On June 28th 2013 I actually took the time to read the Op-Ed page of the NY Times. I usually leave it to my husband who reads every NY paper, cover to cover. He helps me find articles relevant to what I do, resolve conflicts between people about animals. He is awesome at this job.
In the article, Mr. Haqqani, former Ambassador to the United
States from Pakistan (2008-2011), stated, “negotiating with the Taliban now
would be a grievous mistake.” He felt
the Taliban “view the talks as the beginning of the restoration of their
emirate.” The intention of the article
was to warn the US to avoid the scheduled conversations between the US and the
Taliban. According to Mr. Haqqani, everything the Taliban has said and
done up to this point, belies its statements that it is “ready for political
accommodation.”
Yet, if we don’t talk how will we move forward? If we don’t listen, albeit with some healthy
skepticism, won’t this deep-seated fear of anyone not aligned with one side or
the other persist? If we don’t get to
speak and have them listen, won’t the status quo remain? I do not profess to be an expert on Middle
Eastern policies or “the history of Washington’s engagement with the
Taliban.” I come at this article from my
own pragmatic point of view on emotional and deeply held conviction conflicts. If we don’t talk, how do we change the
paradigm?
My practice, on a much smaller scale, helps people use discussion to resolve conflicts involving
animals. On a global scale, I believe mediation
will help animals at the center of the animal production/animal rights battle take
incremental steps toward finding a solution to this escalating war. If all sides ‘Don’t Talk’ the battle will
continue to rage as will the US/Taliban conflict. Distrust of what one side says and does vs.
the other side can only be resolved at a table, eyeball to eyeball, building understanding
and hopefully trust. Without discourse there
is really no hope that we can all live together in some kind of harmony, human
or animal.
The Taliban and US have historic and, they each believe, well-founded
mistrust of and beliefs about each other.
These feelings are similar to the ones held by the Animal Production and
Animal Rights proponents who are in conflict with each other. Neither side really fosters a desire to take
small bites at their respective apples of conflict, thereby making tangible
gestures of good will that could, little by little, soften their deep-seated
mistrust. This kind of conduct will not reduce
conflict or make peace happen over night, in a month, a year, or a decade. Yet, to profess in either instance the “Don’t
Talk” rule, will simply prolongs the agony of the innocent bystander. In these larger wars, the Middle Eastern and
American people and the endangered animals are at the center of their
respective arguments and are the only ones continuing to suffer.
I, for one, facilitate conversation. What is often difficult at first becomes
easier with practice and repetition. Nothing
worth achieving is easy and if you don’t talk you will never find out how
rewarding that discussion can be.
I get Mr. Haqqani’s caution and skepticism. I have no issue with his advice that “America
must enter these talks with a healthy dose of skepticism.” I feel the same way about discussions conducted
between Animal Production and Animal Rights proponents. I do
not agree, though, that if they don’t hold that skepticism throughout the talks
they should “not participate at all.” If
one refuses to participate in a dialogue it can perpetuate beliefs that may now,
in fact, be wrong.
Without discussion and dialogue you cannot hope to
understand how your adversary feels. Like
it or not, dialogue can change positions in a conflict. It effectuate such a change in short amounts
of time, for less money while achieving the greatest positive impact on those
innocently involved. There may be lies and stretches to the truth. Somewhere
in lies is an opportunity to ask “Why?” And, in
that discussion comes the opportunity for everyone to show their true colors.
Similarly, in small or large conflicts between people about animals,
people use misinformation and innuendo to rally the troops to their cause. If we don’t take the opportunity to talk and
be held accountable for what we say in public and in private, how will the plights
of the animals ever change?
Think about it and please let me know what percolates in your mind. Are you able to talk in conflict? How do you approach a difficult discussion?
www.hamiltonlawandmediation.com
Think about it and please let me know what percolates in your mind. Are you able to talk in conflict? How do you approach a difficult discussion?
www.hamiltonlawandmediation.com
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