PEACE IN OUR TIME? (lol)

  I can hear the echo of the title as a declarative statement made by Neville Chamberlain immediately after he gave away the store to Hitler. A piece-by-piece giveaway agreement that would lead to a peace never ever meant to retain a solid and forever peace. Not when there were more pieces where they had come from. Those "pieces for peace" were not simply harmless rearrangements of lines and colors on a map. These pieces were parts of growing attacks against the national integrity of r other nations, in the name of peace in our time, a fallacy held up to the world as one of the greatest political achievements of all time.

 Territories upon which people lived transferred, ceded to those with nefarious plans for those living within the new boundaries, a peace they never saw. Nor did the world either, for peace based on blackmail is no peace at all. It is merely the grown up version of the schoolyard bully who first takes what he wants and then threatens his victim with more of the same and worse unless he pays up.  Payment demands are increased in amount and frequency until there is nothing left to give other than oneself. That too is taken, and the bully moves on to another victim. The process repeats itself again and again for why quit when you've got a good hustle.  

Bullies are all the same. The only difference is the age of those involved and the payment demanded. Unfortunately, leaders of the world never seem to understand that. From time immemorial, leaders of one nation or another, from ancient times till today and almost most definitely well into the future, grows hungry and demands to be fed. And demands to be fed. The appetite is never fully sated and each morsel simply serves to whet the appetite for more. And more. And more.

Countries disappear The chefs in the kitchens of those countries have no more food to give. The inevitable arrives and difficult decisions must be made, decisions postponed, decisions made more difficult in their untimeliness. It generally comes down to either self-sacrifice and abnegation or an   attempt to retake all the food. The nation(s) already weakened, now has an uphill climb in a war which could have been avoided. 

There might have been some physical resistance to the first refusal and counter demand, but bullies will often back away when bluffs are called. Bloodshed is to be avoided, but at times a hit on the head to gain attention is the only method assured of victory. It is a live game of chess and awful sacrifices and new realities, with pawn sacrifice necessary, a nasty real game of dirty math.  

Most often nations find themselves in this situation when leaders are faulty and when the electorate resists the true ones. Leaders must be very careful, very wise, very bold, very assured and very clever.  I, for one, thank my stars every day that such a level of responsibility never comes my way, but someone has to catch that buck bouncing around on the desk.  It ain't pretty but it's the truth.

Today, there might be a ceasefire with Iran, Will it take place? Will it hold? I have great doubts. This bully has been hit hard with a smack it should have received long ago. However, I believe this bully might need a couple of more pats with a steel pole before he understands the situation. The necessity of what he must do. Will that happen? He has been indulged way too long and this indulgence has carried over into the thinking and the planning of other entities. Rocky weather ahead. 

I know for sure that we must pray and we must make our voices heard. The Bible speaks of two wars, one of necessity, with noble and lifesaving reason. If left undone, worse is to follow. The other war. Less noble, of tainted ambition and deadly.    Denial of reality often leads to an ugliness which affects all sides and possibly could have, should have, would have been avoided if only we would pay attention to the lessons in history. right there for the taking. If only, if only, we can learn, if only we will understand. 

But we never do, do we or we allow for the corruption of leaders and ourselves. Is it hopeless? I hope not. 

We must look at the history of yesterday. Must apply hard learned wisdom to today. It is the only way for us to save tomorrow. 

We need a true peace. No more a peace of pieces.

  It does not work.  

Please note that there will be no posting tomorrow or Thursday due to complicated travel plans. I will return on Friday. Please be safe.