A piece of my mind for peace
69
One of the earliest discussions I remember about peace were with my father. And since he worked in the Indian Navy as a Judge (JAG branch) I asked him this question: Why can't we live in peace with everybody and do away with defence altogether. His answer was that the cost of peace is to be prepared for war. Which meant if we are strong (or appear to be strong) then that would be a deterrent for others to attack us. I mean he saw the Chinese attack against India and he supports that a strong India maybe a deterrent for China in future not to entertain any similar thoughts.
Even yesterday there was a news item about Iran testing a missile and there was immediate reaction from US/Israel denouncing it. Sometimes leaders from those countries say or do things to satisfy there target audience (or electorate) depending on the situation. And more ever when I was about 12 I saw a Hindi Movie called Aman where some of the tragic events of those days were depicted. After seeing the movie and reading about the tragedy of wars (especially about nuclear bombs) I was deeply moved. And even to this day I don't get the logic of US(of trying to force nuclear embargo) on other nations when US/Russia together account for 95% of the world's nuclear stock pile and also US being the only nation to have ever used it in the first place. I mean what moral right does US have to tell Iran or anybody else about there internal policy. Doesn't US have enough problems as it is without trying to meddle into the world affairs (where it has been pretty active for the past half century with mostly adverse results). I understand some in America consider it as a benevolent force of good (but we saw in the past with the British empire about side effects of such ideologies). Even India has had it's share of troubles ever since it supported Bangladesh's independence the relations between India & Pakistan became more sour.
I feel a central agency like UN should be extremely strong (without undue influence) and be able to dictate terms. In a comity of nations US is just another nation and its President(and staff) should treat other nation's leader with equal respect. Does US like anybody dictating there foreign policy? If might is right then law of the jungle would prevail. After the first world war the German's perceived an insult and that fueled the rise of Hitler's agenda. Any action that isn't perceived fair would eventually be resisted or opposed vehemently making world peace a pipe dream. But in spite of all that I still hope and imagine of world peace. Oh yeah I am a big fan of John Lennon. We need now more than ever Justice, Love and Peace in the world.
PS: I believe we(all the nations) have the ability to introspect and correct the course hence feel it is high time that we learned from past mistakes. Please excuse me if any mention of past history hurts your sentiments.
- Thoughts About Peace
As I thought about writing this Hub for World Peace, I wondered what any individual person could ever say in a Hub with such a lofty title. Isn't it rather presumptuous to even consider writing a Hub with... - 8 months ago
- All We Are Saying. . .
I grew up in Northern Ireland, and was a teenager in the 1970's during the worst years of sectarian violence there. Those years partly shaped my consciousness and understanding of the world. I learned a... - 8 months ago
- My Hub for Peace
I have travelled to different places in the world and I always found good people. We have differences that keep us apart. It is the differences we have the probems with not the people. I hope we can get passed these differences soon. - 8 months ago
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
Your perspective as someone who has seen the detrimental effects of empire in India is very relevant indeed. Intervention -- by force-- in another country's system of government is unconscionable. This is an excellent hub, made eloquent, as always, by your sweet hearted style.
lxxy- Well I was trying to realistically work with the present scenario and UN seemed to be a viable alternative (because we can't be silent to humanitarian crisis like the ones in Darfur). Thanks for appreciating the video that is one of my favorites.
Teresa- The British empire did have some good side effects and the chief among them is the English language. And I wanted to identify that sometimes in spite of best intentions until we have the mandate it may turn out to be counter productive to our lofty ideals.
Thanks friends for stopping by to read and comment. :D
Brilliant hub. In an ideal world there will be no army. But thats an impossible dream aint it?
Jay- That's why I put that song Imagine ;)
Nothing to kill or die for...
I am so pleased that you joined the hub links for peace. You have made a great contribution with your hub. Thank you :)
countrywomen, I think your perspective here is well written and valuable.
Unlike most Americans I agree that it is illogical for the present nuclear powers to tell other countries that cannot have nukes. However, once nukes are in the hands of people that don't care if they die we are all screwed. If someone is willing to launch nuclear weapons because they think God told them to; this planet is done.
Where the US is faulty is in its treatment of other countries. They will not try to bully a country with nuclear weapons so the moral seems to be if you want the US to respect you get nuclear weapons.
and how much money is spent on war toys. Gazillions. That money can be used for something more usefull, like world hunger and poverty.
We both put Lennon's imagine song in our peace hubs. :)Your suggestions give food for thought. And, I do believe in time when awareness rises in people, wars will be less, probably won't happen in this century.
Great hub. I completely agree with 'questioning the rights of US for putting the embargo...'. I always used to wonder if it was a part of UN legislation that gave power to US to restrain other countries from conducting nuclear tests. Well, I have to agree to Jayb23 also, as a perfect world would be a world without an army and deadly weapons but that is not possible. No matter how peace loving a country might be, it still would try to make nuclear power a part of its defence strategy. A big thumbs up for this well formulated hub.
I respect & appreciate your sentiments, You are right in saying that every nation should have the right to their internal policies however they must retain the peace making policy through out their plans. I also agree with Pete, since some extremists today are spoiling the world peace in the name of religion.
Lets all hope for peace & harmony through out the world :)
The world without weapons would be great - the people would need to work only 4 years to achieve full retirement - if it would be no weapons and military services on this planet. Just imagine that prosperity for all...and all kind of possibilities.
We all finance weapons and wars on one way or another.
Let us pray and meditate for new world, one day...
Thanks for your Hub, CW.
Love, peace and justice....i agree.
... more than anyone else, it is the soldier who yearns for peace ...
Justice, love and peace...like what Tatjana said...there is all kinds of possibilities for all of us. May we continually make choices that bring us peace. :-)
If each of us would find our own inner peace it would be enough change to make for a more peaceful world. But we must do the work and that is where it seems to fail.
countrywomen.,
Unfortunately I feel that the UN has, as a controlling body become totally ineffectual. I fear the day when their influence will be required and it will not be forthcoming. We can only hope that this day will not come. Let us all hope that people like yourself may have some influence on the power wielders of this world.
btw. I like you new avatar!
Countrywomen...your hub is bang on target!I totally agree with you!:)Thanks for sharing.
Well said! Peace is the carrot leaders know the people will follow, but war is how our leaders profit for themselves and their families.
Bush said without Hussin, there would be peace in iraq.
But he didn't say how much money his family would make from the war. When the opportunity to make money is war, our leaders will either start it or come up with a reason to be a part of it...
"the cost of peace is to be prepared for war"...I have never heard or considered it put like this. What truth lies in the statement...awesome.
The US has no right to tell any other country what to do in regards to nucs...perhaps if we got rid of all of ours and stopped researching, then we may have a leg to stand on, but until then, we are just being stupid.
Well written!
C.Ferreira- My father has his own interesting take on most of the issues and that observation was made after I felt that the govt was "wasting" too much on defense when there are so many poor people in a country like India. Yes US certainly seems to have different strokes for different folks. :D
If anyone should write this hub you were the one. You make some valid points for us all to consider. By the way, I am loving your new avatar picture, but for some reason it is reminding me of Heidi.
I would always happy to live in peace world, love people each other, save world, no evil and all are brothers. Heaven on earth.
Countrywomen...very nice hub'
How are you doing?
Lgali- I am doing fine and did you inquire about the possibility of opening another google account (in a family member's name).
I do not know
It is possible to open/use in a family member's name just inquire.
Sweetiepie- Thanks for the kind words. I was trying to see things from a different perspective instead of "America centric" that the media here tries to project. Heidi is really cool. :-)
Abinavis- Those are wonderful thoughts and hopefully one day we all live up to it.
Actually it is good to look at the politics from the view of other countries because we are players in this world too. I enjoyed your analysis.
Great Hub and good points all round CW. The comments also make excellent points. :)
You have a commendable point of view. Sadly I don’t think change will come that easy; let’s just hope for the best. =)
Honestly, I love your perspective on peace. Great point of view. Sounds like something I would say lol. Thank you
Countrywoman, I think the problem with American power is that it is really corporate power. The corporations don't care about America or any other counrty, just money and power. America has allowed corporations to tell us how to think, and most just listen to the propaganda and fell patriotic.
Great hub, Countrywomen, and this is how I see it - the only people who really want war are the people who run the world who benefit from it, in other words the elite families and the banks, who clearly do not care about people or nations - they care about power, vast wealth and control! It is not about countries or nations.
Wars are used to generate vast riches, reduce population numbers and give the people something else to fear and worry about. Some wars like the "War on Terror" are a media campaign with the purpose of keeping the so-called war going because it can always be said that there are more potential terrorists and terrorist acts can be staged and publicised to frighten people. The people behind the "War on Terror" are actually the terrorists!
Men are not naturally killers but are trained to be that way. People in one country have nothing against people in another unless they are convinced they should by media propaganda campaigns and the lies of leaders. John Lennon advocated "Power to the people" and that is the only answer we have - for the people to refuse to fight the wars. There are billions of people as compared with only a few thousand of those who run this insane nightmare world like this. So the people should just say no we are not fighting your wars any more. Until enough people can realise that and act on it then wars will continue.
Great Hub Countrywomen. This is very inspirational. If wishes were horses and if the words of John Lennon and others like him could come true, this world could be a better place.
SweetiePie- It is nice to know that you didn't feel bad even when I was criticizing some of the US policies. It is similar to someone who wants people to think highly of US.
Cindy- Sister I have missed you. How are you? Must be very busy and see less of you here at hub pages these days. Thanks for appreciating.
Charia- Let us hope for the best. There is little else we can do. :)
Mr Williams- I am glad I am echoing your thoughts. I guess there are some other folks too who think like me.
Thanks everyone for stopping by and commenting.
This is a great hub. I (imagine) for world peace also. I am now concerned with what's happening with North Korea. Anyway, fantastic writing:)
lxxy says:
8 months ago
Great hub, love the vid. =)
"I feel a central agency like UN should be extremely strong.."
Your species' concept of nations will in time hopefully learn to come together under their own free will. The UN and other political entities is no step toward peace for humanity, merely a step towards peace for Corporations.