Unity Through Diversity

Nobody likes to be bullied, but under the Bush Administration, “bully” is how the U.S. is perceived.

(PASO ROBLES, Calif.) - “As Commandeer in Chief, would you commit U.S. troops to Israel’s defense if it was attacked?” or words to that effect, is a question from the fertile and gestational mind of McCain’s campaign advisors to be used by him to bait Barack Obama.

John McCain’s reply was never in doubt; the mere mention of the prospect of war is enough to whet his warrior-appetite, and his cup runneth-over as he gleefully told a congenial crowd, “My friends, we have got them [the Obama Campaign] just where we want them,” counting on the martial-attitude of his base to confirm him in what sober minds would consider enough of a bad thing.

Israel is capable of defending itself if necessary, as was proven by its Six-Day War started by Egypt and spread to Syria that lost the Golan Heights as a result. Israel’s neighbors may be pestiferous that prevents Israeli’s from enjoying life as completely as they otherwise might, but the pests are enjoying their lives even less. So, the question is simply partisan political-rhetoric easily dismissed by asking other questions in response; invasion by whom? and what troops, as if the U.S. had troops to spare?

Israel’s security is not the problem, but the Far Right of the Republican Party that keeps the imaginary martial-pot boiling to suit its political purpose; Russia in Georgia, Iran, and now this hypothetical question involving Israel. For, if McCain is elected, Sarah Palin with her fundamentalist attitude, could become the pawn of the Republican Passive-Voice and its interest in Holy War of which she obviously approves.

So much rhetoric of a religious nature is driving American politics that it is easy perceive where it is taking us. Geo W. Bush conjured up his “axis of evil,” Iraq, Iran and North Korea, attributing to them powers they didn’t have. He engaged America in a war he and the Religious Right wanted [per Rod Parsley]. U.S. troops occupy Iraq; North Korea is dismantling its nuclear reactor and has agreed to inspection now that Bush, after he reneged on his first promise, agreed again to remove No. Korea from his list of terrorist nations. Iran has expressed a willingness to talk with the U.S. to settle its differences, but Bush, with McCain’s support, declines. Peace with Iran might lead to a broader Mid-East peace, including Israel, if the Far Right was agreeable.

So, attention shifts to Europe where Geo. W. Bush wants to install anti-ballistic-missile sites as a defense against an imaginary enemy. Who? Russia thinks it knows, and is responding by playing its Western-Hemisphere cards in and Cuba Venezuela. Add the Georgia fiasco to the mix, and the hypothetical Israel question, and the impression is the U.S. is embroiled in a world-wide game of Monopoly in which the U.S. moves first.

The Cold War is over, Russia is not an enemy any more than is Iraq or No. Korea, and even Iran. The U.S. could have friendly relations with all if it chose to treat these nations with the respect they deserve. Nobody likes to be bullied, but under the Bush Administration, “bully” is how the U.S. is perceived. Let’s cooperate with friends and deal with first things first, beginning with the pirates off the coast of the Horn of Africa.

The U.S. must get out of Iraq, establish diplomatic relations with Iran, and deal with all nations considerately. The advantages of peace should be obvious to all, and more interesting too, in a world of unity-through-diversity than by imposed conformity.

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Kenneth G. Ramey was a 79-year old "writer without a Website" who is generating excellent, provocative articles on the subject of religion and world affairs. We are pleased that Ken's "lone wolf" presence as a writer in the world has been replaced by a spot on our team of writers at Salem-News.com. Raised in Minnesota and California during the dark years of the Great American Depression, Ken is well suited to talk about the powerful forces in the world that give all of us hope and tragedy and everything in between. You can write to Ken at: kgramey@sbcglobal.net