Over the last few months, I’ve listen to Western Powers and Middle Easterners talk about the carrot and stick diplomacy. I choose to believe we should reduce the volume of such diplomacy and start to trust one another. It’s funny to me when people use the “Carrot and Stick” terminology. It’s as if they created the seed from which the Carrot grows and the tree from which the Stick is shaped into. So, if they didn’t create the seed or the tree. How is it they believe their guiding theory can bring them results? Only through trust and belief in sound principles can one achieve true results.
The West tends to think, from a position of power and the Middle East is principles based. The West states, I can impose my will to achieve my results. (Stop building your ability to wage war) The Middle East yells back your power and will lacks principles. The classic war over the principled one and strong willed.
I lived for Fifty years and have seen great things occur in that time. Men have flown to the moon and walked upon it. The TV illustrates the action of murdered leaders both domestically and internationally. Papal succession, the rise of extremism fundamentalism, both Christen, Islamic, Democratic and Republican. I’ve had dinner with rich and poor. Understood and seen the over throw of apartheid. Witness Black Panthers in action and listened to countless stories of Jim Crow politics in the southern U.S.
The racing hearts of men and women-fulfilling their own desires and cares-cease to care for others while filling the void of lost words. Only their tongue flaps like the wind so to impress their peers. I feel lost and strange to their words of sorrow. Their loud voices of pain come close to me but I dare not to look upon them. For my mind is elsewhere. Lost in my own pain and suffering I shout out Lord where are you. I look to David’s Palms 91:1 “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty”.
These men and women should look to the shelter of the Most High, for there hands cannot shape peace nor bring it. The very best you can do is to meet and learn to trust one another.
Read more articles by Warren Irving or search for articles on the same topic or others.