war and peace

I try very hard to not be political on any of my web sites; for that matter, I usually try to avoid political discussion even in real life. The reason is simple. I fully admit I don't know squat about politics. While I watch (and read) the news far more than I did in my youth, I am far from having a good understanding of the political process.

I know even less about Canadian politics than I do American, even though I live here in Canada. Yes, I know. Shame on me. Anyway.

I say all this as prologue so that you can understand the overly simplified questions and comments I'm about to put forth below.

I ran across a quote today, rather famous, on a web site as I was surfing with NextBlog.

I know this quote well. I've seen it on television countless times ever since I was a little girl. I can hear the tenor and weight of the speaker's voice as he says it. But it rang a bell in me today that it never has before.

“What kind of peace do I mean? What kind of peace do we seek? Not a Pax Americana enforced on the world by American weapons of war. Not the peace of the grave or the security of the slave. I am talking about genuine peace, the kind of peace that makes life on earth worth living, the kind that enables men and nations to grow and to hope and to build a better life for their children - not merely peace for Americans but peace for all men and women - not merely peace in our time but peace for all time.” — John F. Kennedy

Once upon a time there were Presidents who would speak out about the futility and inherent dangers of war, who called for peace and a time of healing.

“Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind.” — John F. Kennedy

No more.

I would like to emphasize this particular phrase: “Not a Pax Americana enforced on the world by American weapons of war.”

Is Dubya so blinded by the white, righteous light of his own beliefs that he can forget the lessons of the past? That he can turn a deaf ear to the voices of past men who stood where he now stands?

We teach our kids that fighting isn't the answer.

Too bad some forget the lessons of childhood so easily.