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Restoring humanity after George W Bush

Dear Reader,

It's being said that it may take an entire century, or at best several decades, for the world to recover from what is described as the 'dark era' of George W Bush. In fact, experts are not sure how to calculate the full extent of the damage. Not only was Bush successful in fracturing and dividing American society, he was instrumental in altering global human relations and the quality of life of people and nations across the planet.

I'm not sure that there is any place on earth that has not been affected in one way or another by the war on terror as defined, articulated and pursued by the George W Bush military establishment. And let's be clear about one thing: the war on terror is by and large an American war. The fact that the whole world has been pulled into this debacle is testament to the powerful forces of American hegemony and the unequal nature of its bilateral relations.

There is no doubt that terrorism is a real and present danger, and that it is not just Americans who are at risk. The World Trade Center attack is proof of this, and our own nation grieved along with others for our sons and daughters who perished. The world, however, was never asked to express how we wished to respond. Instead, we all became a part of the 'collusion of war', to discover soon after that the imperative for war was based on lies, half-truths and outright manipulation.

Whether we liked it or not, the Bush justification for war also became our own, and all of us have, through the daily bombardment of television and cable, been participants in the wholesale murder and maiming of thousands of Iraqi civilians and their children. In an unfair and lopsided war, there are those who feasted on the "shock and awe" and "collateral damage" slogans as American bombs rained terror on a country that was no match in size or fire power to the United States.

According to Joseph Nye, dean of Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, "The military victory in Iraq seems to have confirmed a new world order. Not since Rome has one nation loomed so large above the others. Today the world's 'empire' has come out of the closet."

Regrettably, most of the world was ignorant about the project called the "New American Century", a group of conservative political figures who began in 1997 to chart a much more aggressive American foreign policy, and who, it is said, had been planning to go to war with Iraq long before September 11. In his book, God's Politics, the author Jim Wallis, referring to the architects of this ultra right-wing group writes, "In their words, the project's papers lay out the vision of an 'American peace' based on unquestioned US military pre-eminence. These imperial visionaries write that "America's grand strategy should aim to preserve and extend this advantageous position as far into the future as possible." It is imperative, in their view, for the United States to "accept responsibility for America's unique role in preserving and extending an international order friendly to our security, our prosperity and our principles".

It is against that background that the Obama "phenomenon" has resonated so powerfully, and the idea of a Democratic Party victory become so appealing. It is increasingly clear to more and more people that the Bush reign of terror must be halted and summarily reversed. Obama's articulation of a more humane and united world has fuelled the fire of hope, justice and peace.

In a letter circulated on the Internet written by literary giant and Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison she says, "Dear Mr Obama, this letter represents a first for me - a public endorsement of a presidential candidate. I feel driven to let you know why I am writing it. One reason is it may help gather other supporters; another is that this is one of those singular moments that nations ignore at their peril. I will not rehearse the multiple crises facing us, but of one thing I am certain: this opportunity for a national evolution (even revolution) will not come again soon, and I am convinced you are the person to capture it. When, I wondered, was the last time this country was guided by such a leader? Someone whose moral centre was un-embargoed? Someone with courage instead of mere ambition? Someone who truly thinks of his country's citizens as "we" and not "they"? Someone who understands what it will take to help America realise the virtues it fancies about itself, what it desperately needs to become in the world?"

Tarika Barrett, a young Obama supporter, married, with a one-year-old son and pursuing a doctorate in education, writes, "I believe Barack Obama represents a new chapter for our nation and really embodies the America we all want to be a part of. I think his presidency would have the power to transform this country. I already see evidence of this with the huge numbers of new people who have been energised by his campaign and believe change is possible. Barack seems thoughtful, honest, intelligent, and real. This is the first time in my life I can genuinely hope to feel proud of my president and what can be accomplished."

As America gets ready to elect a new president, the world is breathing a collective sigh of relief that the chapter in the book entitled "The World According to George W Bush" will be closed.