[SOC] Melancholy Me

[soc@mailman.qth.net]

Hi Ian,

> Today we already have divisions of "peace" vs "war" as outlined before,
> tomorrow when the bombs drop it won't be quite the same, it's a whole new
> world.

You might want to check into the history of the "peace" movement. It
has been around a long time, and has the blood of millions on it's 
hands.

> Don't think today's peace activist is going to lie down and say "oh well,
> GWB won.

Perhaps not, but it is just another manifestation of the spirit of
enablement that allows domestic abuse to continue to be such
a problem in our society.
 
> It won't happen, the co-worker you previously congenially disagreed with
> will become a..., a person you will no longer respect, likewise the next
> door neighbour, civil disobedience will becoming the norm is the least I
> can imagine.

You may be right, but if history is any indication, this does not appear
to be the case.

> Rolling strikes will impact on the economy of my country as never before.
> 
> Paul, you haven't lived through it, I have. Before in the Vietnam era it
> was mild in comparison, now...
> 
> Thankfully none of the conservatives are in charge of the police as before
> and hopefully commonsense will prevail.

As a peace officer, I find this caracature extremely offensive...

 
> This is the biggest misunderstanding of the pro-war lobby, that the
> anti-war lobby would fade away when it actually started, I don't think they
> will. I think it will grow and accentuate.
> 
> I've already established, morally, in my mind that I must actively be
> involved in mass civil disobedience in my country and probably be arrested
> as a consequence. That's the price of having deep conviction.


I have a deep respect for the tradition of civil disobedience, when
people are willing to put themselves in harms way to protect others
who are being victimized without cause. I was arrested in Moscow, in
1973 demonstrating for human rights. . . Please don't be like many
more recent "protestors" I have known who only stand up for their
principles in places where it is safe for them to do so... The
self proclaimed "human shields" who pulled out of Iraq, because it
was "too dangerous" deserve nothing but contempt. If they were 
prepared to stand between Sadam and the Kurds he gassed, I would
stand there with them.
 
> So long as the cops remain civil all will be well. If they behave as they
> did in the 1960's then it's a whole new ball game.

Having seen the provocations they had to deal with, I doubt many
would have shown the level of self control they did. Perhaps some
of them got out of line, and if so, should be dealt with, but to  
paint all of them with the same brush does your case no favors.

> That is what "my" Prime minister is rolling the dice for [among other
> things]. I don't think he understands the "price".
> 
> It *will* create deep divisions that will take at least a generation to
> heal.

I find it interesting that those who claim to want peace wish to
perpetuate such "divisions"???


> That's nothing to take lightly, this could be world wide, I can't predict
> that but I wouldn't be surprised.
> 
> IMHO
> 
> Ian

"Noone hates war more than the soldier... because only the soldier
knows the true horrors of war..." Gen. D. MacArthur


cheers, Paul - VA7NT ex VE7CQK - email: paule@sfu.ca
"Those who hear not the music. . . think the dancers mad."