Sorrow in Syria with ACHUCKAllen
The ongoing crimes against humanity in Syria are both heartbreaking and horrific. Add North Korea and Russia to the mix and it’s a first class disaster.
While President Obama was in office, then citizen Donald Trump tweeted that the crisis in Syria “wasn’t America’s problem.” Now, after seeing the video of chemical weapons being used on their own people, now President Trump has been moved to say that “Syria is now my problem.”
This is not a critique of either President Obama or Trump. It is a reminder that from a distance, most problems have simplistic, sterile solutions. And then, as we get closer to the real problem, the more complex, and critical the solution becomes.
I believe that is true in every problem in our society. Pick the problem – what to cut from the budget, who to place on the court, how to settle the healthcare challenge. On and on the problems go. The further you are away from the problem, the more simplistic the solution seems.
Here’s my point – Before we fire off an opinion that is heavily weighted with terminal certainty – Regardless of our knowledge of the problem or potential challenges to the solutions – Stop before you launch an opinion or criticism – AND THINK! Do you know everything you need to know, before you share your vast wisdom?
I’m guilty. I’ve shared my considerable lack of wisdom with folks far too often. Have you? I’m committed to suspending my vocal barrage of simplistic solutions prior to having sufficient understanding. I invite you to join me.
–AChuck