Hell is other people. So's heaven though

[charliesmum]

camwyn posted a really brilliant entry about good and evil and what it actually entails, and it made me think of this poem by Terry Anderson. Terry Anderson was a hostage in Iran (or Iraq, I honestly can't remember. I'll have to go check) and while he was there he would create poems in his head to keep himself sane and pass the time. Whenever they let him, he would scribble down what he wrote. He was freed, and teaches somewhere now, I think, and I believe his poems are published somewhere. Anyway, I remember reading this poem, Satan in Writer's Digest magazine, and it honestly moved me. It is a really powerful and loving piece.

This war really seemed to be making itself known to me today. First, while at the hairdresser's waiting for Charlie to get his hair cut, (he looks adorable by the way) I read this article in a magazine that contained final emails from a handful of female soldiers who were killed in Iraq. Not something I expected to find in Glamour Magazine, let me tell you.

Then, when we were in line to see Santa today, I noticed this sign that said that families of active service-people got a discount, and I thought, 'My God, I'm living in war time.'

The thing is, I was born during Vietnam, and grew up thinking that that was the last war. People seemed to get the idea that war wasn't a noble endeavor, thanks to Vietnam. The TV shows I grew up with had very anti-war sentiments, should the subject ever come up, and when I was a child I really thought war couldn't happen again. Naturally as I grew up I learned differently, but the few 'skirmishes' that happened as I was growing up - Grenada, Faulklands, the first Gulf War, were all over before we at home really noticed too much of a change. No one had to use food rationing or dig victory gardens. Now I see those star flags in people's windows, articles about dead servicewomen are showing up in fashion magazines, and there doesn't seem to be any end to this war in sight.

I know I'm not being terribly fair to George Bush, but the little 'film at eleven' commercial on the telly today said something about him going to the Army/Navy game and visiting vets, or something, and I honestly wanted to scream, because I know he's going to talk about them being heroes, and doing their duty to God and country and making Iraq a safe place for democracy or whatever, and I just wonder if he honestly, honestly understands that, because of his administration's decision, hundreds and hundreds of people are not coming home this holiday season, and never will again, and even those who survive will be forever changed because their duty led them kill other people. People that they might have gotten along with if circumstances were different.

War isn't hell. War is worse than hell because at least in hell there is hope for redemption.

Comments

[crossbow1.livejournal.com]

You know, I'm not especially pacifist, and I believe in using force when our interests are threatened, but this one is absurd. America is only being threatened by terrorists because of our support of Israel, not because "they hate our freedoms" or any of that BS. And there was no threat to the country's interests, only to the interests of big oil companies - Bush's friends, family, and supporters. (And Condoleeza Rice is on the board of directors for Chevron or something.) All those soldiers who signed up to protect the country are getting killed for no better reason than oil. It makes me nauseous to think about it. Not to even mention the Iraqi people getting killed for the same reason.

[zakkati.livejournal.com]

I wonder what God thinks about all this?

It amazes me that Mr. Bush doesn't get struck by lightening whenever he uses His name to justify what's going on in Iraq.

Again I ask: how does he sleep at night? As my Grandma says: 'God doesn't pay his debts in money (or oil!).' If that's true, Messrs Bush n Blair will have a shedload of interest to repay at the day of reckoning, and the big G. does not accept credit notes!

[jessii-6.livejournal.com]

Then, when we were in line to see Santa today, I noticed this sign that said that families of active service-people got a discount, and I thought, 'My God, I'm living in war time.'

I'm sorry this is strange.. My soldier VISA will expire this Februar .. it's a bitch giving up the discounts..
It just doesn't seem such a big deal to me. But then I am not 'normal person'.
The thing is, I was born during Vietnam, and grew up thinking that that was the last war Funny I never thought so. In fact I still think people are dumb and WW3 isn't far away.
but the few 'skirmishes' that happened as I was growing up - Grenada, Faulklands, the first Gulf War, were all over before we at home really noticed too much of a change I remember Gulf War .. It was like being in a movie - or a book. Completely surreal. And it was over quickly. Of course had I really been in the places that got the missles, saw the noise and the windows break I wouldn't be saying this. (My roomate from army had)

As for the cause of terror - I don't think there's a reason. It's dumb just killing people. Wars are stupid as well - because it's never the important people that die - just the regular ones that really have no say in the matter. It always was so.
Maybe we should have some silly over-the-top sky-high-rating TV wrestling shows between the leaders. Wouldn't that be funny?

[charliesmum.livejournal.com]

silly over-the-top sky-high-rating TV wrestling That'd be cool. Actually the 80's band Frankie Goes to Hollywood had a video that had a Regan and er, whoever the Russian leader was at the time (sorry, it's late and I can't think) lookalikes wrestling for their 'Two Tribes' song.

[fourthage.livejournal.com]

Then, when we were in line to see Santa today, I noticed this sign that said that families of active service-people got a discount, and I thought, 'My God, I'm living in war time.'

There's this really odd disconnect going on about that, I think. The war doesn't touch the average American in their everyday life. Like the first Gulf War, it's all taking place Somewhere Else. It's going to come home in the very near future though, mostly through the decline of the dollar. I'm bracing myself for that.