This episode combines a lot of things that have come up for me since the tragedy and atrocity of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 and 370. As a member of the aviation community and, to some extent, the aviation industry these events have all but destroyed me. They have created a great fear and anger in me. Thankfully, the logical aspect of my brain is currently running the show.
But, this event goes beyond the present in terms of politics and aviation. This event is or could be compared and contrasted with the tragedy and atrocity of Iran Air Flight 655, a civilian airliner flying along a civilian air corridor and squawking a civilian transponder code, that was shot down by The USS Vincennes, a US Navel vessel operating in conjunction with The Gulf War, on July 3rd 1988. This, in turn, returns me to my stranded ranting and raving about Truman, Stalin, The end of World War II, The Cold War and Charlie Wilson's War. The events that unfolded during the latter stages of World War II and the subsequent power struggle and Cold War between The United States and The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics led to a massive armament of people and countries caught in-between these two struggling nations. And, the rage and arms that these two nations provided during this time are now being used to commit acts of terrible crimes against humanity; the current term for this being terrorism.
Everyone wants you to live in fear. To feel anger. To feel hate. But, don't let them do it. Live a life of true liberty. Peruse your happiness. We, as humans, have that right. Don't give it up! I hate to use the quote, but, it seems appropriate...
"Give me liberty, or give me death!"
And, of course, the paraphrase of Benjamin Franklin:
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
---
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nicnacmarsh/message