These Are Trying Times

Guest Opinion by J. J. Estemac

It is an understatement to say, “these are trying times”. Now we can understand some of the foretelling or prophesies that have been talked about in different forums, but more particularly in the religious communities. Some cite the Holy Scriptures, some Nostradamus and some other sources. We are seeing the effect of globalization when it is built on greed, one of the lowest of passion. Greed knows no boundaries, geographic, national or racial. The same as evil, it comes in all nationalities, races, economies and social strata. There are evil individuals and groups in our government, national and local. The so called “new world order”, the “one world society” made up of evil individuals seeking to dominate the world for their own evil purposes, using financial wealth supported by the military might of the countries where their influence is strongest. The financial crisis we are going through is only the tip of what is to come. We are noticing the domino effect; they are beginning to fall, starting at the center (USA).

To counter this one world movement there are leaders and governments that are promoting a multi-polar world. The first leader I have observed promoting the multi-polar with a passion is the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Frias. Now others are echoing the same position, others such as Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, stating the world should multi-polar and not dominated by any one country, no matter how powerful. Where that does leaves the USA, until now the world greatest superpower? The USA government has been vociferously promoting democracy but in reality, it fails to really practice what it preaches. Starting within the USA society itself, where two parties dominate the government and they still elect the president through a filter called the Electoral College, one of the vestiges of early postcolonial era. There are all kinds of mechanisms and practices that hinder other parties from emerging, unlike other democracies in the world.

The current financial crisis that is affecting the world markets starting in the USA exposes the vulnerability of the USA economy. There are those who are saying the USA has lost its position as the world financial superpower. It is said that the USA has become a debtor nation. I hope the politicians in the USA government do not seek to remedy the financial situation by applying its military power in another military adventure to shore up the USA economy. Wars in the past have served to stimulate the USA economy that was how the military-industrial complex became so strong and dominant. I do not think that strategy would work this time around, the world has changed. Many countries no longer fear the USA might and there are other alliances. I do not think the USA politicians (Republicans and Democrats), who may not be too conscious of history but are very conscious of the Holy Scriptures prophesy about Armageddon, may not want to be the initiators of such an event. The USA has lost its credibility and respect in the world due to its poor leadership, its contempt for the United Nations and the rule of international law that makes the USA a renegade nation as any other.

We need a moral rearmament to deal with these very trying times. People of faith and good morals have to take a stand and decide if they are for justice and righteousness or the alternative. Do they lack the spiritual fortitude to withstand the fiery darts that are flying and will be flying from different directions? I will only exhort you to stand firm on your beliefs and keep the faith. May Allah-God grant us wisdom and courage to overcome these trying times.

J. J. Estemac
St. Thomas, VI

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