JOSEPH HOLBROOK
We talk of war as though there's a chance in hell we could avoid it forever if we only refuse to fight. I agree, that would be nice. I am a pacifist at heart and have always tried to avoid physical confrontation when possible. But, it's pretty evident that there are a number of unbelievably maniacal assholes out there who are participating in genocide, building nukes and bio weapons and just looking for the opportunity to destroy the thing we hold dearest....our country, our freedom, our way of life.
Just pick a mental aberration and there seems to be one of them running a country somewhere. Barbarians, radical fundamentalists, sociopaths, schizophrenics, there are mutant leaders and followers all over the place. Avoiding war is bit like avoiding disease. You can live a healthy, conscious and loving life, but it doesn't mean you can avoid death by disease. Mindless bugs attack at will. We're all individually at war on that front everyday of our lives.
Along those lines: I recently had an infection called MRSA. Basically it's a Staph bacteria that is resistant to most antibiotics. It exists as an evolutionary mutation that came about through overuse of "wide spectrum" antibiotics (using strong and versatile antibiotics to fight even the least virulent bacteria). This staphylococcus bacteria became immune, if you will, to the weapons that once eliminated it.
I can't help but think of how decades of sanctions have worked against Fidel Castro. Or how about the fairly recent "Oil for food" program. Wasn't that a fool-proof approach to punish Hussein. When it comes to money, there are always those who will take advantage, whether WE approve or not.
It's not that we shouldn't continue to use any and all diplomatic and political means to avoid confrontation......it's just that we have to remain realistic as to whether they are actually working, or only covering up a growing infection. One that has become immune to peaceful approaches, all the while evolving and mutating into a destructive force whose goal is our demise.
I hate saying that I see wars as an inevitability....but I do. Until such time as the world shares common goals, there are reasonably synchronous governments, and until we can effectively eliminate threats from those abhorrent mutants and their followers.......there will be wars. As Ironic as it sounds, the sacrifice of life has always been, and might always be, the only means to maintain and promote the life, liberty and peace we hold sacred. World-wide peace? I doubt that it's possible..... but it's the only worthwhile goal.
I find there are people that smile when they contemplate the "end of days". They look forward to what they believe comes after the foretold mass suffering and death of "Armageddon" (an end to the "world as we know it"....that has somehow "been at hand" for thousands of years). Personally, I find those smiles very unsettling. To literally look forward to mass death so that "chosen ones" are saved, smacks of a fundamentalist mentality that might easily be misinterpreted to resemble those who believe killing innocent "infidels" guarantees admittance to heaven.
Mass death seems to be how the religious majorities have interpreted God's solution to everything. So, if even God sees war as inevitable, who am I to argue?
Some people say they know the future; I doubt it, but I am sure it makes them feel better thinking they do. Stability for many is hard to come by these days. I think mankind's future can be seen in his history.... and frankly, I don't expect anything more. The key is in the word "expect". Though I truly believe that anything is possible, by expecting only what man has shown himself capable of......I'm not so disappointed when I see bad decisions being made.....and I'm so pleased when good ones come about.
I am not one who believes Iraq was a bad decision. The injustice being done in that part of the world was a horror. Hussein was an abhorrent mutant bastard and fighting that kind of disease anywhere, is fighting it everywhere. Whether weapons of mass destruction were there at that moment or not, it is my belief that we foiled an even more severe future. As my sweet grandfather used to say: "Everyone's entitled to their own opinion....but I'm right".
On a more ethereal note....I also strongly believe that no matter what happens, the Universe is functioning exactly the way it's suppose to.....always has, always will. Our gift is the tour and I'm thoroughly enjoying mine..... and hope you are yours. (Joseph Holbrook ©2005 )
Just pick a mental aberration and there seems to be one of them running a country somewhere. Barbarians, radical fundamentalists, sociopaths, schizophrenics, there are mutant leaders and followers all over the place. Avoiding war is bit like avoiding disease. You can live a healthy, conscious and loving life, but it doesn't mean you can avoid death by disease. Mindless bugs attack at will. We're all individually at war on that front everyday of our lives.
Along those lines: I recently had an infection called MRSA. Basically it's a Staph bacteria that is resistant to most antibiotics. It exists as an evolutionary mutation that came about through overuse of "wide spectrum" antibiotics (using strong and versatile antibiotics to fight even the least virulent bacteria). This staphylococcus bacteria became immune, if you will, to the weapons that once eliminated it.
I can't help but think of how decades of sanctions have worked against Fidel Castro. Or how about the fairly recent "Oil for food" program. Wasn't that a fool-proof approach to punish Hussein. When it comes to money, there are always those who will take advantage, whether WE approve or not.
It's not that we shouldn't continue to use any and all diplomatic and political means to avoid confrontation......it's just that we have to remain realistic as to whether they are actually working, or only covering up a growing infection. One that has become immune to peaceful approaches, all the while evolving and mutating into a destructive force whose goal is our demise.
I hate saying that I see wars as an inevitability....but I do. Until such time as the world shares common goals, there are reasonably synchronous governments, and until we can effectively eliminate threats from those abhorrent mutants and their followers.......there will be wars. As Ironic as it sounds, the sacrifice of life has always been, and might always be, the only means to maintain and promote the life, liberty and peace we hold sacred. World-wide peace? I doubt that it's possible..... but it's the only worthwhile goal.
I find there are people that smile when they contemplate the "end of days". They look forward to what they believe comes after the foretold mass suffering and death of "Armageddon" (an end to the "world as we know it"....that has somehow "been at hand" for thousands of years). Personally, I find those smiles very unsettling. To literally look forward to mass death so that "chosen ones" are saved, smacks of a fundamentalist mentality that might easily be misinterpreted to resemble those who believe killing innocent "infidels" guarantees admittance to heaven.
Mass death seems to be how the religious majorities have interpreted God's solution to everything. So, if even God sees war as inevitable, who am I to argue?
Some people say they know the future; I doubt it, but I am sure it makes them feel better thinking they do. Stability for many is hard to come by these days. I think mankind's future can be seen in his history.... and frankly, I don't expect anything more. The key is in the word "expect". Though I truly believe that anything is possible, by expecting only what man has shown himself capable of......I'm not so disappointed when I see bad decisions being made.....and I'm so pleased when good ones come about.
I am not one who believes Iraq was a bad decision. The injustice being done in that part of the world was a horror. Hussein was an abhorrent mutant bastard and fighting that kind of disease anywhere, is fighting it everywhere. Whether weapons of mass destruction were there at that moment or not, it is my belief that we foiled an even more severe future. As my sweet grandfather used to say: "Everyone's entitled to their own opinion....but I'm right".
On a more ethereal note....I also strongly believe that no matter what happens, the Universe is functioning exactly the way it's suppose to.....always has, always will. Our gift is the tour and I'm thoroughly enjoying mine..... and hope you are yours. (Joseph Holbrook ©2005 )
Joseph Holbrook, WAR my 2 cents worth, journal
