Why we fight
June 9th, 2007
I just watched a rather disturbing documentary on BBC 4 about the connections between U.S. Congress, U.S. Military, War industry, Think Tanks and so on and so forth… I know I’m probably late to the party here and I don’t usually swear on my blog but holy shit did they fuck up! Man I struggle to come to grips with how they are actually allowed to get away with stuff like that? Fabricating absolutely everything, manipulating not just a country of innocent civilians but the whole world into believing / not giving them any other options other than to go to war…
I’m not that much into politics because I don’t trust the people involved, I know there are some out there that really do care and really do actually give a crap about humans but generally I think they are all out for themselves. I am no expert though and try to steer clear of it where possible. I know some folk would say that I am stupid too, and quite frankly I agree, at the end of the documentary there was an ex-military officer basically answering the question of why we fight and her answer was this…
Because not enough people stand up and say no I am not doing this…
I know that the world pretty much marched against the war and they were right to do so but I think her answer was directed towards the peopl ein the military and associated industries. She pretty much quit because she was being made to swallow lies as part of her job and she had a conflicts of interests so she removed herself from the equation.
Now, I am too young to know first hand about the Vietnam war, I have not had the unfortunate pleasure of being asked to serve my country and I’ve always had respect for Muhammad Ali, what I watched tonight solidified what was already a solid character. He stood up and said no I will not fight
. Good man!
I lead a pretty hectic life, I work hard, I try to play hard, try to make ends meet, try to build myself and family a secure environment and something of a future. That is how and why I fight. I believe that most of us are the same, trying to get by, minding our own business, I don’t condone any terrorist action at all, it is the wrong way to do things, innocents die but George Bush is a maniac, I am not surprised folk want to get their own back on him. He infringes on the lives of the people that were minding their own business. It’s just a shame that capitalism holds so much weight… what kind of people does it make us?
There is a really interesting story in the documentary from a Vietnam veteran who lost his son in the world trade centre bombings, when he heard the stories of Saddam being responsible and that they were going to war he was all up for it. He even went as far as to write an email asking them to put his sons name on a bomb, later on in the program he finds out about the lies and the deceipt from George Bush and feels betrayed and lied to. Should one of the most powerful men in the world be allowed to do that sort of shit??? Blatantly lie so he can make money and kill innocent people? Lie so that he can occupy? Lie so he can conquer?
I was busy the other day coding some templates (as I do) and I had the news on in the background for a change. Bush managed to shock and awe me (excuse the bad joke… you know me!) by announcing more plans of crazy dominations with some defence system in Europe, I was stunned to find out minutes later that Russia had decided to point missiles at Europe in response. That can’t be right? Maniac on the loose from America… errr… shoot Europe? These guys are fucking bonkers! They need their balls cut off or something like cats get when they get too rowdy.
I don’t have time for these megalomaniacs, I have trouble getting an extra bin from local council… There are weapons of mass distruction in my house and they come in the form of children!
Anyway… I digress.
There are a lot of good people in this world, people fight for what they think is right on a daily basis, people fight for fun, some fight for glory, some fight because it is all they know. As some of you know I am a big fan of martial arts so like to fight physically because I love the science and the art behind it. Why do you fight? Have you ever had a fight? Have you ever won a fight? How did that make you feel? I have never been political on this blog but I am curious, I am a people person so I would love to hear your thoughts, oh and on a final note, I just found the documentary in 4 parts on youtube so I have included them below.
I really hope you take the time to watch these as they are worth watching. I’ll be back very soon with some more writings…
Nils Author Comment
June 10th, 2007
When you come back, you come back, don’t you? Expertly written article, Alan. It’s fast-paced, written with conviction and fervour, but not a rant, not a rave. That’s because you’re absolutely right, of course.
I suppose there are mechanism at work here we just don’t get. How is it that so many educated, intelligent people oppose this madness, and yet our leaders are these testosterone-driven arseholes? And why do we sometimes, as nations, as a collective, just follow this malarkey, while as individuals we would’t be seen dead in a ditch talking this drivel?
If you’ve got the taste, try and look for the three part BBC series The Trap. It’s about how the concepts of large numbers mathematics and game theory are directly responsible for war and aggression of this kind. Fascinating. Not currently on YouTube I believe, but there are torrents out there.
Glad you found and took the time to write.
Alan Author Comment
June 10th, 2007
Hi Nils
I have missed blogging so much it is nice to write something on a subject I don’t touch much. I’m no expert but I do care, the state of the world really does concern me.
The fact that in a lot of respects I have no control over my destiny annoys me as lunatics like Bush or lap dogs like Blair will decide who likes and dislikes me on a far more dangerous scale.
I think they are wrong to interfere with other countries and make them fight so they can step in and look like they are doing folk a favour.
I often think about leaving this country and going somewhere safer. It would need to be a desert island or something and to be quite frank, I would rather get wiped out by a tsunami than by a missle for something I haven’t done.
Cheers for the heads up on The Trap, I’ll try and track it down.
Bryan Author Comment
June 12th, 2007
There is always a need to have a bit of skepticism about ‘documentaries’ these days.
For this one, it is necessary to compare it to the joint resolution (http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/10/20021002-2.html)
Then you can do some research on the 1998 law for regime change in Iraq.
There is much more but reality and actual recent history often don’t go very far in agenda driven politics or with those whose mind is already made up.
Alan Author Comment
June 12th, 2007
I like I say, I am not expert but if you think Bush is not an agenda driven nut job then I don’t know who is.
Not meaning to be rude but I don’t beleive very much that I could read on the Whitehouse website of all places.
Propaganda central are the words that spring to mind.
I read a really interesting thing in the BIG ISSUE the other day and it was about the pointlessness of having cultural hub cities. Cities where they take in all this revenue from tourism etc and maybe get a famous architecht to build a statue in a new pedestrianised area of town.
The arguement came from the *real* inhabitants of the city they were surveying as most of the surveyed did not stand to benefit. There are still the issues of deprivation, poverty, homelessness.
The amount of money spent on going to war is rediculous, especially seeing as it seems to do more bad than good. Destabalising countries is not my idea of solving problems!
That money could be so much better spend on health service or god know what else… take your pick. Until governments can actually tell the truth about what they are acheiving then I will remain a skeptic.
Andrew Author Comment
June 12th, 2007
Good article Alan - and I’ll second the recommendation for The Trap, possibly the most intelligent piece of television I’ve seen in years.
Clearly Bush is a very limited man - educated and promoted way beyond his intelligence but he is limping out of the ‘power limelight’. I still have some optimism for the future when I think that with a strong democratic president some movement away from the current destructive foreign policy may happen.
You were missed at @media by the way! I expected to see you with Charlie and Scott.
Alan Author Comment
June 12th, 2007
Hey Andrew, long time no speak! How are things? I was a little bummed out to miss it but there is always next year. How was it? See anything good? Beer taste good without me? I doubt it!
Back on topic, it’ll be interesting to see what happens once Bush goes, I guess that is one thing that they got right across the pond. Only allowing 2 terms in office, shame it wasn’t 2 weeks if you are a maniac just dying to push the nuke button.
Cheers!
Andrew Author Comment
June 13th, 2007
Off topic, @media As expected - some great presentations, most good and a couple that were weak.
I’ve been too busy trying to complete client work that I’ve neglected my own business aims and contacts. Usual story I suppose.
So does this post mark a revised agenda and interest in the journal? It’s certainly more worthy than my attempts at posts!
Alan Author Comment
June 13th, 2007
I know what you mean about being busy with client work, it is hard to balance that and business development which is equally important.
I am currently trying to put something in place which you might be interested in. We should have a chat on the phone / skype or something, would be good to catch up anyway
Regarding the blog, I have been itching to get busy with it again. Is nice to have people dropping by now that I have actually written on it for the first time in ages. At one point I considered dropping from 9rules or whether I may get booted out for lack of content but I am a survivor and knew my lapse was only temporary.
Business and family have come first recently, in some respects business has come first as the last year has been important to me but my focus is in constant flux.
Keep your eyes peeled though!
Jesus Dixon Author Comment
November 12th, 2008
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