# 167 COUNSELING WITH IMPACT

I not only have visual astigmatism, that hard-to-define problem with vision that warps and waves straight lines; I have a philosophical kind of astigmatism as well. A problem that causes me to see some things in a stranger light than most. Particularly when it comes to politics and global peace.

But before I continue with the politics of this discussion, I need to direct your thinking to how people are counseled in today’s world. In today’s world, people are warned about drug abuse, not by Puritans (those never exposed to the stuff), but rather by people that have been there, done that. And the reason for that is that Addiction Counseling, or any other counseling for that matter, seem to be far more effective, when conducted by former victims that are finally ‘clean’ or ‘dried out’.

Now hold that thought, because now we are going to look at the political landscape. The trouble in the Middle East. It initially blew my mind that anyone would turn to the U.S. for guidance to quell the situation. But then, (giving my head a shake) – of course they would. It rightly follows along with the same line of thinking as the counseling seminars we provide for various debilitating life-problems.

So who better to host discussions with Middle East leaders than George Bush or Condoleezza Rice? The seminar is probably not yet in full sway but I know what the Secretary of State is going to say. She is probably going to say something very similar to what the former drug addict might say in his speech to discourage the use of drugs. Her speech will sound surprisingly similar.

“Look, we know where you are coming from. We attacked a country with rockets prior to an assault by them. We have already done what you are doing. A few years ago, we foolishly set a precedent for war without retaliation against warring aggression. We have been there and we have done that. You don’t want to be doing the same. Don’t be making the same foolish mistakes we made.

See, what happened with us. Now we are in such a mess. Soldiers are still dying daily on both sides and innocent people as well. Can’t you see what has happened? Do you, for one moment want to end up in the same mess as we are in? To be in the midst of a situation that goes on and on, with so many deaths, and no end in sight? You don’t want to be doing this. For God’s sake, heed my warning. Get out now, before it is too late.”

Do you think this will deliver the desired impact?