Smiling

In 1974, there was a huge uproar over India’s nuclear testing operation code-named “Smiling Buddha”. When the test was successfully completed, the head of operations called the prime minister (Indira Gandhi at the time) and happily informed her: “Madam, Buddha has finally smiled”.

In the years since, another series of nuclear tests has come and gone causing more controversy and sanctions, but India, I believe, has since redeemed itself by clearly stating its policy on nuclear weapons – that of “no-first-use”. It’s a small step in nuclear non-proliferation, but it is significant considering India is itself a very significant member of the world community. More importantly it shames governments that have much longer nuclear histories but to this day have forgotten their own true nuclear responsibilities in favour of shabby nuclear favouritism. No prizes for guessing which government comes at the top of this list.

I try to avoid making any sort of comment on U.S. politics because I believe I share the opinion of the world in general, and being a citizen of the world (as opposed to being a U.S. citizen) there’s precious little that I can do to change the U.S. political climate. U.S. voters have to take domestic concerns into consideration when they decide on leaders and last week while our esteemed “leader of the free world” Bush was addressing his aged citizens on matters of Medicare, someone piped up with a question. It must have been most uncomfortable for Mr. Bush because he was was forced to change gears in a flash, from insurance salesman to responsible leader. Here’s how he did:

Q Mr. President, there are some — and I guess I would include myself — who have different views about the Indian agreement, because they’re concerned about the effect that the agreement will have on the capacity of India to stimulate its own production of nuclear weapons —

THE PRESIDENT: No, I understand.

Q — by helping them. But I would go beyond that and ask you, while you’re still President, to consider one aspect of this whole nuclear question. I guess I’m one of the three standing — left standing Americans who helped — who did the negotiation of the nonproliferation treaty. And the basic bargain there was that other countries would give up their nuclear weapons if we, the nuclear powers, would engage in a program of nuclear disarmament.

Now, I’m aware of all of the agreements that have taken place. I’m aware of the negotiations that you had with Mr. Putin. The point is that we cannot expect that agreement, that basic agreement to hold if the United States, particularly, goes on acting as — and has the position that we might initiate a nuclear war if it is necessary.

And I would ask you just to think about the time — while you’re still President, taking the one position that only one American President has taken, and that is President Johnson, to consider a “no first-use” policy to help the prospect of nuclear proliferation in the long run.

THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you. Thank you very much. Thanks for your contribution, by the way. I appreciate it. (Applause.)

Part of the Indian deal is to actually get them to formally join some of the institutions that you helped — your work created. And you’re right. I did do an agreement with President Putin — thanks for noticing — where we’re — both of us are reducing nuclear stockpiles. But I’ll take your words to heart, and think about it. Thank you. No commitment standing right here, of course. (Laughter.)

Hmmm. Articulate. One of very few people who can destroy humanity at whim (literally, physically… not the moral destruction that Australian politicians are limited to flinging about here), he sounds like he’s selling jam at a country fair. The demeanour may be endearing in some situations, not here. I don’t know what drives the man, nor his entire administration, but it’s difficult not to see that U.S. foreign policy is merely a branch of U.S. economic policy. And I guess you need to know what sort of voter he is pandering to.

I’m beginning to think that Republican voters these days are part of a minority who need to feel part of something grand. Who need a small arsenal of AR-15s to shoot rabbits. Who need to drive to the corner store in their 425 horsepower Chryslers. Who think there’s something impressive about being the biggest and most lethal. Why else would they call it the Grand Old Party?

I may not be entitled to Medicare benefits but I do believe that the rest of the world is entitled to a healthcare plan that protects us from being blown to smithereens by another Fat Boy. Mr. Bush, your term is doomed. Disconnect from the voters and talk to us some time about our healthcare plan. Then some day when you get the phone call from the big operations centre in the sky, you can hope to make your very own personal saviour smile.