Trying to understand the complexities of the area, I asked a Yemeni counter-part to explain why his people were allowing themselves to be caught up in the global and regional power struggles when there were so many other more immediate issues there in Yemen.
He said, "Let me tell you a story -The Story of the donkey and the scorpion."
Once there was donkey who was walking along a path when he came to a rushing stream. The stream was wide but fairly shallow. The path the donkey was following lead across the stream and up the side of the small canyon. As he stepped into the water a small voice called out,
"Hey Donkey!"
The Donkey turn in the direction of the voice but saw nothing.
"Hey Donkey, can you give me a ride?"
The Donkey turned and looked until his eyes fell upon a scorpion standing in the path.
"Hello!?" responded the Donkey.
"Hello! I see you are going to cross the stream. Can I ride on your back and get across? asked the scorpion.
"No," answer the Donkey. "I don't trust you. I'm afraid that you'll sting me."
Waving his hook tail with the sharp poisonous spike, the scorpion replied, "No I won't. Why would I?"
"I don't know. I just don't trust you. Your sting can kill me."
"Why," said the scorpion, "would I want to kill you if you are carrying me across the stream? I would drown."
"True," said the Donkey. "Ok! Climb up and get on my back! I'll take you across."
The scorpion climbed up the donkey's leg and position himself on the donkey's back just above the shoulders.
"Are you ready?" the donkey asked.
"Yes!"
The donkey started out into the stream, the scorpion comfortably seated between the donkey's shoulders. They were in the middle of the stream when suddenly the donkey felt a sharp pain in the base of his neck.
"You stung me!" cried the donkey. "Now we are will both die. Why? WHY DID YOU STING ME?"
The scorpion chuckled. "Because that's what I do. WELCOME TO THE MIDDLE EAST."
I thought at the time, how appropriate. The Arab/Israeli war had been going on for decades blowing hot and cold. Yet when you look at the region you see tremendous potential. Just think, the financial power of Saudi Arabia, the technological and entrepreneurial power of Israel, and the untapped labor potential of the Palestinians working together, what a global powerhouse. Instead they are engaged in a suicidal dance that threatens the world.
Today, I would change the ending. In light of the level of discourse here in Rhode Island between the Unions and the Governor, I would say, “Welcome to Rhode Island."
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