I MAKE MY STAND ON THE SIDE OF PEACE AND AGAINST WAR

I MAKE MY STAND: A PERSONAL MANIFESTO AND CALL TO ACTION

Following are links to the earlier posts in this series:

• INTRODUCTION
• I MAKE MY STAND . . . WITH IMMIGRANTS
• I MAKE MY STAND . . . WITH MOTHER EARTH AND ALL HER CREATURES
• I MAKE MY STAND . . . WITH THE MARGINALIZED
• I MAKE MY STAND . . . WITH PEOPLES OF ALL FAITHS AND THOSE WHO CLAIM NO FAITH

I MAKE MY STAND ON THE SIDE OF PEACE

AND AGAINST WAR

It seems that our political leaders (both parties in the U.S.) no longer believe in diplomacy and understanding, but only in the power of brute force.  The sale of armaments and the deployments involved in war make billions of dollars for a few, while devastating the lives of thousands, no, millions!  The devastation is not only in the lives lost, bodies maimed, destruction of entire countries, and those forced to flee, but also in the diversion of funds that could otherwise be spent on education, healthcare, general welfare, cultural celebration, protecting our environment, and a multitude of other endeavors aimed at building up the life of all humanity, the common good. I am sickened hearing the stories and seeing the images of what had been modern cities in the Middle East, literally leveled to the ground.  All of the things I take for granted in my life – a home, running water, electricity, a flushing toilet and functioning sewage system, the ability to buy food and the other material items I need, and the infrastructure of roads and services and stores are completely destroyed in modern warfare.  Families huddled in neighborhoods that are being bombed, praying and hoping that they do not become what, reflecting our collective psychosis, we allow to be euphemistically known as “collateral damage.” Or families - the elderly, women, children, men, girls and boys, being forced to flee their homes with only the minimal belongings that they can carry with them.  Those waiting in refugee camps hoping against hope that they may be able to go back home; wondering what will be left, if they ever are able to go back. Images of the young men and women – our nation’s children - those hired and sent out in the so-called interests of the nation, returning in body bags and coffins.  I am sickened to death!

The world I envision, the world I am called to join with others in creating,

is 

a world without war.

SALAM   PAZ   VREDE   PEACE   SHALOM   RO-WEDI   LAPÈ   HÒA BÌNH 

PAU   SÍOCHÁIN   FRIEDEN   KAPAYAPAAN   ALAFIA   PAIX  .  .  .