Remembering Auschwitz

Given all the major historical events we have seen in the 20th century, i find it ironic and terribly depressing that we still have wars, genocides, and atrocities being committed to this very day.

It has been more than 60 years since the end of World War 2. The fact that the disastrous outcome of WW1 where millions of people perished, and countries went bankrupt trying to outdo each other by building more sophisticated killing machines didn't seem to do anything to stop us from starting another war. And then some.

To what cause? It all boils down to the fight for power, resources, race, religion, the fight for supremacy over the rest of humankind. By the looks of it, history does not seem to have taught us anything.

Could we have avoided the genocides and mass murders in Cambodia, Rwanda, and Sarejevo? I think so. Was the Iraq war really necessary? Not really. As if hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, famines and droughts aren't enough for us to donate our time, money and effort to. As if there isn't already enough disease, poverty and despair in the world to keep us busy.

I suppose one can argue that it is precisely because there are limited esources in the world, that is why people, governments, countries are going to war and killing each other for it. However, it seems to me we are creating more problems than solving them.

Why do we need to divert already scarce resources to feed poor little kids in Lebanon and the Gaza strip, or patch up buildings and roads in war-torn countries? Or spend money repairing water pipes if they weren't bombed in the first place? Why couldn't we spend the money on sending poor African kids to school instead so they wouldn't be toting guns on the street? Or try and find a cure for cancer?

Its a bleak world, it is.