In light of the anniversary of Sept. 11 this past Saturday, I was drawn to thoughts of a world at peace. Unfortunately, this nation and world are neither destined for nor deserving of peace at the moment. Recent scandals and heartache quickly make it apparent that although we claim a desire for peace, we have not yet opened our hearts to welcome its arrival. If you question my negativity on the issue, perhaps a few reminders will clear the confusion.
One of the stories still lingering is the embarrassing corruption within our own system-a system that should be a model for others. While many of America's soldiers have defended our country with honor and dedication, others have shamed our nation and all that we stand for by abusing and humiliating prisoners of war. Though I refuse to degrade our efforts and our continued role toward peace, it is clear this effort has been somewhat overshadowed by a few soldiers' decisions to act in rage and unnecessary violence. Every day, lives are lost and casualties increase in number, but it appears cowardly to say we have played no part in this seemingly unending war. If we continue to display sometimes accidental, but often intentional brutality, we will no sooner see a restoration of peace or the return of our soldiers to their loved ones. I will not pretend to know of the horrors that face our fighting Americans or the aversion that drives the hatred in their actions, but in the same respect, I can not ignore the bleak chances for this fighting to end if our honorable intentions continue to be masked by our mistakes.
Although many have written it off as a triviality, what transpired in Athens represents the barriers to peace abroad. The U.S. gymnast Paul Hamm won a gold medal for the \all-around"" competition only after a scoring error by one of the judges awarded him the medal. The mistake caused extreme controversy between U.S. and South Korean officials when it was decided that such mistakes could not be changed after scores were submitted. A simple human error changed the mood of the Olympic Games from one of international peace to one of scornful accusation. Instead of symbolizing the harmonious union of athletes across the world, a small, unintentional error widened the rift between nations and diminished the spirit of sportsmanship.
Extreme divisions seem to exist not only in the athletic world, but in the world of marital relationships as well. It seems this bond, meant to endure the test of time, has fallen victim to the torments of infidelity and domestic dispute. Two recent cases, those of Lori Hacking and Laci Peterson have fought to take away the underlying beauty of friendships between husband and wife. The deaths of these two women have us questioning the meaning of a ""life-long partner"" and the unfortunate temptations that we fall victim to despite such a title. How can we fight for peace among all when we ignore it in our own families?
We should also examine the discrimination we are so determined to carry out against our neighbors. A New Jersey governor went as far as to step down from his esteemed position when he could no longer hide the truth of his sexual identity. Aware of the persistent inequality demonstrated toward gay individuals, he would become subject to rumors, false allegations and threats of exposure if he were to stay in office. In a nation claiming equality and peaceful existence for all, inexplicable fear was instilled in the mind of this politician as homosexuals remain an unpublicized minority in this nation. We seem to defend our discord among national brotherhood in the same way we defend continued fighting overseas.
And should we choose to forget the impending presidential election and the indecent campaigning efforts of our two primary candidates? Sadly, many of the goals Bush and Kerry may have, including peace, are undoubtedly shrouded by their vicious attacks on one another. The initial normalcy of friendly competition has taken a turn for the worse as emphasis has been placed on blatant finger pointing and obtrusive, irrelevant badgering of opponents. We are encouraged to support and vote for the candidate we feel will unite our nation and our world, but we are offered the choice between two competitors who have instead stressed their support of a divided method of conquer at a time when we need peace most.
If we are to demand peace in the world, we must first demand it from ourselves. We cannot start with our country, our state, or even our city, but must conquer the individual desire within to change our ways of living. Approaching the war on terrorism with confidence is one thing, but believing our lifestyle is deserving of such confidence is quite another. On Sept. 11, we asked ourselves how such destruction could take place and who could so wrongly disturb our peace. But three years later, I find myself asking, what peace?
