..."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 ,
whole house cleaning Deerfield ..The first reaction of economies in transition is a sharp... Read More
China maybe stopping some of the SPAM coming into the... Read More
IN A DAY AND AGE where one voice screaming among... Read More
Is Ohio Manufacturing Sector really unable to compete in the... Read More
Since the United States Government is promoting the whistle blower... Read More
Tulipmania - this is the name coined for the first... Read More
Every conflict has its economic moments and dimensions. The current... Read More
In the previous article, we described the various methods developed... Read More
There is no doubt in hindsight that Sarbanes Oxley was... Read More
In these times when states are suffering extreme downward pressure... Read More
I have witnessed a new era of security in the... Read More
1. United States of America (USA)In the United States, legislation... Read More
There's a new Michigan state register (at https://www.protectmichild.com/) in the... Read More
This brings to our consciousness, issues concerning the ever rising... Read More
The UnbornWith all this cloning in the news one can't... Read More
If we go hog wild towards the liberal agenda where... Read More
Washington DC council member David Catania actually suggested that the... Read More
Where are all the high-speed trains we were promised? Where... Read More
Utah introduced a bill designed to limit the use of... Read More
In this day and age of tattletale, whistleblower heroes and... Read More
Many are quick to point out the benefits of religion... Read More
When organising a country or a group of people in... Read More
Guides for RetailersThe regulations about marketing pearls are listed in... Read More
The use of religion is well-documented as a social engineering... Read More
For years we've suffered under recession, prompting us to ask,... Read More
home cleaning services Des Plaines ..This is no time for the Black community to sue... Read More
With elections on the horizon and Blair looking tired and... Read More
It is a law that we register deadly weapons with... Read More
Environmentalists say GM Seeds are bad for the environment, dangerous... Read More
Former Governor of Alaska, Jay Hammond, died at age 83,... Read More
When Boris Yeltsin spoke about an experiment that 'they' wrought... Read More
Tax Evasion has been used to criminalize many, Nixon did... Read More
With pain rocking through my whole body today, I cast... Read More
1. Why is it that no one seems to notice,... Read More
Heavens, what are we up against? It seems these days... Read More
A quick look back at NAFTA; how did we do?Stabilizing... Read More
"When you are right you cannot be too radical; when... Read More
Our government is set up like a modern day franchise.... Read More
For more than a decade, you the American taxpayer have... Read More
Tonight I resigned myself to the fact that this is... Read More
There is debate about the methodology of forestry and also... Read More
The new law "Special Protective, Antidumping and Import Compensatory Measures"... Read More
So you are ready to run for public office are... Read More
It appears the Feds are suing Elliot Spitzer over his... Read More
This, of course, is a political decision. There is no... Read More
The use of religion is well-documented as a social engineering... Read More
Question: Dr. Vaknin ? is it true that you are... Read More
The process of researching this topic has been an interesting... Read More
I hope to provide a starting point for the serious... Read More
News is spreading of the retirement of Supreme Court Justice... Read More
Political |