Retrospective: October 10, 2002

As I read this again in November of 2019, there is but one jarring note. We now know we were duped into our war of aggression: there were no cached weapons of destruction!
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Serious thoughts -- then back to making the music!

 Just watched the news of the House vote, 148-37 to start a war with Iraq. Like an Indian warrior would say, it's a good day to die.

Weather is overcast and cold in the Bay Area today, providing a properly somber backdrop. The tarot card symbolizing change is a hand coming out of the fog...

As the newscast goes to commercial I hear the chorus to Eleanor Rigby, then "Nights In White Satin" and as I hit the mute button on my stereo "We're Going Down."

In conversation with an artist friend this morning, acceptance and resignation. "I hate war," he said. "But with people the way they are, whattaya gonna do?" I replied, "The top part of the triangle is missing, the union with God is not established, the precept that all life is sacred is not universal." We fell silent, knowing things are somehow different now, not caring to repeat the familiar discussion, world peace through allegiance to God, where we applaud each other in agreement.

I recalled "The Hidden Government" by Bill Moyers. Our history of meddling in the Middle East goes back a long way. It doesn't matter that those who acted in our name, disturbing the internal affairs of foreign governments through subterfuge and assassination, did so without our consent. Today we act less through arrogance than in need. We hope that smart bombs will cut the Gordian Knot caused by fifty years of failed policy.

Whatever happened to "two wrongs don't make a right?" Americans are not aggressors. Perhaps it has been a covert policy, the "best defense is a good offense." But in our hearts, we want to love, to "live and let live."

I'm with Barbara Lee from Berkeley, and Senator Byrd of West Virginia. This is wrong. But the alternative is so enlightened and unprecedented that it would be interpreted as a sign of weakness to stop now after months of tough talk by our president. I wanted the House to reason with their hearts, not with political logic. Let the world know the true character of America as we put the bellicose cowboy in check. Senator Daschle, the democratic leader voted "yes." Does he know more about the true situation, or was it "politics as usual?"

Yesterday (October 9) was John Lennon's birthday, he would have been 62. As I heard "Oh, look at all the lonely people," I thought: How willing we are to take all the best of our civilization, the inspired music, art, theatre, culture, neighborhoods, family -- and in one hot Congressional moment -- put it all on the line, up for disaster. Not because we might fail in our tragic, expensive war. For we will prevail. But the distrust, enmity and retribution we will engender is a horrible legacy for our children, grandchildren and beyond.

The only thing one person can do is to love. Love everyone you meet, even the difficult people. Love the young soldier who goes to wreak havoc on our behalf, not a pawn in a game, but cast in society's role because of age, circumstance, love of country and family. I have found very little pure evil in my travels through this world, and very little pure good. Love the self-serving efficaciously corrupt politicians, they know no other way. Extend love to all.

It's too late to protest. This is no time for divisiveness. The handbrake has been released, the car is careening down the hill. We're all on board. Reach out to each other, listen, care. And when the 98% of the American people who don't live in a cordoned compound are found to be unanimous in humility and compassion, the news of our true character as a people will be irrepressible, spreading to even the subjugated citizens of the most despotic rulers. We will be safe when hate can no longer find volunteers.

I see an edifice of argument. Our history, the need for oil, the Gulf War, 9-11. But the promontory we stand on is too lonely. Why are our allies not supporting us? I was on vacation in Europe in August. As I paused to enjoy a canal view in Amsterdam, I spoke to a workman sitting on the tail gate of his truck. "Goede dag, meneer," resulted in a disdainful reply "Goede dag, Amerikaner." The world feels different when one walks on streets that once belonged to an occupying army. Europeans recognize and are repulsed by our insularity.

Thus, I am against the move we are about to make. Yet, I will reap the benefits of our incursion, as we interdict the supplies of mustard gas, sarin and weapons grade uranium. And those who oppose us will treat the discovery of cached weapons as lies and propaganda. Our track record is not good, the battleship Maine, the Gulf of Tonkin resolution. Are we the bully on the block, or the Lone Ranger riding to the rescue?

I have no answer, but there is something I have felt in the air for a long time. In my travels as a road musician, I have met very few people who are not dissatisfied with government. US citizens agree that although imperfect, our system is the best existing form, but leaves a lot to be desired. Is it the nature of government that it must become bureaucratic, insensitive to individuals, subservient to political expediency? I know we are only guaranteed the pursuit of happiness, but what if we all could live in peace, and let that be an example to the world? I suppose, on the national level, on the world stage, as a nation, we have tried. I fear that through the delegation of power, from the people to our representatives, we have lost our soul to bureacracy. Support for Pinochet in Chile, the Contra debacle, the history of the Phillipines. How do we break the cycle?

More questions than answers, indeed. But this I know for sure, we must love each other unashamedly, unabashedly. For when we open our hearts and let love pour through, we are tipping the balance in favor of love and giving no weight to hate.

If I were to take to the street with cardboard signage proclaiming "no Iraq war" I would engender more hate than love in the process. Yet it's important to verify that peace is preferable to war, hence my letter today. Having produced my personal "position paper" on these events. I now proceed to the true work. When the great Buddha was asked about work, he replied: "the only true work is turning sadness into joy." So I return to my tasks as a musician with undiminished effort, no need for rededication. But this I know, as sure as the world turns; I vote for peace through my actions, through my care for others and the delightful work of bringing pleasure to relaxation hours.

Love On, -Don Baraka-