Since the attack began, I have been in Southeast and East Asia on some work projects. Quite naturally, I have gotten input from various non-US-American friends and colleagues about the US-Israel attack. One theme of that input has been a sadness and bewilderment at the obvious change in the US from functioning as a deliberative democracy to a strongman-led power that is quick to use military force.
The input has noted that, while the US has of course never been perfect, its governing process of pursuing first peaceful and respectful discussion--domestically and internationally--has been a model for other countries to admire and seek to emulate. Now, however, that example has seemingly disappeared, a great loss to both the US and much of the rest of the world.
I hope anyone (particularly US-Americans) reading this post will seek to respectfully hear and reflect on the heartfelt, and frankly heartbroken, input from some non-US-American friends and colleagues who have deeply admired and loved the US--and only want the best for the US and other countries in the future.
I find the comments from non-US citizens interesting and a bit bewildering as many Iranian citizens and other countries are absolutely celebrating. Of course individuals will have their own perspectives. Peace talks and diplomacy have been attempted for years, many years actually. As Christians I believe we should always take a peaceful course, but as a human with somewhat limited tolerance for oppression and killing of the innocent by those in charge in Iran I believe there comes a time when other action may be required for the greater good.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Wes, for the feedback. I probably did not represent these non-US-American friends accurately enough. They were not lamenting what has happened to the Iranian regime. They were lamenting how the US government's (particularly the executive's) decision-making has devolved away from respectful discussion--particularly involving multi-party deliberations domestically--to POTUS unlaterally declaring orders, in the latest instance militarily. In their minds, that devolution has brought the US to all too familiar practice by dictatorships around the world. That lament is what they were expressing.
DeleteI live in the same world you do, listening to trusted citizens of the world whose first allegiance is to the City of God, who have lifelong affection and respect for America— and yes, who are saying the same thing.
ReplyDeleteI find it difficult to rationalize how anyone would accept a country that espouses Death to America and Death to Israel while enriching uranium to 60% as not a threat to the world as well as the middle east. Send them to meet their god. Just a shame they cannot report back on what ther fate is
ReplyDeleteWell, this post is not exactly on point relative to the blog post. With respect to Iran and Iranians, knowing people personally is a start, e.g., Rick Steves's 2009 documentary: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show/tv-specials/iran/iran-pledge-special (I had a similar experience as Steves did upon visiting Iran twice over 20 years ago.)
Delete