by Jac0b777
As I read the titles of the news just now, I died inside a little. I won’t lie, it hit me right in the heart. They wanted their war and now they have it. The coordinated efforts and nodding heads on all sides make this whole ordeal even worse.
People are in Syria. Real people. People like you and me. Those people are in the middle of this war. They will be killed, tortured, their towns bombed, their country ravaged.
I look at the thread on r/worldnews. I see people making jokes, others nod their heads in agreement. Assad had it coming, right? We need to avenge the children being gassed, right? It’s all fair and just, the US and its European allies are doing it in the name of the people, of the Syrians, in the name of freedom……right? And those that disagree are Russian trolls, bots from the Kremlin, Assad’s lackeys, child murderers and rapists.
One commenters says: “Do people here actually believe the reason for the strike is because of moral outrage and wanting to protect the poor civilians? Get real.” another replies, seemingly completely unironically: “What is it for then?”
Does anyone now, anyone that has looked, truly looked at what’s going on, anyone that hasn’t been born yesterday, isn’t here to push an agenda, troll or provoke and has been witness to the US and their allies’ conflicts for the past decades – does any one of those still believe that the US and its allies are doing this in order to save the children? I am genuinely curious – does anyone truly unironically believe that this war is being fucking fought to protect the fucking children from Assad’s fucking chemical weapons?!
I’ve had enough of this shit. Truly, I’ve had enough. For some reason, for some reason totally beyond me, I thought this wasn’t going to happen – not yet at least. But here we are, at the brink of a new major conflict, yet again.
What can we do? What can you do? Why don’t we ask ourselves these questions? It’s not like we are helpless, it’s not like YOU are helpless. If you live in a country that is in this war, you can protest, you can speak out in any way you know how to, you can call your congressman, your representative, you can make your voice heard. Now is not the time to be silent.
Are we going to just mind our own business and let this shit keep going on? Are we going to just keep looking the fucking other way as the entirety of the Middle East gets bombed to kingdom come? When is it going to dawn on people that this is not going to stop with Syria? Do you realize that Iran is likely next? Do you realize what massive casualties a war with Iran would entail? How many trillions more would be spent on those wars? Do you realize that everyone would be affected by extreme fluctuations of oil prices as a result of that war, which could destabilize the economy in its totality?
But ultimately, ultimately – do you really think it will stop with Iran? Do you really think that, if we don’t cry out for peace, if we don’t make our lives a symbol, an example of peace and empathy and if we don’t demand peace on a global scale – do you really think that you, wherever you are, will be safe from the consequences of more and more conflicts? Conflicts with Russia? With China? With anyone labelled an enemy of “freedom”?
This is not every man for himself anymore. That time has passed if we want to survive as a species. It’s time humanity stood its ground and it’s time we stand our grand together, not separately anymore. It’s time for this shit to stop. People will say it’s complicated. No it’s not. There is no complication in this. The US and its allies are not the world’s police force, they are not here to judge how countries should be governed. If that is the case, shouldn’t the US be bombing North Korea first? Shouldn’t they be bombing Saudi Arabia for the genocide in Yemen, instead of actually SELLING THEM FUCKING WEAPONS?
I want peace. Not only for the world, for myself as well. For me and the world are not separate. I pledge that I will make deeper and deeper peace in my own life, with those I interact with and those closest to me. That I will move towards deeper peace with all those that I encounter in my life. I will move to become a beacon, an example of this peace, this empathy. I ask you, all of you to do the same. Become peace in your own life and in your interactions with others.
And as you do so, do not forget about the world. If we cry out for peace, if we demand peace, if we CHOOSE peace, things will change.
Divided we are weak, yet united we are strong. If we cry out for peace in one voice that voice will be stronger than anything else. That voice can win and change the world.
I wish you all well in this time of insanity and may you all hug those you love the most today and tell them you love them.
If you are in any way spiritually inclined, pray for the Syrians, pray for the world. At this point, no positive energy is wasted. If that prayer moves you towards any action that may seem of help, so much the better.
I love you all.