VIOLENCE A TOOL FOR CHANGE

VIOLENCE AS A TOOL FOR CHANGE

When looking at the smoldering, looted remains of a neighborhood or when viewing the shredded flesh of human beings after an explosion –
a microphone often carries the response of a witness to a waiting public. The question is most always, "Do you think this violence is anything other than mindless lawlessness?" That same question put another way, "Do you agree with violence as a form of protest?"

The witness usually stammers a bit and responds with words that sound empathetic to underlying frustrations but condemns violence. Whether it's violence against physical property or human beings, no matter where or when we are in time, a microphone may carry the same question and responses. My opinion is the question and the responses are at best ambiguous.

I have a question that may be a better starting point on the value of violence as a tool for change.

Here is the question: "What does our government and its citizens value most – Property or People?"

It is an opinion, but I think those who seek to damage or destroy property or people are seeking to damage or destroy others who hold them to be valuable.

So, a looter; an arsonist; a parent harming a child; a murderer; an invader is seeking to damage or destroy those who hold either the affected people or property or both to be of value.

Adolphus A. Ward

Japan's Quake -- Where Next?

With Japan in mind, I am puzzled by what I've heard seismologist say about the relationship between one earthquake and another. I have heard and read them to say that there is no relationship between an earthquake in one geographical area to another that occurs in a distant geographical area.

In my simple untrained mind I think that position is wrong. To say there is no relationship between these events goes too far. I think all physical phenomena is interrelated -- we just don't know what those relationships are.

Adolphus Ward

Governor Walker small player -- Bigger game

Governor Walker of Wisconsin: a small player in a much bigger game.
To have a better understanding of what is happening in states around our country and indeed in the United States Government itself one should read "Commanding Heights" – The Battle For The World Economy by Pulitzer Prize-winner Daniel Yergin and Joseph Stanislaw. More conveniently, there is a three disc DVD video set by WGBH Boston Video which visually lays out the text in story form.
In short the story begins with ideas – ideas about who should own and control the natural and economic resources of a country. Should it be the government or private entrepreneurs? At one extreme government does everything – central planning was the name of that game and government decided what to produce, when, where, who should get it and how much it should cost: this idea was called Communism. There is a middle idea which arranges a mixture: where government/private entrepreneur collectively acts as controls: this idea was called Socialism. At the other extreme private entrepreneurs would take the lead in determining how a country’s natural and economic resources would be controlled: this idea was called Capitalism.
The United States adopted the idea of Capitalism with an add mixture of Socialism. What capitalist are attempting to now do is strip away all socialist elements from government controls. This would move to country toward pure capitalism.
Knowing that there would be dissent from labor groups and others, capitalist are moving to take away that voice of dissent or at least quiet it, presently without violence. Governors are the vanguard of this movement – it should be obvious why.
It is my opinion that Pure Capitalism would tend to concentrate rather than distribute wealth – as capitalism is now doing.
Adolphus Ward
March 2011