You're Not the Boss of Me!

The riots in the middle east have held a certain fascination for me. These protests have monopolized the news and raised the prices at the pump. Talking heads on all the networks, both broadcast and cable have opinions, points of views, and conclusions. They have brought in experts who have told us that this was foreseeable. TV has carried images of angry young protesters, of entrenched and embattled nation leaders, and of anonymous BDU clad military, smoke enshrouded city streets, and heavy artillery clunking forward against rock throwers. It is a scene of confusion, desperation, and a stark battle of wills.

But no one has given a clear and concise answer to the "why" question. What is driving these people to risk life and limb to face a vastly better armed opponent? And why is it erupting in a fairly well-defined part of the globe? Why now? Why there? Why these people?

It is being reported that Facebook and Twitter, and the Internet are all contributors to this unrest. There are indications that the movement is more heavily driven by young people. And it is obvious that the nations most targeted are the ones that have oppressed far longer than their neighbors.

So here is my conclusion. It is my firm belief that whenever a severe and sectarian organization deals with its constituents in a heavy handed manner, then that organization should expect a revolt. The revolt always comes from the young people. They do not care that they may be outgunned, out-financed, and no part of the power structure. When the scope of discipline outstrips the dignity of the individual, that individual will push back. We all see it in families. As a parent you can put your child under a crushing thumb, but as some point that child will grow and bite that thumb of oppression..at whatever cost.

We have this in our own national history. The sexual revolution from the '60s tells us that when a puritanical structure is applied across all, there will be a revolt. Personally, I was taken captive early in the revolution and spent the duration doing dishes, but the rejection of code and bond has become the norm today, not the exception. It changed the way our nation thought and expressed itself and a return to the national conscience from prior to the '60s is gone for good.

I firmly believe that what we are witnessing is the rejection of the national stricture of the Muslim code by the young people, just as the young people of this country rejected the sectarian, christian structure almost 50 years ago. Instead of feeling the need to fight the jihadists that have held our attention for so long, we inadvertently put into the hands of the young the greatest weapon of all...the ability to communicate digitally without the control of government, culture, family, or religion. They tweeted this entire riot into existence. 147 characters at a time will topple governments that the US of A haven't been able to bring down. Never underestimate the power of man to exert free will when the oppression is the greatest. There is something inside all of us that will cause us to stand and shake our fists at oppression even in the face of the most overwhelming of odds. I suspect the line from the old movie probably sums up the feelings of those in the news, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore!" But the reason for that anger is the suppression of that will by force.

We should all take this to heart. We have it in all of us. The quickest way to get me to dig my heals in is to tell me that I have no choice. The quickest way to get me to do something is to exhibit your love for me, then ask my help. I will kill myself to make sure I have helped.

Godspeed to all the revolutionists, it is the power that changes.
Don