Mmm-bop by Hansen :)

The Black Madonna
Prague, Czech Republic
Wednesday, 28 May 2008
2:14 PM (USA)/ 8:14 PM (CR)



just finished some awesome Belgium chocolate...mmm

Today we had a discussion in Bob's class that went really well, and it was so neat to see the dynamics of our conversation as it popcorned around the room. I don't exactly have time to explain in detail the conversation but my conclusions were this:

In the past, to try and stop communism we empowered people such as Mobutu, an African Ruler, who is now one of the most hated people in all of Africa as he is a tyrant. In the past our decisions made sense, they were just, and yes slightly self promoting as well-- that part of Africa has lots of uranium-- however, running a country sometimes will dirty your hands with greed (but in our case it was for our people not just the ruler/president. other nations are greedy and only the ruler/king gets the spoils of war, where as here in America if we are greedy, at least everyone gets a share). Anyway that is another argument.

Basically, a lot of our "mistakes" and black sheep policies aren't so, only outdated and not proper for the times. Communism isn't the threat it was, so get rid of the policies used to stop it, as now they only pose as empty, seemingly irrational laws/decisions. We need to spring clean our past actions that are still having effect today.

I believe in letting the people of their own country rule it. I've heard people say, well if we didn't go in, then some one else more horrible would take over and would be worse than if we did...

We do not know that. We are speculating too much on what IF and not enough on what IS. We are too involved in the world and we need to back off and come home.

Did you know that we are borrowing money from Singapore? We have more money out of our country than in; 80% of it in China. That's right, or at least what I've been told; either way, more is out than in and we are still borrowing.

We can talk about Darfur, we can talk about how we must go into Africa and help; however, at the end of the day we are still wrong in someone's eyes because, for example as in Iraq, we've done to much and with Rwanda and Darfur we've done to little.

Those who try to help the most and/or do the most, will receive the most criticism.

My conclusion is that we must not be so large and mighty. First of all, America is not a proxy Superman. We represent the best philosophical government possible, a democracy, however, that doesn't give us the license to save the world.

Yes, I believe in relief aid in Africa. Yes, I believe in helping stop genocide around the world; however, NO, I do not believe in going into another country and overthrowing a ruler. I don't care if that sounds negligent; America alone should NOT be doing this. The United Nations is the best idea sense breathing air because instead of having one country run around doing all the work, which gets messy because we are spread too thin, there is a collective group to well round the decisions. Also, one country can't be blamed or hailed.

Operating as a one-hit-wonder in a seven continent world is reckless and bound to fail us one day.

I believe our best option is to pull out of Iraq (obviously), and also let other countries, such as the Congo, work on their own. That way we do not get tangled in a situation in which isn't our business, but that is exactly what we have done so far, making things worse for us credibility wise and for the countries' progress we've tried to help.

America is a wonderful place, and we have done many gracious things; however, we have done some awful things as well, such as ordering military coups for our own benefit. My point is that the running of a country, as I've already said, is a dirtying affair. That is the way of things, and the goal is to be more positive than negative. No one is perfect, not that we shouldn't try.

Our best bet is to cool off for a bit and leave. Just like with people who are mentally unstable -- depression, anxiety, etc -- they must take a break for themselves to get better, in order to be of some value to others. It may feel and seem selfish; however, self healing is vital for the health of a whole.

I'm a strong believer of that.