Comments on: Honoring Peace, Not War: The Pacifist’s Dilemma on Veterans Day http://carrieanddanielle.com/honoring-peace-not-war-the-pacifists-dilemma-on-remembrance-day/ Simplify, Beautify and Prosper in all areas of your life. Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:45:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: andrew roache http://carrieanddanielle.com/honoring-peace-not-war-the-pacifists-dilemma-on-remembrance-day/comment-page-1/#comment-192066 andrew roache Thu, 11 Nov 2010 22:24:29 +0000 http://carrieanddanielle.com/?p=5250#comment-192066 Please do not think that as a pacifist you should not honour the memory of those soldiers (and sailors and airmen) who have died in wars. The reason pacifists abhor war is mainly for the suffering it causes and it is usually the soldiers who suffer most. Remember that soldiers are not there to sate any personal bloodlust. Depending on the conflict they are there because they have no choice (as conscripts); because they believe they are doing their duty to defend their homes, families, cultures or countries; or because they thought that joining their country’s armed forces was an honourable and worthwhile thing to do, and for many one of very few good options in life. Once there, the extreme circumstances brings out bravery, fortitude and self-sacrifice to an extent that civilians rarely have to contemplate. And, of course, their suffering can be appalling. I am always thankful that my generation and my children’s have not had to endure the horrors of war, and I am sad that I never met an uncle who was shot down in his plane in the Far East and probably died in great fear, pain and sadness far from his loved ones. My uncle died in a just war against Nazism but in any war we should be sorry for the soldiers. They do not start wars, although it is natural that they should be proud of the good and necessary things they and their comrades do in them. Politicians start wars, and for all sorts of reasons, but to a greater or lesser extent they are responding to public opinion and the media that war is an acceptable or desirable option, at least in Western democracies. Like many people I think we have been in unnecessary and counterproductive wars, and like all soldiers I think war should be a last resort, but it is said that people - including me and you - get the rulers we deserve. Westerners are selfish and greedy. We have punished politicians who have suggested we should use less energy and oil, or who have tried to restrain vested interests that suit us, and we have rewarded politicians who have given us war to protect our comforts. So honour the soldiers who have given so much for us. Even allow them to celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of their comrades. And let them take pride in doing on our behalf a terrible job as well as they could. If they have been misguided, blame the public, politicians and media, and have even more sympathy for the soldiers. But don’t feel bad about remembering Armistice Day. Hold the politicians to account on that and every other day, and accept that responsibility lies with us all, not just those who, sometimes gullibly, do our dirty work. Please do not think that as a pacifist you should not honour the memory of those soldiers (and sailors and airmen) who have died in wars. The reason pacifists abhor war is mainly for the suffering it causes and it is usually the soldiers who suffer most. Remember that soldiers are not there to sate any personal bloodlust. Depending on the conflict they are there because they have no choice (as conscripts); because they believe they are doing their duty to defend their homes, families, cultures or countries; or because they thought that joining their country’s armed forces was an honourable and worthwhile thing to do, and for many one of very few good options in life. Once there, the extreme circumstances brings out bravery, fortitude and self-sacrifice to an extent that civilians rarely have to contemplate. And, of course, their suffering can be appalling. I am always thankful that my generation and my children’s have not had to endure the horrors of war, and I am sad that I never met an uncle who was shot down in his plane in the Far East and probably died in great fear, pain and sadness far from his loved ones.

My uncle died in a just war against Nazism but in any war we should be sorry for the soldiers. They do not start wars, although it is natural that they should be proud of the good and necessary things they and their comrades do in them. Politicians start wars, and for all sorts of reasons, but to a greater or lesser extent they are responding to public opinion and the media that war is an acceptable or desirable option, at least in Western democracies. Like many people I think we have been in unnecessary and counterproductive wars, and like all soldiers I think war should be a last resort, but it is said that people – including me and you – get the rulers we deserve. Westerners are selfish and greedy. We have punished politicians who have suggested we should use less energy and oil, or who have tried to restrain vested interests that suit us, and we have rewarded politicians who have given us war to protect our comforts.

So honour the soldiers who have given so much for us. Even allow them to celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of their comrades. And let them take pride in doing on our behalf a terrible job as well as they could. If they have been misguided, blame the public, politicians and media, and have even more sympathy for the soldiers. But don’t feel bad about remembering Armistice Day. Hold the politicians to account on that and every other day, and accept that responsibility lies with us all, not just those who, sometimes gullibly, do our dirty work.

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