The Moral High Ground

The international community has reacted with predictable ire at the recent nuclear test in North Korea. The prospect of this pariah state "tooled-up" and capable of inflicting serious damage on her neighbours is seemingly too much for the international community to bear. Even China seems to consider this a step too far, and America will doubtless push hard at the UN for a serious response.

The outrage at North Korea's nuclear ambition is perfectly understandable, as the last thing we need is a seemingly deranged dictator with such weapons. However, one cannot help but marvel at the astonishing arrogance of America, which is currently investing millions in the next generation of nuclear weapons. To be clear, they seem to think that nukes are fine as long as they are the only ones allowed to have them. Now, at one time, most westerners would have been happy enough to accept America's claim to the moral high ground, but in light of recent events this pill is a little bit hard to swallow. And, after all, the US is the only country with a history of actually using these terrible weapons.

It would be a little more paletable if the countries shouting loudest in response to this nuclear test were moving towards eradication of their own nuclear arsenals. In fact, the opposite is the case. And if the reaction to these events were consonant with responses to other countries engaging in similar behaviour, then the current cry for blood might be easier to support. But when France did exactly the same thing some years ago, there was a little bit of shouting, but no real action.

It seems that different standards apply to predominantly white western nations than the rest of the world. Unless, that is, the country in question is more difficult to bully. Take China, for example. America knows well that the Chinese would brook little interference in its affairs, and is very capable of defending itself. So it leaves well enough alone. The chances of the US intervening in China to bring "freedom" or "democracy" are about a million to one. So they support the Chinese regime by trading with them and allowing American companies to make huge investments in the Chinese ecomony.

America picks on the weak and cosies-up to the strong. It has become a bully.

And all bullies face the same end - they eventually come up against someone bigger than themselves, and usually find that they have no friends left to help them.

In the meantime, while idiots like Bush posture and justify themselves and their violence with the language of peace, thousands of nuclear weapons still sit in silos around the world, waiting for someone stupid enough to push the button. How ironic if the man who starts World War III cannot pronounce 'nuclear.'