The World Is as it Is, but We Are as we Want to Be

By Stephen Cheney

Perhaps much of the inefficiencies of our times are due to the mind-sets of our leaders. Lawyers who become politicians tend to think in terms of arguing for the sake of arguing, and what concessions can they make on behalf of others to achieve an end. They view the public as being the clients of their opposition; opponents of themselves needing not exactly honest manipulation. With this there is no real trust or loyalty and so with this type of thinking (that not all lawyer types have of course), they see political life as if they personally and the public are in a constant civil war with each other. A civilian war.

Scientific personalities, or (non-dictatorial) military minds unfortunately do not tend to go into democratic politics. Their personal thinking is more along the lines of what Action, rather than what Talk, can I do to achieve an end. They view the public as being their colleagues, or their comrades in arms against the problems in life. They see it as that they personally are with, not against others; that they and the public are a family that extends throughout all the nation; or are as a team of bonded warriors who look out for each other and are equals who simply do different tasks in a hierarchy structure.

Some generals, I hear, by choice have slept in the same type of cot as their men. Such a general is more than a general, for such Actions note a man of honor. Honor is the best medal. With self discipline you can afford more love. For these types of minds there is no civilian war, the only war is against an enemy that attacks the ones they love or those under their care. Soldiers care, which is why they risk and sacrifice, even if they cannot articulate it; they are unselfish and honorable, and they lay their life down so that others can grow upwards. Soldiers who do not care, are not soldiers, are not worthy of the name 'soldier' and may be only the equals of criminal civilians.

This world is not without its own magic.  It has its angels and demons.  Every one of those though, not in dreams but in this world, is a man.  Children are as the light elves and fairies of this world, new and radiant.  They have not as yet chosen their path, their way to power or dignity.  Their own choices and the choices of those who guide or torture them, decide their ascendency into being adults: human adults that are humane like unto the conception of angels, or human adults that are humorless like unto the deception of demons.  Who does not stand and choose their own path, gets dragged and their path is chosen for them.

Power feeds on and festers in selfishness, always has, always will.  Leaders need to be men and women of honor first, and leaders second.  For honor is the noble base that anchors the flag of the soul that is whipped in the wind.  Honor restrains the mind from being torn away by the winds of a chaotic world, away from humanity and into a demonic night.  Eagles need to dive direct upon their prey, not squabble like seagulls over scraps in a garbage dump.  Each chooses their own sword, their shield, and the way that their hand caresses or depresses a child.

(Image: Portrait of the Lawyer - Jean-Baptiste Perronneau)