Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Bullies (08/09/04)
TITLE: Bully or Not? By Karen Treharne 08/13/04 |
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT SEND ARTICLE TO A FRIEND |
One of the views she communicated was provided to her by a Canadian friend, who believed that the Bush administration was self-appointed to 'distain, rob and beat up on the rest o the world, justifying its appalling arrogance with the Christian fundamentalist belief that the American way is the only 'right' way.'
Coming from a small country, my friend offerred that the unanimous criticism of a super power was the only way the "little guys" knew how to respond. She went on to say though, that by no means did American leadership have a monopoly on "appalling arrogance", for the European politicians were equally at fault.
This gave me pause for reflection on whether or not the U.S. is a bully.
We led a mission in Iraq against a dictator who committed crimes against humanity, murdering and torturing his own people. Saddam Hussein was an oppressive, self-centered, cruel leader hungry for power and control.
From a humanitarian point-of-view, justification for the U.S. to instigate a pre-emptive strike on Iraq to uncover evidence of weapons of mass destruction would at first appear reasonable. Unfortunately, the Bush administration was unable to substantiate a clear link between Saddam Hussein and Al Qaida, nor were any weapons found. Now the strike looks like a rash idea that may have been motivated by a president with a personal agenda.
Does that negate any good that came from our act of agression? Well, if swift action by a super power had taken place years ago, maybe millions of lives could have been saved and people like Hitler and Stalin, would have been put behind bars, like Hussein is today.
But, bullies or not, now that the U.S.-lead occupation of Iraq has officially ended and sovereignty has transferred to the Iraqis, our focus should be on how to support them in their quest for stability and democracy. And as Christians, we should pray for our leaders to seek God first, and thank God for being in control. Only with God as our true leader can justice ever be achieved, and His glory be recognized.