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Current Events: "Large-Heartedness" of the West


Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2011 07:10:08 -0400
To: AM-GLOBAL
From: Paramatma Deva
Subject: Current Events: "Large-Heartedness" of the West

Baba

              == CURRENT EVENTS: "LARGE-HEARTEDNESS" OF THE WEST ==

Namaskar,
At present, many are impressed and pleased by the western intervention in Libya. They feel that the US led NATO forces have come to support the cause of the common people. In the past, the western imperialists were mainly interested in colonising various lands, but now they are more concerned about the welfare of the people. Many are grateful for what a grand transformation has taken place. They feel it is wonderful that the western powers are asserting their might to help the rebel forces in Libya. This is the common outlook of many.


                      OTHER REGIONS TORN BY HUMANITARIAN CRIMES

In the case of Libya, people appreciate that western powers have stood up to save the repressed masses, but they are curious why those same powers have not intervened in other lands scarred by terrible humanitarian tragedies.

To date, the world has witnessed much worse crimes against humanity wherein the western powers did not intervene. For example, recently there have been terrible humanitarian disasters in places like Sri Lanka, North Korea, Myanmar (Burma) and Ivory Coast. But the US and its western allies did not intervene in those regions to stop the senseless spilling of blood.

Why then has the US overlooked the injustices in all those lands yet taken direct intervention methods in Libya? While some might arrive at so many fanciful theories, the answer, of course, is quite simple: Oil.

Without the lure of abundant oil, the western nations would not have come "to the rescue of the people" in Libya. The US is bound by special interest, not higher values.

Here the point is that we should see the US led involvement in Libya - and Iraq for that matter - for what it is: A campaign for large amounts of oil.

At the same time we should recognise there is a humanitarian crises in Libya and there should be intervention. But that intervention should be based on moral responsibility, not the need or greed for oil. More about this is noted below.


                                     INTERVENTION IS NEEDED

In the case of Libya, it is the duty of all good people to come forward and save the populace from further tortures. That is Baba's teaching and that is the dharmic approach. And that intervention should be done only with the motive to serve.

But the US led coalition has its own independent motive: They will only intervene if oil or other riches are at stake. Beyond that they do not truly care about humanitarian crises. Otherwise why have such western powers overlooked the tragedies in North Korea, Ivory Coast, Sri Lanka and Myanmar etc. What is the explanation?

In this modern era, the US has embarked on numerous missions to "save the people" in oil-rich nations, yet side by side the US overlooks tragedies in destitute regions. The US has been involved in Iraq for years because this is an oil-rich nation. And now the western coalition has just started an offensive in Libya, i.e. another oil-rich nation.


                                MULTIPLE REASONS FOR MILITARY ATTACK

While oil is the primary factor in choosing where to intervene. One other very closely related factor is money, or war reparations.

So the US-led interest in Libya is basically two fold: First, the western powers want huge oil reserves; second, the US & NATO want financial compensation for the expense incurred for their military operation, or reparations. This feeds directly into the US economy as a big part of the US economy is based on the sale of arms and ammunition. If there is no war and if there is no military action, then arms are not sold and battle planes are not used etc. And where there is military action, the US is sure to set claims for reparations.
 
Indeed the US is collecting large sums of money (i.e. reparations) today from Iraq for military intervention in the Gulf War and the latter offensive to remove Saddam. With this same end in mine, the US is ready and willing to apply its might to remove Gadhafi and then get reimbursed by Libya.

There may be outlying political reasons as well. But in terms the intervention in Libya, oil is the chief motivating factor, followed by reparations.


                                                  AND IF NO OIL...

The above formula becomes only more clear when we look at the US track record.

Where there is no oil, such as in in North Korea, Ivory Coast, Myanmar and Sri Lanka etc, then there has been no US or western intervention despite terrible crimes against humanity. And in places like Yemen, where the oil supply is quite limited, the US has chosen not to take action. And in Bahrain, where the US has a large military presence, once again we see that the US did not take action when the people were attacked.

Hence, where US interest is not met and where large oil reserves are not available, then humanitarian tragedies do not warrant actions by US led forces. Those people just suffer. That is the sad reality.


                                       BABA'S SPECIAL TEACHING:

                    MUST INTERVENE TO HELP INNOCENT PEOPLE

Here below is Baba's special teaching that we must not sit idle and allow anyone to inflict harm on innocent people.

Baba says, "Now, suppose a man seems to have good relations with his neighbours, but it becomes apparent that he is about to murder his wife, what should be the duty of the neighbours? Will they remain tight-lipped, sit quietly with their arms folded, and dismiss the situation as purely a domestic affair, thereby making the murder of the woman easier, and thus assist in establishing static peace? No, that is not the dictum of human dharma. On the contrary they should rush to the house, break down the door, save the woman, take suitable action against the male tyrant, and in this way come forward to establish sentient peace." (Problems of the Day #15)

In His above teaching, Baba directs us to intervene wherever and whenever people are suffering unduly and / or their lives are at risk. Hence in the above example we are to come forward and save the woman, without asking anything in return. That is our moral duty.

It is not that we should intervene and then say to the wife, "I saved you so now you must give me all your jewelry and riches." Nor should we only come forward to save wealthy neighbors who have money and jewels, and ignore atrocities being inflicted upon poorer families because they will not be able to pay anything.

Baba's teaching is that we are to save all who are in problem - irrespective of their financial status - and we should not expect or demand anything in return. We are to help out of a genuine concern to serve others and watch for their welfare.


                             THE US AND THE WORLD ARENA

By applying Baba's above formula to the situation in Libya, it is quite clear that intervention is needed. We cannot just sit idle and claim that the spilling of blood in Libya is merely a domestic affair. So intervention is a must.

And, to some onlookers, the US looks to be very generous and noble in coming forward to save its global neighbour(s). But in truth, the US is taking measures only with an eye toward securing oil and charging those fallen regimes huge money.

Indeed if one is not oil rich then the US is not going to help. Such is the rampant hypocrisy of the west. On the outside it looks like the US is acting out of humanitarian concern, but is instead motivated by self-interest.

If the police brigade or justice department in any land or country followed such tactics then it would not be a human society but rather an animal society. Then that society cannot claim to be grounded in morals but rather in gross self-interest. Then there is not genuine concern for others.

For years now the US has had numerous missions to "save the people" in oil-rich nations, and all too often the US overlooks tragedies in destitute regions. The US has been involved in Iraq for years on end because this is an oil-rich nation. And now the western coalition has just started an offensive in Libya, i.e. another oil-rich nation.

While an intervention is needed to help the suffering people of Libya, it is quite evident that the US involvement has nothing to do with humanitarian concern. Where there is oil they "help"; where there is no oil they do not. This is their hypocrisy.


                                                 OUR DHARMIC DUTY

In the case of Libya, it is the duty of all good people to come forward and save the populace from further tortures. That is the dharmic approach. So an intervention should be done, but only with the motive to serve, not to gain command over large oil reserves.

Unfortunately, the US led coalition in Libya is acting only out of self-interest. And this is their track record as well. Western powers only intervene if oil or other riches are at stake. Beyond that they do not care about humanitarian disasters.

As sadhakas, we  know that it is the duty of all leaders and moralists is to come to the defense of victims who are being tortured and killed. The aim should and must always be to save humanity from any and all suffering.

With greedy eyes, we must not pick and choose whom we "help" based on how much oil they have. Tragically, that is what has been happening in Iraq, and now we see the same starting in Libya. No one should watch and think that the US is being generous or sympathetic to the plight of the suffering. The US led intervention is all about oil, not any greater feeling for humanity. 

Namaskar,
Paramatma


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