Thoughts on WAR

You know, I remember after 9/11 my thoughts on war, and they are still the same. As the war plays out it seems I may have been at least a little right in this area that I really know nothing about. The war hit close to us as we know people who were lost in the twin towers and our kids friends have mother's or father's who died that day. I do believe we can't roll over and die and we need to fight those who seek to destroy us but I think we have been going about it the wrong way.

First of all, I think the reason we have a war in every generation is because we have thousands upon thousands of military personnel who's career is geared towards preparing for and carrying out the act of war. On at least a sub-conscious level I think if they are to never experience it, well then they have no experience and it stunts their progression in their career and life long endeavor of being an expert on war. Simple and probably vehemently denied but it just feels true.

Second, is that you have to think about what it is like to be a person with a family in a country where war is raging. Remember the fear we felt after 9/11? The panic we felt when we flew on an airplane or got the mail when they were putting poison in the mail system and people were dying in Washington? Think about feeling that every day X 100 because they have the fear of either the Taliban blowing themselves up in their markets and killing their mothers to a military personal team with guns crashing into their home and killing or arresting their father based on a possible false lead by someone who is a competitor in business. It must be unbearable to live under these conditions for even a few months much less years. But, if they had hope, hope like the blueish purplish fingers they held up proudly after the first election. Hope to know that there community was going to have thriving commerce. Freedom of religion. Fresh water wells dug and piping for clean water in their kitchen sinks. Freedom for women to not hide under a black prison of a berka and twirl in the sunshine with their daughters hair flowing in the wind. Hope that they will have better schools and Universities and technology and new corporations moving to their town. These glimmers of hope, almost make what ever suffering worth wile for a little while at least.

But this is what has happened and is still happening.  There are men of war fighting their war, continuing their "career" and gaining lots of experience as men and women fall to our left and right. I know they know the seriousness of war, that they do not want it, but they must. Where is the plan to help people? Where are the new roads? Where are the new schools? Where are the computers and technological advances in the market place and in the home? Where are the importing of wonderful foods and goods that can make their lives better. They are no where. Nothing to provide hope of a better life.

What is the name of the American program that does this? It is not the Army or Navy. It is not the Marines. The Peace Corps doesn't even scratch the surface of this. I know that "building infrastructure" is a term used but it is not even close to what I am suggesting. I believe that if there was SOMETHING and I do not even have a name for it. But if it was as big as the Army as strong as the Navy, as focused as the Marines, maybe just maybe our next generation of a war would look completely different. Maybe we would actually be able to help people. Care about people. Make their lives more of what their dreams envision for their countries future. Where is this? What is this? I pray that one day, this will exist.

That's all.