by Debra C.
Member since:
April 19, 2007

Fear as a Motivator -- a Quote

September 30, 2008 12:24 PM EDT (Updated: October 01, 2008 11:56 AM EDT)
views: 322 | comments: 60

"Fear is, I believe, a most effective
tool in destroying the soul of an
individual -- and the soul of a people."

-- Anwar Sadat

Anwar Sadat was the third president of Egypt.

A signatory of the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty, along with the Israeli Prime Minster Menachem Begin (26 March 1979). Sadat and Begin were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for this brave act. Widely unpopular among Arab nations outside Egypt at the time, the Arab League expelled Egypt as a result and moved its headquarters from Cairo.

Sadat was assassinated  6 October 1981.

-----------------------------------------------------------

As this election looms we must ask ourselves some fundamental questions about policy, foreign and domestic, and how it reflects on all Americans.

The Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty was signed under President Jimmy Carter at Camp David. The Carter Center has a great picture on their site I am including here.

Peace-making is a complicated issue, with opinions across the spectrum. Consider taking a look at that site for another perspective on the US role in Middle East relations. It is one of many fine organizations actively engaged in waging peace.

--------------------------

Photo Used With Permission
Copyright 2005 - The Carter Center
Thomas English Photo
link to this page
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Comments: 60

William Dotani Sep 30, 2008, 12:31pm EDT
The Carter Center has done much to bridge cultural misunderstandings and to help find solutions for a more peaceful world. As an American, I feel proud this organisation promotes what I believe are core American values.
Phileas Fogg Sep 30, 2008, 1:15pm EDT
Carter was a failure as a president, and continues to interject himself where he has little understanding and even less skill. If it where up to Carter, there would still be hostages in Iran.
Debra C. Sep 30, 2008, 3:57pm EDT
I am not extolling the Carter presidency as a whole, Phileas, or all of his work since. He has, however, participated (or led) in some important efforts like Habitat for Humanity or some additional peace work in the Middle East. I would venture that he has missed the mark on the Cuban initiatives, in example.

The Center has some good literature available for those who want to learn more about world peace and the various sides of the question. With William, I commend the work toward solutions that are its focus.
Debra C. Sep 30, 2008, 4:00pm EDT
Having said that, I'd like to re-point the discussion to the Sadat quote.

It seems clear to me that there are two very different major candidates in this election when dealing with foreign affairs. One seems to drive policy by fear, the other by diplomacy. We need to carefully consider the consequences for others and ourselves when we choose which path to follow.
Interesting article, Debra. I don't think we'll really know a thing about the candidates (as per usual) until after they're elected and I whichever is elected will surely have more than their hands full!
Marilyn
Debra C. Oct 1, 2008, 10:33am EDT
You are right, Marilyn, they will have their hands full.
Sheila Deeth Oct 1, 2008, 2:36pm EDT
Wise quote Debra, and good application to the current situation.
Mary G. Oct 1, 2008, 6:47pm EDT
Interesting posts
Nurse Nancy S. Oct 3, 2008, 1:34pm EDT
Thank you for sharing!!!
J R B. Oct 4, 2008, 2:26am EDT
I like the quote. Thanks for sharing.
Rae M. Oct 4, 2008, 9:33am EDT
Peace making certainly is a difficult task.
William Dotani Oct 4, 2008, 12:24pm EDT
Carter certainly could have been a better leader, but history handed him many problems. He is a good decent man and humanitarian I deeply respect.
Debra C. Oct 4, 2008, 12:51pm EDT
When I think of the burden of being the first elected president after the Watergate Scandel, William, I marvel that anyone could have stayed sane for four years. The same is true of Gerald Ford, though his term was shorter. The US was still reeling with war, policy, economic, and confidence issues.
Nurse Nancy S. Oct 5, 2008, 1:39pm EDT
Thank you for sharing this piece of wisdom. Hope you have a great day!!

Game #3 today!! GO RAYS!!!

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M C. Oct 5, 2008, 1:42pm EDT
Very true quote..Thanks for sharing this!
Mary G. Oct 6, 2008, 1:30am EDT
I understand the quote; however, the real problem is nobody knows exactly what the other will do until they take action. People say one thing and do another often. Its not just on Gather, as its our every day life where people say they will be voting, but then don't go to the polls. My area has one of the lowest voter turn outs and very few are electing the local people into office yet large numbers of people are complaining about the result.
The Red Headed Witch of Gather G. Oct 6, 2008, 2:28pm EDT
I'm with Mary on this one!
Deborah R. Oct 6, 2008, 2:35pm EDT
Thanks for sharing.
Sarah (I want points) Oct 7, 2008, 1:18pm EDT
Interesting quote. Probably very true.
Sheila Deeth Oct 7, 2008, 8:28pm EDT
Came back to read more comments. Great quote to bear in mind tonight.
Debra C. Oct 7, 2008, 8:28pm EDT
This certainly is a problem Mary ... it definitely affected the 2004 election.
Alison H. Oct 7, 2008, 9:16pm EDT
Good article, thank you
Just me back to re-read this after watching the second Presidential debate, Debra. Again, I can't even begin to understand why anyone would want the office of President about now. Love that quote though.
Marilyn
Ladybounty ~. Oct 13, 2008, 11:44am EDT
Sadat certainly knew the power of his words! And, I think that we have seen it also here with this administrations 8 year reign of terror! Fear causes panic and panic causes us to believe in WMDs that don't exist and attack innocent countries without heeding the words of our allies and NATO. I am hoping beyond all hope that Americans do not let THEM play the Fear Card again and steal this next presidential election. Hopefully we have all had enough of this and can't be bamboozled anymore!
Debra C. Oct 13, 2008, 12:23pm EDT
I think you are right, Lori. Beyond the rush to a war in Iraq, we also have the Patriot Act which, while it was probably conceived with the best of intentions, seems to have become a monster no one can control. More years playing the fear card at every turn would likely remove the biggest asset the US has owned throughout its history, HOPE,
Sharon K. Oct 17, 2008, 12:09pm EDT
We need peace with the world; warmongers and fear tactics by Bush's failed policies has brought America to a near brink of collapse. We certainly need change; we must end these vain wars that are bleeding our country dry. Iraq now sitting on a big surplus, while we pay billions of dollars daily for this quagmire, further devastating our Economy.

Elect Obama and he will bring our forces home and end this futile war and put diplomacy in place in so wiping out Bush's gun slinging rhetoric. All must unite and show up to the polls and let America's voice ring victoriously throughout the world, this futile era has ended!! Enough is.... Enough!!!!! Vote Obama!
Debra C. Oct 20, 2008, 10:31pm EDT
One thing I really appreciate in Obama's campaign, Sharon, is the encouragement to focus on change rather than fear. If the US follows the path of fear, it will always react ... and an itchy trigger finger does not help any nation, even our own.
William Dotani Oct 25, 2008, 2:22am EDT
Your thoughts are well said Debra.
William Dotani Nov 2, 2008, 3:10am EST
I stayed sane for four years.
William Dotani Nov 2, 2008, 3:11am EST
I think I did. Not sure. Oops my tin foil hat fell off! Arghhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Debra C. Nov 2, 2008, 4:47pm EST
Uh, William, did you have the shiny side or dull side out? Also, was it cone-shaped or round? Makes a difference how well it protects that sanity. LOL
queen.susan . Nov 2, 2008, 8:55pm EST
true . . . fear is a powerful destroyer of self.
Gary (aka: William Pinn) J. Nov 3, 2008, 7:26pm EST
Too bad the great ones have to be assinated! Great post!
DIANE D. Nov 6, 2008, 8:31am EST
Itdoes keep me from doing alot of things
William Dotani Nov 11, 2008, 4:02am EST
Sacrebleu: Dull side out! You don't want to attract them unless you're wearing a Batman suit.
Donna T. Nov 23, 2008, 11:33pm EST
Good information!
Donna T. Nov 23, 2008, 11:34pm EST
Oh, and if you don't have tin foil you can always wear a metal colander
Fear is a powerful motivator, but a most low-grade one, that has a tendency to backfire on the user.
Debra C. Nov 24, 2008, 5:25pm EST
LOL, Donna! I've seen the colanders but the feet sticking up kindof freak me out.
Debra C. Nov 24, 2008, 5:26pm EST
You're right, Gerald. We have only to look at the last almost 8 years to realize how much it can backfire.
Beverly P. Dec 6, 2008, 1:02am EST
Very true

Just commenting you back, thanking you for a comment you made on one of my Christmas Questions! I always pay back the comments!!!!

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Teresa T. Dec 8, 2008, 1:33am EST
Great post!

Helping you pay it forward!
Ruth MacGill Dec 8, 2008, 3:53pm EST
Fear imobilized people for a while but sometimes it turns to extreme anger and fires people up. With a new leader like Barack Obama, maybe he can fire us up to work together to destroy the people or things that make us fearful.
Debra C. Dec 8, 2008, 9:20pm EST
I am similarly hopeful, Ruth. One thing I've noticed is that when leaders bring people together to defeat fear ... fear diminishes. When leaders call people to join together in fear (such as the last 8 years) ... the institutions and mechanisms for social progress diminish.
Ann Weaver Hart Dec 16, 2008, 6:33pm EST
As the Bush reign of terror draws to a close, we all hope to be waging more peace. . .
Mary Ann S. Jan 7, 2009, 2:51pm EST
Good information. Thanks
Brian .. Jan 29, 2009, 9:42pm EST
true words.
Chelsea R. Feb 23, 2009, 1:50pm EST
interesting article. thanks for sharing
stacy k. Mar 7, 2009, 1:42pm EST
Thank you for the comment! It is a shame that such a great man was killed way before his time!
Jaime R. Mar 11, 2009, 2:15pm EDT
love the quote!
William Dotani Apr 10, 2009, 10:02am EDT
I was a Republican most of my life, but recently I think the GOP is filled with bonafide idiots. The GOP agenda seems based on fear and I've had enough of such moronic thinking.
William Dotani Apr 10, 2009, 10:04am EDT
Sadat's wife was recently on the Daily show. She would have been a great guest, but did a subtle tirade against Israel and such bias made her lose credibility in my eyes.
Debra C. Apr 11, 2009, 11:00pm EDT
I saw that too, William. It was sad ... I remember her previous interviews as being much more problem-solving than complaining.
Debra C. Apr 18, 2009, 10:35pm EDT
I hope not, Jade. She is an eloquent speaker and still commands respect.
Ghostly Ghoul Apr 26, 2009, 8:32pm EDT
It makes you think...
Joe T. Apr 26, 2009, 8:48pm EDT
Since this article was posted in September, so much has happened. The bombing of the Gaza strip revealed many truths about Israeli policy. Things look pretty grave at this point. I hope that it changes.

Anyone who suggests that Carter is responsible for the Iranian hostage crisis either isn't old enough to remember or simply wants to cause a little trouble. The truth is that the Iranian hostage crisis happened because of internal politics in Iran. Before the crisis, Iranians came to the United States to attend our universities. They had an appreciation for America that was never fully understood. Certainly, allowing the Shah of Iran to come to the US for medical care didn't help, but Carter acted out of true concern for the Shah who was installed in the 1950s due to the inner workings of US intelligence. So, blaming Carter is a failure to respect history. So long as people blame the wrong person, history will repeat itself.
David N. Jun 19, 2009, 6:01pm EDT

The day is near that violence will end. I just wonder how long until we all wake up. Sadat was a great man...i remember the assassination like it was yesterday. Nice of you to remember him!
Darin Waugh Jul 5, 2009, 10:08am EDT

Great info!
David C. Jul 7, 2009, 7:24pm EDT

powerful quote from an important leader.
Ruthi C. Nov 9, 2009, 1:26pm EST
Debra, I've just now read your post and the comments it received. I will add my agreement that the quote is a splendid share by you. Yes, fear is indeed an effective motivator, generally sadly so. Look at victims of domestic violence, of abuse, of hate crimes...all succumbed to fear, fear which rages into the individual soul. Indeed, destroy the soul of an individual and you may very well destroy the soul of his people.

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