It is important that we remember those who gave their lives for the sake of freedom. However, we must also think about the horrors of war and how we can minimize (and hopefully end) wars in the world. Wars kill and, contrary to conventional wisdom, wars are not a necessity. We must seek other ways to sort out our differences. As I have said in past posts, violence breeds more violence and likewise one war leads to another war and there will never be an end. Let us find out the ways to avoid wars.
Yes it is idealism but there is nothing wrong with pursuing good ideals. I got the idea of "No War Day" from Andy Rooney's commentary on CBS's 60 minutes. Here is that video again:
I wonder when mankind last had a day without a war somewhere. Both Britain and the US have been engaged in warfare at one place or another for most of the past seventy years. Now that WAR has become truly Big Business in both the supply of materiel and in warfighting services, it's hard to imagine the military-industrial war complex ever being returned to the stables.
ReplyDeleteMost people don't realize the extent of "contractor" combattants in US employ in Afghanistan. Once they're added into the mix, American force levels are already far greater than the maximum force the Soviets ever deployed to that miserable hellhole.
MoS, you’re quite right. You seem to have a lot of expertise on the politics of war and on Afghanistan war.
ReplyDeleteI agree that war and weapon industry is a big business in US and rest of the western countries. If there is no war they are out of business. As you indicated they not only sell weapons but also provide “contractors” or mercenaries. Their business results in incredible number of deaths and destruction. In terms of harm caused, are they any different than the drug cartels in Mexico and drug warlords in Afghanistan? We rightly condemn and prosecute, where we can, drug traffickers. But we as societies condone war and weapon industry. In my humble opinion war and weapon industry is more dangerous in terms of loss of life and destruction than illegal drug trafficking. And this war and weapon industry is the hidden or not so hidden major hurdle for peace in the modern day world.