I cannot tell you how much I abhor violence and the contempt in which

[Skidmore]

I hold those practice it. I cannot imagine taking another person's life, especially on an order. I am not violent by nature, am slow to anger, and quick to forgive.

Violence is a lazy person's tool. It is the tool of someone who doesn't want to take the time to talk and reason. Violence is used against the weak and the vulnerable, or it is used to silence those who would take issue. I would venture to say that those who have not been on the receiving end of violence probably do not understand how the experience of violence affects those against whom it is used. Bullies never understand more than the immediate gratification of making another person cower. I've been on the receiving end as a child and as an adult, and in the context of abusive relationships and in war. The effect is the same, whether perpetrated by an individual or a group. It demeans and degrades the individual, stripping them of both self-efficacy and self-worth. I've experienced being hit, kicked, stomped, and have been sexually assaulted--all by someone who was supposed to love me. Combine verbal and emotional abuse with physical abuse and you can destroy the soul. I've also sat in a basement and listened to missiles strike in the dead of night in our neighborhood and know the total fear and lack of control engendered when your very life and the lives of your children are at the mercy of chance and unknown people mumbling orders by a control panel.

That, as a nation, we are advocating violence as the primary tool of international foreign policy chills me to the core. That we have chosen carnage and devastation over diplomacy is horrific. We find ourselves in these straits because we gave power to a lazy man and his cronies. They sat back and did nothing proactive in foreign relations for six years, beyond warmongering. What is going on today in the ME is a sin and a shame. It is a crime. Until we find leaders of the calibur of Begin and Sadat who are willing to step forward with courage to pursue peace, we are committing the world to an unending bloodbath.

[Cerridwen]

1. Very well said. Thank you.

K & R.

[snappyturtle]

2. K&R

"That we have chosen carnage and devastation over diplomacy is horrific." This is what I don't get: Israel and the U.S. are supposed to be good friends. If you can accept that, don't good friends tell each other when the other is wrong? That guidance is one of the reasons I have friends. As far as I am concerned, the U.S. is as complicit in the devastation of Lebanon as Israel, after all it's our munitions, tanks, planes etc. right? Plus, we're not even suggesting to our "good friend" that some moderation might be in order. AND,

:hug:

[Jim__]

3. Violence may be a lazy person's tool ...

... but, it's also the tool of frustrated and angry people. Frustrated and angry people lash out in violence against other people; who then, of course, become angry and frustrated. The really difficult thing is how to break the cycle of violence. How do you get that angry and frustrated person, say the person who just saw his child killed, suppress his rage an react rationally rather than violently? I think that's the real problem with violence.

Violence as a state policy, of course, only exarcerbates the situation by creating legions of angry and frustrated people.

[blonndee]

4. K&R.

[Magical]

5. Dear Skid...

That is TRUTHINESS you speak very eloquently.
Thank you for sharing your insight.

[nosillies]

6. Beautiful, thank you.

[TreasonousBastard]

7. Violence is also a tool of the weak...

those who have nothing else to offer, and must lash out before the rest pass them by.

Strength is not measured simply in brawn or battleships, but in strength of spirit and commitment. Strength in the knowledge one's path is clear and just. Strength to continue on that path no matter what the obstacles. Strength to win your enemies over by skill and justice, not destroy them with bombs.

Bullies and the weak fear this strength more than they fear getting beat up-- it shows them what they really are.

There were times when our country did have this strength of spirit, and I hope we see those times again. Perhaps when this dreadful administration is only a dim memory.

[theHandpuppet]

8. Thank you, Skidmore

A K&R for this thread!

[young_at_heart]

9. I wonder how many Americans don't mind violence?

Cal Thomas, who has more columns in newspapers than any other person, thinks violence is just fine, and he's a HUGE Christian. It would be nice if ALL Americans felt as you do (and as my family does).

[sinkingfeeling]

10. Hear, hear. But the situation is not controlled by people like you and me.

I'm very worried because people have little to no power to change the course of their 'governments', no matter what country or guise their government takes. All war is driven by the corporations and greed and desire for more power. Why, one must ask, did Israel decide to bomb the hell out of Lebanon now over the capture of two Israelis? In the past, there have been many such incidents and both sides have exchanged, not only prisoners, but also, bodies. I truly feel this is a planned action to 1) accomplish some goal in relation to Syria and Iran, prompted by the neo-con/Likud factions or 2) to divert attention away from the ever growing violence in Iraq, or 3) to incite the Bushbots.

[hippywife]

11. Many hugs and thanx to you, Skidmore.

I'm sorry for all that you have gone thru and thankful you have come out on the side of non-violence and sanity instead of repeating the pattern of violence. You deserve kudos for that! :hug:

[Lindacooks]

12. Beautifully said. Thank you.