Syria’s collapse, highlighted by Bashar al-Assad seeking asylum in Moscow, represents a critical turning point for the Middle East and the political trajectory of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The degree of intrigue, duplicity, deception, mixed agendas and subterfuge by 'leaders' of both West and East is absolutely staggering.
It is of little wonder that the average 'person in the street', regardless of their political allegiance, ideology, religion or intellectual level, has an almost impossible task to make sense of the constant unrest, conflict, war and destruction of both physical infrastructure and human lives.
There is no doubt that such has been a facet of human existence for many thousands of years, perhaps forever. However, in the modern world, it seems that what humanity has experienced and from which it could have learned, has improved little, if anything at all. In fact, to me, it appears that it is worse now than at any time in human history.
Once upon a time, there was conflict which took place face to face, at its worst in close combat. It was effectively limited and often, though admittedly not always, relatively short-lived. The tyrants and demagogues still existed, of course, and their persecution and lack of concern for those they considered far inferior to themselves was no less obscene than today.
A big difference now, however, is the abilities brought about by relatively instantaneous communication over vast distances, as well as not least the ability to cause serious destruction or injury and death - even annihilation of hundreds of thousands, from thousands of miles away and without the need for a single soldier of the attacker to be put at risk.
There appears to have been no significant advance in human morality which might have kept the scientific and technological developments that have facilitated actual death and destruction to be levied virtually as readily as if played in a video game. The consequences, however, do not just ripple across the world but often stream across it as a tidal wave might.
What is it that prevents the human intellect from recognising its collective pathway to humanity's suicide?
What has prevented us from recognising what we do? - Religon? Ideology? Politics? or perhaps just innate greed, selfishness, ignorance, intolerance and fear of difference?
Why is it that humanity seems unable to imagine and bring about a world society of equity, conservation and sustainability that could easily come into being if the resources currently used in division and conflict were instead used in collaboration and mutual benefit?
Are human beings simply stupidly ignorant or diseased with insanity?
I don't know.
What I do know is that I regret having fathered children who now have fathered their own children who will almost certainly see the collapse and destruction of human societies and probably the death of the planet itself.
Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. Exodus 34:7
I would think that also applies to governments taking on deep debt TODAY, third and fourth Generations in the Future will have to pay.
"...What is it that prevents the human intellect from recognising its collective pathway to humanity's suicide?
"What has prevented us from recognising what we do? - Religon? Ideology? Politics? or perhaps just innate greed, selfishness, ignorance, intolerance and fear of difference?
"Why is it that humanity seems unable to imagine and bring about a world society of equity, conservation and sustainability that could easily come into being if the resources currently used in division and conflict were instead used in collaboration and mutual benefit?
"Are human beings simply stupidly ignorant or diseased with insanity?"
I'm limiting due to logistics these 4-5 questions and commending your curiosity.
I've got a simple answer I've been philosophically and theologically (if the latter ain't an oxymoron....) ruminating over, submitting to coursework discussion sessions and sneaking into bar and beerhall gab along with political grumble sessions knowing I'd be lambasted for wasting valuable organizing time, activist patience and energy.
Humanity is for all to see and validated in most literal readings of the holy scriptures we've schlepped along with us on our sojourns and orbits around some idealized Promised Land. Even that hallowed messianic land is not free of hierarchy and seems to the degree blueprints are provided to be constructed as a FOOD CHAIN OF LIFE.
This leaves the task of "humanization" not to mention "redemption and salvation" above each and every individual human or citizen's pay grade and far above human agency or powers to "humanize."
'...Erdoğan’s actions demonstrate that regional actors can be equally complicit undermining Arab sovereignty and stability.'
These type of despicable, immoral, and self-serving leaders are essentially responsible for the further deterioration and chaos in the already suffering Middle East.
And then there’s Erdogan’s relationship with Israel. Sure, he’s made the occasional public comment on how barbaric Israel has been towards the Palestinians but he has never gone further than that. I wonder if there is some kind of deal between Turkey and Israel over the exploitation of the Leviathan oil/gas field in the eastern Med which Israel seems to have obtained licensing authority over? The wealth that will flow from that very large hydrocarbon energy source would be enough to turn any president’s head.
Erdogan is a sadistic, fascistic megalomaniac. Turkey has just about the worst human rights record on the planet especially when it comes to journalists and especially when it comes to those who cover the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian genocides.
The degree of intrigue, duplicity, deception, mixed agendas and subterfuge by 'leaders' of both West and East is absolutely staggering.
It is of little wonder that the average 'person in the street', regardless of their political allegiance, ideology, religion or intellectual level, has an almost impossible task to make sense of the constant unrest, conflict, war and destruction of both physical infrastructure and human lives.
There is no doubt that such has been a facet of human existence for many thousands of years, perhaps forever. However, in the modern world, it seems that what humanity has experienced and from which it could have learned, has improved little, if anything at all. In fact, to me, it appears that it is worse now than at any time in human history.
Once upon a time, there was conflict which took place face to face, at its worst in close combat. It was effectively limited and often, though admittedly not always, relatively short-lived. The tyrants and demagogues still existed, of course, and their persecution and lack of concern for those they considered far inferior to themselves was no less obscene than today.
A big difference now, however, is the abilities brought about by relatively instantaneous communication over vast distances, as well as not least the ability to cause serious destruction or injury and death - even annihilation of hundreds of thousands, from thousands of miles away and without the need for a single soldier of the attacker to be put at risk.
There appears to have been no significant advance in human morality which might have kept the scientific and technological developments that have facilitated actual death and destruction to be levied virtually as readily as if played in a video game. The consequences, however, do not just ripple across the world but often stream across it as a tidal wave might.
What is it that prevents the human intellect from recognising its collective pathway to humanity's suicide?
What has prevented us from recognising what we do? - Religon? Ideology? Politics? or perhaps just innate greed, selfishness, ignorance, intolerance and fear of difference?
Why is it that humanity seems unable to imagine and bring about a world society of equity, conservation and sustainability that could easily come into being if the resources currently used in division and conflict were instead used in collaboration and mutual benefit?
Are human beings simply stupidly ignorant or diseased with insanity?
I don't know.
What I do know is that I regret having fathered children who now have fathered their own children who will almost certainly see the collapse and destruction of human societies and probably the death of the planet itself.
Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. Exodus 34:7
I would think that also applies to governments taking on deep debt TODAY, third and fourth Generations in the Future will have to pay.
"...What is it that prevents the human intellect from recognising its collective pathway to humanity's suicide?
"What has prevented us from recognising what we do? - Religon? Ideology? Politics? or perhaps just innate greed, selfishness, ignorance, intolerance and fear of difference?
"Why is it that humanity seems unable to imagine and bring about a world society of equity, conservation and sustainability that could easily come into being if the resources currently used in division and conflict were instead used in collaboration and mutual benefit?
"Are human beings simply stupidly ignorant or diseased with insanity?"
I'm limiting due to logistics these 4-5 questions and commending your curiosity.
I've got a simple answer I've been philosophically and theologically (if the latter ain't an oxymoron....) ruminating over, submitting to coursework discussion sessions and sneaking into bar and beerhall gab along with political grumble sessions knowing I'd be lambasted for wasting valuable organizing time, activist patience and energy.
Humanity is for all to see and validated in most literal readings of the holy scriptures we've schlepped along with us on our sojourns and orbits around some idealized Promised Land. Even that hallowed messianic land is not free of hierarchy and seems to the degree blueprints are provided to be constructed as a FOOD CHAIN OF LIFE.
This leaves the task of "humanization" not to mention "redemption and salvation" above each and every individual human or citizen's pay grade and far above human agency or powers to "humanize."
Next..........
Tio Mitchito
Mitch Ritter\Paradigm Sifters, Code Shifters, PsalmSong Chasers
Lay-Low Studios, Ore-Wa (Refuge of Atonement Seekers)
Media Discussion List\Looksee
'...Erdoğan’s actions demonstrate that regional actors can be equally complicit undermining Arab sovereignty and stability.'
These type of despicable, immoral, and self-serving leaders are essentially responsible for the further deterioration and chaos in the already suffering Middle East.
Erdogan is an honerless man,for sure. But I see no bottle of instant Karma coming his way anytime soon.
Perhaps Russia may be conspiring to pay Erdogan some way for he has made an unforgiving enemy out of Putin.
Time will tell.
And then there’s Erdogan’s relationship with Israel. Sure, he’s made the occasional public comment on how barbaric Israel has been towards the Palestinians but he has never gone further than that. I wonder if there is some kind of deal between Turkey and Israel over the exploitation of the Leviathan oil/gas field in the eastern Med which Israel seems to have obtained licensing authority over? The wealth that will flow from that very large hydrocarbon energy source would be enough to turn any president’s head.
Great work George
Erdogan is a sadistic, fascistic megalomaniac. Turkey has just about the worst human rights record on the planet especially when it comes to journalists and especially when it comes to those who cover the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian genocides.
Like in Iraq and Libya, the goal always was to turn Syria into a failed state. It worked.
Erdogan is a snake, and assuredly in league with Israel, no matter what he says. What does anyone propose to do about it?