Culture of war needs to end

Challenged to explain my bumper sticker, "War is not the answer," I flubbed it. I should've said: "Imaginative, committed, proactive prevention."

Police action for terrorists, of course, but not war against whole populations. Bombed another wedding party? Oops.

Recently, war with Iran seemed inevitable. Obama was derided for suggesting diplomatic meetings, but the majority of former secretaries of state support the idea. Gen. David McKiernan has said that though more troops are needed in Afghanistan, the situation would "ultimately require a political, not a military solution." Montana's Greg Mortenson builds schools and goodwill for the U.S. in remote villages in Pakistan and Afghanistan. This is serious conflict prevention.! Read his inspiring story in Three Cups of Tea. The library has a copy.

War betrays failure of imagination. So imagine a culture that sees war as an abomination, and penalizes profiteers with social scorn. War has become obscenely profitable, for weapons manufacturers, endless materials, plus no-bid supporting service contracts.   

Let's change the culture, and take enormous pride in peacemaking. Keep our kids safer. A Department of Peace, to follow up on studies on the prevention of deadly conflict, (United Nations, Carnegie, etc.) would help. Write Congress. Be heartened by courageous alternatives. Utne Reader names Mel Duncan, founder of Nonviolent Peaceforce, (www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org) one of "50 Visionaries who are Changing our World".    

Alleluia. Let's do more than just sing it.                

JEAN MARYBORN

Sandpoint