A New Axis of Evil

The U.S. is known as the melting-pot of the world, a nation whose greatness was, and is, generated by Unity Through Diversity. It is a concept that needs to be shared by nations and the United States ought to make the first move.

Salem-News.com

(PASO ROBLES, Calif.) - First it was Iraq, Iran and North Korea, but Palin implies that now it is Obama, Pelosi and Reid, leaders of the Democratic Party, and adds that an election-sweep that gives Democrats a true ruling majority in Congress would inactivate the U.S. agenda.

What is known of the U.S. occupation of Iraq is this; the U.N. Mandate legalizing the occupation ends this year, a Security Pact between Iraq and the U.S. would replace the Mandate, without which continued occupation would be illegal; Iraq’s Parliament won’t agree to the Pact because Iraq wants to be rid of the occupation force, but U.S. has no intention of leaving. Instead it implies chaotic consequences should Iraq not agree that reveals McCain’s obscure excuse for being in Iraq until “the war is won, and the troops can be brought home with honor.” What is he talking about?

Iraq is not an enemy any more than is North Korea or Iran, but an excuse by the Religious Right, that Bush embraces, to send Christian soldiers marching against Islam.

Diplomacy would have been cheaper in lives lost, wounded and wealth wasted, all to prove what amounts to a moot point, U.S. military superiority. What nonsense. For the fact is, Homeland Security, has prevented attacks against the U.S. since 9-11, at a fraction of the expense spent unnecessarily abroad, and against the ravages of natural disasters, in both instances because of too much reliance on God who watches over all.

The agenda of United States has become that of the Evangelists who have taken over the Republican Party, its Holy See, that God in His infinite wisdom and by example, tries constantly to reveal to pretenders how misguided is their presumed interpretation of His will and Word, exclusive of Biblical text. It is not what Jesus would do.

But, it is what Sarah Palin refers to whose Pentecostal devotion convinces her what is untrue, she is not alone. The misguided power of Evangelists resides in the fact followers accept obediently and without question what they are told by these severe or smiling pretenders. John McCain is beguiled by a similar, but different deity, the god of war that, in his opinion, qualifies him to be Commander in Chief because, as he says, he has been tested. But, there is more to successful government than directing its battles. The next Administration will achieve more success by a policy based on cooperation, diplomacy and respect than on force or intimidation.

Eight years of the Bush Administration has left the U.S. with problems that will test the skill of its new president and his administration. Dire prediction s have been made as to what to expect, but the best defense may well be a “fast-break” offensive, to use a basketball analogy. The nations of the world wait on the threshold of sustainable peace that the United States too long has dismissed as contrary to its divine-purpose.

The U.S. is known as the melting-pot of the world, a nation whose greatness was, and is, generated by Unity Through Diversity. It is a concept that needs to be shared by nations, not just people. And the United States ought to make the first move.

Emissaries with language skills and cultural appreciation of the lands they visit, but absolutely American, should be sent promptly to Europe, both East and West, to the Middle East and Latin American as well as the Near East to announce America’s determination to build friendly relationships. Anti-ballistic missile-sites in Europe should be dismantled to prove our sincerity for peace and cooperation with all for peace and prosperity for all. Our military might will be used to prevent, not to make war.

It should be high on the list of “THINGS TO DO” even as we withdraw from Iraq.

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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