05 May 2015

A Just War

“There has never been a just [war], never an honorable one--on the part of the instigator of the war. I can see a million years ahead, and this rule will never change in so many as half a dozen instances. The loud little handful--as usual--will shout for the war. The pulpit will--warily and cautiously--object--at first; the great, big, dull bulk of the nation will rub its sleepy eyes and try to make out why there should be a war, and will say, earnestly and indignantly, 'It is unjust and dishonorable, and there is no necessity for it.' Then the handful will shout louder. A few fair men on the other side will argue and reason against the war with speech and pen, and at first will have a hearing and be applauded; but it will not last long; those others will outshout them, and presently the anti-war audiences will thin out and lose popularity. Before long you will see this curious thing: the speakers stoned from the platform, and free speech strangled by hordes of furious men who in their secret hearts are still at one with those stoned speakers--as earlier--but do not dare say so. And now the whole nation--pulpit and all--will take up the war-cry, and shout itself hoarse, and mob any honest man who ventures to open his mouth; and presently such mouths will cease to open. Next the statesmen will invent cheap lies, putting the blame upon the nation that is attacked, and every man will be glad of those conscience-soothing falsities, and will diligently study them, and refuse to examine any refutations of them; and thus he will by and by convince himself the war is just, and will thank God for the better sleep he enjoys after this process of grotesque self-deception.”


What a brilliant writer and thoughtful patriot and citizen! I agree with this view and believe it is consistent with our few true incidents of Foreign Policy interests or National Security attacks in more than six decades. I think only one of the current Presidential contenders has the courage to speak out against all but the most necessary defensive wars, I hope he continues. Defending our homeland and its freedom and prosperity are critical; but interfering with, invading, occupying or attacking those who have not and could not threaten our sovereignty,is absurd.

Protect and defend our homeland and its wealth, health and freedom; stop interfering where no national security or international policy interests exist. 
Use the enormous savings from that new policy to defend our borders, pay down our hideously oppressive debts, and benefit our law abiding citizens.

Mind Our Own Business!

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