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The US could end up with radical allies after the dust settles
by Joseph Earnest December 19, 2011
Newscast Media HOUSTON, Texas — There is no doubt that the U.S. has played and continues to play a major role in the uprisings taking place globally, in terms of regulating the outcome. We saw that happen in Egypt, then Libya, Yemen and now Syria. Yet America has to exercise caution before encouraging the ousting of leaders who are perceived to be non-compliant with the West's agenda.
It is justifiable for a superpower to intervene for humanitarian reasons, yet the countries that really need that assistance are ignored. Take for example a country like Somalia that has been ignored because it is a failed state, or even the atrocities that were committed by the rebels in Libya who Gaddafi referred to as "rats", against the black Libyans including the Tuaregs. There was no intervention from the West despite overwhelming evidence that these circumstances warranted humanitarian intervention.
It is curious that Hillary Clinton would be more concerned about what she interprets as civil rights of people living in third world countries, and makes threats to cut aid from countries that do not comply with cultural norms imposed upon them by the West, that are unacceptable in many countries. She ignores obvious human rights violations like the recent beheading of a woman in Saudi Arabia for allegedly practicing sorcery or magic, as reported in this article on December 12, or the recent execution of a South African woman by the Chinese government, for alleged drug trafficking, as reported by the BBC in this news story. (pop-up)
This was Clinton's chance to rally against the House of Saud and the Chinese government, yet she winked at both countries, despite condemnation from human rights groups about the excessiveness of the punishment, and validity of the claims made in both cases. How then can Hillary Clinton ignore such injustices, and claim in good faith, to be a champion of human or civil rights?
Hillary Clinton is a well-mannered individual, and it shows through the communication I have had with her in the past, while her husband was still president. I still even have a letter she wrote to me, and signed, with her very own hand, that is part of my private collection. You can tell that her upbringing instilled in her impeccable etiquette, from the way she phrases her words in letters, yet if you fast-forward to over a decade later, her public speeches seem to contradict the private person. The only explanation this journalist can come up with is that she is simply following orders from above, when she makes statements that go against the grain.
Regardless of what this administration decides to ignore or act upon, when it comes to compelling leaders to step down from their positions simply because the U.S. is unhappy with certain aspects of their policies, extreme caution needs to be exercised, especially in countries that are already stable.
Anyone trained in classical antiquity is familiar with the ingeniously written masterpiece by the Roman poet Publius Ovidius Naso. He tells the story of Daedalus and Icarus in Ovid's Metamorphoses; in book 8 of 15, verses 185-235.
Daedalus is exiled on the Greek island of Crete, and yearns to return to his homeland, but is barred by King Minos to travel by land or sea. With a deep sigh he says, "The air, at least, is still open; my path lies there. King Minos is lord of the world, but not lord of the sky."
In an attempt to defy the laws of nature, Daedalus devises a brilliant plan, by sewing together two pairs of wings using feathers; one for him, the other for his beloved son Icarus. The feathers are held together by wax — one set of wings is affixed on his young son, and Daedalus balances his aged body on the second pair of wings.
Next he instructs his son: "Now Icarus, listen carefully! Keep your flight to the middle way. If you fly too low, the water will clog your wings; if you fly too high, the sun rays will melt the wax. Follow my lead and fly between the sea and the sun."
His hands trembling with fatherly fear, and his cheeks wet with tears, Daedalus kisses his son, as he rises and flies in front.
"Follow!" He cries, as he teaches Icarus the skills that would prove his downfall. Moving with his wings, Daedalus keeps looking back at his son Icarus. There are fishermen at sea, and shepherds in the meadows, who watch and marvel in amazement. "Certainly, they must be gods to fly through the air!"
Now all this flying goes to Icarus' head. He ceases to follow the leader and instead soars higher and higher. Before long, the scorching rays of the sun melt the wax that held his wings, as Icarus flaps his naked arms.
"Father!" He shouts, again and again, but the boy and his shouting are drowned by sound of the sea waves, which is called the Icarian Sea. His unhappy father, calls out, "Icarus! Where are you? Where on earth shall I find you? Icarus!"
It isn't long before the father catches a glimpse of feathers floating on the water. His eyes burning with tears, and his soul flooded with grief, Daedalus curses the skill of his hands, and buries his dear son's corpse in a grave. The land where he lies is known as Icaria to this very day.
Just as Daedalus cursed the skill of his hands, the U.S. could end up with buyer's remorse, after installing leaders who may prove to be more radical than previously anticipated. Add Comments>>
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