Trying to block out the sun...
Tonight I watched a documentary entitled, 'Control Room.' It was a documentary for the most part within the Al Jazeera network. I'm not about to claim to understand truly what is going on with Iraq, or Israel, or the United States for the matter, but what I do know is despite the fact Al Jazeera network clearly has an agenda whether it being the Fox News of the Muslim nation or a device to encite already rooted hatred between two cultural groups, but at least they showed the world bloody truths. We don't see that in America...we rarely see the death, and it is a major part of what war is about. Our "precise" missles aren't a peaceful attack, no more humane...we can't fool ourselves into thinking we only hit the bad guys. Whatever that means. We must own the deaths of the innocents, it is a fact, and if we're behind the war we must accept this with clear(ish) conscience. I don't think we do...I think we deny it.
What I found most compelling about this documentary wasn't so much the images of Iraqi civilians wounded or dead, or even the very convincing allegations that the military was orchestrating propaganda displays...such as the taking down of Saddam's statue or the tanks being welcomed and cheered on by Iraqi women and children. What interested me was the conversations between U.S Military press officer Josh Rushang and one of the correspondants for the Al Jazeera network.
These two men sat down and had discussions about what was going on with this cultural collision. They obviously had differant perspectives of the war and each believed their version of reality to be closer to truth, but were wise enough to know the absolute truth was a combination of views. There was communication. Two sided.
The funny thing is the Pentagon tried to hush officer Josh Rushang, which isn't surprising really...we don't want our American Soldiers to start to question the war. It is very neccessary for them to believe in their hearts they are doing the right thing. They are the good guys fighting evil, and the people of Iraq just don't know what they are missing without malls and McDonalds.
I've been thinking lately about the Buddhist's idea of passion and the path it can lead one. It is taught to not put great passion into earthly things, for this leads to attachment, making it virtually impossible to attain Nirvana. I'm starting to understand this ideal. It is great passion to believe oneself to be right, and that everyone should see and know this rightness which causes so many wars and disputes. Those committing these acts of violence are doing so believeing in their hearts they are working towards an end goal of peace. It should seem so simple to know no peace can come of this.
Our government fuels the passion of the American Mob, excites it with the images of our flag, of our instilled image of democracy (But were not a democracy, we're a Republic...man, I hate hearing that...) and freedom. We are taught we are the greatest country on earth with a divine heritage, one nation under God. And once our passions are fanned and we form a cohesive (mostly, except for those not suited for the 'under God' part) passion, this mob is presented with an enemy. An enemy void of values and humanity....this enemy must become less than human, evil, not 'under God' and when the American people are wrapped tightly in the image of the flag and united in their fear of this great enemy a war may be sanctioned and then the social collective of America supports its troops, prays for their 'victory' and turns away from the maimed, the sick, the starved, and the orphaned...because in the end, after the destruction they too will know the glory of freedom. They will pay a great price, but in our vision we feel it is worth their price.
I don't want to sound "unamerican" because I have great faith in our constitution and in the American people to know what is just, what is right. Actually, to be honest, I don't really know if I have faith in the American people. With polls showing so many in favor of things like the Protection of Marriage amendment and with religion having such influence on political desicions, I'm beginning to wonder what's next. How many more 'enemies' will be identified and accepted into the American consciousness.
I'm a gay man, quietly living my life. If the religious right's influence continues to grow I will begin to seem less human, more of a demon...an enemy. It's a slow process, but it can happen. Hilter was able to convince millions the Jewish people should be wiped out. It's not so hard to get a mob to do what you want.
Okay, so I ramble a bit. The point here...yes there is one...we must be aware of the choices we are making, of the prejudices we are forming. We must understand their roots in fear and rise above and learn what it is we are fearful of. I believe the answer is education...education of cultures. Children must learn at an early age there are different ways to live life...different ways to believe...they must learn that peace is not a direct result of war.
Our peace will not be found in the right or the left...but somewhere...quietly...in the middle.
Yes. I just said that. Guru me baby.
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