What is wrong with this picture?

Whenever there is a perplexing problem for me, I try to take a step back away from the issue directly at hand in order to gain a different vantage point.  I also ask myself the question; “What is wrong with this picture?”

I believe that I am not under a spell of disillusionment in which I think that these words that I have cobbled together will influence another person’s thinking, but for me this exercise has become a method to wrestle with and assuage the demonic thoughts that plague my consciousness.  Read on if you care or not….

As usual my thinking has become troubled with the vitriol words that have been circulating in various forms of mainstream media and social media.  I am troubled by the violence and the senseless killings of innocent human beings.  I am troubled by American citizens who are adamant about utilizing our superior military to annihilate others even if they seem to be venomous creatures.  I am troubled by the simple fact that violence begets violence and the cycle seems to be never ending.  I am troubled by words that denigrate a culture, which seems to have been a common human behavior for multiple millennia.

I wonder how one can convince oneself that another person, persons or entire society is so evil that they are willing to “pull the trigger.”  I wonder if the spectacle of hateful social media posts is comparable to armchair quarterbacking while watching a sporting event.  I wonder if all these media critics and invented pundits have the initiative and nerve to place themselves on the field of play and try to do better than the professional player who is trying his/her best?  In this same vein of thought, I wonder if those advocating war are willing to abandon the comforts of their homes and confront the enemy in person.  Perhaps yes or perhaps not.  If you never served in the military and are willing to send our youth to do your will as you sit idly watching others do your fighting, are you willing to accept the moniker of “chicken hawk?”

For me, I never served in the military and I am not willing to ask someone to kill for me.  Similarly, I cannot imagine “pulling the trigger” for the purpose of ending a life. Instead it is my hope that I am able to live the principle that Gandhi is credited with saying; “There are many causes I would die for. There is not a single cause I would kill for.”    Fortunately for me, the events in my life have not presented a scenario in which I had to seriously consider either option of dying or killing.  It is my hope that we all live to the end of our days and not have to consider “pulling the trigger” or dying for a cause.

There are many great persons both present and past who advocate for peace.  I have read teachings about compassion, cooperation, respect, responsibility, stewardship, understanding, love, enlightenment, pardoning, faith, and so forth.  Initially I thought I should share these wonderful thoughts about loving and caring for our fellow human beings and all sentient beings.

However, today I happened upon quotes by a great statesman and military hero.  These quotes are far more compelling for the war mongering, chicken hawk politicians and citizens to consider.

Here are some thought provoking quotes related to war from our 34^th President of the United States of America, Dwight D. Eisenhower.

“I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its stupidity.” (Address before the Canadian Club, Ottawa, Canada, 1/10/46)

“War is mankind’s most tragic and stupid folly; to seek or advise its deliberate provocation is a black crime against all men. Though you follow the trade of the warrior, you do so in the spirit of Washington — not of Genghis Khan. For Americans, only threat to our way of life justifies resort to conflict.” (Graduation Exercises at the United States Military Academy, 6/3/47)

“Possibly my hatred of war blinds me so that I cannot comprehend the arguments they adduce. But, in my opinion, there is no such thing as a preventive war. Although this suggestion is repeatedly made, none has yet explained how war prevents war. Worse than this, no one has been able to explain away the fact that war creates the conditions that beget war.” (Remarks at Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 10/19/50 [DDE’s Pre-Presidential Papers, Principal File, Box 196, Carnegie Institute]) ”

“The hope of the world is that wisdom can arrest conflict between brothers. I believe that war is the deadly harvest of arrogant and unreasoning minds.” (Address, National Education Association, Washington, D.C., 4/4/57)

The following quotes are excerpts from Dwight Eisenhower’s “Iron Cross” or “Chance for Peace” (April 16, 1953) speech which includes statements about the cost of military and its threat to peace. The entire speech transcript can be accessed at the URL: http://millercenter.org/president/eisenhower/speeches/speech-3357

“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone.  It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children.”

Although Eisenhower clearly states his dislike for war he was not so naïve as to discount the circumstances when it may be absolutely necessary. Other quotes by Eisenhower that reveal the need for defending those in distress and defending the rights and way of life we cherish include:

“But all history has taught us the grim lesson that no nation has ever been successful in avoiding the terrors of war by refusing to defend its rights — by attempting to placate aggression.” (Radio and Television Report to the American People: Security in the Free World, 3/16/59)

“I know something about that war, and I never want to see that history repeated. But, my fellow Americans, it certainly can be repeated if the peace-loving democratic nations again fearfully practice a policy of standing idly by while big aggressors use armed force to conquer the small and weak.” (Radio and Television Report to the American People Regarding the Situation in the Formosa Straits, 9/11/58)

NOTE:  many of these quotes can be found at: http://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/all_about_ike/quotes.html

Having spent some time reviewing these quotes and trying to understand the need for defending the rights of the small and weak, I have still have this unpleasantness regarding the general willingness of so many people who propose violent actions from the safety of their computer.  I believe now that we must find a way to defend the “weak and small” refugees fleeing despotic militants. However we must caution ourselves to embrace the diversity of all cultures and focus only on those who perpetrate the ugliness of violence and oppression on others.  It is imperative that we find ways to stop the hate.

As I wonder and wander through this existence I shall always hope that we all find a personal awareness that Mathieu Ricard described in this quote; “Wisdom and compassion should become the dominating influences that guide our thoughts, our words, and our actions.”

I hope you have a delightful experience today and every day henceforth.