Thoughts Born of Tragedy ...

..."history may judge us to be the real bully if, in the our rush to punish someone, we act in ways contrary to our core beliefs and values as a nation"...

Speaking as one who is closer to the end of life than the beginning, the observation that "those who do not know or understand history, are doomed to repeat it" takes on new relevance for me. Events of the last week have given us all reason to reflect and try to sort out meaningful lessons.

Here are a few observations I believe have meaning for all of us... both privately and in our business affairs:

BULLIES DON'T WIN...

Throughout history the bullies of the world have always lost. Gandhi was right! They may bloody our nose with a sneak attack or a lucky punch but, in the long run, they are always defeated by the forces of good and right. Tyrants down through the ages have had to learn this lesson the hard way. The Hitler's of the world have never prevailed. Neither have predatory corporations or governments.

COALITIONS WORK...SHORT TERM...

Building coalitions are effective to achieve goals...short term. They rarely work long term.

While it is very possible (and desirable) to bring divergent groups together to battle a common foe...that same coalition will decay when the mutual adversary is overcome. Disparate groups will melt away as their own self-interest begins to resurface.

This is as true in business and private organizations as it is in public and world affairs.

BULLIES & TYRANTS DON'T ALWAYS CARRY KNIVES...

Modern bullies wear designer clothing and use computers. They understand the power of politics, sound bites, and photo opportunities. They are masters at using the tools of mass communications to advance sinister goals. Yes...this includes the use of the internet.

They run large corporations, foundations, financial institutions, think-tanks, and hold our highest public offices. They are subtle. They are deceptive. They are dangerous because, like Hitler, they understand the human need for security and order. They understand how to make actions that steal our freedom... appear to be logical and necessary.

They are comfortable and proficient working with hidden agendas which promote their own self-interests. They are practiced at turning dramatic tragic events, or temporary conditions, into building blocks for their own personal financial gain or extensions of their power base.

The antidote against these poisonous souls... is a mechanism for totally free, uncensored, exchange of ideas and thoughts... the internet!

BEWARE OF KNEE-JERK REACTIONS...

Never has careful, measured, thought been more important than now.

When a bully bloodies our nose our first reaction is righteous anger and indignation. This is both normal and right. We should be angry. We should feel indignation.

This same anger and indignation, however, can lead to a rashness of response which plays right into the hands of the forces stacked against us.

If we attack a perceived foe, without indisputable evidence of their guilt and culpability, we have become no better than they.

Indeed, in the eyes of the world, history may judge us to be the real bully if, in the our rush to punish someone, we act in ways contrary to our core beliefs and values as a nation.

The world is watching. We now have the opportunity to prove what a great nation we truly are. It will take patience, great judgement, and a careful measuring of the facts before we act, if we are to be what we have always purported to be... a nation grounded in fairness, freedom, respect for human rights, responsible judgement, and real justice.

Editorial Commentary Written--9/17/2001 ©Copyright 2001-2005 Thom Reece All Rights Reserved

Thom Reece is CEO of Online Marketing Group, a Hawaii based direct response marketing and web development firm. http://www.e-comprofits.com , thom@e-comprofits.com ,

---

3D Tactical Image Projection Enhanced Decoy System

I propose a special Projection Device code-named: "TIPED". This system... Read More

Workmens Compensation Lawyers, Lets Raise Minimum Wage; No Lets Not, Say We Did, We Have

The debate to raise minimum wage in California is totally... Read More

Policy Separated from Politics

Alexander Hamilton ? Policy Separated from Politics:I am related to... Read More

Market Impeders and Market Inefficiencies

Even the most devout proponents of free marketry and hidden... Read More

Telemarketing and Job Losses

Telemarketing and DO NOT CALL lists sure made headlines, but... Read More

Environmentalists Say GM Seeds are Bad News

Environmentalists say GM Seeds are bad for the environment, dangerous... Read More

Garbage in Garbage out; California Blackouts

Why did the California energy crisis happen? Who is to... Read More

Bosnia - An Economy in Search of a State

Bosnia-Herzegovina (heretofore "Bosnia") is an artificial polity with four, tangentially... Read More

Mr. Bin Laden: Tear this Wall Down

You say, you want to help the Palestinians, but most... Read More

History of the Media, Radio, and Television

When were the forms of media created? When did advertising... Read More

Social Security Rant

As the Baby Boomer Generation continue to get older, one... Read More

The Distributive Justice of the Market

(1) Each person is to have an equal right to... Read More

Army Recruiting Dilemma Discussed

Currently the US Army is having trouble recruiting. These problems... Read More

Accounting Nightmare at the FTC

Most government agencies cannot pass an audit of their expenses.... Read More

Positive People Power - Taking Control By Being Proactive NOT Reactive!

WE MUST PUT A STOP TO THE EVER-INCREASING PRICE OF... Read More

A Look Ahead to 2008 (Part I)

Just as everyone has breathed a sigh of relief at... Read More

Seven Things That Make Me Angry

I watch the TV news and I get angry. I... Read More

The Politics Of The American Dream

The American Dream is the promise to have it all... Read More

A Modern Lite in the Third World

Americans pride themselves on being the best, that's a fact.... Read More

Alternative to Land Mines in Middle East

With the recent threats from Bin Laden and Al Queda... Read More

An Introduction to the Connecticut State Budget for 2004-2005

The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) is interested in the... Read More

Clearing Land Mine Fields from the Air

You know we have sent many, many army tanks with... Read More

True Democracy and a Way Forward

The process of researching this topic has been an interesting... Read More

Illegal Aliens and Homeland Security; Rants from Lance 2003

Is it just me or are you concerned that illegal... Read More

Famous Filibusters in Political History

The filibuster as a political delaying tactic has been a... Read More

Shooting Around Corners with New Concept

Currently the United States has weapons, which can shoot around... Read More

When Will America Wake Up?

In order to win the presidency in America, candidates must... Read More

Count Rumford

Why did FDR say Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and Count... Read More

Economic Illiteracy Can Be Very Costly!

I'VE ALWAYS ARGUED THAT ECONOMIC ILLITERACY IS VERY COSTLY.This is... Read More

North Korea and Diplomatic Solutions; Random Thoughts Part II

North Korea and diplomatic games; something has to give and... Read More

There Ought to Be a Law

The 'Land of the Free' is teaming with individual rights... Read More

Israel Termed A ?Nuclear Power? By US Officials

In the last two weeks, two non-senior US officials indirectly... Read More

Anarchy: Law, Order, and Authority

[Author's Note: Another essay that I wrote on notebook paper... Read More