WHEN TWO ELEPHANTS FIGHT….

Watching video clips (BLACK MONEY,VICTIMS OF CORRUPTION among others) from PBS – FRONTLINE www.pbs.org/frontlineworld on the corruption of the powerful elite of Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Congo and Tanzania versus the giant corporations of the west, it indeed is a saddening fact to see the level to which our greed as human beings has reached. The amounts of money in transaction as a bribe to a Saudi Arabian Royalty from a company such BAE systems could easily feed the whole of Asia or perhaps Africa for a long while. The culprits of the crimes committed against humanity in their defense speak of the impossibility of business in the countries of interest unless the bribes are paid.

It’s of no use to blame the western world for being willing to pay such huge sums to fill up the bank accounts of the ruling elite of the struggling nations where as the larger population goes hungry. Who is to blame when we are all plagued by the greed that consumes our hearts and minds? The lust after what we cannot have that is slowly depriving us of our own essence “humanity”? the number of deaths in the Congo, Cameroon and the Niger delta is in the least of the minds of the”elephants” with briefcases. Nobody cares anymore when they sell weapons to third world countries at twice the market price.

The governments of these countries pocket the cash and do not care as to whether their people have a decent meal on their tables. The deals made on Golf courses and Las Vegas Casinos are ones that could reverse the course of a whole country. The Hedge Fund managers who play God with money on Wall Street in regard to the fate of a third world country. I may know only an ounce of what the real deal is and I may never get to change the mind of any of the “elephants” involved in the atrocities against human kind. And with a sad realization I admit to being a part of the reason as to why these crimes are committed. Why do I say so? At the end of my studies I would wish to work for the same companies I very much criticize today. How would they pay my dues if business can’t continue in the countries of resources? I believe my dilemma is likewise faced by the perpetrators of the crimes; when a husband or a wife is obliged to carry that suitcase which could harm a whole nation in order to keep his family afloat. In order to afford the luxury to which his children are used to. Vanity!

I could go on and on this topic with no conclusion given that there are so many articles that have been written on business ethics. I may not change the world with what I think but a question arises in my mind tonight. I think on “who really suffers when two elephants fight?” The elephants may be injured but doesn’t the grass suffer the most? Indeed the battle ground are the people, the multitudes that go hungry while their ruling elite stock up their armory ready for a war uncalled for. When will humanity be awakened?
Just a thought…….