The more that I read about what is going on in the world today, the more I am starting to think that way. I am amazed that so many world leaders out there seem to think that the world is still an insular place where whatever happens within your own borders have no bearing on other countries around the world. In this modern age of the internet and global news broadcasts, everything major that happens is seen around the world within minutes. Everything that you do, good or bad, is reflected on the world stage for everyone to see and judge you by. If you want to be seen a world leader, then you lead by example and how you would like to see others act towards you in return. To me, the United Nations should have a more prevelant role in the world today. This is the only planet that we have. Its ridiculous to be able to blow it up and destroy however many times over to prove a point. In the end of something like that, everyone loses.
I agree that IF evidence of Iraq producing and storing weapons that have been forbidden by the UN is found, then by all means they (the govt there) should be punished for it. I dont believe that means decimating the population over there in the process. I hear and read about so many people now that have developed a hatred for anyone of the Islamic faith. You cant paint everyone with the same broad strokes. The main tenent of any religion should be peace. I do realize the irony in that since religion has been the reason for so many deaths throughout the ages. That doesnt change the fact that a religion should be used to promote peace among people. Trying to shove a particular religion or viewpoint down someone's throat is not the way to change anyone's perceptions. In fact, most often you will find that just the opposite happens.
The tragedy of the Shuttle Columbia last weekend struck me deeply. Growing up, I so wanted to be able to explore the stars. I was engrossed by Star Trek as a youngster and at 12 years old, Star Wars made everything seem possible. I can vaguely remember sitting in front of an old Zenith black and white tv watching man's first steps on the moon. As a kid, I would vainly struggle to look at the full moon at night and try to find the 'moon buggies' left behind. The incredible expanse of space and all of the possibilities that it held enthralled me. I remember being in high school when Columbia took her maiden voyage all those years ago and hearing it being piped through the school pa system. I can recall exactly what I was doing when I heard that Challenger was lost. I can still see those diverging plumes of smoke from the video as the rockets went wild.....and the sense of loss of life. All of those thoughts of disbelief and sadness came flooding back with the first images on tv I saw shortly after 9:20am that Saturday morning. I pray for the astronauts and their families, that their deaths were quick and painless. At the same time, I envy them that they had the chance to see and experience things that the rest of us can only dream of or witness via images on a screen. They died doing something that they were passionate about and loved. We should all hope to be that lucky when our time comes. Unfortunately, expanding any type of knowledge requires pushing the boundries of what we know and what we can do. It's not easy and by no means is it safe. Space is the last true area where pioneers risk their lives daily to help to expand the knowledge we have of ourselves and the world around us. I can think of no sight that would be more awe inspiring then looking down at the Earth from miles above it....brilliant blue of the oceans seen through the swirling masses of clouds... and seeing the sunrise over the horizon. It would drive home the point that we all live on the same one planet. We should try to take care of it and each other the best that we can. I hope the space program goes on and we get back to space. We are still novices to space travel and these are the perilous times that people will look back on ages from now as stepping stones to safer, faster transportation between the stars. Thats the legacy of those whose lives were lost in the last 40 years of space travel around the world.
All of these amazing and, at times, harrowing things going on in the world, and people are more concerned about whats happening on "The Bachelorette", "Joe Millionaire" and whatever other reality show of the week is on top. I really have to wonder about mankinds survival longterm. People are more worried about being voyeurs in someone else's life, then taking a good look around at things that are going to have a very profound effect on their own life. I hope that this general blase attitude that seems prevelant in society isnt indicative of where we are headed as a nation. If it is, then we have no right to complain where we end up.