Another American Tragedy In Orlando
By Dr. Vivek Kumar Srivastava
13 June, 2016
Countercurrents.org
Worst fears have come true for America and human civilization as about fifty people have been killed and fifty three are injured. The number is likely to increase as time passes by. Pulse nightclub, Orlando, Florida was attacked allegedly by Omar Mateen, from Port St Lucie, Florida, who has been named in media as lone gunman. Mateen carried an assault rifle and a pistol into the packed Pulse club about 2 a.m. Sunday and started shooting, killing 50 people and wounding at least 53, police said. After a standoff of about three hours, while people trapped inside the club desperately called and messaged friends and relatives, police crashed into the building with an armored vehicle and stun grenades and killed Mateen.
The attacker is allleged to have terrorist leaning as the media reports suggest. If it is so then clash between the individualistic happy living comes in conflict with the aggressive thoughts of an individual which have no place in modern world. As long as the individuals are not threat to the social world they can live in their peaceful mode. The imposed doctrines of conservatives have no place in the present time. The human life is supreme and no ideology or moralizing can be greater than that. No idea or thought generated by anyone can be superior to the individuals’ personal liberty and the life. This is a fundamental value which have been enshrined in the rule of law based societies. The Florida killing therefore assumes importance from the viewpoint of all those who have met the fatal fate and from those too who are always exposed to it.
The Florida killing also has heavy impact on the America’s political life where in fact the electoral battle between Trump and Hillary will be centered on tackling the issue of the terrorism. The multiculturalism in USA will be under stress if Florida killing is found related to the terrorism and conservative ideas also the strength of Trump will increase spontaneously. The common American may tilt towards the Republican manifesto and it will be highly difficult for the Democratic Party to prevent this tilt.
What is its message for the world- the need is to remain peaceful and vigilant against all the disruptive activities which may emerge anywhere and in any form. There is also need to condemn such activities, not only by all but particularly by those who reside within USA and owe much to the country. The people must come out to put the issue of human life prior to any thing.
People at the global level also pool their resources to save the disorganization of the social world. The true picture will emerge only after thorough investigation but one thing is clear that human civilization has come under stress and it needs to be fought in collective manner. Not always the guns or force are needed but ideas, shared values, coexistence and peaceful approach to life can become more important.
Dr. Vivek Kumar Srivastava, Vice Chairman CSSP, Consultant CRIEPS, e mail-[email protected]