No to NATO

Hatred & hope

From: Norman Thyer <nthyer_-at-_uniserve.com>
To: no_to_nato_-at-_flora.org
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 22:59:34 -0700

  On page 3 of Issue 51 of "Press for Conversion", George W. Bush was
quoted as asking why the "vitriolic hatred for Americans?"

  I could also ask "Why is there such vitriolic hatred by Americans?" I
have encountered it especially by U.S. military types, and recently it
surfaced prominently in e-mails that have been sent to Nelson, mainly from
the USA, about the proposal for a "Draft Dodgers Monument" - hatred and
insults towards Canada & Canadians generally, and Nelson especially - even
though, from what I gather, the promoter of the project is an immigrant
from the USA and not even a Canadian citizen.

  Does fearmongering encourage hatred? Unfortunately, it can be found in
Canadian politicians too. See my Report on Jim Gouk (written in May 2004) at:
http://mypage.uniserve.com/~nthyer/po/jimgouk.htm

  In answer to the first question, hatred begets hatred. Well, I guess
Jesus tried to break that vicious circle by telling us to offer love in
return for hatred, but his teaching doesn't seem to have been very effective.

  So what hope is there?
 
  Do you remember Mohandas Gandhi?

  Gandhi opposed the British colonial regime in India, but he did not flee
abroad. He led resistance in India, and was sent to jail. And in the end,
he triumphed.

  There is much opposition to the Bush regime in the USA too. On a recent
visit there, everyone who mentioned it to me was strongly opposed to it.
(However, they were educated and intelligent people, and may not be typical
of US voters.)

  The USA has not changed fundamentally between the Vietnam war and the
Iraq war. The main change is that the Soviet Union is no longer a
restraint. The US military machine has removed Saddam Hussein, but it has
not defeated Iraq. It is meeting resistance from people and guerrillas, not
from armies.

  Hitler's regime was defeated mainly by the armed forces of Britain, the
USSR and the USA and their allies. But now, no foreign army can hope to
defeat the US military machine. The only groups that can challenge it
effectively are terrorists, guerrillas and the American people.

  The USA is not yet as repressive as Nazi Germany was. Only the people of
the USA can effect change in their country. And they will not achieve this
by running away.

  What any individual does depends on his/her personal situation. But
someone has to stay, to oppose the warmongers. Can the USA produce a new
Gandhi?

  Norman Thyer

    Nelson, B.C., Canada