Thanks for the thoughtful analysis!

I would only add that it’s important to remember the context. Thanks to revelations by Richard Clarke and other insiders, we know that the Bush-Cheney regime started planning its invasion and occupation of Afghanistan in January 2001. The purpose of the 9/11 false-flag attacks was to put the American people into a state of shock, in which they would accept anything. The attacks succeeded spectacularly, providing an excuse for the regime’s aggression against Afghanistan and Iraq as well as domestic police-state measures such as the so-called “Patriot Act,” illegal wiretapping, torture, and murder.

At the time, many people believed that 9/11 was exactly what the Bush-Cheney regime claimed, just as they believed Colin Powell’s “proof” that Iraq had biological and chemical weapons poised to attack other countries including in North America, If they knew of the regime’s paper-thin excuse for attacking Afghanistan, they assumed that Bush and Cheney meant well and had legitimate reasons for the attack.

Of course, the Obama administration let them all get away scot free. So our country’s shame continues, as does its descent into tyranny and its eventual journey to the grave of empires.

This was less than a month after the attack, and frankly, no matter what one’s misginvings, at that point in time, it was next to impossible to say “no” to any request from the US for assistance. Loyalty and sympathy trumped what might have been the advice of “the better angels of our nature” and we pretty much all signed on. It seemed to me that we were all ignoring our own principles, simply because Afghanistan was weak, the Russians were standing aside, and we could. Due process to find and extradite the real culprit? Then he might get away! Anyway, badges, we don’t need no stinking badges. And in we all went. And finding Bin Laden became removing the Taliban became “nation-building”. The mission creep was phenomenal.

There are still Canadian and other allied troops in Afghanistan, over ten years later. That’s longer than we fought the Second World War. And for what? The Taliban still run the place anywhere outside the firing radius of any NATO rifle; hundreds of thousands have been killed and rendered homeless, what little wealth and stability the people had is gone, the people all rightly resent us (or worse), and the minute the last allied soldier comes home on the “Mission Accomplished!” float, the place will go back to being what it was and always will be till the Afghan people themselves rise to give their children something better… if ever. But that’s up to them, not us.

It all could have, should have, been handled so much better. We listened to the calls of clan and empire instead of the civility we’ve achieved in spite of them both.

Well, you have my admiration. I find the idea of going to live in Africa quite intimidating.

But as the Bible says, “Let your light so shine before men that they will see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.” You’ve done more than talk the talk: you’ve walked the walk. God bless you.

I spent about 3 months over there a few years back. I was invited by — and hosted by — a local bishop. Is was a great experience. I had my first experiences with Muslims there as well. Quite an eye-opening time for me as a young man. I hope to go back someday. The locals there gave me a tribal name cause I just went with the flow and fit right in. We take so much for granted here in America.

Jet

Or as Captain Kirk said, “War is instinctive. But the instinct can be fought. We’re human beings with the blood of a million savage years on our hands! But we can stop it. We can admit that we’re killers … but we’re not going to kill today. That’s all it takes! Knowing that we’re not going to kill – today!” (“A Taste of Armageddon”)

I used to think that a Star-Trekkian ideal of humanity overcoming its baser instincts was possible. I no longer think so. As Solomon famously said, there is nothing new under the sun. We are who we are.

Thanks for the informative comment! It sounds as if you’ve had more eye-opening experiences with race relations than most of us. When were you in Africa? Was it some kind of charity work, or for school, or what?

The problem with racism, I’m sorry to say, is that it’s natural. By that, I don’t mean that it’s inevitable, good, or even acceptable. But we’re biologically programmed to trust, help, and protect the people who are genetically related to us, starting with our immediate families. The less genetically related people are to us, the less inclined we are (biologically) to trust them. And people of different races are clearly and visibly not our close relations, so we tend to distrust them. They are the ones against whom the animal side of our nature tells us that we must “protect” our biological kin.

For mere animals, there’s no moral dilemma. They act according to their biological programming. But human beings are not mere animals. They are thinking beings — well, they are at least capable of thinking. However imperfectly, they can discern the difference between right and wrong. The great moral and religious teachers throughout history have called us to a higher standard of conduct: not merely to love our families and friends, but to love those who hate us and are our enemies. Although the people of other races are not our enemies, that teaching applies to them, too. To be fully human, we must transcend the merely animal side of our nature and do what we know is right. That means treating everyone with love and respect. It’s not easy for any of us, but we have to try.

The most eye opening experience I had with racism was the time I spent in Africa. Being the only white person around for days at a time did feel odd, but I was treated with great esteem (probably because they all wanted to be the American’s friend). But while being the only white person was eye opening, I was SHOCKED at how they classed each other by tribe. They rarely married outside of their tribe even in the cities. I could barely tell the difference between them (skin tone, cheekbones, stature, etc) but it was huge to them. I left Africa with a much better understanding of what racism truly is. It is an ugly, pompous, brutal, self serving, side of human nature. It seeks to raise one’s own value by the belittling of others.

Truly an unlooked for pleasure to hear from you. Your words are as the words of the wise; gracious, and as a tree of life they bring healing. I cannot fully respond to your thoughtful comment right now, but will revisit and address as many of the insightful points you highlighted. Very grateful.

Best regards.

Newgen