Editorials- Business as Usual

<< Editorials

Business as Usual (October 10)

The American television channels' catch phrase today, even as its military bombards Afghanistan is, "its business as usual". And yesterday, October 8, the country celebrated Christopher Columbus' "discovery" of America in 1492 with a fresh wave of patriotic outpourings.

The ethics of war are being redefined in the wake of the globalization of terrorism, but we don't really subscribe to this global scourge being defined in American terms alone, which incidentally is a late entry into the field. It is not as if such wars sprang up after the atrocious September 11 attack at New York and Washington. It has been there all the while, the only difference being, America has never really been at the receiving end in the manner that it is now.

Outside of America in particular and the western nations in general, the world has virtually been living with the scourge for decades now. It is also interesting that until the entry of America in the scene, these conflicts have never really been described as terrorism. Therefore the protest, although belatedly, by India and Russia which have seen similar action in Kashmir and Chechnya, although halfheartedly lest they rubbed the world's only remaining military and economic super power on the wrong side.

But the ethics of the present war apart, there is something admirable about the way the Americans have reacted to the tragedy. In a matter of three days, the country and more particularly its hardest hit city New York, was back to work with a vengeance. As the American press has been reporting and to which we now have instant access thanks to the World Wide Web, the expression of anger and patriotism was in terms of a collective resolve to put in extra work to oil up the government machinery. The conscious effort of Americans everywhere was not to show its pains expose its weakness.

On the other hand people queue up to donate blood, cash and kind, as well as work harder than ever before. It is even reported that ordinary Americans are buying shares and stock with a renewed and zealous sense of duty to uplift the American economy in its time of crisis. Tragedies they say always evoke and strengthen community bonds.

Such bonding have been witnessed everywhere in the world. The death of Princess Diana in England, the Kargil War, the June 18 tragedy in Imphal etc., these very human reactions seems universal. The people and their governments also generally tend to come closer. But there are certain things that will distinguish the American reaction. The war apart, the overwhelming response seems to be the one of a resolve to reaffirm faith in the system they live in.

National commitment seems to be in terms of striving to be extra good citizens, paying taxes, working harder, realizing the obligations toward fellow citizens etc. Rightly or wrongly, it is amazing that 90 per cent of Americans today are ready to give their president a blank check to pursue his emergency policies. There is something to learn. Remember Kargil and the outpour of nationalism.

Bitter complaints of neglect by those who sacrificed during the war have replaced it. Likewise, have the June 18 tragedy made us better, more responsible citizens, is a relevant question. While its business as usual for the Americans, most of us are back to our old ways already.

Bandhs, blockades, strikes...

(Courtesy: The Imphal Free Press)

FrontPage Manipur Profiles Features Potpourri Opinions Editorials Books Photos Links Archives Contact Policy/Disclaimer