War Is Over!
Mr. Bush should have met with grieving mother Cindy Sheehan on the first day she came to Crawford, Texas and camped outside his compound.
Joan Baez turned up in Crawford, Texas yesterday in support of Cindy Sheehan's cause and to comfort other military parents grieving for their fallen children. There are two camps presently in Crawford: Camp Casey, named after Cindy's fallen soldier-son with those supporting her efforts to meet with Mr. Bush and Fort Qualls, named for Marine Lance Cpl. Louis Qualls, another victim- soldier in the Iraqi war and the supporters of the war and Mr. Bush.
We, as a nation listen to the pundits debate the aspects of this war... and the death toll rises. We, as individuals scratch our heads and ask ourselves how we really feel about this on going conflict... and more and more die. Were we and are we still being told the truth about the reasons for the war? When will we ever feel safe again? Why does the nation seem split over what is happening in Iraq and Crawford and why can't we unite, as a country behind the war effort?
The safest stance seems to say, "I'm not sure about the war...but I support the troops! - Make no mistake about that, I support our troops." Well the time has come for us that do support the boys and girls, and yes- the majority of the soldiers are only boys and girls barely out of their teens, as most soldiers have been throughout history- to demand that they be relieved of their duty and allowed to return home.
Let the old men and women of the world decide to fight this war themselves. Give the conservative pundits and the elitists in our ivy league colleges and universities as well as those in the corporate boardrooms the option of fighting this war. Let the oil company executives fight this war (they surely have enough revenue coming in to support their efforts). Let the congressman and senators and even President Bush and his cabinet offer up their children and grandchildren to be soldiers and fight this war.
Let our kids come home.
www.joanbaez.com
posted by isaiah @ 11:54 AM
4 Comments:
Thanks for your comments Gretchen.
There is no truth here in the topic of the Iraqi war...only shades of black and white, otherwise the whole country would be united behind the war. This is as close as I can come to stating why the war isn't being supported as some would like.
If you'll read my post closely, I made no judgments against Mr. Bush. I only said that as someone surrounded by such smart people he should have ended Cindy Sheehan's protest the day it started by simply meeting with her. This is my belief...not a judgment.
The media has its own agendas- I only know what I feel inside about violence, over coming violence, and peace. I do not hold much faith in what I read and hear in the media from either side.
I do not want anyone’s children sent to fight a war. My son is only 7 years away from drafting/ enlisting age. But what if the old, the rich, and the elite fought wars instead (which of course will never be the case because the powerful and rich don't fight wars, the young, poor, underprivileged most always bear the brunt of war)?
I am not trying to persuade you to take any position other than the one you are ready to experience.
"Victory creates hatred. Defeat creates suffering. The wise ones desire neither victory nor defeat... Anger creates anger... He who kills will be killed. He who wins will be defeated... Revenge can only be overcome by abandoning revenge... The wise seek neither victory nor defeat."
Words of The Buddha
Thank you for posting on this, Tommy. It is so difficult. I have few words, only many prayers. Among them, "Blessed are the peacemakers."
When Gandhi was attempting to liberate his country by using the principles of nonviolence, he was not able to use the Bhagavad Gita to help him in this cause (even though he loved it, and it was a tremendous help to him devotionally). He had to go outside his tradition, to the Sermon on the Mount, which takes a radically different approach not only to conflict but to life as a whole. Jesus, whom George W. Bush claims to follow (at least as his "favorite philosopher") was a pacifist, and George W. is a warmonger who uses death and violence for his own political and economic gain. If saying that means I'm "judgmental," or "spiritually incorrect," so be it. I believe we are called upon to speak the truth. I don't think speaking the truth about George W. is "judging" but acknowledging: recognizing the obvious.
Gretchen,
Thank you for taking the time to help us understand where you are coming from. I realize you are not taking a position of support for the war. Your feelings are what many, many others feel...so don't 'feel' any less by voicing your opinions.
"I guess I just have faith that there is a reason that this is happening and it should play out like it is supposed to - whatever that is." You are right about this- there is a reason and it will play out exactly as it will. We as individuals can also affect the outcome.
Perhaps there is needed only one more voice for the momentum to reach critical mass and for all conflict to be resolved. Well, this is precisely the case… it always only takes “one- more-voice.” Perhaps you are that voice.
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