THE INSTINCT TO LEAD
There is in human nature an instinct to lead. Not all have it, and those that do, have it to a greater or lesser degree. But it is a necessary quality in anyone responsible for the lives of others, and certainly in a Commander in Chief.
It is an instinct because it goes beyond rational analysis. Someone who has it in abundance knows when it is time to allow subordinates to make decisions and when they must take control. Someone with the instinct can differentiate between truly dangerous, and merely uncomfortable circumstances. They know what is in their control to influence and they act on that knowledge.
A general with this instinct to lead prepares for the enemy to the best of his ability. When facing a formidable enemy, he would not hesitate for a minute in removing from command any subordinate officer who was not up to the task at hand. This would be the rational decision in the best interest of the soldiers and in the best interest of completing the mission.
Decisiveness and the automatic response of moving towards the action are other hallmarks of this instinct. In dire circumstances, a leader who has this drive to lead, is a comfort to his people and a warning to all enemies.
By these criteria, George W. Bush has failed this nation egregiously.
These are dangerous and unstable times. It is not sufficient to wage wars of choice. We must shore up our physical and security infrastructure and prepare for obvious threats.
But this nation must also respond forcefully when the battle is brought to our shores, whether that is by terrorists or the terror of nature run wild. Hesitation in these circumstances means death. The body count and the number of missing coming from the Gulf Coast emphasize this reality.
And we miust not forget that in a time of great national emergency, the Commander in Chief of this land was far from the front lines.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
DENIAL
In counseling individuals with addictions, the concept and reality of denial must always be taken into consideration. As most experienced therapists would agree denial is by no means a universally negative phenomenon. There are times when it is wholly appropriate and indeed necessary for an individual to be in a state of denial. Extreme trauma or loss are examples of this. At these times denial allows for psychological and emotional re-orientations to take place that will allow the individual to directly face his new and radically different life circumstances.
It is also true that prolonged denial can be costly in terms of growth and mental health. These concepts apply equally to the growth and mental health of a country. To presuppose that a country can have "mental health" is to assume that a country in fact has a mind. As odd as this might sound it is a useful concept. There are numerous examples of countries and cultures that can be said to have "lost their minds" at various points in their histories. Countries forget their histories. Countries hope and dream. And countries sometimes deny reality because that reality is too terrible to look at.
The United States of America is a country in denial about many things these days. It isn't really important to go into the specifics. What is more important is to recognize that this level of denial is no longer helpful. We are at the point in this country where denial causes death and destruction. It is also important to note that denial of obvious realities is running rampant in our highest elected officials and in the corporate and government controlled media.
As the disconnect between the actual reality and the reported reality becomes greater, cracks begin to form in the facade that has been presented and truth emerges here and there. Such openings will only embolden those seeking to control consensus reality to redouble their efforts. This will result in an increasingly surreal situation. Many will maintain or increase their level of denial in order to stave off anxiety and panic. Believing that if they only trust in what they are being told - all will be well. That doesn't work with individuals and it doesn't work on a societal level either.
It is always difficult to let go - of a loved one, a tradition, youth, a belief. But letting go is sometimes the only way to survive and grow even though it feels like a death. It may be that the most important thing to let go of now for this country is denial. Its the denial that wants to say "Everything is basically ok." Because the reality is, it isn't.
It is also true that prolonged denial can be costly in terms of growth and mental health. These concepts apply equally to the growth and mental health of a country. To presuppose that a country can have "mental health" is to assume that a country in fact has a mind. As odd as this might sound it is a useful concept. There are numerous examples of countries and cultures that can be said to have "lost their minds" at various points in their histories. Countries forget their histories. Countries hope and dream. And countries sometimes deny reality because that reality is too terrible to look at.
The United States of America is a country in denial about many things these days. It isn't really important to go into the specifics. What is more important is to recognize that this level of denial is no longer helpful. We are at the point in this country where denial causes death and destruction. It is also important to note that denial of obvious realities is running rampant in our highest elected officials and in the corporate and government controlled media.
As the disconnect between the actual reality and the reported reality becomes greater, cracks begin to form in the facade that has been presented and truth emerges here and there. Such openings will only embolden those seeking to control consensus reality to redouble their efforts. This will result in an increasingly surreal situation. Many will maintain or increase their level of denial in order to stave off anxiety and panic. Believing that if they only trust in what they are being told - all will be well. That doesn't work with individuals and it doesn't work on a societal level either.
It is always difficult to let go - of a loved one, a tradition, youth, a belief. But letting go is sometimes the only way to survive and grow even though it feels like a death. It may be that the most important thing to let go of now for this country is denial. Its the denial that wants to say "Everything is basically ok." Because the reality is, it isn't.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
THE LURE OF FANATICISM
It has been said, often with some degree of chagrin, that there are similarities between fanatics of the east and fanatics of the west. Though this is an uncomfortable notion to entertain for either side it is well worth examining for everyone's sake. To even the most casual student of world affairs certain facts become readily apparent. For instance, as much as the United States and its current Neocon administration would like to portray Islamic fundamentalists as wholly "other" in philosophy and morality, this hardly holds up to any careful scrutiny. Both have agendas that include some form of world hegemony. Both have demonstrated a comfort with violence as a means to meet their goals. Both have engaged in torture. Both have refused to modify their basic ideologies in the face of opprobrium from the world community. Both are bent on the other's destruction.
The world today is experiencing a most severe case of culture shock. The distances that allowed individuals and cultures to pursue their own courses unimpeded have disappeared. That combined with competition for limited resources will only exacerbate tensions.
It is interesting to note the parallel trends of increasing democratization and the rise (or perhaps resurfacing) of fascist ideologies (religious pr political) and governing practices. For example, as access to information has increased via the Internet, the U.S. has witnessed the decline and corporatization of the mainstream media. As capital and business operations have been dispersed to the second and third worlds, nuclear technology and the military might to support and entrench dictatorships has as well. In the U.K. and U.S., those bastions of democracy, fears of terror have led to vast programs of domestic surveillance.
History has shown time and time again that cultures, religions, political and economic philosophies emerge, thrive and then die when circumstances outpace their abilities to adapt. It is this very real possibility of extinction that, I believe, drives all versions of fundamentalism and the resultant fanaticism that we see today. The Islamic fundamentalist vs. Neocon ideological battle is only one manifestation of this. There are many others.
But in both Muslim countries and the U.S. it is a relatively small number of individuals who carry a fundamentalist orientation towards the world and a fundamentalist approach to geopolitical problems, although thanks to recent U.S. military and foreign policy those numbers have swollen in followers of Islam. It is also true that this small group, wherever they arise, have a strong will to obtain power and control. Given that such individuals seem to have such an inordinate influence on the world stage, I believe it is of central importance to ask: why do some individuals adopt this more fundamentalist (and fanatical) approach to life and others do not?
I believe the simple and most direct answer is that such philosophies allay fears and reduce anxiety. It is comforting for human beings to have an overarching political or religious belief structure. It is even more comforting (for some) when that belief structure clearly identifies who is right and who is wrong, who is good and who is bad, what works and what doesn't. And let us not forget the aphrodisiac qualities of power and the confidence that comes from having all the answers. It doesn't really matter whether facts and reality correspond with these strongly held beliefs (i.e. the Bush administration and Iraq).
The fundamentalist view, wherever it arises, holds up this shining hope to true believers: We can make the world over into our image. Those who don't believe can be eliminated or converted. All you need to do is to trust the leaders and "keep the faith". This formulation is very appealing to many. It becomes more appealing as conflict between groups increases (or is fomented). But no matter what manipulations are undertaken to create fear and thus compliance there will always be those who will see it for what it is and who will resist.
It is true that sometimes fundamentalist/fascist/fanatic ideologies can "win" for a while. They can rise and predominate. But it is also true, as was demonstrated in that cautionary tale Jurassic Park, that "Life will find a way." People, cultures, and humanity itself are by nature designed to grow and evolve. Anything - any belief, religion, economic or political philosophy - that seeks to maintain power and control or that impedes this natural process is, I believe destined to fail. As is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." The questions of which beliefs to hold onto, which to let go of and which new beliefs to embrace are central to all of humanity at this time. Such decisions must not be made out of fear, fantasy or fanaticism. Rather they must be based on a clear view of reality combined with an openeness to change and a fundamental faith that there is a better future that the entire world can create - together.
The world today is experiencing a most severe case of culture shock. The distances that allowed individuals and cultures to pursue their own courses unimpeded have disappeared. That combined with competition for limited resources will only exacerbate tensions.
It is interesting to note the parallel trends of increasing democratization and the rise (or perhaps resurfacing) of fascist ideologies (religious pr political) and governing practices. For example, as access to information has increased via the Internet, the U.S. has witnessed the decline and corporatization of the mainstream media. As capital and business operations have been dispersed to the second and third worlds, nuclear technology and the military might to support and entrench dictatorships has as well. In the U.K. and U.S., those bastions of democracy, fears of terror have led to vast programs of domestic surveillance.
History has shown time and time again that cultures, religions, political and economic philosophies emerge, thrive and then die when circumstances outpace their abilities to adapt. It is this very real possibility of extinction that, I believe, drives all versions of fundamentalism and the resultant fanaticism that we see today. The Islamic fundamentalist vs. Neocon ideological battle is only one manifestation of this. There are many others.
But in both Muslim countries and the U.S. it is a relatively small number of individuals who carry a fundamentalist orientation towards the world and a fundamentalist approach to geopolitical problems, although thanks to recent U.S. military and foreign policy those numbers have swollen in followers of Islam. It is also true that this small group, wherever they arise, have a strong will to obtain power and control. Given that such individuals seem to have such an inordinate influence on the world stage, I believe it is of central importance to ask: why do some individuals adopt this more fundamentalist (and fanatical) approach to life and others do not?
I believe the simple and most direct answer is that such philosophies allay fears and reduce anxiety. It is comforting for human beings to have an overarching political or religious belief structure. It is even more comforting (for some) when that belief structure clearly identifies who is right and who is wrong, who is good and who is bad, what works and what doesn't. And let us not forget the aphrodisiac qualities of power and the confidence that comes from having all the answers. It doesn't really matter whether facts and reality correspond with these strongly held beliefs (i.e. the Bush administration and Iraq).
The fundamentalist view, wherever it arises, holds up this shining hope to true believers: We can make the world over into our image. Those who don't believe can be eliminated or converted. All you need to do is to trust the leaders and "keep the faith". This formulation is very appealing to many. It becomes more appealing as conflict between groups increases (or is fomented). But no matter what manipulations are undertaken to create fear and thus compliance there will always be those who will see it for what it is and who will resist.
It is true that sometimes fundamentalist/fascist/fanatic ideologies can "win" for a while. They can rise and predominate. But it is also true, as was demonstrated in that cautionary tale Jurassic Park, that "Life will find a way." People, cultures, and humanity itself are by nature designed to grow and evolve. Anything - any belief, religion, economic or political philosophy - that seeks to maintain power and control or that impedes this natural process is, I believe destined to fail. As is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." The questions of which beliefs to hold onto, which to let go of and which new beliefs to embrace are central to all of humanity at this time. Such decisions must not be made out of fear, fantasy or fanaticism. Rather they must be based on a clear view of reality combined with an openeness to change and a fundamental faith that there is a better future that the entire world can create - together.
Friday, March 17, 2006
FEELS DICEY OUT THERE
Here is my read: things can't go on like this much longer. There just seems to be this feeling in the culture like something HAS TO CHANGE. I have no idea what it is that will change or how serious it might be but it really reminds me of when I was a senior in high school and I could not wait to get the hell out of there.
The other thing I'm noticing lately is the surreal nature of what is ocurring at all levels of American society. It's as if as if the entire culture is becoming either Las Vegas or one of those "superchurches" and in many cases some amalgam of both at the same time! America is becoming more bizarre by the minute.
Now that I think of it the Republican Congress does seem like some church group that decided to go to Vegas to testify and evangelize with heathens (I think for them that would be liberals) and wound up spending tons of money, drugging and whoring instead. I'm speaking metaphorically of course (except for the spending lots of money part).
The other thing I'm noticing lately is the surreal nature of what is ocurring at all levels of American society. It's as if as if the entire culture is becoming either Las Vegas or one of those "superchurches" and in many cases some amalgam of both at the same time! America is becoming more bizarre by the minute.
Now that I think of it the Republican Congress does seem like some church group that decided to go to Vegas to testify and evangelize with heathens (I think for them that would be liberals) and wound up spending tons of money, drugging and whoring instead. I'm speaking metaphorically of course (except for the spending lots of money part).
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