HALF A MILLIONAIRE

It is snowing and cold. Everyone hurries to get home because it is Christmas Eve, so no one seems to care for what she has to say. She has tried desperately to sell some matches, but her basket is still full. And, it becomes heavier at the end of the day when darkness takes over because she has not put anything in her stomach after the slice of bread given to her by her mother in the morning before leaving the house. The cobblestone streets are quieter. She is tired of chasing after them and asking them to buy her matches. She just wants to go home and lie down in her grandmother’s lap under her favorite blanket. As she walks by a house, through a large window, she sees kids playing with their grandparents while their mother and father are putting foods on the dining table. The roasted chicken makes her stomach growl. Those hot potatoes look tasty as well. Her breath fogs up the window’s glass, and as she uses her left hand to wipe it, she realizes that it is numb. She places the basket on the ground and sits on her heels. She takes off her gloves, and she lights the first match. She feels warmer for a few seconds. She lights another. In the sparkling light, she sees her grandmother’s smiling face greeting her at the door. Her younger siblings circle her. Suddenly, they disappear and everything returns to darkness and cold. She quickly lights another to keep them with her. Her father picks her up in his arms and kisses her cheek. Her mother takes off her coat. She feels loved. 

The next morning, they find a body of a little girl, covered in the snow, lying in front of the window of the house, surrounded by burned matches. “Poor girl, she tried to warm herself up with these small matches.” They cry. However, they do not know that it is her happiest Christmas Eve

The above story is not mine. Unfortunately, I can’t remember its title or the name of the author. I read it when I was a teenager. It changed my life. The little girl is my match. She warms up my soul when life is tough. She gives me the strength to live my life to the fullest each day. I have nothing to give the world, so I want to share this match with everyone. Please pass it on.

For many, rain is boring and depressing, but I always enjoy it. When I was a kid, I liked to come outside in the morning after a long rainy night because I loved to be the first person to smell the fresh air. I listened to birds chirping in the trees. I looked for dedicated ants starting their day under fallen leaves on the ground. I felt at peace. I felt as though my garden was all that I needed because it was life. It was a world. Or, at least, it was my world.

On December 12, 2009, from Baghdad, according to Reuters, Statoil, a Norwegian company, in partnership with Lukoil, a Russian oil giant, won the bid for Iraq’s supergiant West Qurna Phase II oilfield (www.reuters.com). These nations did not support the war. Also, Chinese and French oil companies are working very hard to snap up their shares of the cake. They, too, opposed the war. Exxon Mobil, an American company, won a deal for the supergiant West Qurna Phase I. It shows that the U.S. is not the only nation benefiting from the Iraq war in terms of oil. It is a “free” market competition. What about the deaths of thousands innocent Iraqis? I just want to make it clear that I am not mentioning the deaths of soldiers in this article because they are considered combatants. However, just for one sentence, I respect all the soldiers because they are the ones who have the courage and honor (soldiers’ courage and honor, not defined by you and me, Monday quarterbacks) to do what they are told, knowing that there are people around the world who will mock them for being “stupid”.

Let us get back to the deaths of innocent Iraqis. I am saddened by their deaths, but I do not know what to do. I know that I cannot bring them back. I know that their blood will be in the gas tank of my car, but I do not know what to do. Russia, China, France and Norway will bring home some cash from Iraq which will be used hopefully to create jobs for Russian, Chinese, French and Norwegian peoples. So, when a Russian (Chinese, French, or Norwegian) worker brings home a paycheck after a hardworking day, he or she should be aware that there is some blood on it, too.

On the positive side, I know that the Iraqi people will have ”a new chance” to rebuild their lives, and I hope that their leaders will make the right decisions for them. For me, I will continue to enjoy my morning after a rainy night because I know that life is more fun after the rain. And, I choose to accept both death and life. And, I will dream for eternal peace. However, I will not hastily condemn a war.

During his tour of Europe, President Obama pledged to a large crowd in Prague that America would work together with Russia to reduce its nuclear arsenal, and the speech won him the Nobel Peace prize. The goal is to cut nuclear warheads to between 1,700 and 2,200 by 2012. On November 25, 2009, Iranian President Ahmadinejad, at the opposite end, vowed to enrich more uranium and continue to pursue his nuclear ambition. Why doesn’t Iran feel safe even though America is signaling to the world that she desires peace?

Let us look at the number one more time. By 2012, we will “only” have about 2,200 nuclear warheads (not including the unlisted or concealed weapons!). That is not a lot (!). In my opinion, the denuclearization plan between the U.S. and Russia is meaningless because it does not guarantee peace. Even if all nations agree to completely rid this world of nuclear weapons, America still has thousands of tanks, planes, submarines and other bombs. America is still in control. And, this is the reason why Iran and other weaker nations want to have nuclear weapons. They fully understand that they will never be able to match up directly with America. Therefore, they just want to have enough nuclear warheads to protect themselves. Let us use Iran as an example. Ahmadinejad knows that he is being cornered by the international community because Russia is no longer on his side. Tactically, Iran is surrounded by American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. He knows that if he makes one wrong move that gives the U.S. a reason to attack, the game will be over. He has to continue playing the “delay” card because he knows the U.N. is nothing but a theatrical show. He is also letting the U.S. know that “if you attack me, I will retaliate on your friend, Israel.” The questions are: Did President Obama really mean “peace” when he announced America’s nuclear reduction plan? Or, did he do it to gain Russia’s favor and to further isolate Iran?

In my honest opinion, it is hypocritical of us to try to convince others to stop pursuing nuclear capability when we, Americans, never stop developing new weaponry. On the contrary, I suggest that we should allow everyone to have nuclear weapons because when we all have them, we will never have the courage to use them on each other. Perhaps, we will appreciate each other more, and we will learn to live together. I know that it does not sound right, but I don’t think we have a choice because I know that we are selfish creatures. Although self-preservation is the force that pushes our species forward, but it can also destroy us when we are unable to celebrate our differences. In conclusion, with or without nuclear weapons, we can “never” rid this world of “wars” because we are depleting our planet’s natural resources. And, eventually and sadly, we will kill each other to survive. Homo sapiens, the ugliest living things ever walk the earth.