Spring 2004

On World Affairs

One major take away from my UoP experience was the importance of critical thinking concepts and processes in decision making.  At some point in time, we all may have been compelled to make a quick emotional responses.  In such cases, decisions made likely lead to poor or erroneous results.  Modern times promote immediate gratification, quick response, and rapid deployment.  Unfortunately, decision making - good decision making takes time and scrutiny.  The ramification of the events in Spain would be a good case study.

Eagerly and immediately, the incumbent Spanish government blamed the Basque separatist rebels (ETA) for the Madrid train bombings (ETA claims they did not do it and some a-Q link claims they did it).  Just hours after the bombing, Spain brought forth this position to the U.N., which then immediately and unanimously adopted it as a resolution.

Now, Spain has "discovered" other potential "new elements leading to other open lines of investigation" (is it al-Qaida? or is it a newer X-mutating ninja turtle group).  Once again, the U.N. looks like a weak link as a world organization, at least from a credibility aspect.

Another fallout: Spanish protest in the form of democratic voting causes the downfall of the incumbent political party.  Welcome el "partido socialista."  The Spanish citizens emotional response to punish their government's participation in the coalition against Iraq quickly altered the course of Spanish leadership.

Are the terrorists really so smart in their strategic planning the impact of the much bigger ripple effects of a mere act?  Are they just merely dumb but lucky?  And are the rest of us as dumb and maim to not care... as long as we are not impacted? As long as our family or child is not in harms way?

There are even bigger ramifications to the Iraq Coalition and to the U.S.  Is this the day of reckoning for the U.S. to see who are the real allies and who are the fair weather friends. Imagine the new rhetoric: "Are you really with us or just with us for the fun ride?"

Is this a test that could potentially unravel Spain-U.S. relations?  Interestingly, we were once enemies before we became friends (US-Spanish war).

My initial gut feeling on this act of terror was to take revenge on the perpetrators.  But without astute analysis and sure examination, who the heck do we crucify?  Then, as an American (though one of Filipino roots who knows of Spain's 500 years of rule - including the replete abuses and atrocities), my immediate emotional response to Senor Zapatista's position pulling their troops from Iraq was to boycott Spain.  But I could not immediately think of any key product attributed to Spain.  Don't purchase nor eat Spanish sardines perhaps?  Thank God/Yahweh/Allah, critical thinking prevailed.  I deferred dumping my stash of canned sardines, a personal comfort food favorite. Ooops, I find these are from Portugal actually. 'must have been off-shored?

I think it will get worst before it gets better.  The moral to the story: It sure is getting to be a wild, wild world folks.  If the doomsayers have their way - the end may really be nearer than they may think.

Yet, we may be able to reverse all these - if we just all chill out rather that react!  Think critically, not emotionally.  Be careful over-reacting to events.  Patience is definitely a needed virtue.  Investigate and validate first.  I for one, finally, have figured this one out.

The bottom line: that there is indeed a "war of all war" being fought on a macro level that is not obvious to mere mortals.  The war is no longer based on ideology or religion or culture clashes. It is a war between good and evil.  Think "Star Wars" movie trilogy theme here.  Our burden, as individuals, as citizens, and as human beings is to decide which side we want to be and then stick with it.  However, think critically before you make your decision.  Has Libya's Col. Quadafy learned this process as well? Don't give up hope and peace.  "May the force be with you."