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The century of lost moralities
by Kingfisher Sunday, Oct 28 2007, 2:42pm
international / social/political / opinion/analysis

When powerful nations resort to criminality in order to rob weaker nations of their precious resources we need not be surprised, though some of us may be outraged. The world has long ago accustomed itself to imperialism. However, never before have we seen the type of imperialism practised by America today – it is clearly a failed model that threatens to plunge the entire world into an irreversible cataclysm.

The illegality of the pre-emptive military strike on Iraq is widely known and has been condemned as illegal under existing UN charters. However, that immoral action pales in comparison to other breaches of international convention. Who today would have imagined that nations responsible for drafting the Geneva Convention would breach it so flagrantly. Rumsfeld’s re-introduction of torture practices now widely implemented in US detention centres scattered around the globe and in the illegal concentration camp of Guantanamo Bay, is TOLERATED by local and international legal institutions whose raison d'être is to protect society from exactly those heinous criminal acts!

The 21st century stands in stark contrast to the late 20th century where the sense of social and moral outrage spurred populations into action whenever governments resorted to criminal activity -- the successful anti-war (Vietnam) movement and the removal from office of US President Nixon are notable examples. However, today the overwhelming majority tolerates, if not condones, the criminal pursuits of their leaders.

A distasteful example is the current Federal elections in Australia.

No legal authority has pursued the incumbent leader, John Howard, for war crimes; nor has any opposition party demanded he be placed on trial for his complicity in the Iraq HOLOCAUST! A situation that would not have been tolerated a few decades past. This century is characterised by FAILED INSTITUTIONS, populations that TOLERATE criminal holocausts and leaders that would not have been entrusted with leading a gaggle of geese in the past!

I am reminded of a biblical allegory that describes circumstances of a thoroughly corrupt city-state faced with annihilation for the want of ten good people – a very pertinent story for the 21st century it seems. The moral of the story is veiled in superstitious rubbish, however, the message is CLEAR – consequences exist for both commissions and omissions; whether for good or ill there is no escaping the consequences of our actions and INACTIONS!

The fact that Bush, Blair and Howard have not been surrendered to a war crimes tribunal is evidence of a moral decay that will destroy the nations in which it has taken root. The fact that a law of consequences was known to our ancestors and is known today in the entire East seems to validate its efficacy.

Another tragedy for Australia during this pathetic election campaign is an argument over carbon and other polluting emissions responsible for global warming. Australia is one of the nations that will suffer horrendous consequences as a result of runaway global warming BUT the incumbent lackey leader REFUSES to curtail emissions if ‘they' (developing world) won't sign on; a pathetic schoolboy argument. Leadership and initiative are required today not INFANTILISM!

Regardless of the initial cost the right course always leads to positive outcomes. The population will soon pay a very high price – food, water depletion and increased aridity -- for allowing our pathetic politicians to disregard the MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING OUR NATION.

In a population of twenty million it would be refreshing to witness just ten rational, intelligent people proposing survival strategies for the nation. However, it seems the population prefers political ga ga and inane blah blah!