sust-mar: truth?

Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2002 20:47:56 -0300 (ADT)
From: Paul A Falvo <pfalvo@chebucto.ns.ca>
To: Sustainable Maritimes <sust-mar@chebucto.ns.ca>
Precedence: bulk
Return-Path: <sust-mar-mml-owner@chebucto.ns.ca>

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Nothing new in thhe sust-mar queue today. So, here's some "food for
thought" on the Prime Minister's recent suggestion that the West may be at
least partially responsible for the events of 11 September 2001.
~paul 


---------- Forwarded message ----------
A Word to the Spiritual Seekers

From: Don Murray


Truth is stranger than fiction.

Who would believe that a politician, one highly skilled in the fine
art of saying nothing, would actually tell the truth? And not just any
old truth. But a clear -- or as clear as Jean Chretien can be --
statement of the responsibility of western culture for the state of
the world.

There was nothing particularly new or startling in what he said.  Many
thinking people, especially in reflecting upon Sept. 11, have made us more
aware of the acquisitive greed, the arrogance of power (and Chretien knows
a lot about the arrogance of power), the focus on me-me-me, and the
nationalism that is blind to the rest of the world, that defines our
society. "They are people too" said Chretien, showing a remarkable
sensitivity to the oppression and poverty which is the lot of so much of
the world. 

His words seem quite out of character. He has never been noted for making
bold statements or presenting great visions. His style has been to rock
the boat as little as possible, try to keep the majority happy (at which
he has been very successful), and muddle through.

If he had presented that kind of vision at the beginning of his mandate
and pursued it with passion and integrity, we would be more impressed.
That would have put him right up there with Trudeau and the "just
society." But better late than never. 

Perhaps it was Peter Mansbridge's quiet but commanding presence that
elicited his reflections. More likely it was his awareness that his time
is up and he wants to be remembered for something -- to leave a legacy.
Then there is the freedom of not having to get elected again!  Sine he has
repeated the same message to the UN we know it was not a passing fancy. 

Whatever his motives, he is taking terrible flack for daring to utter the
truth. Some say it was very inappropriate timing. The anniversary of 9/11
would reawaken the raw wound of that terrible day. The Americans, and the
rest of the western world, would be in no mood for deeper reflection on
"why do they hate us so?" 

Yet what better time? Our thoughts did return to the anguish of that
moment. We were again aware that we are world citizens, vulnerable to the
hatreds and jealousies that are directed at us. Perhaps, as Chretien was,
we are more ready to look at our responsibilities as members of a world
family. 

The "hawks" are, of course, accusing Chretien of being soft on terrorism.
They apparently believe that it is impossible to both police the world and
take a longer look at root causes. It is much easier to think in black and
white. "They" are evil and must be eradicated. "We" are good and need not
change. 

But even within the Bush administration there are those who are taking a
longer look. They may not prevail in the short term. But over the long
haul their voices will be heard. 

I said a couple of weeks ago that the commandment is to love our
neighbours as ourselves and that we have discovered that bin Laden is our
neighbour. Sometimes love requires that the neighbour be held accountable
for dastardly deeds. Society must be protected from the radical fringe.

Love also requires us to do what we can to build a world of justice
and peace where the swirling emotions of generations of the narrow
self-righteousness of all sides can be drained away and healed. 

Micah's (and Isaiah's) vision still holds. "They shall beat their swords
into plowshares, and their spears in pruning hooks; nations shall not lift
up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; but they
shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no
one shall make them afraid." (Micah 4:3-4) 

Hats off to Chretien for affirming that "they are people too." 

Now if he could just apply that same insight to his own party and his own
country! 



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