War, The Ultimate Failure
Posted: Monday, August 09, 2010
by Terrence Aubrey
Terrence
Is war the absence of peace, or the absence of hope? Is not war the point at which we lose our humanity, whatever evolutionary gains we have made and lose any pretentions, or right to be considered "the crown of creation"?
Historically wars have often revolved around territorial disputes, like children, but so much more deadly "this ball is mine, no its not its mine", tantrums, scuffles and ultimately tears. Sadly with countries it is worse, much worse and we send our children off to fight and die to support our claims and beliefs.
Lets step back here and look at war in all of its forms. What actually can war possibly achieve? Can it change another persons heart felt beliefs, will it persuade someone that the lifestyle that they lead, that has been handed down from generation to generation is wrong, will it persuade someone to give up, or change their religion? The answer to all of these questions must be no, the human spirit cannot so easily be crushed by brutality.
Not so long ago America sacrificed a generation of its young people in the Vietnam war, Why? It represented a threat of spreading communism and someone, somewhere drew a line in the sand, communism would not pass this line. Why was communism regarded as dangerous? Because it was different and the sadly the worst aspect of that war is that in fact both systems, capitalism and communism have been shown in different ways to be imperfect. In truth both systems had both their good and their bad points and could have mutually benefitted from each other, but fear, one of the other, ruled supreme. The end result of that mutual fear? The sacrifice of many, far to many young people and they often did not even know what they were fighting and dying for! Tragic.
Before the Bush wars in Iraq 1 & 2 Iraq and Iran engaged in a war that claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people, anyone remember why? Ironically America supported Iraq, under Saddam Husain!
Now we have the war in Afganistan, a whole host of western countries are fighting in this country. How many people know why? Are we trying to bludgeon them into western style democracy and if so why? Is this not pressumptious of the west? This is a country with a very bloody history and culture and in the absence of warfare with foreign countries the war lords that effectively control huge tracts of this country will fight each other!
Going back to the young boys fighting over the ownership of the ball, with luck a teacher, or adult will appear, arbitrate and establish the rightful owner of the ball, or if this is not possible confiscate the ball. Who will, or can arbitrate in a ideological, or religious war?
As recently as 50 years ago, or less racial discrimination and segregation was practised around the world, again from a basis of fear "you are a different colour to me". Is religious, or ideological war any different. You do not agree with me so you must be my enemy!
It is the 21 st century, have we moved forward, can we move forward, can we agree to disagree? Can we respect the right for people to live a different style of life to ours, to hold different beliefs to ours, can we?
Somehow we have to collectively learn from our past mistakes and respect everyone irrespective of the differences that may, or may not exist. If we must persist in the concept that war remains a valid option, then let us make war upon war........
Terrence Aubrey,
www.confidentialmatchmakers.com
This Article has been viewed 610 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
More commentsI know there is a lot more motivating us to go to war than we learn from any news or political coverage. Trying to sort through the information and misinformation is a chore in it's self.War is a money maker for wealthy people, and war takes the poor and middle class's eye off the ball that they are being financially and culturally raped by 1% of the population.Should we not question governments very seriously, before supporting their wish to commit to war?
Your philosophy may hold value for those who start wars, but those who defends their ideals, it is silly. Do you believe we should passively step aside when our values are systematically destroyed? Bush wars? Did Bush bomb the twin towers? Was he wrong in trying to seek justice by finding the perpetrators? Was and is it wrong to hunt out and stop those who wish to destroy us? Is Obama a war monger because he is sending more troops to a war that is costing more lives each day? I agree, we have nothing to gain from war with the middle east but do we not have something to gain by rooting out those who wish to destroy us?I will bet you are not a veteran, are you? Ideals on paper are terrific, now wake up and smell the real world. Unfortunately it is not utopia."God told me to do it" (attack Iraq). So it must have been right! - Utter stupidity.You refer to the then leader of your country. I am not American, so I view from afar, but if the guy had said, right jump off this bridge, you would have questioned it, yes? Please say yes.A strong comment. No I am not a veteran and would personally have refused to become a soldier if asked. I could fight only for a leader in whom I had implicit trust and belief, but I suspect that that type of leader would seek solutions other than war for resolving conflicts.I agree that terrorism is totally unaceptable, but is counter terrorism any better?What causes hatred of the intensity that created the tragedy of the twin towers? Should we not at least ask the question?I am reminded by your comment of the incredible heroism shown by the fire fighters of New York. Inspiring, tragic and sad in equal measure.
Good article Terrence, yes nothing can be accomplished with war.If enough people share that feeling, irespective of their religous, or ideological beliefs then we have some hope. Comunication, tolerance and understanding and believing in individual right can overcome our base "King Kong" mentality
Greetings Terrence -Thank you for this thought provoking piece. It certainly gives us cause to ponder what you so eloquently expressed.If it presented a new, or different perspective, then I achieved my objective. Thank you
They say that the people who really have a great dislike for war are those who've had it. And those eager for it are the neophytes. I am reminded by this article of the novel "All Quiet on the Western Front" You have a bunch of eager beaver soldiers having these romantic musings on going to war. But when they were there and things started to look ugly, they only things they felt was sheer regret. Nice articleVery often the foot soldiers show extreme heroism and deserve extreme and maximum respect and support. They are trying to do what they have been told to do and it would be very wrong to be critical. No this article is aimed more at the leaders of men and their thoughts and actions.
Mankind seems to have a difficult time learning this one. Thanks for your thoughtful comments written here.Sadly what you say is true, only I would say that it is the "leaders" of mankind that are slow to learn and that is where we come in, they are elected by us yes?we absolutely have to VOTE!Yes you are right, but there is a problem........how great is your choice of candidates? Sadly very often the people with political ambitions are not always the people that we should vote for......A tricky one!I know - wish we could get rich polititians OUT and some "normal"people in...
Wars unfortunately are in our nature. Why? Because of the reasons for going to war: sure, 'I want your ball' is one of them, but there is also territory (the 'ball' on a large scale), revenge (Afghanistan), expansion (Iraq into Kuwait), independence (the US), and of course, just for the hell of it (Iraq 2). We will never learn because we haven't the proper teachers. History is (historically) a bad teacher. We need Reason to make an appearance.Good point, but the comments above indicate that many people feel strongly that this might be the time for reason to make an appearance. We in the west are lucky, we can vote out, or in our politicians. Elsewhere in the world many people do not share this possibility.Should an entire country be made to pay for the actions of a despot, or dictator?
Hi Terrence.War will definitely not cause a people to give up their cherished beliefs and culture and tradition. More likely, it will cause them to fight harder to maintain it: "They are trying to take our goodness away from us. Let's show them we won't stand for it."You can't force people to change and the harder you try, the more obstinate they tend to become. I'm a case in point. And I believe whole cultures are the same way.You are right, anything different is to be feared, or so it seems. The only way we will ever be able to allow others to be different from us and still get along is if we can convince ourselves that their way of life poses no threat to our way of life. It's a tall order.Thanks for a very thoughtful and thought-provoking article.DianneMay I humbly suggest that our fear of the unknown, or if you like our inability to accept either different religions, or a different ideology is based upon our own insecurity?
If we are strong and secure in our own beliefs we can surely accept others equally strong in their beliefs, yes?
From my very limited understanding of the Koran Mohamed had great respect for Jesus Christ for example. Its all such a pity really.You are absolutely correct. I guess I could have added that if another way of life challenges the "rightness" of how we live our lives, then it throws our ways into question leading to insecurity. What most folks don't seem to realize or at least want to acknowledge is that security is an illusion. We are always going to have insecurity in one form or another. One just needs to learn to live with it. Anyway, that's part of my personal philosophy.Unfortunately I am sure that here on this site we do not reach the people that are so sure and confident in their "rightness". I wish we did.I personally believe that the only true security can come from some understanding of why we are here and why we are here now.Ok, you can call the doctor now.......No, the fact that we are here indicates that we have a thirst, we want to understand, we are open to learning more and that is something very precious.We just have to keep on keeping on.......
Just as you are doing!
Your thought provoking article deserve recognition, Terrence.For responses that do not meet the satisfaction of our selfishness is the root of all wars.The wise to avoid conflict / war by eliminating its impulsive reactions that generate more impulsive on the other sideYes you have hit the nail upon the head. War creates war and rarely peace!
War Terrence has nothing to do with belief, war is about greed and power, pure and simple. Just like the laws that you live under are a prescription from one entity to control another. The beginning and end of all wars and all law can be found by following the little green bouncing ball. Belief is simply a tool used to rally the forces, generally into a frenzied fanaticism that has no respect to thought or what is right or wrong, just unbridled egocentricity.Fantastic article,DavidThanks for your comment David, you paint a very bleak picture. Do you see any way out of the scenario you describe? Equally do you believe that an increasing number of people are rejecting the option of war as a means of solving problems?Not so bleak in as much as if you figure our current practice of conflict resolution is substantial, I for one do not believe that it is. We the people have the power to resist and to deny those of pure greed and that are driven for absolute power their prominent positions in our society, the question then given their immense powers of persuasion, will we? Prrrobably not. You see in the U.S. for example how their considerable wealth can pay for the proper propaganda machines necessary to push the right buttons to keep people divided enough, that even rational measures such as cleaning up our air and environment which obviously would be good for the populace, to even get done. In the beginning survival depended on your ability to conquer your enemy or your enemy would conquer you, we must evolve beyond this innate instinct in order to change our present course, unfortunately for self destruction. Which will come first, the chicken or the egg?I do believe David that slowly, slowly things, attitudes are changing, we the foot soldiers are not as unthinking as we perhaps were.
In a way this medium that we are using right now has changed in a very short space of time our understanding of how others live across the planet. There is less fear and ignorance now than say 300 years ago, so equally one of the greatest causes of war (fear) has reduced considerably.
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