September 3, 2002
Whose War Is It?
by Larry Hawes
As the predictable drums of war are sounding, a very different tone is being heard through the world and through our nation. It's not a voice that is usually associated with the grandeur and righteousness of war, nor is it the loudest. That voice, echoed by generals, former cabinet members, hawks in the House, and those from all political spectrums, is saying, "Why do those of you who have never been to war, and know nothing about its intimate and inherent horrors, insist upon its immediacy? And why would we send our young men to fight a war that may not be ours to fight?"
On its face it sounds like a simple and cogent question, but if you review history, you will find only the most radical, quieted, of voices stating that perhaps the war of the day should be fought by those who have created the conflict. Today we are beginning to hear it from every corner of the world.
The cacophony of voices of a history gone by are raging, "We must go now, the unknown demon rises with untold powers, and our immediate survival is at stake." Our normal response has been to rise, as a nation, in patriotic fervor and send our willing young men boldly to their death in the vague cause of freedom or liberty or goodness. Young men have done that. They have fought for the cause of a nation for that nation's leaders have convinced them that the cause was just.
What has never been said, but is being heard this new day is, "YOU must go now, and die for the cause I define, but remember, we, who have created this conflict and made this decision for you, would not go and die when we were young, and we will not go now."
So I personally implore those of us, from all walks of life, who insist the upcoming and immediately dangerous battle with Iraq is OURS to fight, make that battle YOURS if it truly is and GO! and fight - immediately, for your imminent survival!
Leave the rest of us home to fight the battles we see as our genuine battles for our genuine freedoms, liberty and goodness.
Larry Hawes
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