Oscar Meyers Part 2: Academia By Lazlo Zalezac Copyright (C) Lazlo Zalezac, 2005 Chapter 27 Fareed Khomeni’s face turned red and he glared at Oscar angrily. Fareed was a student of Mullah Farzin bin Saud and had been assigned to teach the basics of Islam to Oscar. Oscar had expected someone his own age, but Fareed was nearly sixty years of age. It turned out that Fareed was being groomed to take over the position held by Mullah Farzin bin Saud. “You are impossible,” Fareed declared. He glared at Oscar and added, “You have no respect for the word of God!” Oscar watched Fareed Khomeni storm out of the room in anger and shook his head in dismay. He had not expected the man to react so strongly to his question. He had pointed out what appeared to be a contradiction in the Koran and asked for an explanation. Each time Oscar asked for clarification about some concept that he didn’t understand, Fareed seemed to get a little angrier. Alone in the room, Oscar wondered what he was supposed to be doing. It was late in the morning and he still had more than half a day of class time remaining. He yawned and settled back in his chair choosing to wait for Fareed to return. It would only anger the man more if he had to search out Oscar to resume the class once he had calmed down. After Oscar had waited for thirty minutes, Oliver entered the room and took a seat across from the red robed Druid. He sighed and said, “Congratulations.” “For what?” Oscar asked puzzled by the Oliver’s comment. “Fareed Khomeni left.” “What do you mean, he left?” Oscar asked. He knew that Fareed had been upset, but not upset enough to quit. “Apparently, your questions have touched upon issues of great debate among Islamic scholars. Students are not supposed to ask such questions and demand answers from their instructors until much later in their studies.” “How much later?” “More than two weeks after beginning their studies,” Oliver answered with a smile. “Oh, I didn’t realize that my questions were that contentious.” “You are supposed to be a new student. He isn’t convinced that you understand the broad elements of the Koran. Your questions verge on being disrespectful,” Oliver said with a twinkle in his eye. “I don’t think that was why he was so upset, though.” “No?” Oscar asked. “Imagine giving a first grader a Dick and Jane story to read and then coming to class the next day to find the student wanting to discuss the sonnets of Shakespeare. You wouldn’t be prepared to say much about the material. I’m sure that you would feel a little embarrassed by detailed questions about individual sonnets,” Oliver said. “I guess,” Oscar said shrugging his shoulders. He hadn’t thought his questions were that probing. “There is nothing like being caught flat-footed by an over-talented student who is nearly your equal in a subject,” Oliver said. “Ah, I hadn’t considered that possibility,” Oscar said frowning. “There was a reason why I asked Mullah Farzin bin Saud to provide the training. The Mullah is active in debating exactly the issues associated with your questions,” Oliver said. He sighed and said, “I was rather surprised when Fareed showed up. I could understand the rationale concerning the difficulties involved with Mullah Farzin bin Saud staying here while keeping your identity secret, but I felt there would be problems.” “I guess there were problems,” Oscar commented in a deadpan voice. Oliver laughed and shook his head. He rose from his chair and said, “I better get to my office. I’m sure that Mullah Farzin bin Saud will be calling soon.” Holding up a hand to request that Oliver stay a moment, Oscar said, “I’ve got a feeling that this year is not going to be a very good year for my education.” “Actually, I think you are going to learn a lot more this year than in the past.” “What do you mean?” “You are going to be learning the politics of religion. I can’t think of a religion more suited for teaching politics than Islam,” Oliver answered. Nodding his head, Oscar had to agree. There were restrictions on following the orders of non-Muslims and a general attitude that was required of believers towards non-believers. There was a general acceptance that whatever happened was Allah’s will; even if it was directed by a human agency. There was a significant intolerance of criticism by non-believers while criticism of non- believers was practically required. Oscar said, “You are correct about it being the perfect religion for teaching politics, but I’m not sure that will help me become an Islamic Scholar.” “Are you sure that the goal of your education is to become a religious scholar?” Oliver asked with a grin. Surprised at the suggestion, Oscar asked, “Isn’t it?” “Perhaps it is to understand the various motives that direct the actions of those who cling most violently to their religion,” Oliver answered. He leaned against the frame of the door and watched Oscar’s reaction. Oscar ran a finger along the top of the table while thinking about what Oliver had said. It was a revelation and he wondered why he hadn’t thought of it previously. Looking back up at Oliver he said, “I guess that makes sense if I’m to bring peace to the Middle East.” “I better get back to my office.” “What should I do?” “Why don’t you take the afternoon off?” The town center was quiet. A few cars were parked in front of the small shops that lined the center square. It was the middle of the day in the middle of the week. Many of the locals commuted to the larger nearby town to work. Those who stayed in town were busy doing their daily activities. For the most part, those activities occurred indoors. Kids were in school, housewives were working around the house, and businessmen were hard at work in their places of business. The only people out and about were the elderly who gathered in public places to visit during the quiet afternoon hours. There was a park in the center square. Trees gave shade to benches along paths that crisscrossed the park. Groups of elderly men and women were seated on the benches in pockets defined by friendships that had lasted a lifetime. Conversations ranged the full spectrum of topics. The topics included family, health, deaths, births, religion, and politics that spanned local, state, national, and international levels. Oscar took a seat on a bench across from three older men. One of the men remarked, “You’re one of the funny fellows from that college.” With a wry grin, Oscar said, “I guess you could say that. There are some who would suggest that, despite my best efforts, I’m not very funny.” One of the men chuckled and said, “You’re right. You’re not very funny.” “There sure are a lot of you fellers around now-a-days,” said one of the men. He shook his head and said, “I’m not sure that I like you running this country.” “We don’t run this country,” Oscar said looking puzzled. “Every time I see some new government program started up there’s one of you fellows standing there next to the politician,” the man replied. He scratched the side of his nose and said, “Not sure I like that at all.” The other two men seated on the bench all nodded their heads in agreement. One of them said, “You’re right Edgar. I know lots of folks that feel the same way as you.” “Does your doctor run your life?” Oscar asked after thinking about the comment for a minute. “Sure seems like it. He’s got me on pills, a special diet, and wants me to exercise,” the old man answered. Of course, the exercise program recommended by the doctor didn’t seem like the kind of exercise he knew when he was a kid. Jumping up and down in the swimming pool was far different then the pushups and Jumping Jacks of his youth. “Do you follow his advice?” “Yes, I do. All of us go down to the YMCA and take part in the senior exercise program they have going down there.” “Why do you do what he suggests?” “I feel better. Hell, if it weren’t for the operation on my hip, I wouldn’t be able to walk around at all,” Edgar answered. “So you use his services because you like the results,” Oscar said. “Right.” “That’s what we do. We provide a similar service to people. We try to improve the quality of life for humanity,” Oscar said. One of the other men looked at Oscar as if he were speaking Greek. Shaking his head, he said, “You’re from the enforcement branch of the Druids. You kill people who don’t do what you say.” Oscar had never heard the red robed Druids called the enforcement arm of the organization. With a puzzled expression on his face, he looked at the man wondering where he could have gotten that idea. After an uneasy silence, Oscar asked, “Enforcement arm?” “Yes,” the old man answered getting worried that he had said something that would get him killed. “Now you did it George,” Edgar said elbowing his buddy in the ribs. Oscar realized that having so many red robed Druids involved in law enforcement that it was a reasonable characterization of their role by people who didn’t know better. The idea of letting Oliver know that some people had taken to calling the servants of the God the Enforcement Arm of the Druids came to mind. Filing the thought away, Oscar said, “I never thought of myself in that fashion.” “What?” “I’ve always seen myself as a defender of the weak. We aren’t enforcers for the strong,” Oscar answered. “There’s a difference?” “Sure. Suppose there was a gang of drug dealers moving into your neighborhood. It would be my duty to stop them from dealing drugs to the kids in the neighborhood,” Oscar said. “You’d be enforcing the law,” George said. “No, I’d be protecting all those kids who would become victims of the drugs,” Oscar said. “Same thing, as far as I can tell. That’s why they have the laws.” “I don’t enforce laws. I act even if there isn’t a law in place to protect victims. I don’t enforce laws if all that would do is victimize someone,” Oscar answered. “You don’t enforce some laws?” “Well, we go after drug dealers, criminal organizations, white slavers, and other groups that are out to harm others. We don’t go after drug users, prostitutes, homeless, or others who are victims of their circumstances. We try to help them by providing treatments, safe houses, shelters, and assistance,” Oscar answered. “You don’t go after whores?” “No.” “Why not?” “That’s rather difficult to explain, but I’ll try. We operate under two rules. If it harms none, then do it. Protect the weak from the strong.” “I’ve heard that before,” Edgar interrupted. He felt that was a way to justify what ever the Druids wanted to do. He grumped, “That’s just a way to explain doing whatever you want while sounding all noble.” Ignoring the comment, Oscar said, “Most prostitutes who enter the business do so willingly and fully aware of what they are doing. Sure, maybe there’s a pimp who talks them into doing it at first, but all they are doing is talking. Often the women do it as a way to make a living because they do not see any other choice. “For a lot of prostitutes, it is a job that brings in money that is no different than being a secretary. As far as we are concerned, they are not harming anyone. They accept the consequences of their actions and the clients accept the consequences of their actions. No force is being used by anyone, no harm is being done, and no weak person is being used by a stronger person. It is a financial transaction in which services are exchanged for money. “Most of the women entering the business do so to escape situations that are much worse than being a prostitute. Those who enter in violation to their own moral beliefs are harming themselves. Rather than punish them, we try to help them get out of the business and the situation that forced them into the business. There is no enforcement or force used. We set up programs that provide safe houses, counseling, and training for other jobs. “Occasionally, there is a person who forces others into prostitution. We step in to prevent those kinds of situations from continuing. We are protecting the weak from the strong. Enforcement suggests that one is trying to maintain the status quo of the strong against the weak. We try to protect both prostitute and client. We try to prevent people from taking advantage of others,” Oscar answered. “You wear a red robe. What have you done to protect the weak from the strong?” “I’ve fought terrorists who would blow up innocents as a means of furthering their political agenda,” Oscar answered. “You kill any of them?” “Yes, I’ve killed many of them,” Oscar answered although he didn’t like to think of how many men died at his hands. Edgar frowned and said, “That doesn’t work. You can’t defeat terrorism by killing terrorists. All that does is to create more terrorists.” Oscar looked at Edgar for a minute as he considered that assertion. Finally he answered, “That’s true. You don’t stop terrorism by killing terrorists. Ending terrorism requires a lot of different activities to operate at the same time. You have to change the political environment which spawned the terrorists. You have to change the economics of terrorism to make less violent mechanisms of protest viable. Even while doing those other things, you have to prevent terrorist acts to enable the political changes to occur. That will often include killing terrorists. “Of course, there are many who fight against changing the system. Some of them become terrorists and the pace of terrorist activities increases. That gives the appearance that your attempts to solve the problem are not working. That is a short-term perspective. They are reacting because your actions are being successful.” Incredulous, George said, “You’re trying to convince me that working to decrease terrorism actually increases it. There has to be a better approach.” “If there is one, then no one has found it. You have to understand how and why terrorism arises.” “How does it arise?” “Terrorism arises in areas where there is political repression by a powerful government. It is an inexpensive and easy to use political weapon that a weak political entity can use against a stronger one. Terrorists do not want to eliminate corruption or political repression but to replace the individuals in charge to impose their own version of corruption or ideology. When they are successful, their assumption of power does not eliminate terrorism but spawns new groups of terrorists,” Oscar said. “You could try talking to the terrorists and finding out what they want.” “Who could talk to them?” “The government,” answered George. “Ah, the government,” Oscar said nodding his head. “I assume you mean our government. The problem is that governments deal with other governments and not individuals. There is not a mechanism in place for Joe Public to go to the government of another country to try and effect changes within his own country.” “So why are these terrorists attacking the United States?” Oscar sighed as he thought of the complexities of international politics. Many parts of the world did not distinguish between big business and government. When an American oil company purchased oil and the government that controlled the production and sale of that oil used the money to repress its citizens, people assumed that it was the US government at fault. In most parts of the world, government and international business are one and the same. When the government put trade sanctions on repressive regimes, then they blamed the US government for the resulting worsened economic conditions. Everyone thought the government was attempting to manipulate oil for the sake of American Big Business, but didn’t realize that allowing or preventing the sale of oil was the only economic lever it had for use in trying to moderate repressive regimes. If all that the government wanted was oil, it wouldn’t put economic sanctions on countries selling oil. It would invade and take over the oil fields. The problem was that the country needed oil so the government couldn’t put sanctions on every oil producing country that repressed its citizens. This made the policy look arbitrary. Oscar answered, “The terrorists believe that the United States is supporting the governments that are repressing them. They blame the United States for their problems.” “Aren’t we?” Edgar asked as if it was a given that it was what the country was doing. “It has happened that we’ve helped one group replace another group for reasons of our own national security. That was particularly true during the Cold War. Unfortunately, we usually discovered that the new group was just as repressive as the old one was. Even when we take the people’s position and help overthrow a repressive government, the result is not what anyone has wanted. The problem is that as a country, we are supposed to deal with the governments of other countries and not individuals within those countries,” Oscar answered. Shaking his head, Oscar said, “The government has tried economic support of good regimes. The government has tried economic sanctions to undermine bad regimes. None of those approaches work.” “So what is the answer?” “Druids.” “Druids?” “We are individuals who can deal with individuals. We are strong and can resist the efforts of the strong to repress us. We offer the knowledge to create change without violence, but we are willing to use the force necessary to protect the weak from the strong. We have the knowledge and power to convince governments to create international policies that serve to protect the weak. We do not care about the form of government, but only that the government serves to protect its people rather than exploit them.” “So you meddle in the affairs of countries,” George said. “We let certain people who can use what we know act to effect changes for the better. Sometimes governments fall, sometimes they change, and sometimes nothing happens so that we have to try again,” Oscar said. “So you are just a bunch of meddlers,” George said. Shrugging his shoulders, Oscar decided that was just as good of a way to describe what they did as any. He said, “I guess so.” Edgar asked, “Are you working for the Government?” Nodding his head, Oscar answered, “I’m employed by the government, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that I put the government’s interests first. I serve the Gods and Goddesses. In doing so, I serve humanity. When the choice is between serving the government or humanity, I will always choose humanity.” Edgar bristled at the idea of going against the government and asked, “Well, are you an American?” “I am.” “If you were, you’d support the government.” Oscar was silent for a moment and then asked, “Are you an American?” “Damn straight. I even served this country by joining the Army when I was younger.” “Are you a Christian?” “I go to church every Sunday,” Edgar answered. For some folks going to church didn’t mean much. He had faced death and felt the hand of God protect him. His visits to church meant a lot to him. “If the government asked you to burn down your church, would you burn it down?” Oscar asked. “No!” “So you would stop being an American?” “No,” Edgar answered. His certainty had been undermined a little by the question. He frowned and said, “I don’t know.” “You would remain an American and protest any request that violates your covenant with your God,” Oscar said. “Right.” “Same here.”