Tekuboi-san,
From the sidelines.
<...Even nation-building is being dusted off as a requirement in some instances. President George W. Bush’s call for the United Nations to lead such an effort in Afghanistan once the military campaign is over stands in stark contrast to the abandonment of that country after the Soviet occupation was repulsed in the 1990s.
The time may have come, as well, for the United States to reconsider whether the close relations it maintains with repressive authoritarian regimes to assure regional stability in the short term truly serve its interests in the long term. In the Arab world in particular, populations that are experiencing explosive growth and high levels of unemployment are effectively being abandoned by inefficient, corrupt, and repressive regimes. Seeing little alternative, many answer the call of radical Islamist movements. For its own safety and stability, accordingly, the United States should consider pressing for the gradual opening of political and economic spaces to allow the people of this region to partake of the fruits of modernity and not just its toxins...>
It seems that James Hoge Junior and Gideon Rose have got the right idea.
I am feeling optimistic!
Now, let's see some serious Colinisation by Colin and Condominiums by Condoleezza.
We all know it's a small world after all, so let's revamp the United Nations into a sensible Federal System with a new constitution, perhaps along the lines of the USA or Europe or something new, so individual nations can paddle their own waka to their own rhythm, but the scourges of war and terrorism lose their foundations.
It's silly that Vanuatu has the same vote as India or China. There are plenty of potential Presidents of the UN. Gorby, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, Koffi, Maggie and other ex-national leaders could be recycled and they'd love to do it. There could be a world-scale popularity contest; every politician's dream.
That's much better than icky war and being blown up in terrorist attacks in parochial nationalistic fervour.
I bet you agree with me NOW that there are no sidelines. We're all in this together. Good article tb. Thanks.
Mqurice
Note... waka is a Maori canoe, but the concept has expanded to include way of being. vuw.ac.nz
There is a picture of a suitable meeting house for the signing of a UN Treaty of Waitangi - an international meeting of the people and their chiefs. <Te Tumu Herenga Waka (the hitching post of all the canoes) and is located behind 46, 44 and 42 Kelburn Parade.>
That's in Helengrad [Wellington] in Kiwiland, [also called The Sheople's Republic of Aotearoa or New Zealand or New Freeland].
You will all be welcome. |
