We Can't Please All The World

When listening to British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, stating his willingness to join President Bush in fighting the war on terrorism, I am reminded of the following Jewish folk tale:

An old man and his ten-year-old son were leading a camel through the desert.  Their way was long, the sun was hot, and they were tired.  They met a man who looked at them amazed.  "How foolish that you both go on foot," he said, "when the camel was created to carry people."

Heeding the stranger's words, the old man mounted the camel and his son followed on foot.  Soon they met a second traveler, who said, "Have you no pity on your son?  He's still a child with tender feet; look at them, cut to ribbons.  How can a father allow his own child to suffer like that?"

The father ashamed, dismounted and set his son upon the camel.  In a short while they met a third traveler who protested, "For shame, in the heat of the day, a child has no right to ride while his old father walks!"

So the troubled old man hit on another idea:  He and his son both mounted the camel, making themselves comfortable riding the camel.  But then they met a fourth traveler who threw up his hands in horror.  "Abusing a dumb creature!  Making him carry a double load!  Have you no pity in your hearts?"

The father and son quickly dismounted.  The father thought for a moment and said, "Well there's no solution for it, we'll just have to carry the camel ourselves.  Though someone will probably come along and say that its stupid. No matter what we do, we cant please all the world."

We have witnessed the cruel work of the terrorists and have seen the havoc they have inflicted on innocent people.  We know that the world is debating the best methodology to curb and rid ourselves of these threats.  Yet, there is no united voice on how to accomplish this. 

Using the story of the camel as a metaphor, we have many advisors but no real solutions.

I feel that the stalling and debating among the nations give strength to Saddam Hussein and his evil cronies.  They get courage to continue to deceive while preparing for a much worse war.  He sees the free world as a state of disunity and confusion.  

Si vis pacem, para bellum. If you want peace, prepare for war. This Latin proverb comes to mind when I think of what's happening in the world today.  We must move fast.  By doing so we will save many lives and ensure the safety of the entire world from greater tragedies.