Looking out my window...

Stones to Drones: The New War

Stone Throwing:  Egyptian Demonstrators 2011

 

Last spring, when the Egyptian demonstration videos were first sent in for American broadcast, I was in struck that the protesting rebels were using stones against the armed pro-Mubarak police and army.

We were in the communication age of the iPhone. Facebook and Twitter. Yet, while some had guns or rifles, the majority seemed to be fighting with biblical weapons of knives, sabers, and stones. Handcrafted shields of tin and cardboard protecting the protesters from the armies bullets and tear gas cans.

The communication was top notch, which made organizing groups of rebels that were miles apart possible. As well as telling citizens when and where to come when scheduling mass demonstrations. Or, when to hide.

Men, women and children using stones to keep the army and police away... even as the enemy stormed the square riding camels and whirling sabers above their heads.

While the demonstrations for freedom started as non-violent, they responded to attacks by throwing the stones. Through out, the people wanting to end the reign of Dictator Mubarak kept their spirit and fought back.

Americans and other countries joined them. But they did not bring stones. Many modern military weapons were used while "boots were on the ground," as well as planes bombing crucial areas being held by Mubarak. The enemy was being attacked and killed, but also civilians in the wrong place at the wrong time.

 

Drone Throwing

 

 Drone Launching Missle

 

Group of Navy Drones 2005 

 

There are different types of drones. They are all unmanned. Some are for surveillance, while others are used as bombs. In military action they can first seek you (the target) out and then another can be sent to getcha. Well, something like that. I'm sure you get the idea.

And this was done without any "boots on the ground." Thinking about this new tactic, I realized what a momentous change in military action this was.

Just as the stones in Egypt seemed so primitive to me, now the use of Drones is making it possible for man to man combat to fade into the past. A real triumph in military capabilities.

Seek, find, destroy. With fewer casualties of soldiers as well as civilians.

If there is a war, Drones are much better than "boots."

“Injustice Anywhere is a Threat..."

 
I Have a Dream Button 2010.
Photo by Sharon.

 
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. -Letter from Birmingham Jail.

 

Martin Luther King, Jr. worked hard for civil rights. In fact, when you look at what he did, what he said, he worked hard for human rights and justice for all. He followed in the path of Mahatma Gandhi. The path of nonviolence.

For showing us the way to nonviolent expression and thought, I thank him.

"Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Weapon for Mass Destruction Used in Arizona

 
Two Juncos in Linden Tree 2011.
Photo by Sharon.

Since last Saturday the Nation has been in turmoil, grieving over the senseless shootings in Arizona. Since last Saturday the Nation has been mourning the deaths, inspired by the bravery of heroes in our midst, and hoping for the recovery of those wounded.

Some have laid blame at the feet of others who didn't actually shoot the gun. Others have spoken out against the hatred spewed and strewn in the political setting. Some have quickly purchased the same type of gun used in the massacre. And at least one has inflamed the nation's conscience even further.

The shooter, deep in his downward spiral into mental illness, needed medical intervention prior to this event. My layman understanding of schizophrenia is that it often presents itself at the time our children are entering college. It is the nature of the disease. But, even if his illness had been addressed earlier, what exactly would have happened?

Probably nothing of significance. It's been about 20 - 30 years since States began closing Mental Institutions due to budget constraints. The forgotten unseen people in these institutions were put out and became the forgotten homeless we see everyday.

The political environment has become the meanest I've ever experienced. I, myself,  have questioned the sanity of the television and radio pundits...on both sides. It is at best mean spirited and at worst calculating madness. Could we as a nation "tone down" our conversations? Quit calling each other traitor? Quit using violent metaphors for solving problems? Maybe.

Could we, as Americans, treat other Americans with respect? Could we, as human beings, treat all other human beings with respect? Difficult to answer. We, as a living species, have always been violent. But, we have had leaders throughout the world, at various times, who showed us peaceful restraint. Nothing comes from violence but violence. Can peace come forth from peace? Let us hope.

The NRA has a death grip on our politicians. Why. Is it the money they give to campaigners? Do we have the "right to bear arms"? If so, why. We had a revolution to separate from Britain. We needed arms to do that. We had a Civil War. We needed arms to do that. We came to this land and stole it from the native peoples who lived here. We needed arms to do that. That is our history. Does it have to be our future? If you feel that it is possible that one day you will need to protect yourself from our government then perhaps you need arms to do that. But, why in the world would you need to carry them around at all times in all places.

The gun used in Arizona on Saturday was not a weapon for hunting deer or other wildlife. It was designed to kill people. That is it's purpose. It's only purpose. It is an automatic, rapid firing weapon that military and law officials need to do their job.

There is no reasonable reason for owning that type of gun. In fact, until 2004 they were outlawed. As were the extended bullet clips.

The issue is complicated, just like so many other issues our country must handle. But, there is no reason to manufacture bullet clips made to hold 30 bullets for public use. No reason. No reason at all. No reason except to kill someone. Many someones. Thirty bullets in a clip are Weapons for Mass Destruction.

Pacifism And Supporting Our Troops

 
Vietnam Veterans Memorial

I was pretty much raised as a pacifist. I knew that should I ever have a baby boy I would, as soon as possible, register him as a conscientious objector.

It was the age of non-violence. Go to jail rather than fight in a war. Especially if the war was wrong. And, what war wasn't. All wars have been based on greed and/or creed, as much as I can figure anyway. Many of the recent ones were sold to the people with lies.

And yet...the big "thing" today is to remember our veterans, support our troops, recognize and acknowledge what our veterans have fought and died for, even when they have fought and died for the wrong reason.

As a pacifist can I support our troops and veterans...our warriors?

Yes, I believe I can. And, I do. They went as they were told: fighting for our freedom, our country, our honor, our safety, and our children's children. They fought for all that, despite the wrong calling they answered.

The good they thought they were doing is not forgotten.

Thank you for your service.