***October 14, 2001 ***Please take the time and read it carefully...all the way thru!
Dear Sirs,
I am writing this letter in hopes that someone will gain some personal perspective and peace during today’s dramatic changes. I do not think you will hear these ideas from anyone in the political process or anyone whose public or private stature, or reputation, is dependent on the acclaim of the public. I encourage you to use all or part of these comments in any useful way you deem appropriate. I do not seek public office or public acknowledgment in any way. I sincerely wish to offer a simple explanation of what’s happened to us in hopes that a more simple understanding will help in reducing the pains of anxiety and stress that appear to have affected so many people.
I believe the partial answers lie in expressing, in the right simple words, an understandable description of “what and where” we are now.
It is abundantly clear that America has had the same concerns (serial murder, gangs, terrorist acts, etc.) before; but, this was so enormous and so clearly an act against America (indiscriminate civilians without a chance), that America was forced out of its semi sleep, its natural reaction to talk its way out, to delay, to put off, etc. So, America always did have these concerns; but now, they are on the front burner like every other country. We are forced to personally protect our “way”. This is the first time on our soil!!! This is not a World War II where nations are trying to take territory. This is about protecting a way of life. This is about an opposition that does not share our value of life but thinks it has an alternative plan for its “believers”.
If you believe it is fundamentally a case of “Haves versus Have-nots” you can reason your own position in where we are now. If you believe it is a religious or territorial conflict you may think differently.
The solutions are an entirely different matter!!
I would not, for one minute, attempt to dissuade you from your “meditative” or “religious beliefs. That’s what you own! …. That’s what you believe. . I also agree that certain “documentation” may serve your beliefs. If I have a different view, it is not to in any way to denigrate your views, it is merely that I do not fully equate your experiences and their effects, with my own present understanding of what’s going on.
It is a matter of simple “difference” between us. It has nothing to do with “good or bad, useful versus useless, etc.” It is merely a matter of “difference”. After all we are both trying to achieve the same general ends, namely, an end to this useless violence.
I hope you truly understand my position in all this. By all means continue to follow your own beliefs.
For more than human history, there has been a battle between the “Haves and the Have-nots”. The beginning of war started when a group of so called human beings found out that they could grow a surplus … i.e. more than they needed. Another group in the north were unable (for one reason or another) to produce just exactly or maybe even slightly less than they needed for themselves. Soooo .. they found out about the group that could raise a surplus and decided to use force and “TAKE” whatever they wanted from that “surplus group”. …Thus was the beginning of war!
In its simplest form, the root of the problem “now and in the past” has always been the battle between the “Haves and the Have-nots”. Yes, they have hidden this “battle” in many different terms.
Such terms as Religion, as in Protestants versus Catholics in Ireland (it’s nothing but a Have Have-not battle between the North with its viable economic system and industry and the less productive south where there are more Catholics).
Such terms as a “Religion mixture”, as in Islam (the difference between the overwhelming numbers of believers in the ancient Islam traditions and the “new” Fundamentalist, the terrorist faction).
The “Have Have-not” battles that continue in the USA.
The Sudan is where the so-called leadership is in the power for itself and the population be damned. Etc., etc.
Many of the problems lie in unstable leadership where there is a military backed leadership which controls the meager assets of the country “for its own comfort”, or, a tribal committee in which each “chieftain” tries to defend his territory (of course, including all the assets in his territory). These so called leaders or governments do not produce anything of value for their citizens. There’s no economic plan, no economic opportunity, no advances in the public infrastructure and many times not enough food or water. The governments do NOT serve the people … just themselves! It really makes no difference what you name it. It’s a matter of a battle between the Haves and Have-nots!
However, we are NOT engaged in Nation building. The people will have to organize themselves. We can go into a limited partnership to help in providing limited services for the people; but, we CANNOT select the leadership or the type of government in any country!!
Somehow or other, the experiment where everyone has the same amount of everything (except of course, those in a “leadership” position which preserved perks for themselves) failed horribly. This system curbed motivation, experimentation, risk, opportunity, etc.
Other so-called “systems” including “tribal councils”, warlords, small separate states (the leaders of which could never really agree on anything) all left a “growing” population with no real economic or industrial base.
So if you were lucky and were one of the few that were able to manage an education, you quickly realized you had no better future, nor hope of a better future, when you returned to the country in which you originally came. You returned with no hope. So you got angry and decided to at least do something.
Some charismatic leader arose and said “Kill Americans. They are the source of your frustration!” So you finally had a plan to relieve your own frustrations….
This all starts as the result of a “Have Have-not” scenario.
One group has, (more or less), been able to organize a society in which, (more or less), there is a choice, an opportunity to raise oneself up; an economic system that, (more or less), is productive and can actually produce a surplus; and a society which is, (more or less), free to exercise certain rights of free speech and criticism, rights of free practice for all religions and thought systems, and other rights that seem more or less “protected” as a policy. It’s not perfect and some people actively protest this fact (although they continue to offer no “successful alternatives” …they’re just “against” something!!!)
On the other hand, we have large groups of people in this world who have been unable to organize themselves into a more “productive” society. Food, shelter and defense have not been adequately shared nor encouraged. There is a “hand to mouth” existence that doesn’t seem to be changed. These are the Have-nots. They want what the Haves have!!! Anyway they can get it!
The “Red Guard” in Germany bombed and terrorized Europe 20 years ago. The Irish situation still exists. Sudan, Ethiopia, most of Africa, etc still have this same problem. IT IS NOT NEW!!
Even the USA has the same problem. The McVeys, the armed militia units, the Skinheads, etc. all have their “griefs” and commit murder in their name to so-called “right the wrongs”.
These are not “terrorists” they are simply murderers, serial killers! America is filled with Americans and some American murderers. So is France, Italy, Israel, Egypt, Islam, etc. It’s all the same!! It still starts with frustration between the Haves and Have-nots.
I think it’s simple. I think we haven’t wanted to realize it. I think we realize that we don’t want to give up our unusual, hard earned, lucky advantage. We can share some of our material surplus to a point. We do not wish to make this “point” so it interferes with our current standard of living. We also realize that mere material sharing WILL NOT permanently solve the Have/ Have-not problem. The more you give the less the incentive to change. This is our real dilemma.
I fully believe that once you can put into words what you think the real problems are you can more successfully cope with our present realization. True, that once you have truly experienced this uncomfortable reality and have escaped; having to go backwards is a terribly difficult thing to face. But as long as you’re in the USA it is of a great deal less concern. A concern? Yes! …. A lesser concern? Yes!!
This “Have/ Have-not” conversation was something I felt I needed to express.
Thank you for your indulgence!
Respectfully submitted…. Bill T.
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