Call me simple if you like, but I have a couple of childlike questions!

The Diabolical Root of War

Yes, most historians and students of such sordid themes would agree I am sure, that greed remains the lurking culprit and motivating force, which has spawned a many and numerous wars from the beginning of man's reign upon earth.

What say we? Yes, we appear as people, to be speckled and spotted alike with this propensity to covet and lust after what is not ours! I shall not recite old dusty commandments that we adhere not too anylonger, nor view as viable nor relevant, thereby excluding such a vast readership sharing in such modern concepts of thought.

I do however still cling to this notion and premise that yes, most conflicts among folk and nations alike, are ignited to be sure, due to something or someone, we lust after and covet, and thereby feel we are justly or unjustly entitled too, for whatever reason.

First, may I state in typical, stuck in the sixties type hippie rhetoric, that I personally still wonder after all these years of hanging about here on earth, if truly we are entitled to anything other than what we brought with us, when first entering into life so sweet?

To make a simple point in speculation if I may, and yes, I full well realize that this simple proposal of thought, basted in simplicity shall endear me not in the eyes of the learned among us ranking in academia, being deemed I am sure, as base, common and simple in structure, but by now you all know full well, that this shall not stop me I fear!

Ok, here remains my childlike thought and question, pondered for years in my yes, simple and probing mind. Just when indeed did the first group of men, governments or organizations establish their perceived right to own the world and all the land and resources in it?

May I clarify instantly if you please? How come their remains no free land in the world this day? For surely there was once upon a time was there not?
When indeed was the first entrance of this sordid thought process ushered in? When I ask, was the first account of one man, group or government, seizing and laying hold of an entire, plot, town, country or continent?

Why are all the desert regions of the united states owned by the United States? Did they make the purchase somewhere along the way? Do they in fact have a title or deed that would stand up in a court of law?

I mean where did it all begin? A government for the people and by the people? Hmm, yes I know this piece shall bring great comic relief to those perceived as learned among us today, who truly think I am unaware of the history book answers, yet I pose the question in a differing light, not understood by all to be sure.

Who was the first I ask to conquer a piece of land by merely discovery and squatting, to then turn around and sell it to another? For indeed he was the first culprit! How did he manage to force others to pay for something he had not? When obviously fairness and equity was not considered into the equation?

Oh yes the bright lads and lasses have already roped and corralled the answer I'm sure, yes, with force, brutality and violence! For under no other circumstances would a thinking man, make a purchase from one, who had paid nothing at all?

I now shall fall into my idealistic pose, as I ask this question once again bedrocked in childlike simplicity, as well as perhaps ignorance. Was not the earth free to all men at one time, to wander, squat and redeem life's quickly vanishing passage?

What kind of man, representing what type of heart I ask, did change all this, and throw a diabolical monkeywrench into the works? A greed filled man to be sure, planted plainly in pursuit of financial gain only, rather than the homespun philosophy of the golden rule and fairness extended in gracefilled brushstrokes towards all.

Excuse me, but why is not the water of the world free to all who thirst I ask?
Who dared first in God painted posture, to claim such a resource as this?

Who stole my beach I could once visit whenever I chose in my youth? Who indeed did post signs a many thwarting my very walk and pathways chosen to travel, amble and roam?
Why indeed can I not camp, squat and live on the vast regions of the world such as Death Valley where none choose to abide anyway?
Yes, I remain a child, with childlike questions of heart, and oh how such questions proceeding out of the mouth of babes, still stump, bewilder and anger us this day.

The land indeed could remain free for all, as well as the resources that abound in richness, if only the greedy existed not! Idealism you state, hell yes its idealistic, and should not such idealism still paint and trailblaze our way into the morrow, if we remain still a people who think, probe and hunger for a better day?

Rodney, one might say in condescending fashion and form, surely you know by now, that your concepts and lofty idealism are just not planted in reality!
My answer remains this, reality remains often, merely the results of the jurisdiction of self appointed men! Reality is a changing, living, and breathing entity that can be altered, changed and revisited in new illumination of thought, reality often is what WE have created and chosen, rather than what was intended to be, in natural unfolding! Yes, reality is often etched and raked upon our society and land by those of questionable heart, that insist reality is what they have painted! And so shall it stand forevermore!

I think not! I think rather that the reality resting on the morrow is what we choose to paint, create and enact today! If our tomorrow's remain not colored and accented in increased revelation and concept, then our reality remains the same as today.

Does the reality this day that surrounds us each and all, represent fairness and true liberty for all mankind walking among us this day? Is indeed, the reality we inhale this day, accented in thoughtful, compassionate and glimmering hope?

Does indeed the reality that surrounds us this day, paint us as a bright and caring people? And shall history record it as such I wonder?

Alas...yes, I know full well that many varied reformists, philosophers, poets and prophets of old, from the beginning of time, that have painted and etched similar words scribed in wonderment as well, and we mocked and ridiculed them, as the same of thought, are mocked as well today, stamped and branded in the horrid tag of idealistic, irrational, dreamer and fool!
But I declare rather this day, that it is indeed the reality I view swallowing us up this day in time, that I deem as not rational nor acceptable at all!

Yes, in closing I thank you for your patience and forbearance both displayed and manifested, for I know well, that the questions of children are often visited with sighs of exasperation to be sure, yet I feel somewhat this day as well, that there remain a lot of other children, that would like to hear the answers too!

Often my adopted father now gone, when I remained yet young, would in frustration answer such questions with merely a bark stating, that's just the way it is Rodney, end of conversation!

I felt then, as I do now, that all the questions of children deserve an answer indeed!
For their hearts so innocent that pose and spawn such questions, defy the very reality that surrounds us this day. In addition may I point out, that if we have no answers to satisfy the hunger of children wandering in growth of mind, then in my estimation and judgment, we have no answers at all!
Peace,
Rodney Evan Bohen

Yes, Rodney, indeed....why cant we all just get along?