July 31, 2006

Romanes Eunt Domus
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Oh Everett, as a fellow Catholic I take it you give at least half an ear to what the Holy Father says. Did the late Great John Paul II not warn about the evils of extreme Capitalism. It may be the best method of increasing the wealth of the majority of people but it can be a very cruel and greed orientated model when taken to extremes. Thankfully no country has gone too extreme... yet. But its something to keep an eye on.


"To quote Churchill, "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the rest." "
Quoting Churchill to an Irishman not a great idea. hehheehe. The man was an imperalistic bully, who thought to be British was to be superior. He was the perfect man as Prime Minister in WWII but otherwise a buck eejit.

"One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter" This is a trueism. An out and out terrorist will at the very least "think" he's fighting for freedom. They might be totally mad or deluded but they may still may think it; and so, "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter".
Besides the saying is not mine but one that is used to show how people on either side of a conflict can and do use words to blacken the enemy and/or raise themselves up.
'Course thats not to say there are not times when these labels are not valid...

"It is pointless to trot out figures of civilian casualties in Iraq .... without considering who has killed them and under what circumstances they were killed" To the bereaved all they know is "My loved one is Dead" and rightly or wrongly MAY well say it wouldnt have happened if the Americans/British/and CO hadnt come; regardless as to who actually killed them. Guilt. blame, anger, after death is most of the time, illogical.

In politics and public opinion the appearance of what is, is more important that what actually is. The appearance of what is can start or end wars, breed hate or spread peace...

In regards to deaths in Iraq and 9/11; I was not equating the manner in which they died. I was just making the point that all the deaths, both in Iraq and 9/11 were a result of a violent action. These violent deaths affect those left behind, loved ones, neighbours... Anger and Hate breed. It makes little difference if it was intentional or not. The anger over 9/11 inspired the US to go to Afganistan etc etc to stamp out Al Qaeda. I just hope the anger in Iraq and now the Lebanon does not breed further hate and future conflict.

Personally I do believe someone, somewhere lied or twisted the truth to get the war in Iraq. Who it was I dont know. While I dont like President Bush I do believe he truely believes that Iraq was the right thing to do. Personally Im not sure. I think nearly everyone agrees it was a nut that needed cracking. The problem lies in the how. Again personally I dont believe there was any connection between Al Qaeda and Saddam or that he was looking for nuclear material. Nor is there any proof of such. But I still figure something had to be done to get Saddam out, be it war or perhaps a promise to put a bullet in his head or that of any other leader of Iraq that doesnt help inspire democracy in the country(some Christian I am ARGghh). The handeling of the movement to war and the war itself could have been forgiven around the world if proper plans for the proper administration and policing of the country had been drawn up beforehand before insurgent/civil strife could gain a grip. The US could say "I told you so" to the world as they looked on a peaceful Iraq, instead of the otherway around.


"...What's more, you seem to be imposing an economic litmus test to determine who is worthy of your charity..."
No, we were talking about the giving of money and the poor, and as such I focused my part of the discussion on the poor. The poor in third world countries are normally at the bottom of the pecking order and as such the ones mostly ignored.

"charity begins at home" so by that rational, people you know are more important than those you dont?!?!
HEHEE


"..You talk about a brotherhood of man, yet your notion world-citizenship seems to ignore the needs of those you are in the best position to help...."
The discussion we were engaged in was specific in what it was about; "Is it not right to help the poor in other countries even when it goes against other alligencies?" But to answer what you wrote, the great thing with being human is that we can multitask. You can help the poor and starving in Africa and still (hard to believe I know ;)) help your next door neighbour at the same time!!
There are all forms of help apart from money, who can argue King Midas didnt need a helping hand (pun intended)...
But like I said, the discussion at least till now was on the poor, the giving of money and the conflict between Love and other alliegences.



Slan abhaile :) Ash Nazg...




PS
Title
... Yeah thats right!!! 'People called Romanes they go the house'
Im good at english and even gooder at Latin!

Ok so I nicked it from The Life Of Brian...