For One of the Wars I Lost

[polly7]

The sword inspires the romance of war in those who haven't seen it slice open bellies

by Jack Balkwill / October 27th, 2015

Excerpts:

One day I heard two soldiers complaining when a sergeant intervened with “You shouldn’t have volunteered.” The two quickly pointed out they were drafted, insisting they didn’t volunteer. The sergeant returned, “You could have gone to prison, you could have committed suicide, but no, you volunteered.” Many, of course, “volunteer” because they are poor and have no other place to go.

As a combat veteran, I understand war from the inside. I have seen the suffering and wonder how it is that “winners” can be declared in wars. It seems to me that everyone loses except the capitalists, who appear to love war– the wars are fought, after all, for them

In every war there are writers who warn us of the consequences, some of the most beautiful writing existing.

A favorite of mine is Mark Twain’s The War Prayer. It captures, in very few words, the truth about war– that there is horror for those involved in place of the romance our leaders and corporate media portray. Every young student should be required to read it, as a counter to the ridiculous history our schools propagandize to the young, with their romanticized wars for “freedom” and “democracy,” things our ruling Establishment, in truth, despise and do not allow anywhere, as much as possible.

Full article: http://dissidentvoice.org/2015/10/for-one-of-the-wars-i-lost/

http://warprayer.org/