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Peace, Dammit!

Missing image

I was stuck in traffic on the freeway one day
When an old car's bumper sticker caught my eye.
In bold print it stated, "War is not the answer!"
And as usual, the phrase left me wondering why.

My lane started moving and I caught up to the car.
The driver was a young man with a black goatee.
Since we weren't going anywhere, I asked the man
What he thinks the answer to terrorism should be.

Defensively, he said, "We must exhaust all other options!"
I could see he thought this insight was very profound.
I said, "Gee, I hope all the terrorists see your sticker.
I'm sure your desire to listen will turn them around."

He looked puzzled for a moment but then he yelled
"Screw you, you fascist puppet!  You Republican jerk!
You drank the Kool-Aid, you poor, brainwashed dope!"
Oh, the irony! The anti-war guy was going berserk.

I started to laugh at the absurdity of the situation.
This drove him even deeper into a psychotic rage.
He yelled, "Pull over! I'm gonna kick your ass!"
It seemed the pacifist had his own war to wage.

But I didn't pull over because I truly do love peace,
Not just ignoring evil for the sake of feeling good.
Good soldiers who saved countless souls in the past
Didn't enjoy the bloodshed, but they understood

That delusional madmen would take over the earth
And have us all serving them at the point of a sword.
It's hard to see beyond war's mayhem to what is won.
The avoidance of lost freedom is an invisible reward.

The man flipped me the bird as he drove angrily away.
I shook my head and thought, "Man, what a putz."
But I understood him because we both love humanity.
It's just human beings that sometimes drive us nuts.

 

*
*
*
*
*
*

 

"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things.  The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse.  The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."

(John Stuart Mill)

Author notes

"More than an end to war, we want an end to the beginning of all wars - yes, an end to this brutal, inhuman and thoroughly impractical method of settling the differences between governments."
(Franklin D. Roosevelt: 32nd President of the United States of America)

Despite my frustration with those who think there is never a good reason for war, I sure wish there was a cure for it. But with a world that constantly produces mad, power-hungry, brutal dictators who kill the people they are supposed to be serving, and who will never step down or give up without a fight, I don't know what that cure might be. I'm very open to suggestions.

(Thanks to Striders Bar for the Roosevelt quote and the great poem on war, Blues of Night.)

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Comments

1 - 31 of 31

  • Gypsy Via Orleans
    April 3

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    I'm not a very political person but, I do believe in fighting for what is right and what is yours. Our freedom and our right to live in peace without the fear of being attacked. If this means we must attack first, so be it. I'd much rather the world be able to live peacefully side by side with each other so that something good is left for our children and grands but, realistically I don't think that will happen in my lifetime. You poem has put many things on my mind, I like that.


  • queenie
    March 7

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    you tell a story so when and when you do it in rhymes, i am doubly pleased. you so captured the essence of the man's reaction, i felt like i was there. the humor that radiates from this serves to add to its brilliance. you write and i get a pleasure out of reading what you write.


  • penman gold member
    December 14, 2008
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    Wonderful

    Oh my some great comments you have and so well deserved. Thank you for sharing


  • AusStar
    November 27, 2008

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    Standing up for injustice will always result in bloodshed and fighting if those who do the injustice won't listen to reason... and when have the unreasonable ever listened to reason. It's sad but inevitable

  • ocerus
    November 25, 2008

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    Superb!!!

    The simple thing Mark, as you well know, is that there are waaaaay too many cowards in this country. Another thing is that we have so seldom been attacked here at home that it is easy to sit back and enjoy the show on T.V. - and both of us have a very low view of T.V. Yet another thing is that the war somehow is being linked to Vietnam, and although I think that war was bogus - and possibly the war in Iraq as well - it's obvious to me that every war needs to be considered on its own merits. It is obvious to me that our government almost always does exactly what it does without any qualms about using us or limiting our freedom. Smoking, for instance. I smoke, and I know that for the most part it's dangerous for me. But I love to smoke and that won't change any time soon. But to the government - which wants to save health care dollars - my freedom to smoke has largely been curtailed. I can no longer smoke in bars, coffee shops, or restaurants. My freedom - to the government - is not worth more than those health care dollars.
    So, how does this pertain to the war in Iraq? Well, the simple answer is that the Bush administration
    never made the war sexy, and they never attempted to win America over to their side. So the bandwagon rolled over Bush and Cheney the same way lack of public interest killed my right to smoke in the places above.
    Basically it's all come down in America now to be a big
    bandwagon, and not many politicians - nor average Americans - can stand against it, just like there aren't
    enough smokers to stand up for us. That plus the guilt most feel when they light up has made the change sort of inevitable. Once again everybody wants to be on the winning team - the bandwagon.
    I hope you see what I'm trying to say here, Mark. But you always seemed like a smart guy to me so I'm not that concerned. I'm just hoping that Obama straightens this out. He's inherited a mess. Yours - ocerus


    • Mark Rickerby gold member
      November 25, 2008
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      Ocer,

      That's a very unique perspective and I agree completely. During WWII, FDR was criticized for going against public approval. He said something like, "To hell with public approval. Those chose me to lead them and I'm leading them." In the past, the lack of 5000 TV channels, talk radio, YouTube, etc., made it easy for people to just live their lives and hope/trust that their leaders were doing their best for them. Now public opinion is king.

      During the campaign, I noticed that there were many, many more anti-McCain videos than there were anti-Obama videos. Personally, I think that's because Democrats/Liberals are more likely to be unemployed and so have more time to create and post videos. i.e., "Silly liberal, paychecks are for workers!") lol But seriously . . . stop smoking.

      Mark

      P.S. Smoking has been singled out as a great evil because that's something people can fight. They can't stop gangs, drugs, war, terrorism, AIDS, or any other major problem, so they attack smoking. It's ridiculous and sad.


  • SeptemberFaith
    November 25, 2008
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    I love your quote at the bottom of the poem... what is the saying... "freedome is not free"


  • Chuck Johnson silver member
    November 25, 2008

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    Confused and amused

    Your thoughts are jumbled in fear tossed waves
    Your horizons are colored in yellow most days

    I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without hate. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never expect it.
    Jack Handey (1949 - ), Deep Thoughts

    "So long as their is man there will be war"

    Why is that so disturbing? Because it carries with it the impression of helplessness against such evil as is war.

    I'm glad I didn't have to fight in any war. I'm glad I didn't have to pick up a gun. I'm glad I didn't get killed or kill somebody. I hope my kids enjoy the same lack of manhood.
    Tom Hanks (1956 - )

    Some equate manhood with killing.

    In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
    As modest stillness and humility;
    But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
    Then imitate the action of the tiger:
    Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.
    William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616), "King Henry V", Act 3 scene 1

    You've asked the question and not provided the correct answer. The real question is not why we war, its why can't we stop.

    We cannot stop because we are as we are. Simple mindful people who passionately believe in the things we do and allow others to manipulate that passion into blind obediance. Controlling our populations like a gang leader controls followers with "threats", "praise", "excitement", "fortunes", and most of all a gang leader controls us be knowing we are mostly fearful followers.

    Until man changes from a follower to something else (?), we will war. Until those who love riches, glamor, excitement and little colored ribbons vs those who war for personal reasons, we will war.

    Our very nature, hidden in some until times of stress is to war. The priest who saves a child from a molestor, the mother who protects her husband when attacked by a mugger, etc.

    The motto of the USAF is ... "Peace is our Profession". So true. For those who go to war, are the last to wish it well.

    • Mark Rickerby gold member
      November 25, 2008
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      Thanks, Chuck. Your opinion is always highly valued, particularly re. matters of war. I'll be digesting those quotes and insights for a while. Loved the Jack Handey line, too. My other favorites of his are:

      "Why is the dove the symbol of peace? I think it should be a pillow. It's soft and warm and you don't have to contend with those dangerous beaks."

      "If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? Perhaps, if they screamed all the time, and with no good reason."

      • Chuck Johnson silver member
        November 25, 2008
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        "If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? Perhaps, if they screamed all the time, and with no good reason."


        ... that is sooooo funny!!!!!! Rofl


  • adios muchachos gold member
    November 25, 2008

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    Great Poem Mark

    I like YOURS in the quotes about what kids see in our eyes.
    Took a good pair of eyes to see that!

    MINE:
    E = mc2

    Excellence = mediocrity X creativity(squared)
    My brain was going 186,000mps when it hit me!LOL

    Happy Thanksgiving

    John

    PS> Ditto on Xelgaroth!


  • Xelgaroth
    November 24, 2008

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    Nicely done

    I am pleasantly surprised-- as this is a poetry site, and poets do tend to be, well, a rather emotional bunch, though I love 'em, liberalism and emotion-oriented thinking seem to run rather amok. I am, more often than not, quite alone in my political views here. Though over time my views have refined to such an extent that I am unable to absolutely and completely identify with Conservatism, I am still extremely far from being a liberal, and can absolutely appreciate the point you are illustrating in this poem.

    Indeed, there was a brief tmie where I wrestled with pacifism, questioning whether violence was justified ever and for any reason, discovered the quite simple truth that, well, if there were more pacifists, there would be fewer pacifists. That is to say, pacifists have the luxury of their views only so long as those who disagree with them continue to exist. Pacifism is the rich man's opinion, the opinion of those who may afford to snub their noses at fighting.

    Ah, but in truth, I am being unfair. I do know many people who genuinely despise violence and human suffering, and for this reason find themselves unable to justify war. These people are not being snobbish about it; they simply fail to see the larger picture of the situation. I mean, I, in every sense of the word, am anti-war-- I can think of no one whom I know personally who is PRO war. It is a despicable, deplorable way for countries to resolve disputes. That we should send entire generations to their deaths in the name of a cause can, all too often, lend the heart to scream in its agony, "Why???". Nonetheless, the larger scope of things must be seen. Even this suffering is a smaller price to pay than that we would have paid if we had permitted the madness of Der Furher to continue; if we had stood by while the Kaiser sought further power; if we had tearfully buried our heads in the sand after 9/11. The iron hammer of human suffering and shame has beaten upon the backs of Mankind for so long, and it is a sad fact that we must always pay a terrible, unfair price in exchange for respite from its heavy blows.

    It is quite amusing, I must admit, the way those who are anti-war will so belligerently oppose you when you suggest the utterly un-vogue idea that war is, unfortunately, a necessary evil. In modern Western society, it is simply not fashionable to support any war effort whatsoever; the intellectual elite of the United States have snubbed anyone who understands the concept of Greater Good, and so, at least for the time being, it has become a fad to be anti-war. The majority of people beating the war-drums of pacifism are really only half-comprehending the full implications of what they are saying, because they are only following a popular belief without thinking.

    I do hope that in the decades to come we shall gain some more sense. Thank you very much for writing this. It is an oasis in a desert of liberalism, an island in a sea of senselessness.

    Keep it up!

    Dan


    • Mark Rickerby gold member
      November 25, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      You rock, Dan. Do me a favor and run for president in 19 years.

    • Mark Rickerby gold member
      November 25, 2008
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      Dan,

      Not to be too gushy, but I checked out your page and was shocked to learn that you're only sixteen. (No offense, but I'm 16 with about 30 years experience, so please bear with me.) The comment you left on this poem is one of the most intelligent comments I've ever received on this site. I'm serious. I was also shocked to learn that you're from America. Again, no offense, but I have a very low opinion of the American educational system in comparison with many other parts of the world. You have restored my hope. Did you grow up in Virginia or were you educated elsewhere?

      Anyway, I've added you as a favorite and can't wait to explore your writings. It's always refreshing to encounter a great mind. Thanks for the thoughtful and insightful comments.

      Mark

      • Xelgaroth
        November 25, 2008
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        Mark,

        I'm flattered by your kind words! They do me too much credit, I fear! Indeed I am from the United States, and am sixteen, as of early October. I was both born and raised here in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, perhaps an hour away from D.C.. I take no offense whatsoever at your remark regarding the American educational system-- it is simply deplorable! 'Tis a sad fact, made even more sad when I look back upon our history and observe how peoples from around the world would once come to my homeland to study, because we were once the educational capital of the world! Now we wallow in heaps of self-righteous superficiality, more interested in what celebrities are dating whom this week and where to get the best deal on shoes. Perhaps once again we shall lift our lamps beside the Golden Doors, but for now, we are a beacon faltered, a lighthouse in the gail whose fire has grown dim, I'm afraid. The cycle is only accelerated by our education system.

        You may find my writing style rather obnoxious, as virtually everything I write is based off of more or less 19th century style writing, rather than the modern stream-of-consciousness style. The art of the rhyme, once a hallmark of the English language (which can, alas, be such a beautiful language), has now deadened greatly, at least in United States poetry, sparse enough as it is already!

        I intend to now add you as a favorite as well! It's nice to meet someone with similar views who is not a jerk-- you see, on the rare occasions that I do meet a conservative on here, he is inevitably the crazy, "boot-up-your-ass", insane ultraconservative, who, though they may agree with my views, are hardly the intellectual worth talking to. Thank you for being so sane.


  • Ellis gold member
    November 24, 2008

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    Have the aggressors confronted by beautiful nude women willing to sacrifice their bodies for sex rather than death. Turns the sex of participants around from hostile men to willing women. Far fetched and ridiculous, but is it better than war (except for the women who would have to suffer an abortion afterwards)? Well, it is the best solution I can come up with. I guess any solution to solve this would have to be bold and radical.


  • Rheea gold member
    November 24, 2008

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    I so wish you were there to speak for me when I open my mouth and try to explain to people why my husband ,father and grand father and the familes of made the sacrifice. Thank you for writing this and sharing it.


  • Clovis...Curious silver member
    November 24, 2008

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    Superb plus

    A very fine write, indeed. Imagery; rhythm, and rhyme are just fine. This also reminds me of one which I wrote, different theme, called: "Blues of Night". If you would like to read it, here's a link:

    http://allpoetry.com/poem/4301709


  • starrynight3636
    November 24, 2008
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    You bring up some very interesting points, and given me a lot to think about.


  • DogFish silver member
    November 24, 2008
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    "For everything under the sun there is a time; a time to be born and a time to die..."


  • donnz
    November 24, 2008

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    OK

    As an ex-Marine, I recognize war to defend your country & family is necessary...To lie, to start a war for profit without due process, is criminal & those that choose to do so, should be charged with treason against the citizens, they were hired to protect.

    • donnz
      November 24, 2008
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      OK / again

      History will decide who did what to whom.
      ( that is if we believe what the re-vision-ists say )
      Debate & discussion is good / however we still do not know who had JFK killed.
      So be it / no one listens to either of us anyway.
      Peace !
      donn(Z)

      • Mark Rickerby gold member
        November 24, 2008
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        Just a little advice - please don't start your comments with "okay . . ." The subtext is "Okay, you idiot, let me enlighten you." And hey, let's not underestimate ourselves too much. A lot of people are listening, or will. I've got two books about to be published, so you better start writing one to counter-act my conservative hogwash. lol

        Take care, buddy. Thanks for your service in the Marines.

        Mark

    • Mark Rickerby gold member
      November 24, 2008
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      There hasn't been another terrorist attack in America since 9/11. Al Quaeda has been dismantled. Tens of thousands or Iraqi's who were dying under Hussein every year and would have died under Hussein haven't since the liberation. Most of them were children who starved to death while Hussein diverted funds meant for food so he could build nine mansions for himself. Why can't Bush get an ounce of credit, especially from an "ex-Marine"? Aside from that, if Hussein didn't want to be lumped in with terrorists, he shouldn't have said he had WMD's and would use them if he had to, and he shouldn't have blocked U.N. weapons inspectors and acted like the suspicious psycho that he was. Bush had bad intelligence but he didn't lie. In fact, the liberal parroting of "Bush Lied, People Died" will go down in history as one of the biggest lies of our generation, and I'm sure history will be kinder to Bush for doing what he had to do to protect America after 9/11 than the current crop of ungrateful Democrats have. I put no importance on the words of people who hate Republicans more than they hate the terrorists who want us all dead.


  • SeptemberFaith
    November 23, 2008

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    Mark,

    I think its pretty funny the that guy in your story who was anti-war was ready to get out and kick someones ass because of a difference of opinion. That is pretty great.. considering.. the fact that we have the ability to have our own thoughts despite what the world (or country) says we should believe.

    This reminds me of the world in general... the way we say one thing (when I say we.. I mean society) and then we DO something completely different. This happens all too ofen.

    Just my opinion.

    Criss


  • Death of the Author
    November 23, 2008

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    True story?

    exhaust all other options - bumper - brilliant little pun

    last two lines are perfection

    • Mark Rickerby gold member
      November 23, 2008
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      No, I just made it up to create some drama but I have always wanted to ask people with that sticker what they think the answer IS to all the current psycho's of the world who have quite clearly stated they want us all dead because we're not exactly like them. (i.e. Muslim.)

      Thanks for the comment!

      Mark

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