I wrote this while at the National World War II Museum here in New Orleans. A friend and I went through the “Final Mission” serving as crew members on the United States’ most successful submarine. We also saw “Beyond all Boundaries,” the powerful, powerful presentation of World War II narrated by Tom Hanks.
This was a heinous war – in the twentieth century, resulting in hundreds of millions of deaths – more civilians that combat deaths.
The twenty-first century must be different. Gandhi certainly pointed us in the right direction. It’s time for all of us to understand and believe that God made each of us and all of us with a mind, body and a “little piece of God.” We are all world citizens and children of Almighty God. This even pertains to the dictator Assad. But that does not mean Assad should be allowed by those around him to kill other world citizens
Every world citizen on our planet has a mind, body and “little piece of God.” Thus, we must love and respect ourselves and others. Non-violence, reason, wisdom, truth, kindness – the positive values must overcome the negative values of selfishness, revenge, hate, greed and envy. Remember, more civilians than combatants lost their lives in World War II, although each life was precious. That pertains to those people in the Damascus suburb who lost their lives to chemical means. It’s sad, very sad.
But will more killing bring them back? Should we seek revenge – or – instead launch an all-out media and diplomatic attack on Assad (the villain extraordinaire in this real-life drama). We have a longing for others to value us and they also seek to be validated. So, each life is precious.
Assad should be stopped, but by modern means, not primitive killing. I’m coming to believe an all-out public relations and diplomatic offensive against Assad and anyone who supports him is exactly what Gandhi would do if in charge. Perhaps President Obama’s decision to turn this matter over to Congress – which by law he should do – is the best approach.
We – all world citizens – need to think long and hard about the use of any kind of military action. Two of my heroes are the greatest President in my lifetime – President Reagan – and the father of India – Gandhi. Both President Reagan and Gandhi made stupendous advances with little loss of life. We should emulate them in terms of trying to proceed in the 21st century with little or no violence. But we have a big impediment in trying to use President Reagan’s approach of military power forcing peaceful gains – we and the developed world are far too leveraged with debt and obligations to use that method.
Burt the United States has an enormous movie and media industry that can spread the word of what happened in Syria from the beginning to now. Let’s roll – I call on that industry to do what they did with my favorite film – Gandhi.
Do it – and do it now!
This is not a left or right issue. This is a human issue, one humanity
We have over seven billion people on earth right now. Why should we care about the ones killed by this terrible dictator? Let me ask you. Do you value your own life? Do you have a sense of understanding that the twentieth century was full of warfare? We long for a better world, Heaven on Earth.
I believe Almighty God fully intends for that to come to fruition. But we must do our part, all of us, all world citizens. I sincerely believe we can because of my deep beliefs in God’s enduring, steadfast love.
Faith is important. But regardless of your beliefs, if you have values that guide you to do and say the right thing – I believe you are also on the path to a Heaven on Earth. We all need to seek that ultimate path.
We do not want the world’s attention to be riveted on America’s unilateral action against Syria. We want all to focus on Assad’s in-home actions.
