pax
ONE love, blood, life
The thread that deep posted of terrorists being transported on U.S. military planes got me thinking about American ideology these days; specifically, what is, or what should be, the role of the U.S. on the world stage. The U.S. is often referred to as the "world's policeman." I humbly suggest that we begin to pursue alternatives.
I've seen a number of things justified, throughout the so-called War on Terrorism, by saying that "Well, they're terrorists, so we can detain them illegally/transport them like cattle/deny them basic civil and human rights." I, as an American and a Christian, don't buy that anymore--if I ever did.
Don't get me wrong. I'm scared. I know I live in a world full of terrorism, full of people who would probably slit my throat or something if they had the opportunity. But I think I'm more afraid of living in a country that perpetuates the ideology and actions that creates terrorism--and don't say it doesn't. We are making terrorism, and the threat thereof, bigger and scarier. You know that's the truth.
Why do we not, as a nation that consistently claims to be better than those of the terrorists who would destroy us, *act* as though we are better? Why do we not share more of our wealth and time with the impoverished of the world? Why do human rights go straight out the window as soon as they're inconvenient for us to attend to?
We are better than this, or at least we are supposed to be. We are the most powerful and wealthy nation in the world. Instead of using that position to be an example of what nationhood can be--prosperous, fair, peaceful, and attentive to the dignity of all persons--we have used this position to bully smaller, weaker nations, to pollute the planet, and to possibly drag our allies into a war that a majority of U.S. voters AND other countries' citizens do not want.
If anyone starts waving the anti-American flag at this post, go ahead and wave it, but I still believe that one of my most sacred rights as an American is the right to criticize my country. I'm not pointing fingers here--not at any one President or administration or political figure. This is just my opinion. And maybe I'm wrong. I've been wrong before. But I suppose the question I really want answered is: how do we cultivate a more responsible ethic of nationhood? How do we prove to the rest of the world something that few nations are wont to believe at the moment: that we truly do have one of the greatest countries in the world?
I've seen a number of things justified, throughout the so-called War on Terrorism, by saying that "Well, they're terrorists, so we can detain them illegally/transport them like cattle/deny them basic civil and human rights." I, as an American and a Christian, don't buy that anymore--if I ever did.
Don't get me wrong. I'm scared. I know I live in a world full of terrorism, full of people who would probably slit my throat or something if they had the opportunity. But I think I'm more afraid of living in a country that perpetuates the ideology and actions that creates terrorism--and don't say it doesn't. We are making terrorism, and the threat thereof, bigger and scarier. You know that's the truth.
Why do we not, as a nation that consistently claims to be better than those of the terrorists who would destroy us, *act* as though we are better? Why do we not share more of our wealth and time with the impoverished of the world? Why do human rights go straight out the window as soon as they're inconvenient for us to attend to?
We are better than this, or at least we are supposed to be. We are the most powerful and wealthy nation in the world. Instead of using that position to be an example of what nationhood can be--prosperous, fair, peaceful, and attentive to the dignity of all persons--we have used this position to bully smaller, weaker nations, to pollute the planet, and to possibly drag our allies into a war that a majority of U.S. voters AND other countries' citizens do not want.
If anyone starts waving the anti-American flag at this post, go ahead and wave it, but I still believe that one of my most sacred rights as an American is the right to criticize my country. I'm not pointing fingers here--not at any one President or administration or political figure. This is just my opinion. And maybe I'm wrong. I've been wrong before. But I suppose the question I really want answered is: how do we cultivate a more responsible ethic of nationhood? How do we prove to the rest of the world something that few nations are wont to believe at the moment: that we truly do have one of the greatest countries in the world?