Peace
Peace is for some, a flag draped coffin. They rest in peace. It’s the peace that comes with death, or so we’re told. It probably is peace for someone who has suffered a tragic disease or a horrible accident. This isn’t about that kind of peace.
This is about the peace that is with us until the first bomb is dropped or the first shot is fired on the battlefield. This is about the blessed peace that too often is recognized for its preciousness only after it has been lost. This is about the peace that our country seems to feel is only for our people and our land. In order to preserve our peace at home we send our wars to other lands. This gives the appearance that our peace is more precious than theirs.
Sadly there are many families both here and in Iraq who will never have real peace again due to the loss of those they loved. Their hearts are broken in a way that may never be repaired. Their only hope for peace is the eternal peace they see in death. Curse the war and weep for what it has taken from them.
Today more will probably die in this war that our country chose to begin. No one is winning this war and everyone is losing. Rather than allow one more death, one more debilitating injury, or one more broken heart, why not bring our soldiers home? It’s time for America to declare Peace both here and in Iraq. It’s time to experience the kind of peace that life can bring instead of the kind we associate with death.
”Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.”
-Isaac Asimov-
”Bullets cannot be recalled. They cannot be uninvented. But they can be taken out of the gun.”
-Martin Amis-
(This was my post for peace last year and it still holds true today, one year later. Hopefully I will not be able to use it next year.)
This is about the peace that is with us until the first bomb is dropped or the first shot is fired on the battlefield. This is about the blessed peace that too often is recognized for its preciousness only after it has been lost. This is about the peace that our country seems to feel is only for our people and our land. In order to preserve our peace at home we send our wars to other lands. This gives the appearance that our peace is more precious than theirs.
Sadly there are many families both here and in Iraq who will never have real peace again due to the loss of those they loved. Their hearts are broken in a way that may never be repaired. Their only hope for peace is the eternal peace they see in death. Curse the war and weep for what it has taken from them.
Today more will probably die in this war that our country chose to begin. No one is winning this war and everyone is losing. Rather than allow one more death, one more debilitating injury, or one more broken heart, why not bring our soldiers home? It’s time for America to declare Peace both here and in Iraq. It’s time to experience the kind of peace that life can bring instead of the kind we associate with death.
”Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.”
-Isaac Asimov-
”Bullets cannot be recalled. They cannot be uninvented. But they can be taken out of the gun.”
-Martin Amis-
(This was my post for peace last year and it still holds true today, one year later. Hopefully I will not be able to use it next year.)
posted by pissed off patricia at 2:50 AM
23 Comments:
Nicely stated and concur on all counts!
Most people experience peace (the lack of violence) at some point in their lives, but not all. I doubt there was ever a point in time when there was peace, at the same time, around the whole world.
If we look at the changes (we consider - for the good) few were without violence. The Revolutionary War, the Civil war, the violence to fight for better working conditions in the early 20th century, the Civil Rights movement, the Vietnam War, and on, and on.
For those who would say that violence solves nothing, History is not on your side. This country started, with a war. This country has had to use violence to stay safe and free.
The Iraq war is NOT an example of the use of violence necessary to keep America safe and free.
Peace is rare, and a worthy goal to try to attain.
There are times when violence is necessary, for people to improve their lives. Few revolutions prevail without violence.
Of course the world would be better off if people would stop killing each other, but we have not progressed that far yet, as human beings. The best thing we can do is, to keep trying.
"Bullets cannot be recalled..."
Great post.
Peace
Good post Patricia:
I hope you never need this article again, and that justice will come to those who create evil, and take our peace.
Yes, right on target..thanks!
Pop, Thank you for running this and for participating in the blogswarm!
I truly hope that this piece will not be quite so relevant this time next year...I think of all who have lost their lives on both sides of this war during the past year...we need an end to all of it.
I saw your comment about trouble joining PT...the "illegal username" was probably because of spaces in the name...try again without the spaces (PissedOffPatricia...or Pissed-off-Patricia...or just Pop)...sorry for the trouble! We would love to have you on board!!!
Great post and great quotes, PoP.
Death is not the peace we seek for this country. We must mobilize in a meaningful way. Cindy Sheehan has jumped back in the fray.
I like your post. Yes, nobody wins in a war. Everyone loses. How many generations will be necessary to be born until we (they) erase the concept of war? I wonder...
Peace
Perfect. Well said.
I wonder how many Iraqis and Americans have died, needlessly, since you posted this last? I wonder how many have died since the Dems put on their show about pulling out the troops?
How little things change in a year.
yes, lets do hope next year is different.
Very good and yes sadly its still relevant.
Good work, PoP. It is as right-on this year as it was last year, and it's the kind of piece that will always be relevant.
I am starting to think that human greed and the lust for power tend to be the biggest obstacles to world peace. As rhe richest and most powerful nation on Earth, we need to put checks on our greed and lust for power in order for the rest of the world to prosper and for peace to be attained, thus giving peace to ourselves. Our country does need to re-examine itself in terms of human life not just here but all over the world.
great writing, sorry it is still relavant,
but gratefully we can find peace within ourselves
Great post, there's nothing else to be added to this one.
Making war to spread peace insures that we all lose in the end. Sorta' like screwing to promote chastity; not the best idea. I like your suggestion that we spread a more positive energy for a different type of peace. You post is certainly a step in the right direction; let's hope others pick up on that energy.
Hey Pop! I just approved your PT membership! You should have received an e-mail with a link to sign in. If you didn't receive it, let me know and I will add you manually. Thanks for joining up!
Greetings from Canada. Have a great 4th of July!
We have to break the connection between war, profit and power forever, Patricia!
The time for the revolution is nigh!
Oh,there are definitely winners.
Halliburton, KBR, Exxon-Mobil, Chevron, etc...
For those who would say that violence solves nothing, History is not on your side.
Gandhi
Corazon Aquino
Mandela
Vaclav Havel
History is a mixed bag. It is always a mistake to make such a blanket statement.
KBR (Kellogg, Brown and Root) is a tentacle of Haliburton, they are a huge part of the "War Machine." Thanks Dick~!
My nephew missed his youngest daughter's first steps, first words and many first's due to his year long stint as a National Guardsman in Iraq.
If this war is anything like Lebanon, they have been at civil war for 15 years now. Trying to force people to like each other usually results in the opposite, just like trying to force two dogs to like each other.
I wish the dying in Iraq would stop if our soldiers were brought home. I am afraid the dying in Iraq has only begun.
We owe the Iraqis stability, but I no longer believe we are capable of servicing that debt.
Goddamn the idiot prince and his evil counselors.
May your last statement be prophecy.
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