Price and Rewards of War.

Leaders both political and religious always seek to maximise the number of people who will willingly follow them. Followers who will obey the leaders blindly, and unquestioningly. More often than not, leaders command their followers to indulge in immoral, fear inducing, socially damaging activities to enrich themselves and enhance their 'power'. "We have to defend ourselves against non believers, for your God, religion, your brothers, for your country, for freedom, your rights, blah .... blah ..........blah. Go forth attack, and destroy." Guess what? There are more than enough indoctrinated people who will jump forward to blindly obey them. 'Honourable people' and youth are like a tinderbox, full of inflammable stuff and consumable energy. All they need is a spark. And leaders are happy to provide the trigger.

If there is a global axis of the evil, then its centre is Pakistan. propped up by massive funding, political and military support by Arab, Chinese and American interests. The army is Pakistan's largest economic group, political organisation. It owns factories, transport organisations, hospitals, hotels, etc. etc. Through their 'Fauji Foundation' the Pakistan army earns upwards of US$ 20 Billion per year. Like any successful business, it always takes steps to increase its earnings and power. An army's total domination and control of a nation can be accepted by its people, only in the face of external aggression and internal strife. If there is no threat, it has to be manufactured. Various Jihadi groups and fake threats from India and Afghanistan provide the justification to Pakistani leaders. They care little for Islam or Kashmiris, but use religion just as another set of weapons to justify their claims and manufacture another set of issues. The army leadership there has converted Pakistan into a mercenary country, that is willing to breed terrorists, kill and unleash mayhem for a fee. The rewards of war and terror accrue mainly to the Pakistani army along with their fanatical supporters in the Arab Gulf states, the American war machine and the expansionist Chinese. The price unfortunately has to be paid by all of humanity. The recent confessions of the Pakistani terrorist Daood Sayed Gillani also known as David Headly now in custody in USA, revealed nothing new, except act as a grim reminder to us that something has to be done. Clamouring for justice to the same Pakistani leadership, the same people who nurture terrorism as a state policy is naive and stupid. Sensible and courageous governments, must isolate rather than deal with Pakistan.

The declining oil revenues of Arab Gulf States, the mounting American debt and war fatigue that has set in, the strengthening cooperation that India now enjoys with both America and China could just be the best things to bring peace dividends for India and the world.

With this trend it appears likely that within 10 years to 15 years Pakistan will implode and break up into fragments. We however have to brace ourselves because things will get a lot worse before they might get better.

In any conflict there are no winners, just losers. Unless of course, you are a religious or political leader, financier, or trafficker of arms, drugs and people.

Ms. Liberty and Mr. Security

Security is like the warm embrace of parents that protect a child. 

Too little security and the child is exposed to and prone to get hurt. Too much and the child will suffocate.

How do we find balance? 

I wish I knew.

Look at that, you son of a ......

"You develop an instant global consciousness, a people orientation, an intense dissatisfaction with the state of the world, and a compulsion to do something about it.

From out there on the moon, international politics look so petty. You want to grab a politician by the scruff of the neck and drag him a quarter of a million miles out and say, ‘Look at that, you son of a bitch'".

- Astronaut Edgar Mitchell (Apollo 14 Mission)

Astronaut Edgar Mitchell, the sixth person to walk on the Moon as  the Lunar Module Pilot of Apollo 14 passed away on Feb 04 2016 at age of 85 years.

Based on his experiences,  he made much effort to raise the consciousness of mankind by his many writings, talks and deeds. 

Like many great people who have had unique experiences and unusual learning, Mitchell's views were considered controversial and often dangerous, even in his own native America.

RIP Edgar Mitchell

Talent versus Genius

Talent hits a target no one else can hit.

Genius hits a target no one else can see.

 - Arthur Schopenhauer