the War on Peace … (03/26/12)
“When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained.” ~ Mark Twain
Today marks the ten year, 5 month, 19 day anniversary of our entry into the Afghanistan War — a conflict that has claimed the lives of AT L…EAST 49,344 lives (that is the low-end estimate; the real total is probably much, much higher) … AT LEAST one fourth of those killed were civilians that had nothing at to do with the war; civilians whose family-members now have a very understandable rage against the United States.
We have engaged a “war on terror” and are thereby creating terrorists … That is truly crazy.
We also learn today that the American government has agreed to pay $50,000 to the families of each of the 16 Afghani citizens killed by a U.S. soldier earlier this year after he opened fire on them while they slept.
$50,000? … seriously? … That is just as crazy.
Throwing our money around is not going to solve the problem. Apologizing sincerely, leaving the country immediately, and sending plane-loads of flowers and food would be a start. It’s not too far-fetched — I mean, 33 years ago today Egypt and Israel signed a Peace Accord that actually bore good fruit for many years.
Of course, such a rational choice is not going to happen.
There is too much “wealth” at stake — too many egos involved — too many folks who don’t have the guts to be courageous enough to do the Right Thing and humbly step away.
“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.” ~ George W. Bush (signing a multi-billion dollar defense spending bill)
“When you’re training for this, you joke about it, you can’t wait for the real thing. Then when you see it, when you see the real thing, you never want to see it again.” ~ Capt. Sal Aguilar (standing in a field with dead Iraqis all around him)
Compassion for them all …
But what does this all have to do with us? What can we really do to make a difference; to end this madness?
Very little, of course … Our votes are not going to change our government’s policies; that has been proven over and over again for the past several decades.
And the angry words of Occupy Wall Street are clearly raining down on deaf ears …
AND YET, no one “in power” can stop us from being the change we wish to see …
No one can stop us from creating the Caring Community in which we wish to live.
No one can stop me from being Kind to strangers …
No one can stop me from championing forgiveness …
No one can stop me from selflessly serving the poor …
If I cannot stop war abroad, at the very least I will make Peace at Home …
Please help me make it happen.
LOVE is the revolution …
… got LOVE?
“Revolutionary subordination exposes the evils of power and violence without mirroring them –
… by gently allowing them to destroy themselves and then rising above the ruins.” ~ Shane Claiborne
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