In a beautiful but harrowing poem entitled “How to Create an Enemy,” Sam Keen, an American philosopher and educator,
reminds us of the brutality of war:
“When your icon of the enemy is complete
you will be able to kill without guilt,
slaughter without shame.”-How to Create an Enemy
Truth in every word, I must say - Dehumanizing and humiliating others is a very dangerous game.
It is like a boomerang, which is designed to return to the thrower, lest we forget!
…’that once you can’t love another human being
you have no place in the world.’-Mirror Image - Louise Glück
The Time is Now, as the Irish poet, Seamus Heaney, has reminded us, to “make hope and history rhyme”.
Mr. President, empowered by your faith and example of your life journey, you have been given a mandate to battle for the common good
To heal the wounded and divided America and build a better world
Only humility, seeking forgiveness and repentance will end America’s permanent wars
These are the values to unleash Revival, Healing and Transformation
Photo:Crossroads Initiative
Dear President Biden,
I do know and appreciate how busy your days are. Therefore, without further ado, please allow me to put my cards on the table straight away.
In my heart of hearts, I believe you are a very different president from your predecessors. I first formulated my opinions about you, all those years ago, in 1986, when I heard your most passionate speech against aparthied in South Africa:
“We must not become part of South Africa’s problem, we must remain part of their solution, we must not aim to impose ourselves, our solutions, or our favourites in South Africa… Dammit, we have favourites in South Africa. The favourites in South Africa are the people that are being repressed by an ugly white regime. We have favourites!”
“Our loyalty is not to South Africa, it’s to South Africans. And the South Africans are majority black. They are being excoriated!”
What a speech that was, absolutely brilliant.
Then, once again, with your wisdom and compassion, you captivated many millions around the world watching you deliver your inaugural speech as the 46th president of the United States on January 20, 2021.
Wow! What a speech that was too! Full of hope, beauty and wisdom, offering the path to
build a better America, a kinder, fairer world, restoring our humanity.
Photo:The Guardian
'We must restore the soul of America': Joe Biden's victory speech in full – video
Mr. President,
The other day, the terrorists, once again, showed their dark and evil side, and suicide bombed Kabul airport, causing carnage and many casualties. Responding to this in your address to the American people you said, amongst other things:
“To those who carried out these attacks today – as well as anyone who wishes America harm – know this: we will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay.”
You then vowed ‘violent retribution against the Islamic State leaders responsible.’
Mr. President,
But, let us be more reflective, which is in more harmony with who and what you are. Your statement is not any different to what George Bush had said earlier after the 9/11 atrocities 20 years ago, when the U.S.-led coalition launched ‘Operation Enduring Freedom’ with the most destructive air and missile strikes in Afghanistan:
‘I don’t care what the international lawyers say, we are going to kick some asses!’
‘F**k diplomacy’! ‘We are going to war!’ -George Bush
Mr. President,
In the interest of accountability to humanity and civility, I am sure you will agree with me that: We Must Never Forget what a war, mayhem and tragedy Bush’s Wars have been for all concerned, the invaders and the invaded alike!
War on Terror, Mission Accomplished and the Magnitude of Western Hubris
Mr. President,
In the eyes of the world you are a different politician to those American warmongers that have brought inhumanity and injustice with their immoral and tragic actions everywhere around the world, including the US itself. They must not be your role models.
Photo:YouTube
Bush, Rumsfeld & Cheney Are a Troika of Tyranny & Should Be in Prison
Mission Accomplished? The Human and Economic Cost of US Wars Since 9/11
Mr. President,
You are a man of values. You are a man guided by principles. You project spirituality which are influenced by Christianity and your Catholic faith.
Healing From Fear and Hate: Battle For The Soul Of A Nation
Yes, President Biden, This is how I would like to remember you
Mr. President,
America has been at a state of a permanent war with itself and everybody else around the world, since its inception, beginning with the destruction, humiliation of its indiginous people and the plundering of their land and culture.
Thus, how many more wars, invasions, revenge, retributions, ass-kickings,...will bring peace, justice, happiness and wellbeing to America?
And then, how many more drone strikes, targeted killing, and assassinations will bring lasting security to America, Mr. President?
I am sure you are interested to know my answer!
Only humility, seeking forgiveness and repentance will end America’s permanent wars
"You shall not take vengeance or bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Leviticus 19.18).
And Jesus commanded in the Sermon on the Mount that "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you."
Furthermore, as many wise observers have reminded us: ‘Repentance is the noblest form of obedience in the eye of God. Repentance has a status that no other form of worship has. Repentance brings humbleness, humility and breeds good deeds. Repentance is seeking refuge in God for one's sin and vow not to commit that sin again.’
I profoundly believe in this path that I am offering you. I became a convert to these principles and values in November 1973, when I visited Coventry Cathedral and saw this breathtaking image:
Coventry The City That Made Me
Mr. President,
For more inspiration, please also see:
German president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, asks Poland for forgiveness at WWII ceremony
Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future
And finally, Mr. President,
To my mind the world would have been a better place and for sure you would not be facing the Afghan debacle today, if President Obama had taken a different path to the tragedy of US wars in the Middle East.
I do know that, according to the Washington Post, you and President Obama disagreed on policies in Afghanistan, as you were highly critical over whether to approve a troop surge to Afghanistan. President Obama ultimately approved the troop surge, despite your warnings that the Pentagon’s plan was too broad and too expensive.
Therefore, perhaps this time around the following piece has more meaning and can become a blueprint for peace, heralding a new and better US and world.
We Need New and Bold Ideas and Initiatives in the Interest of Common Security and Common Prosperity. This was the essence of my message to President Obama in 2010: Dear President Obama, this is my plea to you: Be for the Common Good
Last man out: the haunting image of America’s final moments in Afghanistan
'Maj Gen Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, steps on board a C-17 transport plane
as the last US service member to leave Kabul airport.'- Photo: Us Army/Reuters/Via The Guardian
Gunfire as Taliban celebrate US leaving Afghanistan
And now President Biden, the task of building a better/kinder America and a fairer world is in your hands, and I sincerely wish you a resounding success.
With all God's blessings for your good health and a fruitful, rewarding presidency,
Kamran Mofid PhD (ECON)
Founder, Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative