I am quiet within, almost numb, yet not though without thoughts in regard to the victims of violence. My deliberations bring to my mind what was occurring in the world when I was in my mothers womb, seventy plus years ago. Then thousands of people in military service were not just actively killing each other but also killing the civilians of the opposing countries who were at war with each other.
I have heard it said that people often learn by example.
One of the examples of the second world war was the aerial bombing of civilians, the soft targets. The sole purpose of such action was to reduce the morale of a nation’s population by inducing fear and intimidation.
That brutal and crude example is lesson that has been used time and time again by those whom we know as terrorists.
Personally I am not sure that any reign of terror actual works in the long term. What it does do though is to harden the resolve of the survivors to resist. Others to seek more peaceful havens in which to live.
Throughout my lifetime there has been an almost continuous flow of refugees from war torn countries throughout the world. At this time it is the peoples from the Middle-East who risk life and limb to find their safe haven and I am sure that those in the camps dotted around Europe still cherish the hope of peace and safety.
It seems to me that very few of the worlds’ people have learned anything at all about living in peace with each other nor about forgiveness and I am not sure whether most of them even have the desire or the skills to make a totally peaceful world.
What do you think ?
I have heard it said that people often learn by example.
One of the examples of the second world war was the aerial bombing of civilians, the soft targets. The sole purpose of such action was to reduce the morale of a nation’s population by inducing fear and intimidation.
That brutal and crude example is lesson that has been used time and time again by those whom we know as terrorists.
Personally I am not sure that any reign of terror actual works in the long term. What it does do though is to harden the resolve of the survivors to resist. Others to seek more peaceful havens in which to live.
Throughout my lifetime there has been an almost continuous flow of refugees from war torn countries throughout the world. At this time it is the peoples from the Middle-East who risk life and limb to find their safe haven and I am sure that those in the camps dotted around Europe still cherish the hope of peace and safety.
It seems to me that very few of the worlds’ people have learned anything at all about living in peace with each other nor about forgiveness and I am not sure whether most of them even have the desire or the skills to make a totally peaceful world.
What do you think ?
In my life time I've live though Vietnam and I thought it was wrong to protest a war. Because of my parents beliefs and this might sound a little strange. They taught me to be a free thinker.
ReplyDeleteNow the trouble in middle east is going on...Sure I have an opinion but it would be be long comment. First of all President Bush let the American people under false pretense.
Coffee is on
Dora, Thank you !
DeleteSo long as there's a thing called politics, there will be a continuation with other means.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your opinion Bill but is that your desire ?
DeleteNot in the least. Like Miss World contestants, I desire world peace and an end to hunger. However, demagogues cannot be eradicated from the gene pool and therefore war is, unfortunately, part of the human condition, even if only in defence.
DeleteThank you for explaining your point of view. I am not convinced.
DeleteHi Mel - the world is full of 'normal peace-loving peoples' who wish to get on with their own lives ... if only more leaders would practise 'Ubuntu' (human kindness) ... those leaders would be world leaders, local community leaders - not collecting cliques etc ... giving opportunity to those around them ...
ReplyDeleteI've written about 'Ubuntu' re Nelson Mandela and under its own heading - one major post in February 2014 ... it's an interesting concept ...
Have a good weekend - I'm just very grateful I'm not in the middle of the conflict ... cheers Hilary
Many thanks Hilary for your comment and positivity.
DeleteI've been feeling exactly as you do, Mel. Thanks to Hilary for a more hopeful and positive take on things.
ReplyDeleteMy thanks to you and Hilary for bringing me to 'UBUNTU' in looking at this word it took me Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu yes it gives us hope that I do not deny. We need though still to remind others that there is no need for violent acts. A Peaceful World is I think attainable.
DeleteI abhor violence and killing. But every empire is built on the back of conquest and bloodshed. Britain is the 'great nation' that it is supposed to be because at a particular time in history it's people were better at it than almost anyone else. As empires get towards the end of their lives they take the view that killing is wrong. Why? Because other people have become better at it and are striving for the advantages and wealth that the greatness of empire brings.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your perspective Graham. Then I must await the time when Britain finally starts to work as peacemaker, rather than being allied to war mongers.
DeleteWhat do I think? I am scarcely able to think, it is all so awful. But one thought occurred to me during the news this evening when a psychologist spoke of the lasting (almost for life) trauma that the children in Nice who saw this happening would suffer. In thought of all the tens of thousands of children in places like Aleppo who saw such things - and worse - their trauma will go on for ever - and may indeed breed violence in the future. It is all to dreadful.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the psychologist that children and adults that witness atrocities can suffer from post traumatic stress. I don't believe though that it will necessary breed future violence and taking into consideration recent events in Northern Ireland that certainly is not true.
DeleteFrom my friend in Switzerland came this comment.
ReplyDeleteDear Mel
I feel unconscious, too, not only by the tragedy that's happened but also with the way, people react to it. We never seem to learn to change our ways. How can anybody believe, that violence can be controlled by violence and a huge number of military walking the streets, isn't that just ridiculous ??? To approach the problems I think, we would have to meet on a basis of trying to understand where this is coming from and then find solutions instead of reacting with rage and fear and force. Too many years have passed, where obviously people weren't heard. Now they make themselves heard in such a devestating way, that we must listen..... See, I'm not interested whether the man was Tunisian, whether he had family or whether he was part of a terrorist organisation (which is already suggested by the media, which I find violent in the first place...) I would like to know, why he did it, what his thoughts were and whether he was ill. (How can anybody kill innocent people, let alone children???) Everybody has a story to tell in this world, lets start listening and lets start to build a world, were there are equal rights to all human beings... that might have a bigger effect on terrorism than marching the streets with solders, who's equipment is worth more than some of the poor peoples annual income!......
So much to my thoughts. I hope you are understanding what I'm saying. I'm totally and utterly against violence of any kind......... but on both sides!
Love Carmen
Thank you Carmen yes I do understand and agree with what you have said.
DeleteFurther, I believe that violence is perpetrated by people who have not matured beyond their childhood mentality.
I have a cartoonish mental image of practicing human kindness, the other cheek, non-violence, all that humanity lined up against the tanks and guns and semi trucks, ala Niece. When the machines of destruction reach the other end, and rational humanity is gone, then what? I think we should tend our own little plot and perhaps be the rational voice when the rage burns out.
ReplyDeleteThe rage will never burn out Joanne until like minded people call a Stop and present an alternative point of view. I refer you to Ubuntu as a place to start.
DeleteI had the great privilege of attending the Peter Gabriel and Sting concert in town three weeks ago. Some of their songs, written in the 80s, still resonate because the world has not changed. So long as there is money and profit to be made by a handful of people, they will never surrender their power, and like that old board game, pawns will continue to fall to protect the interests of the king. I cried when Sting sang "Fragile", which he dedicated to the victims of the Orlando massacre that had happened days before, because his lyrics still hit home painfully. "Nothing comes from violence, nothing ever could. For those of us born under an angry star, lest we forget how fragile we are." Indeed.
ReplyDeleteThank you Anne-Marie. I am also reminded of a song by Peter,Paul and Mary in "Where have all the flowers gone" and the line 'When will we ever learn ?'
DeleteI'm not holding my breath, sadly... Take care, my friend. It's good to be reading your words again.
ReplyDeleteOh Anne-Marie likewise neither am I, more like just living in hope. Thank you for your appreciation and welcome home :-) :-)
Deleteps You to take care xx
I cannot add to your words, except to say how sad I am that the world doesn't seem to learn any lessons from the past. More than anything I would like to see world peace and then we can work on the other problems - hunger, thirst etc xxx
ReplyDeleteFran, we are of the same mind. Thank you for commenting.
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