Soldiers

It is important to study history. Without knowledge of history, a person is easily convinced that peace is impossible, or that peace is brought to the planet by war. This is absurd, of course. Soldiers are not in the business of peace. Soldiers are in the business of homicide, mutilation and destruction. Therefore, by living 'by the sword', they logically die by it or are mutilated by it. Sentimental pablum about soldiers is mirrored in civil society by attraction to other violent gangsters, like rappers, drug dealers and sports figures. The male predator is an unfortunate heirloom of our animal past. Peace is achieved by non-violence. Defense is achieved by resistance, not aggression. Currently, in Iraq, American soldiers are aggressors, not defenders. If you understand history, you understand that soldiers in Iraq are spreading death, not freedom. The greedy and power-craven always resort to lies and manipulations of emotions to achieve their personal aims in the name of patriotism. And their accomplices always intone the same sentimental chorus about 'our troops' to absolve their consciences. As Gandhi said, "Truth is God." In my practice, I look to the truth of things.