| THE
BLUE RED
COLUMN
The Mountain Press
Our World Leaders Think Like Two-Year-Olds | |
| By: JIM ANDERSON Mother: “No more candy.” Child: “You hate me.” In the simple-minded brain of a two-year-old, all the world is absolute: back-or-white, either-or, With-Me or Against-Me. Slowly, grown-ups figure out reality: Life is puzzling, humans are complicated, and “the truth” depends on who's telling it. Today, Planet Earth trembles before the doorstep to hell. Across the globe, the skies are on fire. Bombs explode; innocents scream; families weep. Humanity is killing itself. The guilty are world leaders who think like two-year-olds: “Good” versus “evil.” So, al Qaeda plots terror, Israelis bombard Hezbollah, Sunnis and Shiites massacre each other, and Iraq soaks deeper in blood. Who cries for war? Not everyday people--their hearts are mainly kind and good. Neighbors offer helping hands, open their doors, do good works. They pray to be safe, nurture their families, and enjoy simple days. Who threatens war? This month, it's North Korea. On July 4th, Kim Jong-il's sinister regime--which may really have nuclear WMD's--test-fired seven ballistic missiles. With the clock running out, why not talk directly with North Korea? And, if Kim Jong-il tells the West to “blow off,” what then? Easy, says the child: Just invade one more country, light another sky ablaze, and erase more collateral people to protect the peace. America looks cornered, in too many dark alleys, with too few good choices. Why? Diplomacy must be hard and complex. War is simpler and easier. At first. We've strayed too far from “love thy neighbor as thyself.” Somewhere in North Korea, a humble family is gathering for a simple meal. They know nothing of Sevierville. They beg for hope; they live to survive. Somewhere at the top of all governments, gleeful children are running the playpen. And a child's mind is deadly simple: No candy?--no peace! -Jim Anderson is president of the Sevier County Democratic Club (www.sevierdemocrats.com). ©The Mountain Press 2006 |
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