My husband and I talked at length the other night about attempts that were made to contact un-contacted tribes like those headlined last year. The tribesmen were touted as savages by a lot of people, presumably because it was “us” using our methods of civilization to spy on “them,” who had none.
We discussed what defines and differentiates the civilized from the savage.
My husband is a recently retired Marine who spent a year in Okinawa and Korea. He spent five winters in a tent in the highest elevations of Norway and deployed to the Mediterranean where his ship was diverted to the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Croatia. He crossed the border at Kuwait into Iraq in 2003 and spent time off the coast of Liberia on his way home. While stationed with Marine Forces Europe, he spent a great deal of time in Africa. He is no stranger to adversity and has witnessed much poverty.
His military resume has given him a clear perspective on the world’s have-nots than could be had by any number of Americans whose sole understanding of the ROW (rest of the world) is limited to pictures in the paper. Any bit of travel abroad is often limited to those areas where one is not likely to see children playing in a puddle alongside a dead, bloated sheep.
We discussed the poor in America, many of whom are supplemented by faith-based programs. Even so, many poor people are still hungry and homeless. Would it make a difference if there were no religion? I suggested there would be less war and perhaps more compassion around the world if we were without this condition.
He disagreed, positing that religion is the only thing keeping most people in check. Without a higher power towing their moral line, he asserted, many would be left to their own devices. When their mettle is tested, one of those devices is not a moral center. Such is what some religious do when knocked down the rungs of Jacob’s ladder.
Article comments
1 - Marcia Neil
Fine tribute to a hardy guy.
2 - Ruvy
Diana, this should have been in the politics section where it would get the attention it deserves. Having lived on the street for a year in the States, I have some idea of what poverty means - and what it doesn't mean. When homeless, I did not loot or steal or murder, though there were times I was angry enough to kill. But though I was homeless, I did not live in poverty, nor was I particularly oppressed.
I had a chance to get out of the mess I had made of my own life - and I took it. Someone who lives in real poverty is stuck in whatever hell he finds himself in without even a vision of how to get out. Note the child playing next to the bloated body of a dead sheep.
Very nice examination of the issues, though. Good job!
3 - El Bicho
No, it is in its proper section. The article deserves better than the usual suspects commenting amongst themselves with the same tired arguments unrelated to the subject matter at hand.
4 - Matthew T. Sussman
"No, it is in its proper section. The article deserves better than the usual suspects commenting amongst themselves with the same tired arguments unrelated to the subject matter at hand."
Sounds like something a communist leftie baby-killing draft dodger would say.
5 - El Bicho
who let you out of Sports, you fascist?!
6 - Teri Centner
Great post today, Diana!
7 - Joanne Huspek
Excellent piece, no matter what section it's in.