Opportunity to Change Lives (no guns needed)

or, Seed Money Needed.

So call me a Christian at heart, but those of you who perhaps don't share my own values, try this one on for its strategic value?

Weeks ago, we learned of a massive flood in Pakistan. It doesn't take much surely -- only 5 years post-Katrina -- for our nation to have empathy for the people there. Old young mothers brothers -- nothing quite brings people out of their own human squabbles and group bickering than when we have to band together to fight the forces of nature.

Now -- some say the war in Afghanistan is futile, as the fighters there have spilled over into Pakistan. And Yemen. So we can either declare war on Pakistan, which we're pretty much doing now via targeted drone strikes as I understand it, and expect the mixed results that come when you inadvertently target civilians and end up turning more of the population against America and our heartless technology.

Or... we can lead by example. Something about a little light shining on a hill that all others in the world will want to emulate.

So how about we show a little heart?

We're hurting here financially, some of us maybe, but remember that little Biblical woman who gave the last of her coinage to help those in more dire straits than she?

Why not mobilize a show of charity for Pakistan -- put aside our religious differences and instead open our hearts and wallets like we did for Haiti? Let's get back to those Christian-Judeo roots that helped build the United States -- doing unto others as we'd have them do unto us.

America has Might, no one doubts that, though there are some out there calculating how long we can afford to pretend play at being the world's policeman. Do we have Right on our side anymore?

Strategically, no matter how much they tried to push the purple fingers and liberation for Iraq's women and girls, the Iraq and Afghanistan wars killed thousands of innocents. Pre-emptively. This wasn't a war of defense, nor was it a war of necessity.

We just knew better. Had to remove the badman Hussein. Shore up control of those oil fields. Promise a better life to the people over there, courtesy of the American taxpayers. No thanks; you've helped enough -- get out and leave us to determine our own future.

Surely a fund drive for Pakistan -- where we're giving to people and not taking anything in return -- might help them see Americans in a better light? And you never know how much a little light can throw to illuminate all that needs seeing in our shared and collective little human world...

Yes We Can.