Ramblings of a Technology Addict

Sunday, March 23, 2003

Concerning an Empire...and Four Freedoms not to be ignored.

Dave (my roommate) and I had a discussion this afternoon, regarding the developments in the war situation, and what aims we have here. Dave isn't so keen on us going into governments of foreign countries and "securing democracy" for its citizens. And yes, I think he may have a point here. How do we decide who's a dictator and who's not? I don't think we have that mandate. However, I think we CAN advocate for more democracy in the world. There are too many nations the world over, as Amnesty International would be more than glad to tell you, where the rights of its citzens are being curtailed dramatically.
Let's set some ground rules.
Human beings have the inalienable right to free speech, free exercise of religion (no matter the religion, so long as it does not harm others against their will), the right to protest in a peaceable fashion (ie, not throwing molotov cocktails and blocking others from going about their lives) matters of government and policy and the right to be free from the tyranny of an oppressive government.
Now, first and foremost, I think we need to work on numbers 1 and 4 right here in these United States. The Department of Justice under John Ashcroft has done more to restrict our rights than under the leadership of just about any other. But the fact that we are harming ourselves doesn't change the fact that every single living breathing world citizen deserves those four things. Muslim, Christian, Atheist, Jew, Buddhist, or Taoist. White, Black, Arab, Hispanic, Slav and Maori.
I often vacillate between thinking it is our job to secure those rights for those who are unable to secure them for themselves and thinking that the US has no business ponitificating to the world. This is no different for me, I'm afraid.
But in the meantime, I pray for a quick end to this conflict, for the troops to come home safely, for the Iraqi people, for the world's patience, and for us all to stop fighting amongst one another and recognize those four rights at the header of this post.
6:24:34 PM comment []