This thread is in response to this comment here. I genuinely do want to know what your way of doing this would be. You seem quite passionate about the subject and have obviously thought about it. I appear to be coming across as some kind of terrible neo-conservative here, and would sincerely like to know how you would do it properly?
I find that a lot of the speculative debate in the Switchboard confines itself to a 'reality tunnel' (for want of a better phrase) that is defined by our, sadly often accurate, expectations of politicians and the agendas of the media, including the liberal press. This kind of discussion precludes the introduction of ideas that are radical, perhaps even revolutionary, or have a woman or child centred focus. The feeling of fait accompli that has surrounded the events unfolding in all their horror over the last five, or so, years has further narrowed the debate.
Apologies
-for the time lag in my response. My whole life is a bit satalite-link-up-at the moment.
-if this theme exists elsewhere. Did look couldn't find it. I thought of resurrecting these threads:-
Viable alternatives to war
War is inevitable - But don't be discouraged
Is there anything to be done?
I haven’t because after reading them I feel that they are entrenched in a history that we now have hindsight on and they are labouring within a notion of what is realistic and possible that it would be difficult to undo.
-if the content seems self evident, I have come across these ideas in other places, they are not uniquely mine.
-if the length of this post seems self-indulgent, really couldn't set out my plan for changing the world without the preamble, it would be too easy to quibble over much of it otherwise. Fag and toilet breaks are encouraged, however (unless you don't smoke.)
In the wider world, to regard peace as an imperative is sometimes seen as 'idealistic', 'unrealistic', 'naive', 'foolish', or any other more or less polite synonym for stupid. I would like to create a thread for speculation of a freer, lighter kind. I would like to invite ideas about how 11/9 and the subsequent retalliation might lead to a fairer, freer, safer world for everybody.
I know that this kind of discussion is not to everyone’s taste. I do not wish to do away with rigour, 'buying the terrorist kittens,' is not a valid idea. It would be unlikely to work and there is no evidence of grassroots support for such a measure. If your first response is 'yeh, but that is never going to happen' then I humbly submit that this is not the thread for you. Those who lack imagination cannot imagine what is lacking ;~} I know this may leave me chatting to myself...
So, blah aside, more blah; this was written last year and best sums up the spirit of my position.
When the twin towers went up in smoke I knew everything would be different.
I saw the shock and grief on my TV of ordinary New Yorkers and felt in my guts that America’s relationship with the rest of the world had turned a corner.
In the days that followed the atrocity I watched with admiration and hope as the bereaved took to the streets calling for an end to the bloodshed that had transformed their lives, insisting that the violence perpetrated against them and theirs not be used to justify atrocities against similarly powerless people in the Middle East. I was hopeful.
I felt, for the first time, that America had been given a sense of itself within the world that was not about supremacy, colonisation and markets, but about what it is to be swept up into violence beyond your understanding or control.
As Bush and Blair made their calls to arms, that were rejected by the UN and throughout Europe, I wondered if this terrible event, unlike all those that take place on a daily basis all over the world, might provide the tipping point; the place at which the greatest focus of human power might learn that the women with candles outside the White House were the same as those who might bear the brunt of retaliation against the fabled Al Queda in any other place on the planet.
Ah well…
So when Tony asks me for my vote I’m inclined not to give it to him.
It isn’t the failings of intelligence on weapons on mass destruction and his subsequent fudging, or his support, on my behalf, of a mentally deficient sociopath to remove a morally deficient sociopath, or even the pointless deaths of millions of Iraqis over the last decade at the hands of duplicitous western governments that makes it impossible for me to vote for Labour.
It is his cold, snuffing out of my hope. His reversion to type. The fact that in the days after 11/9 as we braced ourselves for what would come, he didn’t have the wit or imagination to see another path other than the one Bush had chosen.
He could have followed the example of compassion and dignified forgiveness of those who stood for peace in their grief. Instead he threw our lot in with a character who would have been asboed if he lived in your street.
Shame on you Tony. You are too small a man in too big a job.
So, what's this gonna cost
For the practical necessities and raw materials of my peace building I claim the financial potential in the military expenditure in 2005 (not wanting to be greedy) of the UK and USA. The US is the worlds biggest military spender (48% of the worlds total spend.) In 2005 it spent $478.2 billions, £1,604 per capita. $2035.6 billions 2001-2005 inclusive.
The cost of the American war on terror can be seen ticking over, here.
The UK is the worlds second biggest military spender (5% of the worlds total spend.) In 2005 it spent $48.3 billions $809 per capita. $232.6 billions 2001-2005 inclusive.
Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute , (SIPRI)
The resources being ploughed into useless carnage are mind bending.
The Name of the Game
As far as I am able to understand these are the demands of Al Quada (doubtless I’ve left some out please flag them up)
-Withdrawal of American military personnel from Saudi Arabia,
-Resolution of the slow-motion holocaust being experienced by the Palestinians,
-Currently the withdrawal of the UK and US from Iraq and Afghanistan.
To be able to take a serious look at putting the energies of the UK and US governments into the first two 'demands' the dependence of US and UK economies on oil would have to be loosened. This seems like just one more good reason to find ways to power our lives, like global warming wasn't enough. Part of this process would have to include the evolution of Capitalism or it's destruction. The consumption economy is so last century. To claim that the motivation of the west is not to do with oil and war siphoning off taxes to business is fundamentally dishonest. I cannot see how that position is defensible at this point. However, should anyone wish to try another thread is in order.
And here I’m assuming universal necessities for peaceful existance;
-Health; food, water, shelter, access to health care
-Safety; stability, community, environmental health
-Dignity; political empowerment, autonomy, work for a living wage.
To deliver these universal requirements I would engage women in the debate on how things might move forward. I think it suits the west to see Arab women as passive or invisible. I think that mothers are sick of loosing their daughters and sons and husbands and it is something that unites us in humanity whether you come from Ohio or Fallujah or Gaza or Peckham.
To build peace I propose to try to meet the basic needs of people; health, safety, dignity.
To do this I would empower communities to find out what was wanted and engage women in the decisions made by spending some of my billions to promote social forums
Social Forum Charter of Principles
-Social forums would provide a central community hub where single interest groups might find their needs met and so could more usefully represent the needs of a healing community. Within weeks of the fall of Afghanistan the number one rated tv show was a ‘rebuild the rubble’ reality show. Families were taken through the process of clearing and rebuilding their homes. It captivated the nation.
I would employ people to meet the needs of their community. I would build stuff, all the stuff. I would build hospitals and homes, schools and mosques, whatever each community said they wanted. We could build every family in Iraq a house and you know what? We'd still have change from the war coffers.
For the healing of American pride, and those affected by 11/9 and 7/7 directly of all cultural and ethnic backgrounds I propose a kibbutz style exchange programme, where by young people can help affect real improvement in other communites, building ties, understanding and ultimatley broadening horizons and bringing that insight home to their own community.
So what would you do?
Can we try a way of debating this. If you think an idea has little merit or would not work rather than just say so and wait for the contention to escalate, can we see if it is possible to add to an idea. Improve a suggestion to make it more viable. What d'ya reckon? Is another world possible?
Peace is tough |
