Did you know that according to Fox Business, the US has given Pakistan over 18 billion dollars in aid since 9/11?
Are you aware that Pakistan not only protected Bin Laden for years, but is currently executing people for blasphemy. Eighteen people are on death row. The “logic” behind all this is that every religious group in Pakistan supports the laws because Allah should never be disrespected. Obviously, the government is supporting the religious groups. Examples of blasphemy can include architectural design, throwing away a calling card, spelling errors and yes, disagreeing with someone in power regarding religion.
Okay, so things in Pakistan are a lot different from here in the US, but WHY ARE WE GIVING A GOVERNMENT MONEY WHO IS AGAINST EVEN THE BASIC TENETS OF DEMOCRACY AND OPENLY DEFIES OUR COUNTRY?
What does this have to do with psychiatry?
A basic rule in psychotherapy is that a patient must learn that thoughts are not equal to actions. Because you have violent thoughts about your parents, siblings, friends or even Allah doesn’t mean you are going to DO anything violent.
We have the right to our own thoughts. We don’t have the right, within reasonable law, to act on our violent thoughts. That’s why the prisons in California are overflowing. People broke the law by their actions — NOT THEIR THOUGHTS!
The actions of our elected officials is beyond logic. 18 billion dollars to support religious oppression and an anti-democratic way of life?
Yes, I know, it might be worse if we didn’t give them the money. How do we fight terrorism effectively? It’s a complicated issue…
Maybe it’s not as complicated as we are led to believe. Give money to a country who allowed Bin Laden to live in hiding? Give money to a government that doesn’t respect women’s rights, religious rights, or children’s rights?
If we used all that money to start rebuilding our own infrastructure, put everyone to work, and created as much of a petrol free environment as possible, we’d be a lot better off than pandering to countries who do not respect our values. Countries can have any values they want, but if they continue to keep their people oppressed, they can get their money from other oppressors, like the Saudis or Iranians. And good luck with that!
Art Smukler is the award-winning writer of Chasing Backwards, a psychological murder mystery, Skin Dance, a mystery, and The Man with a Microphone in his Ear. All are available as paperbacks and eBooks.
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