Posted on 03/25/2003 1:41:40 PM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
Lusaka, Mar 25, 2003 (The Post/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- FOR the first time in human history, our species is facing a real threat of extinction.
It is endangered not only by the destruction of its natural habitat, but also by grave political threats, increasingly sophisticated weapons of mass destruction and extermination, and extremist doctrines backed by lethal and annihilating force.
These are not days of hope and glory for peace in the world.
Last Thursday the United States invaded Iraq. But whatever the resistance the Iraqis are putting up, this is not a confrontation between comparable forces. On the one side there's the hegemonic superpower, with all its overwhelming military might and technology, backed by its main ally, another country with nuclear capability and a member of the United Nations Security Council. On the other side, a country whose people have suffered more than ten years of daily bombings and the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives, mainly children, through hunger and disease, following an unequal war provoked by Iraq's illegal occupation of Kuwait, which was an independent state recognised by the international community.
And it's clear that the vast majority of world-wide public opinion is unanimously opposed to this invasion of Iraq. Above all, they are opposed to the adoption of a unilateral decision by the United States government in complete disregard for international rules and the power and authority of the United Nations, as limited as they already are. This is an unnecessary war, under pretexts that are neither credible nor proven.
Whatever governance problems Saddam Hussein's regime may have violated, should not serve as justification for the United States and Britain granting themselves extraterritorial jurisdiction.
There's no international principle that grants them the power to militarily invade Iraq. Such extraterritorial jurisdiction, if tolerated by humanity, will only serve as a dangerous weapon in the hands of the most powerful states, against small countries that rebel against their interests. The leaders of any country who are not to the liking of imperialism - no matter how ethical their conduct or how just their cause - could be toppled and murdered at its whim, in accordance with the decisions of its politicians, who are so often venal and corrupt.
Completely debilitated by the last war against the United States in 1991, Iraq - which was backed and armed to a considerable extent by the West during its war with Iran - lacks the capacity to counteract the offensive and defensive weaponry wielded by the United States. The United States, on the other hand, is fully capable of wiping out any risk of the use by Iraq of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, if Iraq does in fact possess any such weapons; but from what we have seen over the last five days of this invasion this is in itself highly unlikely, and even if it did, any attempt to use them would be politically absurd and militarily suicidal.
The real danger lies in the fact that this invasion is increasingly appearing to be a patriotic war for the Iraqi people, and no one can - even after five days of the invasion - gauge their response and resistance, how long this war could last, how many deaths and how much destruction it could cause, and what the human, political and economic consequences would be for each of the adversaries.
The world would doubtlessly be subjected to enormous economic risks, in the midst of the profound crisis it is already facing today.
Although United States President George W. Bush has told the world that "God is not neutral", the fact is that Pope John Paul II and almost all of the world's religious leaders oppose this war. Who can actually interpret the Lord's designs?
Clearly, there's no alternative for humanity but to change its course. How will it change? What new forms of political, economic and social life should be adopted? This is the most difficult question to answer, but the responsibility lies with human beings. This is the challenge humanity faces today.
When EVERY knee shall bow, and EVERY tongue confess, that JESUS CHRIST is LORD! THAT's how--and when--it will change. (and it may be a whole lot sooner than we think!)
The unspoken complaint (and agenda) being over which segment of humanity should chart that course change, and what compass should be used to determine the desired direction.
Ecclesiastes 10:2-3 NIV
2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right,
but the heart of the fool to the left.
3 Even as he walks along the road,
the fool lacks sense
and shows everyone how stupid he is.
I'm not talking about the God of Bizarro World.
Two hundred years ago, the vast majority of world-wide public opnion was unanimously opposed to any form of government but a monarchy. But we showed 'em -- just like now.
That's why we are the leaders of the world. I think the vast majority of world opion is a little too tolerant of murderous dictators and the enslavement of whole populations by brutal and barbaric political systems.
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