..."history may judge us to be the real bully if, in the our rush to punish someone, we act in ways contrary to our core beliefs and values as a nation"...
Speaking as one who is closer to the end of life than the beginning, the observation that "those who do not know or understand history, are doomed to repeat it" takes on new relevance for me. Events of the last week have given us all reason to reflect and try to sort out meaningful lessons.
Here are a few observations I believe have meaning for all of us... both privately and in our business affairs:
BULLIES DON'T WIN...
Throughout history the bullies of the world have always lost. Gandhi was right! They may bloody our nose with a sneak attack or a lucky punch but, in the long run, they are always defeated by the forces of good and right. Tyrants down through the ages have had to learn this lesson the hard way. The Hitler's of the world have never prevailed. Neither have predatory corporations or governments.
COALITIONS WORK...SHORT TERM...
Building coalitions are effective to achieve goals...short term. They rarely work long term.
While it is very possible (and desirable) to bring divergent groups together to battle a common foe...that same coalition will decay when the mutual adversary is overcome. Disparate groups will melt away as their own self-interest begins to resurface.
This is as true in business and private organizations as it is in public and world affairs.
BULLIES & TYRANTS DON'T ALWAYS CARRY KNIVES...
Modern bullies wear designer clothing and use computers. They understand the power of politics, sound bites, and photo opportunities. They are masters at using the tools of mass communications to advance sinister goals. Yes...this includes the use of the internet.
They run large corporations, foundations, financial institutions, think-tanks, and hold our highest public offices. They are subtle. They are deceptive. They are dangerous because, like Hitler, they understand the human need for security and order. They understand how to make actions that steal our freedom... appear to be logical and necessary.
They are comfortable and proficient working with hidden agendas which promote their own self-interests. They are practiced at turning dramatic tragic events, or temporary conditions, into building blocks for their own personal financial gain or extensions of their power base.
The antidote against these poisonous souls... is a mechanism for totally free, uncensored, exchange of ideas and thoughts... the internet!
BEWARE OF KNEE-JERK REACTIONS...
Never has careful, measured, thought been more important than now.
When a bully bloodies our nose our first reaction is righteous anger and indignation. This is both normal and right. We should be angry. We should feel indignation.
This same anger and indignation, however, can lead to a rashness of response which plays right into the hands of the forces stacked against us.
If we attack a perceived foe, without indisputable evidence of their guilt and culpability, we have become no better than they.
Indeed, in the eyes of the world, history may judge us to be the real bully if, in the our rush to punish someone, we act in ways contrary to our core beliefs and values as a nation.
The world is watching. We now have the opportunity to prove what a great nation we truly are. It will take patience, great judgement, and a careful measuring of the facts before we act, if we are to be what we have always purported to be... a nation grounded in fairness, freedom, respect for human rights, responsible judgement, and real justice.
Editorial Commentary Written--9/17/2001 ?Copyright 2001-2005 Thom Reece All Rights Reserved
Thom Reece is CEO of Online Marketing Group, a Hawaii based direct response marketing and web development firm. http://www.e-comprofits.com , http://www.e-comprofits.com ,
disinfecting cleaning services Buffalo Grove ..Some call it the "unofficial" or "informal" economy, others call... Read More
Tax Evasion has been used to criminalize many, Nixon did... Read More
Since the United States Government is promoting the whistle blower... Read More
The end of another election once again brings into focus... Read More
For more than a decade, you the American taxpayer have... Read More
Even the most devout proponents of free marketry and hidden... Read More
Recent international wars and the often spectacular ways in which... Read More
The UAV, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is hear to stay and... Read More
We know that the International Terrorists like the idea of... Read More
An interesting conversation that I thought I must share with... Read More
One third of all fertilized eggs spontaneously abort and are... Read More
Perhaps a silent revolution is taking place, this time more... Read More
The second amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees every American... Read More
Ever wonder why labor unions consistently endorse democrats over republicans... Read More
This is the second of a series of four articles... Read More
Yes, Bush is two-faced. The two sides of the faces... Read More
It is amazing how the Federal Trade Commission has destroyed... Read More
We are currently seeing a build up in China of... Read More
Rational, sober, logical citizens wonder what exactly the terrorists want.... Read More
Q. Should the Government be concerned if the CPI rises... Read More
1) IS HAVING A DEMOCRACY MORE EFFECTIVE IN ADDRESSING POLITICAL... Read More
The United States has never done a full study on... Read More
Last week, I began my look ahead to the 2008... Read More
It is a law that we register deadly weapons with... Read More
Heavens, what are we up against? It seems these days... Read More
spotless home service Arlington Heights ..US Steel prices have cost franchisees in my company and... Read More
Federal Trade Commission Owes Industry and Entrepreneurs an Apology. The... Read More
The United States is losing its industrial capacity quite rapidly.... Read More
Previously Senator Dick Armey and his staff in 2000 to... Read More
(Note: This article was written slightly before the 2004 election;... Read More
Farmers will eventually be facing federal regulations involving air emissions... Read More
Believe it or not, every theatre, church, or Britney Spears... Read More
Nothing could be more alarming for Americans than what I... Read More
We are slowing the transportation flows of our civilization by... Read More
1) IS HAVING A DEMOCRACY MORE EFFECTIVE IN ADDRESSING POLITICAL... Read More
We can all see the issues involved in the cloning... Read More
It cities across America water is an issue, the flow... Read More
I just got done reading a series of articles dating... Read More
The civil war in Iraq seems to be much more... Read More
I. The FactsJust days before a much-awaited donor conference, the... Read More
There is debate about the methodology of forestry and also... Read More
Most government agencies cannot pass an audit of their expenses.... Read More
Businesses advertising alcohol either in TV or non-broadcast format need... Read More
The United States has never done a full study on... Read More
Capitalism as the social structure was founded in order to... Read More
"Like humans void of soul or mind, they jeered and... Read More
President Bush's selection of the Hon. John Roberts is an... Read More
The expertise and advancement of the evolution of man and... Read More
J. Edgar Hoover and LBJ used to enjoy watching Hoover's... Read More
As a result of the conflict analysis exercise and a... Read More
Political |