History Lessons Percieved

The cliches are abundant… ‘History repeats itself’, ‘Learn from the lessons of history’, and on and on and on.

So these are not necessary lessons learned from history, but rather perceptions based upon historical events.

It’s always grandios to consider oneself posessing enough knowledge to write a book about history. Tom Brokaw has already written a couple and is about to produce yet another. Out of the limelight yet he still can’t get enough of hearing himself talk. Yes, that is filled with a bit of prejudic toward Tom, I’m not, I just like to point out oddities in the perception others have of themselves.

That said, I do want to share a quick quote taken from his book as a metaphorical decoder ring to societies social and behavioral change during the 60’s.

“[Society] got atomized in part [because] what they learned in the ’60s is how to organize … around reasonably, or in some cases, dramatically narrow interests, and make that narrow interest the leitmotif of their life”
– Tom Brokaw

I find plenty of truth to that.
Still today, possibly following the example of those of the 60’s, a small focus of individuals can become so entrenched in a single interest, that through emotion or happenstance, can gain momentum and steamroll through societies social fabric. There is both good and bad to this. The good, nevermind the good, it serves a worthwhiel purpose. The bad… that’s where society needs to check itself.

Illegal Immigration: Life Lesson in the Making

I’ve recently observed a proposal that in exchange for U.S. citizenship, illegal aliens be given the opportunity to earn citizenship through a short stint in the armed services. I have to admit, at first thought I am perplexed. I’m not of the mind that service in the Army should be utilized as a sentence (for troubled youth) or domestic admission for citizenship. On the other hand, if those who so disparately value a life in the U.S. that they brave the searing sun over 100 miles for a job, then I would be willing to give them this opportunity in order to earn what they demonstrate is valuable to them.

If given the opportunity, would they even share the thought that they hold that much value for life in the U.S. Or, would they continue to balk at any thought where citizenship would come at a cost.

Defenders voice that illegal aliens “pay taxes”. Well the truth is they do and they don’t. They pay taxes on the products that they buy. Great, that’s appreciated, but to be perfectly honest, there is no way around it. You can’t go to McDonalds and decline to pay the tax. But like the border, they pursue any means by which they can escape income tax, which every law abiding U.S. citizen must pay. When U.S. citizens do not pay the appropriate income tax, they then experience the force of the law upon them to encourage them to become compliant.

Nobody is asking that the illegal be forced to follow anything rules or processes that any other U.S. citizen doesn’t already do. But they are asking (even demanding) every freedom that U.S. citizens enjoy but continue to try to circumvent what those costs are.

In the end, I have the opinion that I am for such alternatives to U.S. citizenship for illegal aliens. However, I already fear for the headline which would read: “Army Generals Racist: Consistently send Hispanic Citizenship Enlistees to the front lines.” I think I read something similar in a history book somewhere. Might have had something to do with the Vietnam War and African American soldiers.
History repeats itself when we (earth inhabitants) fail to learn the appropriate Life Lesson, until we get it right.

Simple Dichotomy or Time Bomb

9/11 brought either awoke the sleeping giant, or the world finally saw the elephant standing in the middle in the room. Depends on your perspective.

Islamists/Muslims (pardon the naivety at being un-uninformed) around the world have been being characterized into two group of either Islamic fascist or self characterized as “misunderstood lovers of piece”.

The previous generalization whether true or proclaimed as truth persists, THE truth will not be validated while the question continues to be asked, “How can anyone claim an organization as peaceful when so much violence is spoken, delivered, preached and condoned?”

I wonder how much of the killing could be stopped if those delivering those actions could realize that it doesn’t take violence to make a point. While violence is usually the first thought considered when exploring ways to make a statement, violence only resolves to draw a hard line between those who you would want to hear your message. The message is then ignored rather to respond to the action and the words are lost in translation.

Peaceful means to draw attention to yourself and your message are exponentially effective when a perception of concern for humanity is center stage.

– Robert Redeker is only the latest in a lengthening list of Europeans who have been subjected to death threats from Muslims outraged by criticism of their faith and prophet. British writer Salman Rushdie survived the Ayatollah Khomeini’s 1989 fatwa only by adopting a quasi-clandestine existence. Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh was gunned down on the street two years ago in Amsterdam for insulting Islam. His co-filmmaker, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, frustrated at living under constant police protection, resigned earlier this year from the Dutch parliament and moved to the United States – TIME Online (James Graff)

My $.02 is that Muslims are new to the idea of freedom of speech and don’t know how to handle it. From my admittedly small understanding of their history and culture, violence is part of the law/culture in Middle Eastern Regions. Do they still chop off hands for stealing, do they still execute by beheading with a sword, do they stone for immoral acts? Is it a fundamental issue with the men there to release/relinquish their stronghold over women that violence continues to remain the ONLY perceived solution?

I see it in similar light as the struggle (understated) in the U.S. to recognize the rights of African Americans in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and still today. As some didn’t know how to handle (accept) the rights/freedoms of African Americans, some Muslims don’t know how to handle the rights of others (freedom of speech/press/religion and freedoms in general).

What I will suggest (for free) is, just for shock value… try something new. Try NOT sawing off someones head on live TV. Try NOT remotely detonating roadside bomb and killing civilian journalists. Try NOT targeting people you perceive to be against you because of a different religion.

Show me the peace. Help me to not be confused (resistant, guarded, etc) about your religious believes. If you are “misunderstood” the best way to have me on your side is to show me it’s going to be worth that chance. I can’t give you a chance when the only fruits of your labors are violence and hatred.

Show me the peace. Regardless of who started the fight first… be the first to end it.