Massless

That the test of any decent society is not the contentment of the wealthy and strong, but the commitment to the poor and weak.
-blair.

Economic competence is the pre-condition of social justice.
-blair.

Not each person only for themselves, but each person for each other.
-me adding to blair.

Whether we like or not, these are the times of Great Words. Words overloaded with meaning. Words heavily scrutinized.

I think people are tired of the nitpicking from armchair generals like myself. But what else can I do? Especially since yesterday Tony Blair made a Great Speech, really, all stirring and strong. A speech to confront and challenge and to applaud. During the speech Mr. Blair stated that "Whatever the dangers of the action we take, the dangers of inaction are far, far greater."

The speech is amazing. And I'm only really bothered by one word. Just the word "whatever."

Whatever. Just one word. What's the difference?

Well, I find that a single word can easily become ambiguous. Especially when its context is murky and unsettled. A word uttered in open conversation can determine "target" from "friend." A word on a passport can determine "citizen" from "foreign national." Some people aren't just "missing" in New York. But the words used to describe their loved ones mean a lot to some people.

[Whatever.]

Taken only at its "word", Beethoven's Ode to Joy could be re-interpreted as the joy of killing. Or colonialism. Or hate. Listening only to the chorus of that "Rise Up" song Bruce Springsteen sang during that recent telethon...one could believe he was asking us to commit serious acts of aid for those recently injured or bereft. But the words could easily have meant, instead, "To Arms!"

["Whatever."]

"Whatever", with little effort, could mean "killing civilians" or "removing freedom of the press" or "supporting violent, uneducated torturers who can help our cause."

But I'm an optimistic sort. You know why? Because I think context matters quite a bit. I kinda think, given the context of the rest of the speech, that $Whatever to Tony Blair means Minimizing Hate, Vengence, And Military Retribution As We Ask Forgiveness For Past Unforgiveable Transgressions And Promote The Concept Of Inalienable Human Rights and Intellectual And Religious Freedom While Belatedly Becoming Personally Involved In Our World.

Perhaps to our immediate detriment, but also perhaps to our far-seeing health.

I hope it doesn't mean All That Other Stuff.