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Aug. 6, 2006 We here in America can hardly imagine the pathetic circumstances that the people of the Middle-East awaken to and live through each day. Their days and nights are filled with gun fire, rockets skimming the sky, death and destruction every where. Burning buildings, roadways impassable, rubble heaped where yesterday homes and buildings stood. Families separated, injured, and killed in the wake of mounting war and terrorist's threats. Israel drops leaflets over Lebanon telling people to leave or suffer more death and destruction. Hezbollah says they will stop fighting when Israel stops fighting. Many innocent parties are caught in this fray. Even if they wanted to escape many say it is just not possible. They have no cars, there are no relief efforts being carried out at this time, and their highways are damaged beyond being usable. News reels show people searching for safety and security as things over in the Middle-East become increasingly unstable. Will this fighting ever end? Can peace become a reality for the people in the Middle-East? This past week the Lebanese Prime Minister, Faud Siniora, Secretary of the State, Condoleeza Rice, Italy's Foreign Minister, Massimo D'Alema, and the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan met in Rome to formulate a plan to stifle the fighting between Israel and Lebanon. (www.msnbc.msn.com) Condi firmly stated that there could not be a return to "status quo". She added that any cease-fire needed to be "sustainable". Kofi believes that any agreements need to include Syria and Iran as well as having some multilateral troops in place to help Lebanon disarm Hezbollah. (www.msnbc.msn.com) The United States and France have taken the lead in drafting what they hope may stop this fighting. Most reports suggest that any agreement would include a full cessation of combat, as well as, Israel's retreat from Lebanon, and full disarmament of the Hezbollah. Sound optimistic? (www.msnbc.msn.com) Off and on there has always been tension in the Middle-East. During the past several decades there have been numerous peace plans presented to end various conflicts. People that reside in those hostile areas say that any comprehensive plan needs to include; border delineation and demilitarized zones, independent governments, and allocation of precious and scarce resources. (www.mideastweb.org) Condi has been outspoken in her faith that an agreement can be reached and soon. She felt in a matter of days. When Condi returned to the United State she met with President Bush in his Crawford, Texas, ranch and he said that he was "happy progress was being made". (www.msnbc.msn.com) Scary truth about President Bush's statement regarding progress being made is that he said the same thing with regard to his war in Iraq. Instead of a more peaceful Iraq we see increased conflict and mounting death tolls on both sides. I firmly believe that if we removed our troops from Iraq and let the people there settle their own differences without our interference they could find peace and stability. How can we encourage a cease fire between Israel and Lebanon when we cannot do the same between the United States, Iraq, and the Al Qaeda? Should we not lead by example; instead of using preemptive force where diplomacy could reign? Years ago Gandhi said that the British used a "cunning policy of divide and rule..." in order that they might keep control of India and their lucrative spice trade. They did so with heavy hands and regular force. (Sound like Bush in Iraq?) Furthermore, he stated that this form of governance or leadership oftentimes created more animosity between the Hindus and Moslems. (As I believe Bush has done in his war with Iraq) Instead, Gandhi preached a refreshing and basic search for; truth, your spiritual essence, and human decency through civil disobedience, passive resistance, noncooperation, and nonviolence. And it worked for him and all of India! After many years of British rule India gained their independence the Gandhi way! The lesson to be learned here is that this (Bush-Blair) type of invasive policy has only hindered the possibility of peace for the Middle-East. (Shirer, W.L., 1979, Ch.1 and 2) If the UN could convince Israel or Lebanon to stop this conflict, to become nonviolent and passive, there may be hope for peace. If the United States would withdraw from Iraq and invite the Iraqi people to follow Gandhi's example; there could be hope for peace. Why not try the Gandhi way? We have seen the United States/British way and it is not working. War and violence only beget more war and violence. Planning is crucial and the Bush/Blair team has no plan, or at best, the plan they do have is sorely failing. Along with any true plan comes the opportunity to revise it as time marches forward, especially as things are not going as anticipated. I say let's give peace a chance by practicing what we preach! Reference: Shirer, William L., (1979) Gandhi; A Memoir, Pocket Books, NY www.middleeastweb.org www.msnbc.msn.com ------------ About the author: Michelle Malsbury was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois. Currently she resides in Florida. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Management and a Masters Degree in Business Management. She has just been accepted into Doctoral College and will begin that three year journey in the fall of 2006. She plans to write her dissertation on "The Economic Feasibility and Sustainability of Alternative Fuel Sources". Travels have taken her from Europe through the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and across much of the United States. She is joint founder of the Apalachicola Yacht Club (AYC) and holds the post of secretary/treasurer. For the AYC she drafted the Constitution and Bylaws outlining membership rules, regulations, and guidelines. She enjoys outdoor activities like sailing, water-skiing, hiking, bike riding, working out, and fishing as well as reading, music, theatre, playing with her two amusing pets (Abu Chez, her 7.5 year old Australian Blue Heeler and Zack, her three year old yellow tabby cat) and writing. "Three Years With Adonis" is the first to be published of several books that she has written. It is now available in all the better bookstores, but can also be found and ordered at Amazon.com, Booksamillion.com, Barnesandnoble.com, or ordered directly from her web sites, www.3yearswithadonis.com, www.threeyearswithadonis.com, or www.MichelleMalsbury.com. In addition to "Three Years With Adonis", she has authored four other books and three screenplays while continuing to explore all that life hands her. Email Michelle Malsbury: zackywacks@aol.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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