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I wrote this right after 9/11/01
A Failed Old World?
(Or a New Brave New One)
(nothing to do with Aldous Huxley;-)
I sat on my porch and watched the sun setting on another day without a terrorist attack.
We have been waiting for the other shoe to drop since Sunday October 7th when we
began the bombing of Afghanistan. Running through my mind is the familiar phrase, "Just when you think it's safe to go into the water." I imagine that's how Osama bin Laden does things. He waits until we become complacement, when we're lulled into thinking everything is going to be okay. That's when he strikes. He is a man who plays mind games.
I remember the first time some years back when I saw him being interviewed. I can't remember where when or who did the reporting, whether it was after the 1993 WTC bombing, the Kenya/Tanzania/Embassies or the USS Cole. Whichever, the one sentence that stood out in my mind (not verbatim, but close) He said " We are peaceful people and we practice Islam, we do not do these acts you ask about." He spoke softly and with a benign smile, and I had a shiver run through me, as I thought of the Scripture that says, "Satan masquerades as an angel of light." {2 Corinthians 11:14}. Every time after that, whenever he was shown on TV, I couldn't watch. I did however listen.
It baffles my mind that so many intelligent people in this country were smug and complacent enough to ignore him. We have learned a costly lesson. I hope it's one we never have to learn again. In the meantime, I am convinced that even if we knew and had taken action, this kind of event would have happened eventually, anyway. Unlike Huxley's "Brave New World" I think we are in the throes of a Failed Old World .
I think we have become an old world of old ways, and old bad habits, that never get resolved. Therefore we are ripe for old wounds that have festered in people for centuries, and have gotten too painful to accept anymore. In all nations that have had Tyrants or Dictatorships, the wealth was always held by the few at the top, while the rest of the peons were lucky if they had enough to eat, as they worked the land and kept the leaders coffers full. This is nothing new and it continues in this enlightened age as well.
America was the bravest, in the brave new world, and did a lot better than most, but we still haven't got it right. There is still too much disparity. I believe in capitalism. I believe people have a right to do what they want with what they earn. I just don't like the disparate wage set up. I happen to think that the guy that gets rid of my garbage deserves as much as a guy who can throw a ball. Don't worry, I know the difference, that the guy who throws the ball generates a big cash flow. I'm not getting into that part of it. It's too huge a project, and I haven't the patience for it.
Suffice it to say I think our society has failed big time when it comes to fairness, and I don't blame the leaders, though they share some of it, but the people, who would rather be entertained than just about any other thing you can think of. We feel it's our sacred right after working a full day to be able to enjoy the fruits of our labor, and so we fill the coffers of those who can entertain us. Therefore, the monopolistic entertainment industry in all of it's octopustic (new word;-) ways has a tentacle around each of us and it's suckers are doing their job well by sucking our income with a great big suck that flows fluidly into their bloated bodies.
So how will America behave now that we are heading down the road toward less, after having been used to the road called, too much, for so long? Will we be able to defeat our addiction to idolizing the wrong things. How will the world form it's new look with an America that is now like the rest of the world, fighting terror on it's own land. As i write I'm hearing about the third case of Anthrax. How will the public react to this. I can't help but feeling anger: Solemnity is my partner tonight, it matches my mood and sight I see too many people running helter skelter buying gas masks, dreading another terrorist attack, not being able to hold the fear back. What will the people listen to?
My answer is always prayer. Not everyone feels that way, but in the days ahead we will learn that it is necessary. One thing it can do for us is teach us self-control. Don't go around in denial, face what is happening and try to overcome your fear with words of encouragement. The Bible can't be beat for inspiration. Even if you don't believe. Pick it up and read the psalms. lose yourself in it's wisdom. We are going to need wisdom to get through the years ahead. Not just for days, or months, but years. Become a responsible citizen, as the old saying goes, "Be part of the solution, not part of the problem."
Each of us have something to offer, find out what it is and start doing it. Have self-respect and talk yourself into being optimistic. Don't take the road of self-pity. If you have children it is your duty to lead by example. Strength grows as you put it into action. Stop playing the blame game. the What if, shouda, coulda, woulda, games. Our country has it's share of blemishes, okay, so let's see if we can do some face lifting and get on with it.
What I see for our future is a better world if we choose to take that route. However, it won't happen if everyone expects someone else to do it for them. Don't wait for your leaders, family, friends, etc. start doing it yourself. Remember the song "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." Whatever happens to these good thoughts, do they just remain words? isn't it about time we made them more than that? Now is a very good time to start. Yea, I know we are at war. What better time to become a peacemaker? We have to try or we are lost. I don't know about you , but I hate being lost!
Eileen T. Waldron © 2001
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