It is not the first time, either. History is riddled with scenes of unimaginable carnage, and boundless violence. Of course, there were times of peace and tranquility, but sooner or later somebody decided reality was unfair, reshuffled the deck and consumed the world in a storm of hate and greed.
It is a popular to think there have been two world wars, world war is a current event. But, if a world war is defined as involving most of the major powers history is filled with conflicts that would qualify. From the Assyrian domination of the Middle East, the Punic Wars, the Mongol invasions of almost everywhere, to the wars that tore through Europe for most of the middle ages.
Right now, depending on the qualifications there are roughly 25 wars being fought around the world. Many more, depending on the broadness of the categorization. Many of these, because of the fervor, and propaganda, could escalate quickly, spreading to neighboring countries. Once the fire starts it will be difficult to extinguish. It has always been that way.
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| Trautman; Destruction of Jerusalem via Wikimedia Commons |
"The slaughter within was even more dreadful than the spectacle from without. Men and women, old and young, insurgents and priests, those who fought and those who entreated mercy, were hewn down in indiscriminate carnage. The number of the slain exceeded that of the slayers. The legionaries had to clamber over heaps of dead to carry on the work of extermination."*
What happened to the millions in Jerusalem was not unique. It was just one in a string of cities torn to the ground, inhabitants slaughtered, or sold into slavery, it was the fate that waited for every city.
What is drastically different is the weaponry. Science has taken society across a terrifying threshold. It is likely mankind has the ability to destroy most of the people living today. Science is not evil, it is a servant performing the bidding of its masters. Science is not the source of destruction, it is the vehicle.
And it was fear that pushed the pursuit of such fantastic weapons. But, why? People in all corners of the world, in almost any belief, sprang from the same source. Yet, our fear creates loathing. Political leaders extort, and pollute the differences, until the differences are all anybody sees.
It is, almost always, the political leader that exploits the fears most successfully that is elected, or seizes power, or in one way or another assumes control. And once there the best way to stay is to keep the fear real, front and center.
Is there any way to correct the course, or is there no reason for hope? That is up to us, and it won’t be easy. Every action has to be an effort to alter the course of history. And, it will almost have to happen everywhere, so it is not very likely.
*Milman, The History of the Jews. Book 16
a great article i share your feelings about war, and in your question reality says there is no reason for hope, greed and fear the fuel for wars
ReplyDeleteThank you, this is the blog I wanted to write when starting.
DeleteAn excellent piece of writing, TIm
ReplyDeleteThank you, that means a lot coming from a man with your talent.
DeleteThe sad part of society to today is "guilty conscience syndrome" wherein everyone sits around and commiserates about their denial over how the world was structured. All land was conquered, and it is near impossible to rewrite history to place every "historical entity" back on the land from which they came, and call it "fixed." Even if we assumed that one group belonged here, there or anywhere, shook hands and parted ways, someone else is going to come along and conquer them. It's part of life, and unfortunately so is the wars that created the confusion.
ReplyDelete(oh and btw .. the kids clock was an old Radio Shack digital clock that was taken apart and placed in a suitcase like pencil box in a formation that looked like a bomb, not a clock) I am not a tinfoil hat type, but that kid and his family are training people to ignore things, or be considered racist ...
I didn't really pay much attention to the story about the clock, it was a small, isolated incident, and only used it as an introduction. It could have been any number of items from the news. It was certainly not an attempt to indict or exonerate anyone.
DeleteAnd the purpose of the post was not to implicate any nationality or group. It is my attempt to wake people to a potential disaster.
Honestly, I don't expect anybody to listen, or act, but, to me we are stuck in cycle of events, and the destination is not appealing.
In the words of Bob Dylan
"There's a bad motorcycle with a devil in the seat,
going ninety miles an hour down a dead end street."
It seems somebody should say something.
Excellent points, Tim, but as any student of history knows, the history of man is a history of war, regardless of scale, be it tribal or global. It is a sad commentary on mankind. One can succumb to fear or stand and face it. Too many cower and too few stand their ground.
ReplyDeleteIt is our, and it seems to be our heritage, but it will soon be our epitaph.
DeleteYou are absolutely correct, we need to stand, and stand together, while there is still time