In an attempt to better understand a terribly complex world, I just finished reading books about Iran and Russia. Within an ebb and flow of imperialism verses anti-imperialism, there seems to be an ebb and flow of clerical power verses secular power.
Hierarchy imposes its laws and rules, and riding atop all political and social trusts there seems to be a palpable pride in patriotism, patriotism to party, patriotism to state, patriotism to nation, but no patriotism to world. Sadly, the world is left out of the patriotism equation, and our world is growing up without parents.
Yet somehow, we can’t see ourselves as anything but the best, and view everyone else as anything but the worst, whereas, truth be known, we are all in this lifeboat together. This small blue ball is depletable, and if we don’t start to feel some patriotism toward Mother Earth herself, instead of plundering her, well, we can all bend over and kiss our assets goodbye.
So let’s start pouring all our patriotism into one bag, Ma Nature’s bag. It’s not too late, however close, to save this blue marble we call home, if we can just pull together. And let’s do it for the kids under one year old. They are all so much alike, cute, innocent, curious, and noisy. They have no affiliations except Mom, who is a viable stative verb all by herself.
Kids under one see the world for what it is…finite. “If Mom dries up, I’m toast.” And should our little models happen to be twins, well, that’s okay. But if our models happen to be triplets, well, there could be a backup at the drinking fountain.
We are those three little kids. One of us is always backed up in that lifeline, hoping that Mom will keep the line moving. Our situation is that dire, so who is going to throw us a life preserver? You might be surprised to find out that our hero is you. You are going to throw that life preserver by avowing your allegiance, above all other allegiances, to Mother Nature.
The United Nations, our world diplomatic heart, will take the blue ball and run with it. We can remain 193 individual nations while promoting the solidarity of it all. The mission of the United Nations will soon rise above special interests of member states, and work toward fostering biospheric salvation.
In place of promoting nation-to-nation relations, the UN will be actively perpetuating and enforcing global sustainability. Yes, in place of providing life-saving emergency support during natural disasters and conflicts, the UN will be providing life-saving emergency support toward avoiding natural disasters and conflicts.
A movement of this magnitude will require a catchy name, so with apologies to Jack Benny, I might like to say, “I’m thinking, I’m thinking!” I mean, there are a few exceptions to universal love. The City of Brotherly Love will never love the Cowboys.
Let’s call it, “BIOSPHERIC SALVATION 2027.”
Our mission is to open world boundaries, bury world prejudices, and welcome an era of worldwide respect. “All aboard!”
Want to hear McAvoy Layne tell it? Go here for an audio version of this column. For more than 35 years, in over 4,000 performances, columnist and Chautauquan McAvoy has been dedicated to preserving the wit and wisdom of “The Wild Humorist of the Pacific Slope,” Mark Twain. As Layne puts it: “It’s like being a Monday through Friday preacher, whose sermon, though not reverently pious, is fervently American.”
