Opinion

Might Is Right?

By JOHN GATHRIGHT

This is a transcript of a radio conversation between a U.S. naval ship and Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland, released by the chief of U.S. naval operations

Americans: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the north to avoid a collision.

Canadians: Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision.

Americans: This is the captain of a U.S. Navy ship. I say again, divert your course.

Canadians: No, I say again, divert your course.

Americans: This is the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise; we are a large warship of the U.S. Navy

Divert your course now.

Canadians: This is a small lighthouse. Your call.

On the radar screen the small island appeared very small and insignificant, and the captain mistook it for a small ship. Clearly the mentality on the navy ship was that because of its size and strength, it would automatically have the right of way. Though true that seagoing rules give larger, less maneuverable ships the right of way, this story shows that the danger of too much power lies in the belief that power is indisputable. The navy ship assumed it had the power to bully the small little signal that appeared before it.

Because of the ship's size and power the captain should have been extra aware and careful to fully search the seas ahead and to assess its path through the sea

Unfortunately, clashes like this incident between a navy ship and a lighthouse ― between large and small; big guy, little guy; bully and badgered ― happen all the time. The "size is might" and "might is right" mentalities more often than not cause myopic decisions and catastrophic results.

A prime example is the tainted blood scandal. Even though it was common knowledge among medical professionals that blood must be treated for the safety of hemophiliac patients, the big medical organizations blinded people in decision making positions to the plight of the hemophiliacs and others whose lives were endangered or who died from using the tainted blood.

Huge land developments that ignore the impact on the environment and on those living near the developments; huge trucks that bully their way through traffic by tailgating and forcing other traffic to go faster or move over; and domestic violence are all examples. Possessing size and power should foster responsibility and accountability, not the opposite.

The concept of might is right is basically the same as that of the bully in the schoolyard, picking on the younger kids. It's pathetic, unfair, and unethical. The Japanese government is proposing big changes to the education system in the hope of reducing stress and promoting individuality in an effort to help eliminate bullying and student related crimes. This is definitely a move in the right direction.

But to really attack the problem of bullying, and to increase understanding and sympathy for those that may not have as much might or that appear to be weaker, we as a country need to take on this challenge. And we should start with attitudes and action within family, education, business and in government practices. The world is a big sea, with many valuable and unique little islands ― let's show them the respect they deserve.

Shukan ST: Aug. 22, 1997

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