Chappy’s Blog January 13, 2023 “CONFLICT”
Conflict- according to the Webster’s Dictionary is defined as, fight, battle, war. An armed conflict. : competitive or opposing action of incompatibles: antagonistic state of action (as of divergent ideas, interests, or persons).
There are twenty-seven (27) ongoing conflicts in the world as I write this my blog. They are identified as the following; 1. Territorial disputes 2. Civil War 3. Interstate Violence within a single state 4. Political Instability 5. Transnational terrorism 6. Sectarian Violence- hate, discrimination, prejudice between sects of a particular mode of an ideology or different sects of a religion. The United States has two protracted conflicts that seem to be unresolvable anytime soon. With Iran, the U.S. has concerns about their support of terrorism, nuclear programs, and Human Right violations. Iran has also reacted to the killing of some of their ranking military members. The second is Korea. The conflict there concerns their nuclear programs, and Human Rights violations. This quagmire of conflicts has deep roots based on antagonistic ideas, and control. The safety and security of the U.S. and other parts of the world has been weakened by this very real threat.
While Chappy’s world sees the conflicts going on in the world as dangerous and important, he also takes notice that interpersonal conflicts could be just as dangerous to our well being as are any other conflicts taking place in the world. Our space is the United States of America. The country has become a full blown gossip mill. Conflicts of ideologies abound, and human interaction of a civil nature has been replaced by self-righteous character attacks based on false information, as provided by people that have agenda’s, and much anger. Resolving a conflict with almost anybody today is nearly impossible. Almost any subject is open to an onslaught of scrutiny by ignorant whisperers and screamers. A civil conversation is out of the question. Can we change this atmosphere of negative communication between people? Maybe, but its going to take some time.
Let me give you an an example. Last week during a dial-in conference call with my blog partners, it was all business for most of the call until one of the members said something about religion. I’m not going to get into the particular remark, other than to tell you that I fired back at him with my contra-understanding of the point that he made. I soon saw that I needed to control my voice and to keep a civil tongue. Our voices did rise for a short time, as the protracted conversation evolved. I soon saw that my partner was also on the same page, and we went on, back and forth for at least thirty minutes. Was it a conflict? No, it was a disagreement of two men that choose to debate their point of view with respect and logic. How did it end? With a stalemate. Facts were thrown back and forth, and we agreed to disagree, no foul,no harm. I still like and respect him, and I look forward to engaging with him again. I love it when someone stimulates my mind. It opens up the door to their psyche, and provides me with the opportunity to learn something new.
Conflict for whatever reason will always be with us. Blind ambition eliminates concern for others and their well being. Until we learn to sit still and really listen, and to respect another point of view, we will be predestined to fail, as individuals and as a people. Conflicts will follow, whether it be war, terrorism, internal conflicts, or the rest of the cultural spectrum. In my mind, anything can be solved so long as people are willing. Right now, nobody seems to be willing! The great divide is wedged between us, and we are in deep trouble. Intellectuals will not solve the conflicts, nor can politicians step in and provide answers. It is up to ordinary people to gather together, and to stop the ill will that surrounds us. The question is, do we have the stomach to do it !!!!
I think that we can turn this around. A peaceful process can be negotiated by people that seek amity rather than gain, thus eliminating the divisive expressions of dividers. This process can only start when people decide to listen to what is being said by others. This would not signal agreement, but would indicate that someones divergent view was worthy of respect and consideration, and vice versa. The door once opened, would create a mutual consensus of individual thought, and regard for opposing idea’s and opinions.
I always write my thoughts down as I see it. I suggest rather than demand, and I do my best to stimulate the thought process. My main concern is the overall well-being of my loved ones, so I write with the hope that us adults haven’t completely ruined the future. This is what motivates and drives me. In the land of perfection, I am the most imperfect, but in the land of hope, I am the most hopeful. There was once a time when……
God Bless
Before You Act, Be Informed, Be Who You Are, “BE FREE”
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