I Don’t Get It

Why did we (the United States of America) bomb Iran?

What are we hoping to do?

Do our leaders understand the dynamics of the government there? Do they know how to manage a smooth transition of power once we take out the current leader? Is the U.S. government going to do a good job in Iran? Have they done any of this successfully before?

I really hope we don’t get roped into another 10+ year stalemate in a country we don’t belong in, meddling with affairs nobody ever asked us to take part in.

It’s so disheartening to me.

Why can’t our leaders be honest? If it is about nuclear weapons, then why didn’t the strike earlier last year take care of it all, like they said it did (Wikipedia)?

If it is about removing a terrible leader terribly abusing their power, then how will we ensure a new leader doesn’t repeat their mistakes? I think many people smarter than me have written lots of thoughts on why this foreign push for regime change doesn’t work.

A Mental Exercise

Let’s take a break from the Iran conflict, and entertain my little analogy for a moment.

In your quaint town full of little rascals like yourself, everyone plays the game. Pick up sticks, Chinese Checkers, hop scotch, take your pick. Everyone puts a lot of stock in the game, and how well you play the game. You are, however, very bad at it.

You could pinpoint many reasons why. Born with two left feet, to parents without the means to get you your own chess set, needing to borrow others to practice. So on and so on.

More importantly, loud-mouthed-profesional-yapper Chad excels at the game. Many think he is unbeatable.

So what’s the rub?

Every time you lose at the game, which you do every time playing against this bro, Chad tells you in no uncertain terms how bad you are.

“Yeah, that was a really stupid move you made with your pawn.”

“You know that holding your foot makes it harder to balance on one foot right? Now you know 😉” (always that annoying wink)

Chad’s aggression toward you and your skill-issues intensifies with each accumulated loss. Noogies enter the picture, which escalates to pushing, shoving, kicking, beating.

Unfortunately, not playing the game isn’t an option. It is just too popular. Your skill at the game determines your social status amongst the neighborhood kiddos. Everyone you know plays, and they all watch when it’s your turn to play, and lose.

So.

How do you feel about this scenario you find yourself in?

Are you grateful for Chad and the helpful pointers and bruises he has given you along the way? “He just wants people to improve,” his fans protest. “Getting knocked down just helps you grow back stronger”. “How could you not like Chad? He’s so good at the game!”

It gets worse when you realize Chad is boosting. His parents pay for private tutors, his parents’ parents had the same. His school lets him practice the game for hours. Chad’s siblings all give him pointers.

Why are your mistakes met with force? How do you feel about your shortcomings in one area of life signaling your worth to everyone? No one cares you can make an incredible paper crane. You entered the world with the rules predetermined, the value system established, so play the game.

This is, evidently, childish behavior. The analogy, though perhaps murky, seemed easier to convey with literal children subjects.

Our country is acting like a child. A fully loaded child with the biggest baddest guns on the block. Yay. We are Chad by the way.

But imagine the resentment we are stirring up. The needless suffering we are causing. I don’t support these other despotic and corrupt leaders. I realize in the analogy, they were not portrayed accurately. They have committed some horrible crimes against humanity. So how then is more destruction the answer?

I hope things don’t escalate from here…