POST SCRIPTS

patriarchal blame. This part of the disorder is commonly referred to as Fe-Fi-phobia-Fum wherein the perceived “bigger” or “stronger” person or entity is seen as dangerous or threatening. In the extreme this phobia results in a continuous and unreasonable state of panic and a nasty aggressive desire to control everything in the world.

The opportunity to examine this common disorder presented itself today in the form of an article, 'War on terror' dividing world, warns Amnesty, by Robin Mallard. The article, about Amnesty International’s 2007 annual report, reviews highlights of the report that includes these ridiculous assertions:

The report showed the "terrible price that ordinary people are paying for the failure of their leaders to uphold human rights," said Amnesty chief Irene Khan. "The politics of fear is fuelling a downward spiral of human rights abuse in which no right is sacrosanct and no person safe," she said. "The 'war on terror' and the war in Iraq, with their catalogue of human rights abuses, have created deep divisions that cast a shadow on international relations."

But the "war on terror" provided an over-arching theme of the report's criticism, with Khan saying the United States was treating the world as "one giant battlefield". Overall, "short-sighted, fear-mongering policy undermined the rule of law and human rights, fed racism and xenophobia, fuelled discrimination, suppressed dissent, intensified conflict and sowed the seeds of more violence," she said. "Fear, distrust and division run so deep in the international community that it was virtually disfunctional in the face of human rights violations."

Ahem….and if terrorists, over the past 20-30 years, had chosen to do something different with their lives…oh, say…get a job, start a company, create a learning center, or…join a religious order dedicated to helping the poor…made a vow to help the children in their hometown…start a soup kitchen for the poor…etc., well then…the USA and President Bush could have gone about other business, which includes by the way, defending, feeding, educating, and saving people all around the world while asking little in return save friendship.

Unfortunately A.A.P.D. is often fatal in that people pass on having never bothered to recover, even though, and here's the good news, the disorder is completely reversable. All that is required is a strong desire to accept reality and to take personal responsibility. When the person can do this even for those things for which he is not directly at cause he will become a leader...naturally. Recovery is a tall order but very rewarding and is the basis upon which "making a difference" can actually be experienced.

As to the findings of the report I think I'll go with the president who said, “I'm aware of the Amnesty International report, and it's absurd. It's an absurd allegation.”

Thank you Mr. President…and thank you for providing the word “absurd” in the disorder.