Posted by
Curt Day on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 11:06:13 PM
Being diagnosed with cancer is unsettling; but, perhaps, it can be instructive as well. I view the regular cells of my body as its indigenous population and my cancer cells as intruders wishing to establish an empire over my indigenous population. In some ways, this analogy fits except that the conquering cells of my cancer started as indigenous cells. Some would say that that shows how disease can also imitate life. Regardless, uncontrolled intrusive growth of cancer cells in its region and, if it metastasizes, and in the other parts of the body allows it to be compared to Empire. For what is empire but the uncontrolled growth of one group as it overcomes one indigenous population after another starting with its origin?
Though some empires claim to have noble intentions, these intentions serve as veneers for uncontrolled ambition. Thomas Jefferson made that observation about both the British and French Empires in his day. And while some sincerely argue that our founding fathers came here to escape the hardships and persecution they found in England, they brought with them more than just a desire to escape, they brought some of the traditions of their oppressors. Whether we read Washington, Franklin, Jay or Jefferson, the idea of establishing American empire was on their minds. For many, their success in establishing their own empire was their fleece indicating God's approval. Their noble intentions were measured by how they treated their own. .
Not much has changed since the founding fathers were alive. Apologists for the American Empire question, as their apologetic, that if we are so bad, why do so many still want to come here to live? As in the past, how we treat our own is used to measure our noble intentions. This allows us to filter the effects that our metastasizing Empire has had on the indigenous populations of other countries. In addition, we might ask if are we so different from Jefferson when we are quick to condemn the empires of others such as the old evil empire of the Soviets from the past or the aspiring empire of the "Islamofascist" while taking for granted the right to expand our own. In fact, the existence of other empires provide an additional reason to maintain and even expand the American Empire by its apologists.
Tomorrow, my doctor and I will review the last couple of tests and will determine how to attack my cancer. If it has not metastasized, I am told that my kind of cancer can be easily treated. But, if my cancer cells had any kind of consciousness, these cells would certainly regard my treatments as aggression and, perhaps, even terrorism as I try to put an end to its uncontrolled growth. I, on the other hand, would regard whatever therapy my doctor employs as an attempt to save my life. If we regard empire as a form of cancer, then, perhaps, we would consider resistance to our and our friends' empires differently than we do today. Currently we assume that attacks on our or our friends' empires as terrorism practiced by those who, because they are evil, are intent on conquering us. But if we are on the side of empire, then isn't our assumption the same as the view that cancer cells could have of treatment--especially when treatment destroys healthy cells along with the cancerous cells?
Just as with the existence and treatment of cancer, the existence and response to empire can cause horrible damage to its recipients. But unlike cancer, the existence of empire is entirely due to human volition. So people can, just by controlling their desires to dominate and horde, and giving in to desires to share and make peace, eliminate something that has been far more devastating than cancer. For just like cancer, it is better to prevent any instance of empire than have to deal with it.