True North Lost and the Search for a Moral Compass

For too long, we have been content to point in the wrong direction. Worse, we have been content to let our so-called “leaders” point us in the wrong direction

By Anil Madan

The other day, a friend wrote and asked me why I am so adamantly opposed to Trump. I wrote back:

“I am truly frightened and astounded by the sheer stupidity of Americans who saw what Trump did on and around January 6. And it makes no difference.

“They see his fraud and crimes, hear his lies. Makes no difference.

“They see the sexual predator and rapist. Makes no difference.

“They see the con artist. Makes no difference.

“They hear and see examples of his hatred, bile, xenophobia, racism, division, venality, and abuse. Makes no difference.

“This country has lost its moral compass.”

World in Turmoil. Pic – Mark Sanche

I lament the fact that out of 335 million people, the choice we have for president has devolved to Harris and Trump.

The other day, Dick Cheney who was George W. Bush’s Vice President and an ardent provocateur in bringing about the war on Iraq, said: “In our nation’s 248-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump. As citizens, we each have a duty to put country above partisanship to defend our Constitution. That is why I will be casting my vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.”

I never thought that the day would come when I would agree with someone named Cheney, but I do. His daughter Liz Cheney is a profile in courage.

It is truly sad to see Americans in large crowds, with their open mouths, little baby birds in a nest, beaks open, ready to swallow whatever Trump throws at them.

What is going on here?

Racism, xenophobia, and greed are powerful motivators — have been since the dawn of man. It is easy for Americans, indeed for people of any nation, to feel that they are victims. And Trump specializes in making his followers feel like victims. And they are stupid enough to play the role.

We see similar phenomena when those who seek to exploit organized religion for their own profit or power, form cults and indoctrinate their followers. These are little different from opportunistic pre-computer age Facebook groups chanting mumbo jumbo together and finding ways to control the thoughts of others. So, it has been with abortion. Making that a moral and religious issue has allowed the Republicans to exploit religion in their quest for power and money. Untold millions of dollars have been donated by people in the cause to end abortion when the sensible response would be “Why should I care if someone gets an abortion? If I don’t want an abortion no one can compel me to have one.” But have you noticed that it is often men who are the most vociferous opponents?

This is not the first time that America has lost its moral compass. We lost it with slavery. Let me pause to point out that the Africans who rounded up and shipped their own people out to be slaves, were just as guilty. And it was the British and Americans who fought to end not just the slave trade, but the very idea of slavery itself, at least in the western world.

I think America found its moral compass on this issue in the Civil War and the constitutional amendments to end slavery and guarantee equality. True, in some respects it is still a work in progress. But the half-life of slavery is shorter than that of nuclear fuel waste.

America lost its moral compass with the near genocide of the indigenous peoples of this continent. We are still engaged in finding our True North on that score.

America lost its compass again with the development and use of nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. There is a reasonable argument that it was prudent, and indeed advisable, to develop nuclear weapons before the Nazis did, and I acknowledge the argument that the use of nuclear bombs in Japan brought a swift end to the war. But demonstration of destructive power can be achieved without destroying a city. Or two.

America lost its moral compass again in Vietnam. We are engaged in finding our True North on that score as well. But along the way, we lost our moral compass when we invaded Iraq and caused the death or displacement of untold millions.

America lost its moral compass with Richard Nixon’s Watergate shenanigans, when Reagan made the hostage deal with Iran before the election, and when Bill Clinton sullied the presidency. 

America lost its compass again with the development and use of nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. There is a reasonable argument that it was prudent, and indeed advisable, to develop nuclear weapons before the Nazis did, and I acknowledge the argument that the use of nuclear bombs in Japan brought a swift end to the war. But demonstration of destructive power can be achieved without destroying a city. Or two.

America lost its moral compass again in Vietnam. We are engaged in finding our True North on that score as well. But along the way, we lost our moral compass when we invaded Iraq and caused the death or displacement of untold millions.

America lost its moral compass with Richard Nixon’s Watergate shenanigans, when Reagan made the hostage deal with Iran before the election, and when Bill Clinton sullied the presidency.

But no one has smeared the Office of the President of the United States as Donald Trump has.

a case study in a lost moral compass

Losing one’s moral compass is a human trait. Britain lost its moral compass when it went about exploiting its colonies and committing atrocities from India, across Africa and even in America.

China is a case study in a lost moral compass. China’s conquest of Tibet and the ruthless destruction of its culture and people are as close to genocide as one gets unless we consider the genocide against the Uyghurs. China’s loss of its moral compass extends to the abusive repression of its own citizens and its conquest of Hong Kong with the objective of spreading repression. And Taiwan remains in China’s sights. Never mind that China has no need for the land or people of Taiwan.

India and Pakistan lost their moral compass when each, instead of finding a way to live in peace, found ways to distance each from the other. The result is that there are very few Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan, and in India, the Muslims are often marginalized. And, of course, there was the original shame of the caste system that designated millions as “untouchable.”

How can one ignore Hitler and Nazi Germany when speaking of lost moral compasses? Or how can one ignore the Turkish genocide of the Armenians?

France too lost its moral compass in North Africa and in so many countries where it committed atrocities and brutal repression. Spain had its share of atrocities around the world, with the Spanish Inquisition and the banishing of Muslims.

Perhaps Tsarist Russia never had a moral compass and perhaps Leninist Russia, Stalinist Russia, and now Putinist Russia merely reflect what is in the DNA of that state’s rulers.

The Middle East has no shortage of exploitative and abusive regimes and governments. Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia, etc., all have shame on their records. This is not to ignore the terrorism of Hamas or Al Qaeda or Osama bin Laden, ISIS, and so forth.

Of course, when one mentions Iran, Afghanistan and the repression of women come to mind. Let us not forget about Belarus, Venezuela, or Pinochet’s Chile.

Getting back to the U.S. We are at a precarious moment in our nation’s history. Our government has lost its moral compass and is largely dysfunctional as the Republican Speaker of the Houser genuflects at every Trumpian demand. The Supreme Court itself has lost its moral compass and too many judges have engaged in questionable ethical behaviour. The recent decision on presidential immunity has upended the rock solid idea that propped up this nation: that all men are created equal. Now, we have our highest court telling us that one is more equal than the rest.

Our major corporations are accused and convicted of massive antitrust violations and billions of dollars in tax evasion. Pharma companies and financial service companies extort and cheat and consumer companies sell dangerous products. American companies lobby to have the right to pollute the air, water, and load our food with dangerous chemicals.

Donald Trump even claimed that he had every right to interfere in the election.

If that doesn’t tell you there is no moral compass there, what will?

Can any nation in the world find its True North?

For too long, we have been content to point in the wrong direction. Worse, we have been content to let our so-called “leaders” point us in the wrong direction.

It is time to reorient this nation, and ourselves, to True North.

Cheerz…
Bwana

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 13 September 2024