For a moment, let’s step back and look around…If we’re honest about our descent into disunity, we must admit that the US and the rest of the world are becoming distant. Outside the US we see nations lining up against each other. Russia, Hungary, China, North Korea and Iran on one side; the US, all NATO countries on the other. Historians will note that this same type of alignment was in place immediately prior to World War I and World War II. Some of the names were different but the alliance of nations pitted against another alliance of nations led to devastation and death on a huge scale. FYI, all Germany wanted in WW I was to recapture two small provinces that they had lost in the middle of the 19th century, Alsace and Lorraine. But because those provinces had alliances with other countries–as did Germany–all of Europe and eventually the US entered into a world-wide war. Those same alliance commitments exist today. Think about Ukraine and Israel…and their allies. Then imagine Russia (like Germany) as an uninvited aggressor–invading Ukraine to recapture what was allowed to be independent for 30 years. Our point is: what appears to be a local skirmish can have catastrophic results. Look at our own political situation. Has there ever been a time in our history when the Republicans and Democrats were further apart? Name calling, threats, personal attacks, and all forms of intimidation are common. Keep in mind that this country’s greatness is based on common ground and compromise. Is it possible to move forward when those who lose their office refuse to support a peaceful transfer to the rightful winners? That’s like saying “we know the majority of people want our opponent to be president but we object and will not recognize the democratic voting process that tells the tale.” Democracy depends on fairness and reasonability. When neither are present–democracy begins to die. It’s ironic that we just witnessed the Paris Olympics, a sporting event that is intended to bring all nations of the world into a neutral venue to compete for medals. But Russia wasn’t there…and wasn’t welcome there. Haven’t we learned that wars don’t answer any questions. Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain during WW II, said “there never was a good war or a bad peace”. His meaning was that peace on any basis was preferable to war. It seems that the human race insists on running away from that history lesson.
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