I have come to the Hobbesian notion that as human beings we are the worst of the lot on the planet. In Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya we hear of people struggling for freedom and being murdered for it. In our history we have so many examples of massacres. In all of these situations we did the same thing-- nothing. The Western countries including Canada claim how terrible it is and watch the bodies pile up on the evening news. We believe we are so much more sophisticated than are fore-fathers and mothers. Yet we act no better.

Yes we have all kind of excuses. We must act together, follow international law, respect others countries borders as the bodies pile up!

Moral psychology studies has long focused on reasoning, but recent evidence suggests that moral judgment is more a matter of emotion and affective intuition than deliberate reasoning. It seems we lack the moral empathy to do the right thing unless our interests are somehow injured. For example if oil supplies are seriously affected, watch the troops of the Western World come marching in. No excuses then. But how about saving women and children and a people struggle for their freedom from a madman! We must follow International Law. Watching the bodies pile up.

As Natan Sharansky has pointed out, democrats who hate you are less dangerous than dictators who love you. What is wrong with us in the western world? We have all kinds of myths about the belief that democratic forms of government are the best and the importance of freedom and the rule of law, yet we will not assist the people of Libya obtain this lofty goal? We are hypocrites!

As Golda Meir stated, “I can honestly say that I was never affected by the question of the success of an undertaking. If I felt it was the right thing to do, I was for it regardless of the possible outcome.” We know what the right thing to do is in this matter, yet why do our leaders not have the spine to do it?

It’s enough to make any critical thinking person sick to their stomach! Honey where is the Gravel! Are you watching the News again dear?

We love our political superior velvet rut of entitlement in the First World!
 
Professor Alan Levy teaches at Brandon University and Tel Aviv University. He is also a practising mediator and arbitrator in Canada, the US and Israel.