Who’s Playing Who?
There’s an ancient Italian proverb that roughly translates into the following:
“It doesn’t matter who is the King or who is the pawn. What matters is that they all go back in the same box when the game is done.”
Who can disagree with that? How is one Ruler, Dictator, President or Prime Minister better or more powerful than the next? How is he or she more righteous; the reasons for battling more noble? How are the Canadian troops in Afghanistan of more valour than the Americans in Iraq? How are our troops not terrorists and the Taliban a group deemed necessary to be eliminated? I do not condone unnecessary violence, injustice or intolerance in any shape or form.
Look at these two pictures and I will ask you a question…
Which of these two children has suffered a greater loss? One has lost a loved one, one has lost their innocence. But which child am I speaking of? Stephen Harper tells us that the Canadian troops must be in the Middle East and that we must eliminate the Taliban. Engaging in battle, though a “noble” one, still makes the actions of the Canadian troops those of terrorists in their own right. Buildings are being destroyed, lives torn apart, loved ones die and the bodies pile up - triggers are pulled on both sides. We as a nation mourn when our troops are sent home in Ziploc bags, and yet the images of the carnage happening to foreigners on foreign soil cause us to simply shake our heads and agree that it’s “a shame.”
Don’t get me wrong for even a minute. I can’t generalize and I can’t say that all Canadians or Americans share this train of thought. And don’t for even a minute think that I don’t support our troops. I admire their loyalty to the duties they’ve been sworn. But I support them being home, being with their families. Why should one more child have to say goodbye to their father or mother, unsure if he or she will ever return? Why should one more child be scared to leave the house in the morning, unsure if he or she will return with all of his or her limbs?
Some may argue that our presence in the Middle East is crucial and absolutely necessary. What do you think would happen to the measures of security necessary and political unrest if every single Western civilization pulled out of Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Middle East? Yes, there are terrorist organizations that are operating against their own nations, but that is the duty of the United Nations to take care of. If you think for but a moment that the Canadian military is over there on a peacekeeping mission, wake the fuck up. Stephen Harper’s main priority is to kiss George Bush’s ass, in this author’s humble opinion. Whatever bullshit the media feeds us is just that. Over 75% of all Canadian media is owned by Canwest-Global. Canwest-Global is owned by a strictly Conservative family. When the government and media own the information, they can bend it all they want.
In posting this, I know that I risk major backlash. I won’t pretend to be thoroughly educated on the subject, but I know enough to debate. Perhaps none of this made perfect sense, but as a Canadian, I know what I voted and didn’t vote for. I know that the injustices - on both sides - that are happening on a moment-to-moment basis are absolutely unacceptable and Canadians have a God-given duty to inform and educate themselves and take a stand for what they believe in. I want to know where all of you stand on this issue - what are your thoughts and feelings?
In posting this, and thus potentially sparking a heated debate, I’d ask that if you comment, be respectful of the opinions and stances of others. We all come from different places and different backgrounds, so we’re all bound to have different opinions.
On a side note, I’d like to turn your attention to this article. It’s about time that it’s realized that body image and health is getting out of control in our society. Every little bit helps.
You’re listening to: “Alert Status Red” by Matthew Good from the album White Light Rock and Roll Review.
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3 Comments
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Remember! He who dies with the most stuff wins!
Oh dear Keira.. don’t get me started
Not a debated point, its just great to see that more people are becoming aware of the real truths behind the war.
I remember back in University taking part in that first worldwide protest rally in 2002 against the war in Iraq (where millions around the world marched) - it was a bit surreal, as my parents were totally opposed to me doing at first, and the police would film you (as technically you’re considered a ‘threat’ to gov’t). Initially, my intentions were simply to support a dear friend, who was afraid for his family back in Jordan - but as I read up on it, I became facinated/disgusted with the complexity, the politics, the closed doors. American focus has significantly shifted from a voice for good to a voice of imperialism (under the guise of preemptive attacks) - in an attempt to align themselves as the new Rome. All while thousands of innocent men, women, and children DIE (American and Iraqi) every single day. A mere afterthought on our television screens.. squeezed in between sports and weather. Truthfully, it sickens me.
I’ve taken part in several protest marches since (one with Ryan recently) - but public awareness/ranting is nothing without action. Do something! Vote! Write letters to Parliment.. anything to at least spark a shift in thinking.
Secondly, have we learned nothing from Ghandi? It wasn’t long ago that the man brought down the entire British Empire without firing a single shot! He turned the other cheek and rallied for peace until the British saw the inhumanity and error of their ways and surrendered.
If you haven’t seen “Why We Fight”, “Control Room” or “Road to Guantanamo”, I would recommend those if you want some more info (though there are many good books as well). ‘Why we Fight’ was the last one I saw, which relayed Eisenhower’s warning against the ‘military industrial complex’ - and how war should not impede our democratic processes. Instead the US has obviously turned the war into HUGE business: its profitable, it secures oil, creates jobs… what are a few lives right? It amazes me how these people still manage to sleep at night.
Alright, This rant is over.
Yeah, I watched “Why We Fight” with Matt a couple months ago - I think everyone needs to see that movie.