From Here to Internity

[H2O Man]

To be, or not to be, that is the question—
Whether 'tis Nobler in the mind to suffer
The Slings and Arrows of outrageous Fortune,
Or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them?
-- William Shakespeare; Hamlet

This soliloguy from Hamlet was used by Minister Malcolm X in a speech at Harvard University in the last year of his life. It's something that people around the globe are wondering about as violence is breaking out in the Ukraine. And, of course, there's still military conflicts going on within numerous countries.

It brings up tough questions. One of those is, simply, how do we want the United States to respond? The way we answer as a nation is hugely important. Not only that, but how we respond to that question as individuals is mighty significant, too. I include the community at the Democratic Underground, for our individual opinions are as important as any other individual's. (Not as influential as everyone's, of course. And not as politically powerful as those of corporations.)

I'm anti-war. There hasn't been a war in my lifetime that has been in the best interests of American citizens. But I could not say that there has never been a just war. Or that there may not be another, in the future.

A nation's approach is not unlike individuals engaged in, or responding to, threats and other acts of violence. Some national leaders, like Dick Cheney and George W. Bush, act like George Zimmerman in terms of policy. Not that they were ever fighters. Heck, they'd probably want Zimmerman as a body guard
.
If someone is invading your house, you have the right to stop them. Malcolm used to say that if a robber comes in your house with a gun, and you stop him with a gun, that doesn't make you a robber. In the early years of his adult life, even Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., kept a shotgun in his home.

Why did King eventually get rid of his weapon? A person can believe in non-violent resistance, as a social-political tactic, and still believe in the right to defend one's self and family. Yet King moved beyond this stance. His understanding of the teachings of Jesus and Gandhi led to his change.

My friend Rubin knew both Malcolm and Martin. In the 1960s, he certainly was closer to sharing Malcolm's beliefs, than Martin's. But, in his book "Eye of the Hurricane" (2012), Carter writes that he has come to see that Martin's way was the correct path for reaching that higher ground where violence is rejected in society.

There are, of course, good people who will say that Martin's way is unrealistic, becvause it ignores human nature. This, of course, ignores the example that individuals throughout history have shown ......that it is indeed "human nature" to be peaceful. It is a very real human potential that is available to the world. Yet, it cannot come into being because of "leaders." A Cheney, Bush, or Putin does not have the ability to bring about a peaceful, non-violent resolution to any serious dispute.

This dangerous nonsense in the Ukraine is about the control of resources. It's not because Putin hates us for our freedoms. It is an appeal to the ugliest of human potentials -- and that includes Americans' and well as Russians' -- of greed, fear, and hatred. The "success" of such appeals depends entirely upon the willingness of every day people to be invested in greed, fear, and hatred.

This dangerous nonsense can't be stopped with more negative energy or armies. It can only be ended by people refusing to participate in the negative. The "weapon" of true moral force, as defined by Gandhi and King, offers the only solution. The common folk united, without artificial boundaries.

Is there any other way?

Peace,
H2O Man

[daleanime]

1. K&R....

[H2O Man]

2. Thank you.

I was wondering if anyone was going to respond to this OP. I know that sometimes I post things where, like this OP, I'm thinking out loud, so to speak. (Being old and retired, I find myself talking to myself more frequently.)

This is a strange time. If I were to speculate, I'd guess that things in Ukraine will calm down somewhat in March, and then the shit will hit the fan in mid-April.

[daleanime]

5. People, myself included, do seem to skip over important issues.....

at times.

[AtheistCrusader]

3. I will *always* extend a hand of friendship to the people of Russia.

Same with any other nation.

Whatever political differences may exist, whatever demonization/nationalism might be afoot, does not sway me in the slightest.

They are human beings.

[H2O Man]

4. Well said.

Thank you.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. Very good analysis!

[H2O Man]

8. Thank you.

[panader0]

7. Thank you

"It can only be ended by people refusing to participate in the negative."

[H2O Man]

9. Part Two ......

I'm (re-)reading "Gandhi on Non-Violence," a collection his saying that Thomas Merton put together (New Directions; 1964). The path that the Mahatma presents is difficult, indeed. But the options seem even more stark.

I think that President Obama is doing as well as any US President could at this time. Much of the world recognizes that Putin is making a move to control the natural resources in the Ukraine. But they see the US as having done that same thing quite frequently, and around the globe. The spy scandal hasn't made Uncle Sam very popular. There aren't a lot of options for the President; certainly, none of the toxic republicans like McCain have identified.

I think that there are great numbers of people around the globe who would welcome some real leadership from America. But it isn't the type that comes out of a corporate-controlled government. That leadership can only come from the grass roots. That is where a real movement, capable of transforming our society, can come from. Nowhere else.