THE WAY FORWARD
0It is obvious to me and I am sure, to many of you out there, that the way we are proceeding as a species is just not going to work. When you consider that 27.5 million people worldwide are serving in the armed forces. (This is according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) report), “The Military Balance 2024.” There were also an estimated 49.8 million reservists and 7 million serving in paramilitary units. China had the biggest military with 2.585 million in the armed services. This does not include the number of people outside of the military that produce the goods and services. These are providers of food, uniforms, arms, satellites, fuel, post etc. There is the administration of war, for example the Civil Service in the UK . Then there is the post war cost of pensions, disability benefits, rebuilding and reconstruction and compensation to individuals and nations.
I have recently been studying environmental sciences and it is interesting that nobody at University could tell me the carbon footprint of the global military machine. I imagine that the figure is extremely embarrassing !! Also whilst blowing up oil refineries, fuel dumps, toxic fires etc etc the pollution ends up in our fragile atmosphere only 60 miles away ! ! Climate change ??
Meanwhile we are told constantly to make cuts on an individual basis, for instance energy saving light bulbs, low emission white goods and recycling. Of course everyone should be environmentally conscious and do whatever is possible ecologically but in the light of military spending, it is a totally ridiculous situation. Compounding the issue further, members of the public are also expected to put their hands in the pockets to support worldwide charities in the aftermath of war. These charities include dealing with orphanages, medical support, landmine clearance, trauma, emergency aid for refugees and the accommodation of millions of displaced people.
Furthering this point, depleted uranium, landmines and decommissioning of nuclear ships/subs, who pays the cost for this and how much? How can you put a cost on the environmental and human damage and the misery caused. The cost is simply colossal and as these funds are collected in the form of direct and indirect taxation, people have limited choices of the way their tax is spent. However unless a stand is made both individually and collectively, nothing will change. It appears to me that what is missing is the vision of world leaders’ to initiate this simple and peaceful way forward.
IT IS PAST THE TIME TO REPLACE DIALOGUE FROM WAR FOR THE SAKE OF HUMANITY.
Imagine that the future holds the opportunity for a huge sum of money to be put into dialogue as opposed to killing. We need to convert the existing world military machine into an international ‘army’ whose job is to prevent war and crimes against humanity. Gradually transforming this operational machine of war into an infrastructure that uses all of its technology and resources to reconstruct, not only war torn countries but also developing nations and even helping urban society through re-education and employment in a sustainable way. Just imagine what 20 million plus people currently employed within the military could achieve!
The current war in Afghanistan is totally out of balance when you look at other countries like Zimbabwe that are run by maniacs with no regard to humankind. In this example one man has managed the total destruction of a country and its people without any reprisal from the rest of the world. Imagine if Zimbabwe had oil. I think it would have been a different story then. This can be said of other countries too. The majority of the military operation should be converted to the rebuilding of desperate areas of the globe, the protection of innocent people, the expansion of cheap and renewable energy, clean water and sanitation operations and the destruction of arms held by bullying despots and the like. Once this has been achieved perhaps we could then concentrate on deactivating the military scenario and its weapons of mass destruction all together. It is so sad that many young soldiers have been brainwashed and are prepared to die for their leader and country without having much of a clue as to who they might be killing!
Religion as I have mentioned before is really about love and peace so if this is true why have we so much conflict on this planet. The ‘your God is better than mine’ mentality is basically a defunct and unrealistic conception.
Buddhism
Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. Udana Varga 5.1
Christianity
All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:1
Confucianism
Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no resentment against you, either in the family or in the state. Analects 12:2
Hinduism
This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you. Mahabharata 5,1517
Islam
No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself. Sunnah
Judaism
What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellowman. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary. Talmud, Shabbat 3id
Taoism
Regard your neighbour’s gain as your gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss. Tai Shank Kan Yin P’ien
Zoroastrianism
That nature alone is good which refrains from doing another whatsoever is not good for itself. Dadisten-I-dinik? 94,5
Boundaries and borders are often created under the auspice of Religion and Politics. These are lines drawn on a map and they should be ignored by anyone who is aware that they are born on a planet and should be free to go where ever they wish!!!