Absolutely nothing? Think again!
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| Jerome, Arizona |
War is exciting for everyone in and around it, young and old, all
creatures great and small. Men historically get most of the credit.
War is fun for kids. Most boys play army (a reason to roll in dirt and
yell), and own little plastic men of war. (Flashback: watching the TV show
“Combat" and telling Mom I wanted to be in a war. That was the end of that
show.)
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| Gold King Mine, Jerome, Arizona |
War is a blessing for Owners and Workers. Weapons must be built and
delivered, soldiers must be trained and shipped and supplied, and survivors
must bury bodies and rebuild. And the info-tainment providers will amuse us
with all we need to know, between advertisements.
War is delicious, for dogs, crows, millions of bugs and a bajillion
trillion microbes.
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| Glenbar cemetery, Pima Arizona |
Wars far away are good for everyone who stays home. “All you tough guys
go ahead, I’ll stay here and take care of all the women and stuff.” With the
herd thinned on both sides, less competition for what’s left, and jobs for all.
War provides criminally insane citizens a way to live productive lives,
without wasting precious taxpayer pennies on mental health care. Feel like
killing a bunch of people? Armed state-funded missions to non-believers can
convert “psychotic” acts to “heroic.”
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| Perkinsville, Arizona |
War has been a legitimate career choice for single and/or unemployed
males since the days when rape and plunder were part of the benefits package. New
and improved armies provide a salary, housing, and college money. Best of all,
free health care, important in a profession that may cost you an arm and a leg.
Yes, war progresses, thankfully. The biggest military in recorded
history now hires openly gay people too! Except for the raping, armies have
always been a bit gay--camping with 10,000 dudes? Now, no one has to pretend
otherwise. First “minorities," then women, now everyone is welcome to bathe together in blood.
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| Pima, Arizona |
War is fantastic for all who enjoy tales of terror and horror movies.
The bigger your military, the more can be provided. The fear and panic, like
Coca-Cola, is the Real Thing!
War brings lost souls back to church, trying to make sense of it all.
Love thy neighbor--or not? Shalt not kill--or shalt? Is war “pro-life"?
Good luck!
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| Perkinsville, Arizona |
War fills folks with patriotism, on both sides. We salute our flags,
and give up our spouses, parents, siblings, and children, for truth and righteousness!
Hopefully we didn’t like 'em all that much anyhow.
So hurray for war! Why do politicians bother lying to justify it? Fear
not, wise leaders: if the gods won’t be on our side, the energy companies and
military industry always will.
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| Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Arizona |
Bored with endless war? Too much of a good thing? There is a solution:
televised baseball and soccer. Sports
evolved to channel humankind’s violent impulses somewhat safely. At every game,
on every broadcast, spontaneous joyful hugging, among persons of every size,
shape, and race.
The same know-it-alls who happily support endless war can just as
easily be tricked into happily embracing everyone. Simply take the Pentagon’s
mass killing budget, and invest in grass fields, television equipment, and cute
uniforms. Don’t worry, General, it’s still propaganda. Broadcast all ball-game
celebrations world-wide, and let the hugging begin!
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| Gold King Mine, Jerome |
%$#@!
“For the last three or four
thousand years, Hebrew prophets, Greek philosophers, Indian mystics, Chinese
sages, Christian preachers, French humanists, English utilitarians, German
moralists, American pragmatists, have discussed the perils of violence and
appealed to man’s better nature, without much noticeable effect….
“…[T]he crimes of violence
committed for selfish, personal motives are historically insignificant compared
to those committed…out of a self-sacrificing devotion to a flag, a leader, a
religious faith, or a political conviction. Man has always been prepared not
only to kill but also to die for good, bad, or completely futile causes.”
Arthur Koestler, The Ghost in the
Machine, 1967, pp. 233-234
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| Phoenix, Arizona "downtown" |
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