The plot becomes so complicated and each of the players becomes painted into a corner such that all hope is lost and no solution appears to be possible or feasible.
As the plot thickens, the situation becomes more hopeless and the combatants become ever more convinced that a solution is not forthcoming, a Deus Ex Machina descends from nowhere in the middle of the stage, and all what was intractable is resolved.
A resolution through a "God on a Machine" might be an acceptable metaphor for the stage but such a methodology is madness when adopted by politicians of all stripes in a state.
For the last two years we have at one point or another depended on an Arab initiative, a French initiative, European pressure, United Nations Security Council resolutions, US policy, regional pressure on Syria, International policy vis a vis Iran amongst other measures such as instigating the 2006 war with Israel. But never did we pull up our sleeves and decide to solve our own problems.
It is totally irrational to opt for reliance on others; actually this kind of thinking showcases intellectual bankruptcy. Many studies have demonstrated, rather convincingly, that no specie in the animal world, certainly not humans, is capable of altruistic acts. If we as individuals are hard wired to be selfish then it should be patently obvious that no state could be reasonably expected to promote an action or policy in another state if such action contradicts its own selfish national interests.
Isn't it time that we replace the ineffective and unrealistic expectations that only foreign powers are capable of offering a solution to our problem with the strong belief that the only meaningful and long lasting solutions have always been within our grasp? They are totally local. All what we have to do is respect our own laws and strengthen our own institutions.
How can we expect a state to develop a healthy respect for law and order if its top Constitutional Council has been effectively dissolved over a year ago? How is civil society to prosper under the yoke of a confessional system that was supposed to have been phased out a decade ago? Why should a political party be allowed to operate above the law and why should we allow a political minority to impose its will by paralyzing the nation and shutting down its institutions illegally?
If we are to cling to the fairy tale that somehow a "Deus Ex Machina" (A God on a machine) will eventually drop from the skies to help solve seemingly intractable problems that we have created, then maybe we do not deserve to be independent or live free. If our quality of life means anything to us then the least that we can do is to defend it.
To paraphrase Einstein; the world is not dangerous because of those that practice evil but because of those that see evil and do nothing to stop it.
Source: Ya Libnan Exclusive
Ghassan Karam welcomes your correspondence at wp.karam@gmail.com
Tags: Constitution, Economy, Israel, Security, Solutions, Stability, Syria
