Ephrem Endale Contributer
“You know the Russians seem to be getting real serious about this nuke thing. Do you think things will reach that level?”
“I don’t know; I really don’t know. Even the Western experts, political pundits and others don’t know for real what will happen in the next days, let alone months and years.”
The war seems to have motivated some to seek their day in the sun; and if you’re easily jolted by what you hear, this world must have turned into some sort of Hell! They try to sound like some Alexander the Great, Rommel somebody or something. Believe me most of them are bluffing. They accuse the West of hesitating to use its deadly arsenal like the nuke against the Russians. What the hell are these morons calling for? Do they think the world will disappear faster than an eye blink and they will go on to enjoy their Jack Daniels? That’s not going to happen.
Some days back a few of us were talking about current affairs when the nuke issue came up. One of us asked, “Is the nuclear war threat real?” It was a question none of us were able to answer given the rhetoric coming out of various capitals and the hardening of the language used. Indeed, is there any real danger it’d happen any time soon? A couple of months back, anyone raising such a question would have been taken for someone divorced from reality. “Did you say nuclear war? What’s the matter with you! What in the world have you been drinking these days?” All of a sudden maybe this world isn’t as smart and as ‘civilized’ as we though it to be! When you here so-called experts talking about the possibility of a limited ‘nuclear war’ you’d pardoned to wonder, “Are these guys taking seven-plus billion people for complete morons!” But it is also refreshing to hear others say “There’s nothing like ‘limited’ in a nuclear war.”
But in the middle of our chat something about which we never really thought about was raised; “Should we be worried?” the immediate answer would be, “Of course, we should be worried. What do you think a nuclear war is a picnic in the mountains?” Look, this world isn’t in a good condition. In fact it’s in the midst of some of the ugliest times of recent memory. But then should we be worried about nukes beginning to fly? Should we lose sleep over who’d be pushing the initial buttons? But then a nuke war is something billions could do nothing about. So why should we worry about something we could do absolutely nothing about, while there are a thousand and one issues needing our immediate attention? One amongst us said, “If a nuke war ever happens none of us could do anything about it and no one will be spared of the dangers,” and concluded worrying about it is foolish There are things you’re expected to lose sleep on by default, and the possibility of a nuke war is one.
The funny thing is some narratives tell us we should worry about the aliens who are supposed to invade us some time in the future; you know those so-called green creatures. I’ll tell you one thing I’m not going to worry about, any ‘green creatures,’ no one has really convinced of us of their presence somewhere in the universe. I don’t really care. Why should I care about some science fiction fantasy when there are the ‘green creatures’ back on earth? You know those, whose eyes turn green with envy hate and loathing. If I’ve to worry they’ve to be the ones I should worry about.
Should I worry about some asteroid a big section of Venus falling down on earth? Well, I don’t think so; unless some AI freak proves to me it’s headed for the top of my house. No, that’s not being heartless or anything like that. The question is what could I do to prevent from falling down some place? Almost nothing! This is not about sitting back and enjoying the show. It’s about precious time wasted worrying about things we could do nothing about.
And there is always talk of the ‘Mystic’ enemy behind the curtain. You’re told that what matters is not what you see but what you don’t. The remote control for your life is not in the hands of the people you have put in power (or put themselves in power!) but others behind the curtains. And the talk is those others behind the curtains are never the innocent, well-meaning souls who aim at nothing other making life on earth simpler for all of us. Had it been that it would have been a big ‘thumbs up’ on our part. “That’s it boys keep it up! You could remain invisible for as long as you wish; but we’ll always be with you all the way!”
No they’re not the Good Samaritans. The simple logic is had they been anywhere near to nice why they need to remain behind the curtains! “If you think America is led from where we see in the news you’ll have a lot of shock coming your way!” Interesting enough! Of course, interesting might not mean truthful.
In more fast reaction days when you here such things out of the ordinary you’d just brush it away. “Why are you picking such trash?”
But as the years go by and the world becomes messier and you fail to put your fingers on really plausible reasons for the dark clouds hovering over us you are forced to say, “Maybe I’ve been missing something down the road. Maybe all these bizarre sounding talks I’ve been hearing over the years aren’t that bizarre!” Of course, it doesn’t mean this will take you to greener grounds. In fact, when overplayed it will rip you away from the realities of the world and, for every bit of action and reaction, you’d have some conspiracy theory explanation or Nostradamus like reasoning. The question is should we be worried over such talk?
In case you missed it I saw on a YouTube channel one clergyman who seems to have massive following named three countries which will cease to exist soon. (The names? Why should I tell you the names! One thing I’m sure of is that my country isn’t included!) Now imagine others echoing such messages, with your country of origin being one of the three. Should you be worried? I mean real worried, because, after all, your dear country would be among the first to go? Believe me there are many who take such messages based on nothing but the whims of some fellow for real! And this is not about being literate or illiterate. You would be shocked to find out many highly educated people.
If you really believe this world is weird, you’re not a company of one. Yes, this world is weird!
The Ethiopian Herald march 27/2022