This entry was inspired by the work of The White Helmets written by Raed Saleh. It is a heart-breaking story of carnage caused by those who only seek their own power, not that of the people. See
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/21/opinion/we-have-tried-every-kind-of-death-possible.html
Where have all the flowers gone? Gone by scorched earth warfare.
Where have all the young girls gone? Bombed under rubble like the girl pictured in the article.
Where have all the young men gone? Shot or bombed by somebody who doesn't like the side to which these young men have gone, often enticed by glory rather than defense of their homes. Often killed by someone in the sky enticed by those who don't like the people that enticed the young men to war. Someone who probably goes to a safe barracks with a good warm dinner.
Where have all the graves gone? Buried under more rubble, certainly not to flowers.
When will we ever learn?
Not very soon:(
Showing posts with label glory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label glory. Show all posts
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Heroes or victims
Nation after nation makes heroes of those who fight in the wars these nations engage in. But it is rare that those who do the actual fighting made the decision to go to war. The decision makers are far behind the lines, exhorting even more to join as fighters.
Often a war is cloaked in patriotic terms as defending the country against foreign enemies, but the war is often not fought on the land of foreign enemy or even the land of the country claiming defense. The war is fought on lands either loosely allied with one side or the other or even on lands that would rather be neutral.
Those who are opposed to these wars are often called unpatriotic, but they may really be the patriotic ones who see the folly in expending lives and treasure. These "unpatriotic" may be executed or imprisoned in some countries or may be sidelined or ostracized in more "gentle" countries.
Some wars are instigated for conquest and masked as being for the greater glory of the nation. Anatole France, commenting about past French wars in "L'Île des Pingouins" could just as well have been predicting Adolph Hitler. A visitor stood in front of a statue of Trinco. Trinco has conquered and lost half the known world in thirty years of war. The guide finishes a description of Trinco's victories and defeats with, "Mais il nous a donné la gloire." The visitor responded "Il vous l'a fair payer cher!" And the guide responds "La gloire ne se paye jamais trop cher."
The true test of the value a nation places on its heroes is how the veterans of war are treated when they return. Is the country willing to raise sufficient funds to fully treat all physical and psychological injuries? Think of Ira Hayes, fêted as a hero until he lost his usefulness as a war bond promoter. Think of the dismal state that Walter Reed Hospital was in a few years ago. Think of all the homeless vets who just can't make it on their own. Until a government fully addresses these issues, many of its heroes are victims of the folly of war.
Often a war is cloaked in patriotic terms as defending the country against foreign enemies, but the war is often not fought on the land of foreign enemy or even the land of the country claiming defense. The war is fought on lands either loosely allied with one side or the other or even on lands that would rather be neutral.
Those who are opposed to these wars are often called unpatriotic, but they may really be the patriotic ones who see the folly in expending lives and treasure. These "unpatriotic" may be executed or imprisoned in some countries or may be sidelined or ostracized in more "gentle" countries.
Some wars are instigated for conquest and masked as being for the greater glory of the nation. Anatole France, commenting about past French wars in "L'Île des Pingouins" could just as well have been predicting Adolph Hitler. A visitor stood in front of a statue of Trinco. Trinco has conquered and lost half the known world in thirty years of war. The guide finishes a description of Trinco's victories and defeats with, "Mais il nous a donné la gloire." The visitor responded "Il vous l'a fair payer cher!" And the guide responds "La gloire ne se paye jamais trop cher."
"But he gave us glory."Some wars are fought for a "national interest" but cloaked as a defense of freedom. The national interest could be protecting shipping, access to resources, or some other interest for which the greatest beneficiaries are nowhere near the front lines. Ironically, to protect freedom the freedom to protest the war is the first freedom to go.
"He made you pay dearly."
"One never pays too dearly for glory."
The true test of the value a nation places on its heroes is how the veterans of war are treated when they return. Is the country willing to raise sufficient funds to fully treat all physical and psychological injuries? Think of Ira Hayes, fêted as a hero until he lost his usefulness as a war bond promoter. Think of the dismal state that Walter Reed Hospital was in a few years ago. Think of all the homeless vets who just can't make it on their own. Until a government fully addresses these issues, many of its heroes are victims of the folly of war.
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