2008 Woodie Awards
Editor's Pick
by Joy Ugi
Issue date: 8/18/08 Section: Opinion
When you live in a large family, feuds are always happening. Because you've been wronged by siblings, you're constantly fighting with them.
At the same time, other siblings will try to convince you that they've been wronged in an unforgivable way, too, and that you should shun that person.
With everyone committing crimes against each other and defending themselves, your family becomes chaotic and dysfunctional.
The world is a family of sorts, each country doing its best first to take care of itself, and second to try getting along with everyone else. That's the reason there are always wars, and always will be.
Just like siblings, countries will scoop up as many friends of their cause as they can. After all, they want to win the fight for what they want, and it's easier to do with more support. Countries beg the U.N. for support. Some skip that step and simply go for it.
Case in point is the current conflict between Russia and the country of Georgia to its south. The province of South Ossetia has wanted to separate from Georgia for a long time. Georgia still claims it as a province, though.
Russia, on the other hand, has always advocated South Ossetia's aspirations, presumably since North Ossetia is already one of their provinces.
On August 7, Georgian military was sent into South Ossetia to quiet down the minor rebellion. According to Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili, his country had every right to enter South Ossetia to keep it under control. Otherwise, he claimed, it could lead to the rebels attacking Georgia.
Russia, to put it lightly, didn't like Georgia's moves. It sent its own troops in to counter the attack.
Both countries think their cause is the best, and they're pleading their cases to the world.
The United States, who's in a major war of its own right now, needs to take a rain check on allying itself with any country. I'm not saying the United States should isolate itself. On the contrary, we're already over our heads with economical and political issues.
Who says the United States would be the best ally for either country anyway? We already have so many allies and subsequent enemies as it is. Just like a feuding family, when you're fighting too many siblings and have too many alliances, you'll end up with chaotic and dysfunctional results.
There's a better way to handle this situation. In a family, you avoid a feud by simply admitting you can see both sides of the issue. Then you give your best advice to both siblings, and step back.
The United States needs to politely admit that they see the problems, but aren't qualified or prepared to be the best allies for either country.
When you have your own battles to fight, there's not much more you can do.
At the same time, other siblings will try to convince you that they've been wronged in an unforgivable way, too, and that you should shun that person.
With everyone committing crimes against each other and defending themselves, your family becomes chaotic and dysfunctional.
The world is a family of sorts, each country doing its best first to take care of itself, and second to try getting along with everyone else. That's the reason there are always wars, and always will be.
Just like siblings, countries will scoop up as many friends of their cause as they can. After all, they want to win the fight for what they want, and it's easier to do with more support. Countries beg the U.N. for support. Some skip that step and simply go for it.
Case in point is the current conflict between Russia and the country of Georgia to its south. The province of South Ossetia has wanted to separate from Georgia for a long time. Georgia still claims it as a province, though.
Russia, on the other hand, has always advocated South Ossetia's aspirations, presumably since North Ossetia is already one of their provinces.
On August 7, Georgian military was sent into South Ossetia to quiet down the minor rebellion. According to Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili, his country had every right to enter South Ossetia to keep it under control. Otherwise, he claimed, it could lead to the rebels attacking Georgia.
Russia, to put it lightly, didn't like Georgia's moves. It sent its own troops in to counter the attack.
Both countries think their cause is the best, and they're pleading their cases to the world.
The United States, who's in a major war of its own right now, needs to take a rain check on allying itself with any country. I'm not saying the United States should isolate itself. On the contrary, we're already over our heads with economical and political issues.
Who says the United States would be the best ally for either country anyway? We already have so many allies and subsequent enemies as it is. Just like a feuding family, when you're fighting too many siblings and have too many alliances, you'll end up with chaotic and dysfunctional results.
There's a better way to handle this situation. In a family, you avoid a feud by simply admitting you can see both sides of the issue. Then you give your best advice to both siblings, and step back.
The United States needs to politely admit that they see the problems, but aren't qualified or prepared to be the best allies for either country.
When you have your own battles to fight, there's not much more you can do.
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