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Alternative to war
Simonthepilgrim
Veteran
Any time spent discussing alternatives to war will bring up the question of sanctions.
As Buddhist, many (if not most) of us are anti-war and want to be able to defend credible alternatives. The disaster of the Iraq Food-For-Oil programme has tended to wipe out the memory of sanctions which have worked.
I came across the following essay which I have found very useful in the debate and I wanted to share it with you in the hope that it may help you as you suggest that war is a waste of time, money, and, possibly, lives!
The report can be found at :
http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:Q6JGd48NyrwJ:www.smartsanctions.se/stockholm_process/reports/Final%2520report%2520complete.pdf+Making+Targeted+Sanctions+Effective&hl=en&client=firefox-a
As Buddhist, many (if not most) of us are anti-war and want to be able to defend credible alternatives. The disaster of the Iraq Food-For-Oil programme has tended to wipe out the memory of sanctions which have worked.
I came across the following essay which I have found very useful in the debate and I wanted to share it with you in the hope that it may help you as you suggest that war is a waste of time, money, and, possibly, lives!
Targeted Sanctions Challenge Tyrannies
You heard that sanctions don't work against dictatorships? Don't believe it!John Bacher
In the months leading up to the Iraq war, the press focused on disputes among democratic countries over plans for an American-led war, ignoring a serious effort then being developed to challenge such despotisms nonviolently. The plan: improve targeted sanctions. A major step in this process was the release of the report, Making Targeted Sanctions Effective: Guidelines for the Implementation of UN Policy Options. It resulted from close collaboration between the Swedish Foreign Ministry, the Department of Peace and Conflict Research of Uppsala University and members of the United Nations Secretariat. We should pay attention to this proposal!
Wisely, Making Targeted Sanctions Effective insists that economic penalties against sanctions violators should hit the criminal and corporate interests that benefit from their evasion not the numerous people who fall victim to hunger as a result of poorly targeted and implemented measures. These findings benefit from another fine new work of peace research a well-titled book, Greed and Grievance: Economic Agendas in Civil Wars, edited by Mats Berdal and David Malone as a project of the International Peace Academy.
Greed and Grievance exposes the rapacious criminal economic interests sheltered by dictatorships, which are behind most of the world's remaining wars. Written by academics from two usually conflicting disciplines strategic and peace studies Greed and Grievance, like Making Targeted Sanctions More Effective, has had marginal public impact because its implications barely have been discussed. Thoughtful peace researchers often are ignored when they show how dictatorships provide a cover for criminal behavior. Their demands for greater control over corporate criminals make powerful media conglomerates and even publicly funded broadcasters nervous. At the same time, analysis of this kind does not fit into the popular anti-globalization rhetoric that blames international organizations such as the World Bank, the World Trade Organization, and the International Monetary Fund for much of the world's suffering. In fact, peace scholars find that these organizations have little impact on armed conflict.
How can sanctions work? When do they fail? I will show the pattern by reviewing three case studies. These are the blood diamond wars of Sierra Leone and Angola; the conflicts of former Yugoslavia; and the survival of Saddam Husseins dictatorship for 12 years preceding the attack on Iraq by an American-led coalition.The Threat of Exposure: How Sanctions Eventually Worked in Sierra Leone and Angola
In Sierra Leone and Angola brutal civil wars were eventually brought to an end through the effective use of targeted sanctions. These highly publicized measures eventually dried up the funds of armed opposition groups that had exploited the illegal trade in blood diamonds,also called conflict diamonds.
Blood diamond warfare persisted because it was sustained by a vast network of corruption. Indeed, the powerful crooks were aided by officials in the very governments under attack by the rebel armies of UNITA and the RUF. Partnership Africa Canada's investigation into this situation found that the civil war in Sierra Leone had gradually become a pretext to engage in profitable crime under cover of war. What proved critical to ending the Angolan and Sierra Leone civil wars was public pressure on the diamond industry, especially the De Beers Corporation. In 1996, at the height of these wars, De Beers was sorting, valuing, and selling around 80 per cent of the world's diamond production.
While the United Nations, through its special Canadian agent, diplomat Robert Fowler, played a major role in curbing the blood diamond trade, his success was boosted by such NGOs as Partnership Africa Canada, Global Witness and Amnesty International. A major step was the publication of a December 1998 report, Rough Trade: The Role of Companies and Governments in the Angolan Conflict., which explicitly criticized De Beers. Following the Rough Trade report, Fowler began to work on a report which was published in July 1999, suggesting how to improve the implementation of embargoes on illegal diamonds. His proposals were boosted by a Fatal Transactions public awareness campaign launched by Global Witness, which urged consumers to ask companies such as De Beers to ensure that conflict diamonds not enter the market. This campaign actually did persuade De Beers to stop its involvement in the illegal diamond trade, when an embargo was announced on October 5, 1999. As the embargo became effective, the armies of UNITA and the RUF soon collapsed.Success of Targeted Sanctions in Former Yugoslavia
For eight years during the Balkan wars that caused 250,000 deaths, sanctions against the dictatorship of Slobodan Milosevic failed to remove him from power. However, they swiftly began to have such an impact after the Kosovo war. This is because the sanctions were more carefully targeted. Municipalities that elected opponents to Milosevic were exempted from sanctions. Finally, sanctions were applied to key sources of Milosevic's wealth. His secret bank accounts in Cyprus were frozen after the European Union informed Yugoslavias government that use of this money by Milosevic would pose difficulties for the country's efforts to join its federation.
Milosevic had exploited Serbian nationalist and socialist rhetoric to gain the support of a third of the population of his shrunken country, masking his cronies exploitation of criminal enterprises. The profits of crime provided the funding for Milosevic and his most extreme allies, such as the warlord Arkan. Their militias and the special forces unit, the Red Berets, were responsible for some of the worst atrocities of the civil war. Their greed was greater than their hatred as shown by their renting of tanks to the other side, even at the height of the conflict. Yet targeted sanctions, combined with effective aid to internal democratic forces in Yugoslavia, did successfully lead to the ouster of the Serbian dictatorship only one year after the Kosovo war. While the new democratic government successfully promoted peace throughout the Balkan region, the same criminal cliques that had benefited from the Milosevic dictatorship attempted to subvert it. One result of their criminal power was the assassination of the Serbian Prime Minister, Zoran Djindjic.
Investigations into Djindjic's death revealed the extent to which Serbian extremism provided a cloak for organized crime. One of those arrested was the popular Serbian singer, Ceca, the widow of Arkan. Her home was found to contain 5,000 rounds of ammunition and 21 guns. Authorities also exposed links between her and the Zemun drug cartel. Djindjic's brave efforts to stabilize democracy in Serbia were advanced posthumously by investigations into his tragic death. Now at last the government is breaking up the interlocking network of gangsters, war criminals, corrupt security chiefs, and ultra-nationalist politicians. As part of the ongoing investigations, a large shopping center connected to this mafia was symbolically demolished.Iraq: Dismal Failure in Targeting Sanctions
What makes Iraq such a contrast with Africa and the Balkans is the lack of effort to identify the financial interests behind the sanctions-busting. Unlike the blood diamond situation in Africa, there were no attempts to identify the companies that benefited from the oil trade that was conducted illegally. Some 20 percent of the oil amounting to $2 billion a year was traded outside the control of the United Nations' Oil for Food program. Although these funds from smuggling could have been used to end the hunger that the regime exploited for propaganda purposes, the revenues instead were used for the Iraqi military and police.
The identity of the companies engaged in illegal oil smuggling with Iraq appears to be one of the best officially-kept secrets in the Western world. It is not even subject to informed rumor on the Internet. This was achieved by a strange collaboration of experts on the right and left, who had different motives.
The bizarre massive oil smuggling, tolerated by US allies openly in Jordan, Turkey and Kurdistan, helped the Iraqi dictatorship to survive in complex ways. While after the war the United States made much propaganda about smuggling through Syria, it kept quiet about the far larger efforts of its allies.
In addition to financing the Iraqi armies and secret police, the oil smuggling discouraged underground opposition from developing within the country. A retired and decorated CIA agent, Robert Baer, who was in charge of trying to get rid of the Iraqi dictatorship during the Clinton Administration, was himself shocked and baffled by the extent of Iraqi oil smuggling. Conspiracy theories that it promoted were the biggest difficulties he encountered in recruiting Iraqi officers to join in his plans for an Iraqi coup.
In his book, See No Evil, Baer recalls that he saw trucks illegally carrying oil, lined up bumper to bumper often for 20 miles. When he complained about this situation to the US Ambassador in Turkey, he was told that all they cared about was keeping the Turks happy with access to cheap oil.
Baer's book See No Evil reveals much in its title. Though it is full of complaints about the power and arrogance of US oil companies, (notably the largest, Exxon-Mobil) this secret agent apparently did not try to find out the identity of the companies involved in the smuggling. He chose instead to see no evil a trait unfortunately shared by many peace activists who also failed to ask questions.Conclusion
The recommendations of Making Targeted Sanctions More Effective, if they were better known, would make another US-led invasion of a country difficult, for the document shows how peaceful methods of confronting dictatorships can succeed. One that would have been of great assistance in Iraq is a provision that contravention of sanctions become a serious criminal offence. In such cases, the penalty should include forfeiture of any profits or benefits derived from contravening the sanctions. Next time, we should pay attention to that approach to making war avoidable.
* Dr. Bacher is a Toronto writer/activist.
The report can be found at :
http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:Q6JGd48NyrwJ:www.smartsanctions.se/stockholm_process/reports/Final%2520report%2520complete.pdf+Making+Targeted+Sanctions+Effective&hl=en&client=firefox-a
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Comments
Alright, this is stupid, but if you measure up the stupidity it takes for people to even battle this sounds intelligent all of a sudden.
This would mean that you would vote for Mike Tyson as your representitive as he has the best right hook.
In the next decade I'd expect to see candidates running for US presidency not only displaying off their Purple Hearts, but Black Belts... And yeah, WWE Champion Belts too! :rockon:
"IT'S NOT A TOOMAH!"
-bf
The great change in the history of Rome is not the advent of Christianity, it is the advent of Gaius Julius Caesar who changed the nature of the 'Republic' for ever. The same pattern exists whether we look at Egypt or the Confederation of Nations on Turtle Island, Oliver Cromwell or Napoleon: a heroic figure empowers the necessary change. Even Gandhi, creating a new, post-imperial model of governance, put his own life at risk, over and over again. The Emperor Ashoka may be among such figures; Alexander certainly is.
Our present 'leaders' have neither courage nor honour. They send others to their deaths but lack the guts to stand with the troops they dare to command. It is a degenerate generation.
so if i am understanding this quote correctly even the person or country that was imposing these sanctions would have to be carefull of only doing so with the purest of intentions, and unfortunatley all too often it is for their own better good and greed that alot of these countries get "on board" so to speak in the first place.
just some food for thought.
A very appropriate morsel to ponder on.... This week's 'theme' in the Thread for the Discussion on the Eightfold Path is indeed, 'Right Intention'.... I'm certain that even one as wise as Gandhi had sleepless nights over whether some of the things he was doing to secure the liberation of India from England's Empirical Rule were with the Right Intention.
i was having the same thoughts after i made my post, and actually went back to your thread to confirm this weeks spoke of the noble eightfold path wheel. i am finding myself debating whether my intentions a correct before i post, so i guess it is working for me.
blessings- jersey joe
I suspect however that the amount of money generated by the Arms industry is a major driving force in the " Live Testing" of these weapons to enhance sales. The irony is that the weapons may be smart, but the users are not!
Nowadays democratic models adopt a military and political-seperated government. The political head usually just substitutes his role for the General's participation... When well, the generals specialize in warfare. That's how wars are won, and we cannot really say it's wrong in a sense...
The League of Nations, as well as the UN, have all been set up at one point for world peace, but do you realize that most of the time, it is those who are supposed to safeguard world peace (US) who are destroying it (Veto!) ! Yes, perhaps dictatorships have driven people to breaking point somewhere, but if we draw from the many examples from history, we'll realize that dictatorships themselves never last long, even without foreign intervention (President Marcos of Phillipines). Much more money could be put to removing the corrupt African leaders and pumping aid packages into Africa that can be received.
This is not meant as an insult to any serving military person, it is an attempt at consciousness-raising: pay soldiers to fight and you transform them from patriots into mercenaries. Thus we must look at the interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq as attacks by mercenary armies. The insurgents do not get pay and benefits each month. They fight for an ideal - however unpleasant we may find it.
You obviously dont subscribe to Sun Tzu.
I believe that by having a well trained prefessional army, that we as a nation have the best possible means of defending ourselves against aggressors such as Hitler. They also perform other duties as I know, such as being Firemen, Dustmen and Prison officers...all of which I carried out whilst being a Military Policeman.
Spike, I am a little confused at your statement...." You obviously don't subscibe to Sun Tzu"
Are you referring to Sun Tzu's Art of Warfare?...if so, this extract is quite interesting!
Therefore the skillful leader subdues the enemy's
troops without any fighting; he captures their cities
without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom
without lengthy operations in the field.
I am by no means an expert on this subject, however if you study his work you will have to agree that the coalition forces clearly did not subscribe to his way of thinking.
However, the basic undeniable premise to Sun Tzu's Art of war is...
' In war prepare for peace , and in peace prepare for war..."
As this important text has structured many foreign policies and the way countries throughout the world have 'negotiated' with each other , (Napoleon was rumoured to have a copy, as I'm sure you are aware ! ) the fundamental point of having an armed force and not using it is the ultimate irony.
deterant or provocation ?
Why do we have war anyway ? isnt it an escalation of opinion ?
Why would one think that by disbanding all forms of militia - that everything will be okay?
Why would one think that by stopping the creation of weapons - that everything will be okay?
Even if we, globally, made a pact to stop making any sort of weapon of war - or weapons at all - it won't work. Because someone else will always decide that they're not going to follow this mentality - continue to make weapons and then prey upon those who are weaker. Or those that perceive themselves as weaker will, driven by fear, find weapons that will help even up the score.
It's a part of us as humans. Everyone doesn't subscribe to love and peace and Buddhism. And we certainly know that Christians don't subscribe to the principals of Christ because there is probably no way of knowing how many people have been killed in the name of Jesus or God.
And even if there were no weapons - there would still be weapons. Just look at the people of feudal Japan and some of the devastating "weapons" they started using that "had" been various farming "tools".
And then what do we do, as various governments, to those that break these laws and use weapons against others? A stick is a weapon. A rock is a weapon. A baseball bat is a weapon. How do we get rid of weapons?
What do we do with these people? Shake our finger at them and say, "oh!, I don't like violence! you stop doing that or i'm going to wave my finger at you again!"
I don't think "peace" is the answer to anything because it's too much of a fairy tale. If you arm yourself, then the bully on the block will be much more hesitant to come and try to take your lunch money.
There is tension. There is fear. There may even be anger and hatred. But neither side wants to face the consequences of what might happen to them if they get into a fight. So, it basically becomes a stand-off - and possibly, through this stand-off, people may find the time to let their anger and fear and hatred turn into something more positive.
-bf
As for provocation or deterrent? The answer is both, amass an army on your neighbours border and that would be provocative. I believe that by having an effective means of defending your Country acts as a deterent. I wish it were not so....
Why do we have war anyway ? isnt it an escalation of opinion ?....Well the reasons for War are wide and varied as I am sure you know!
In another thread, we are discussing Right Intention. One of the aspects of Right Intention is to notice how our stance today betrays our intention for tomorrow. We have lived through long years of nuclear stand-off and the UK government is panning to spend £20 billion on new rockets. Whilst I am a great admirer of much of Sun Tzu, history teaches that a nation which prepares for war will engage in conflict, either pre-emptively or because neighbours feel threatened.
Do not imagine that I think that opposition to war is a once-for-all decision of mine. I have reviewed it each time we become involved in conflict. Additionally, as an amateur historian, I am aware how often the roots of war are long and deep. My desire is that we find ways in which we can begin a long process of dispensing with killing each other as a way of settling our family quarrels.
-or-
The 48 Laws of Power
http://www.tech.purdue.edu/Cgt/Cours...s_of_power.htm
-or-
The 36 Strategies of War
http://vikingphoenix.com/public/SunTzu/36strat.htm
Enjoy.
"May your faith in your religion and of course,yourself remain unwavering"
-Ar.Aid
Reposted From "Favourite Quotations to change your lifes."
Whats wrong with killing each other ?
Well, I, for one, am kind of diggin' living at the moment. I'd hate for someone else to take it upon themselves to decide that my time is up.
-bf
And you want me to dignify this with an Answer:scratch:
Well, maybe Spike has a point.
I mean, we've been doing it for thousands and thousands of years. It has been the norm. Why do people get bent out of shape anymore about people killing people?
I should state that I'm opposed to it and like myself not pushing daisies, buying the farm, kicking the bucket, feeding the worms, etc.
Go on... answer him, stinker!
-bf
Thanks for that, man.
I sometimes wonder if my sense of humor really isn't a sense that has any humor in it at all!
Glad you see you're just as weird as me.
-bf
He might be the Governor of California, but none of the stunts or fight scenes are him....and even by his own admission, he's a wuss....he has the luxury of stunt-men and body-doubles. A priviledge I personally would deny to world Leaders if they were ever obliged to knuckle down to fisticuffs.
What's wrong with stealing?
What's wrong with slavery?
What's wrong with rape?
If you haven't worked out the answer by now, please go out and try all four for yourself. Find out. Don't take our word for it.
v. killed, kill·ing, kills
v. tr.
To put to death.
To deprive of life: The Black Death was a disease that killed millions.
To put an end to; extinguish: The rain killed our plans for a picnic.
To destroy a vitally essential quality in: Too much garlic killed the taste of the meat.
To cause to cease operating; turn off: killed the motor.
To tire out completely; exhaust: “The trip to work, and the boredom and nervousness of jobs, kills men” (Jimmy Breslin).
To pass (time) in aimless activity: killed a few hours before the flight by sightseeing.
To consume entirely; finish off: kill a bottle of brandy.
Sports. To prevent a hockey team on a power play from scoring during (a penalty).
To cause extreme pain or discomfort to: My shoes are killing me.
To mark for deletion; rule out: killed the story.
To thwart passage of; veto: kill a congressional bill.
Informal. To overwhelm with hilarity, pleasure, or admiration: The outstanding finale killed the audience.
Sports.
To hit (a ball) with great force.
To hit (a ball) with such force as to make a return impossible, especially in a racquet game.
v. intr.
To cause death or extinction; be fatal.
To commit murder.
Informal. To make such a strong impression as to overcome: dress to kill.
n.
The act of killing.
An animal killed, especially in hunting.
A person killed or to be killed: “Infantrymen... had seen too many kills suddenly get up and run away or shoot at them as they approached” (Nelson DeMille).
An enemy aircraft, vessel, or missile that has been attacked and destroyed.
Sports. A kill shot.
As I can reason that you are probably alive because you are replying to my posts , although I have justifiable reason to assume you may be a computer program, I can therefore reason that you all kill or have things killed in order to sustain your presence here on earth.
what are your criterea for killing ? do you only kill things less intelligent or sentient than yourselves for example.
(waits for obvious and lame reply......lol)
Or do you quantify your killing by your own basic need for survival?
p.s i cant wait for the reply ' I havent killed anything !!'
Wait for it...
I haven't killed anything.
-bf
Are you human , are you alive ? you have a immune system or response do you not ?
You feed on things that were once considered alive at some stage..
the list goes on.
Are you postulating however that you havent killed anything you are aware of ?
You have killed many things in your life so far ( if you are alive) from bacteria through to animals.
Fact.
Oh... I'm not arguing with you. I've killed beings or been involved in the killing of beings. Maybe more importantly, I've been guilty of killing other things like hope, love, happiness, expectations, etc. And what harm have I caused by my callous slaying of these non-physical things that have very physical results in someone's life? I'm guilty of it all.
You were just so looking forward to some idiot on this forum to tell you that they have never killed - and I thought I would make your day.
And thank you for all those facts!
-bf
Are you one of lifes commentators and not participators ?
Unfortunatley you inspire in me no emotion at all, so I cant reciprocate I'm afraid.
Well done for being so bland .
I would be very grateful if you could give me as much information about any feelings or thoughts that you have that are inspired by my posts. Or even those that are not anything to do with myself. I really want to know about you. You sound great.
yours waiting with baited breath...
Spike.
-- A healthy adult male bore consumes each year one and a half times his own weight in other people's patience.
Its pure gold.
I feel that Im learning so much about you .
Dont be ashamed, More please.
As you have this great desire to ask so many questions:banghead:....This will entertain you for a lifetime.....You don't even have to understand the answers to your own questions:skeptical
So Spike, ole buddy...
What's your trip? I'm not being malicious in my questioning either. Actually, I think your posts are quite funny.
Are you sincerely interested in finding out what makes other people tick? Or do you just like throwing out questions in a condescending manner that makes others feel uncomfortable or judged?
Is that it? Some reverse-Zen or something? Make it sound like you're asking deep and thoughtful questions, but in a passive-aggresive manner that puts people off?
I mean, don't stop posting. They're a hoot. Just wondering if you'd take the time to tell me what your intent is.
-bf
Spike has been raising his little hand in school and asking questions from a young age. The teacher was at first pleased with being able to satisfy this little persons curiosity, and indeed often commented in the staff room about this little man's endless inquisitiveness. Several of the other teachers on hearing these remarks confirmed that he also did the same in their classes...... However, little by little the penny dropped and the teachers slowly realised that Spike never really appeared to take any notice of the replies, and neither would he put any of this imparted knowlege to any use. Furthermore, he had never answered a single question that had been put to the class.
This incessant asking of questions, was by now was taking its toll, not only on the teachers but on fellow students who were beginning to question his motives. The problem simply would not go away - indeed many were getting irritated by his insensitive and abrasive manner. Several thought that, as this young man matured, he would grow out of this behaviour - alas, it got worse!
Spike had learnt to read, and now, his appetite was insatiable! He read everything he could lay his hands on - 'The Dandy', 'The Beano' and 'Bunty' - But once he had discovered the internet....from classroom to the world!
So Spike, armed with "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing" mentality, embarked on his now famous "Wind up Tour"...visiting various sites, getting banned and generally annoying everyone with his own unique brand of posts, which he had cultivated and nurtured for many years. He realised that by never having a point ( even his name is sarcastic) he could put little crosses on his headboard representing all of the sites he had been banned from. Deep Joy!!
Imagine his dismay then, when several weeks into joining newbuddhist.com, he STILL had not been banned. "What's happening?" He thought," It's always worked in the past! These are rich, priviliged people who, in between playing tennis and sipping Pina Coladas, study this trendy little "Philosophy" called Buddhism - they should be easy targets! Maybe these people who "Bimble" along are little more tolerant than I thought!! Drat!!"
It is a universal truth that all life appears to exist by the breaking down of the components of other lifeforms to flourish and survive. This is often referred to as the "food chain". Despite a few peculiar people who prattle on about living on sunbeams or air or another non-nutritious essence, human beings are complex organisms who recognise that they need food, drink and air to survive.
As a consequence of that need, we will, inevitably, become involved in the death of many creatures, just as we do when our bodies fight infection.
At one level, the precept that we are not to take life appears to be an impossible counsel of perfection and any insistence on it seems hypocritical. But I submit that this is to look to narrowly at the notion. Just recently, one of our number here recounted how "friends" would tease that bad temper or depression or anything other than perfect equanimity was 'non-Buddhist'. Although I have come across the same attitude in non-Christians towards Christians as well as among non-Buddhists towards Buddhists, it is the childish equivalent of the straw man argument. And just as useless. It serves no debating or learning purpose other than diversion and as a stopping device.
So the real question is how to live with the understanding that we are responsible for hecatombs?
You, Spike, have your own way of doing this. Not knowing you other than through your posts, it would be easy to assume that you shrug the problem off with a flippant remark. But I am not sure if you would even ask the question if it did not touch you in some way. You are no different from us: your immune system kills off invaders, you eat, you drink, you breathe. Perhaps you are asking yourself the loving question: how can I consider myself 'good' or 'compasionate' if every step I take is a holocaust of tiny creatures?
I have no definitive answer to this question for myself, let alone anyone else. But this is how I look at it:
* The First Noble Truth, the truth of 'suffering', is not only about me. It applies to all that is. The fly caught in the spider's web 'suffers' as far as its physiology permits. It is a universal truth and cannot be avoided.
* Right Intention is a practice that keeps reminding me of what I am doing and why I am doing it: what I am doing it for. In my own life, it has led me to reduce my intake of food and drink so that it remains on the 'right' side of greed.
* Mindful attention is the place to which I come back, over and over, becoming aware that my own survival is a gift that I buy with the death of millions, and that I cannot avoid it.
* Which brings me back to the Noble Truths!
Why would what he seems ever matter to you? This person is not supposed to generate any sort of reaction in you at all.
So, why the desire to have to post your imaginary perception of him?
-bf