, organizations and individuals that are bent in doing whatever that is not in our interests. But fighting a war on foreign soil is not what I believe the majority of Canadians would ever desire.

We hear today of a crisis in the Middle East relating to Israel and Lebanon. Where does Canada stand? Where should we stand? The organization known as Hezbollah has been in existence for some 25 years and is both a political and military organization. Until the government of Lebanon eradicated this organization, we might expect serious consequences to follow.

The United States has learned serious lessons from its involvement in Iraq. One is that it is not wise to adopt aggressive action against foreign nations. It has been a hands-off situation with regards to Iran and more recently with North Korea. Diplomacy seems to be the key word and having other nations become more involved in attempts to resolve international problems. Of course the threat of nations having nuclear power or the capacity to use weapons of mass destruction against the United States causes fear, intense fear to spread across the country. Since 9/11 the US has been filled with fear and has suffered the loss of freedoms. Any visit to Washington will reveal many security measures that have been adopted. Much money has been invested or been directed to security through the employment of individuals and in the expansion of government organizations to meet the challenges that exist. One aspect of the WAR in which the US is engaged has already been lost and that is the loss of freedom or a sense of freedom and in its place the acquiring a sense of fear. What an utter shame! What a shock, the trading of fear for freedom!

What is our world becoming? Are we a planet plagued with environmental pollution and religious and social pollution as differing religious groups fight for supremacy in the name of GOD? Of course we have seen wars in which family members fight against one another, where particular religious groups fight members of the same religious groups praying to GOD to defeat their enemy; yes praying to the same GOD to have other human beings die! What is our world becoming? We have seen this from ancient days to the present. What have we learned? Of what value these learnings when little has changed.

Yes, I have the questions; we all do but our governments are there to do what is right. They have not been successful in the past so what does the future hold?

I guess we will live with the pollutions that we have created and the wars in which we are involved, directly or indirectly.

What is our world coming to?

Hidden Talent

Hidden Talent

Some people have blockages to their productive output. As potential creative artists they deprive the world of the beautiful output that should exist for all to enjoy and cherish. Other artists do not share what they have already produced for many reasons which I will not explore at this time.

I recently read two poems written by a young lady. As a reader of much poetry, I deem these poems to be of high quality. Yet, at this time the poet will not consider having her works published. My role now is to convince her to submit her poetry to different publishers. There are so many opportunities to have poetry published. Another thought is to encourage her to read her poetry before receptive audiences; there are many in most cities in Canada and around the world.

Now for a quick quote from Pablo Picasso that I will share with this poet and others who hide their talents. “The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider’s web.” And, a few words from Sonia Choquette that carry deep meaning: “The power of words is real whether or not you are conscious of it.”

I would encourage all writers to share their works. Is there a better time than now?

A New Focus

A New Focus

After several months of travel in Europe and the United States, I have come to the conclusion that no matter how much I see, no matter how much I read, unless my thoughts are shared with others, all is lost.

One thought that recurs time and time again is that when I die, my associations with others, all my educational experiences leading to knowledge and understanding will die with me. Yet some of my words used in writing and discussions which I have shared with others may continue in that some individuals have been influenced in a positive sense.

My new focus will be on writing my ongoing thoughts and the sharing of ideas with others. I will not place emphasis on the criticism of the actions of others though I will not hesitate to express my personal point of view. I have become more aware as time passes of the political decisions that are being made which so often reflect the interest of those behind the political scene who have power and influence politicians to a degree that I had not been willing to believe. This has been magnified by my observation of some local politicians and their voting behaviour.

I have become disillusioned with the actions of the police who more often than people are aware of assume powers to which they should not take. How many displays of using excessive force can the public tolerate? Often members of the public do not enter complaints against the police. Courage to do so and the time and money that it takes to achieve a just outcome is just too much.

How democratic is our society?  How much power do political parties have in the determination of who should lead our country? Too much, I say but that is part of the political system within which we live. How much change has taken place to resolve the problems of the poor in our society? It is far easier for the Prime Minister to throw money in the direction of the military to foster the interests of peoples in far off lands. This is not to say that our military should not be well equipped but it is a question of how our military forces are used. In this regard, too much power resided with the Prime Minister!

I will be examining policies relating to our military and writing about my feelings and understandings. Policies relating to other federal government departments and agencies will also be examined. The National Capital Commission is high on the list of agencies that need to be reviewed and comments will be voiced on what is viewed as not in the best interest of the public.

The actions and activities of the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in regards to Native Peoples (the First Peoples) deserve some attention.

Now, in all of this, I am not so naïve to believe that changes might come about reflecting what I believe to be necessary. My peace of mind is central to all that I do. I will be pleased to express my feelings, my thoughts and ideas. That is part of life; a simple life which reflects passing time from day to day and as time passes, those hours seem to pass more quickly than ever before. And that is part of nature and to be accepted!