Some thoughts about American torture of Iraqi prisoners
In the past few days, I have read a lot of posts about the Americans torturing Iraqi prisoners. The outrage felt by Arabs, entire Muslim community and even other non-westerners clearly shows how the world opinion goes in this issue. On the other hand, most of these people who are angry and outraged come from nations where there is a blatant disregard for human rights. So, if these people are so angry they better mend themselves also. Yet, America and whole of the so called allies for the "War on Terror" are at fault. The single main reason - the western nations consider themselves the example of human rights and epitome of compassion and love. If they were what they claim, then these incidents should never have happened. It is for this single reason - the lie they sell to the world, that, they should be made answerable. Taliban never claimed to be the champion of human rights, so even if the atrocities committed by them cannot be accepted, can surely be expected. Further on these lines, if I consider these actions by the allied army in Iraq as racism, then I am also thinking in some other direction. If my country India were to be in the position of US commanding world respect and fear, if Americans come to my country for jobs, if my country were to be considered the economic power house of the world, how much of the atrocities that we Indians charge against west be repeated by ourselves. Will we treat the people coming, say from poor African countries or other Asian countries with respect? I guess no. Even among ourselves, there is so much of discrimination irrespective of religion, education or wealth. In short, I guess, most of us forget to love others and realize that it is others who make this beautiful world we live. We refuse to share what is rationally common to all. It is stupid to blame any nation, religious group, or race for the problems of the world. I think each of us should look into ourselves and judge how far we would fare if we were put into the situations like those people we see in the news.
This "forward" for a change was cool!!!
For those who are lucky to still be blessed with your Mom this is
beautiful. For those who aren't, this is even more beautiful. The young
mother set her foot on the path of life. "Is this the long way?"she asked.
And the guide said "Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before
you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning."
But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything
could be better than these years.
So she played with her children, she fed them and bathed them, and taught
them how to tie their shoes and ride a bike and reminded them to feed the
dog and do their homework and brush their teeth.
The sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried, "Nothing will ever be
lovelier than this." Then the nights came, and the! storms, and the path
was sometimes dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the
mother drew them close and covered them with her arms, and the children
said, "Mother, we are not afraid,for you are near, and no harm can come."
And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed
and grew weary, and the mother was weary. But at all times she said to the
children, A little patience and we are there." So the children climbed,
and as they climbed they learned to weather the storms. And with this, she
gave them strength to face the world. Year
after year, she showed them compassion, understanding, hope, but most of
all ...... unconditional love.
And when they reached the top they said, "Mother, we would not have done
it without you." The days went on, and the weeks and the months and the
years, and the mother grew old and she became little and bent. But her
children were
tall and strong, and walked with courage. And the mother, when she lay
down at night, looked up at the stars and said, "This is a better day than
the last, for my children have learned so much and are now passing these
traits on to
their children."
And when the way became rough for her, they lifted her, and gave her their
strength, just as she had given them hers. One day they came to a hill,
and beyond the hill, they could see a shining road and golden gates flung
wide.
And mother said: "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the
end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk with dignity
and pride, with their heads held high, and so can their children after
them."
And the children said, " You will always walk with us, Mother, even when
you have gone through the gates."
And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed
after her. And they said: "We cannot ! see her, but she is with us still. A
Mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence."
Your Mother is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk
down the street, she's the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you
pick and perfume that she wore, she's the cool hand on your brow when
you're not feeling well, she's your breath in the air on a cold winter's
day. She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of
a rainbow, she is Christmas morning.
Your Mother lives inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every
tear drop. A mother shows every emotion.......... happiness, sadness,
fear, jealousy, love, hate, anger, helplessness, excitement, joy,
sorrow..... and all
the while, hoping and praying you will only know the good feelings in life.
She's the place you came from, your first home, and she's the map you
follow with every step you take. She's your first love, your first friend,
even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not
space...............not even death!
All is one and one is all
Himself as in all beings,
And all beings in himself,
Sees he whose self is disciplined in discipline,
Who sees the same in all things.
Who sees Me in all,
And sees all in Me,
For him I am not lost,
And he is not lost for me.
Whoso reveres me as abiding in all things,
adopting the belief in oneness,
though abiding in any possible condition,
that disciplined man abides in Me.
GITA [vi. 29-31]
This is the way I believe a religion should be. I don't see problems of idol worship, problem of blasphemy, problems of evil, of politics, anger, hate and war in these verses. There is my God in every GOD of this world and hence all GODS are just shades of my GOD.
