Dulce Et Decorum Est -- Wilfred Owen
http://www.warpoetry.co.uk/owen1.html
Before I say my position, which should be obvious, understand my lineage, I am the descendant of Hannibal Hamlin, Robert E. Lee and Eleanor Roosevelt.
My uncles served in the armed forces, though none of them died in combat and many of my family members have served.
Why?
Because they were fools who believed that dying for one's country is right.
A lie pushed on by those who don't need to fight, by old men willing to watch young men die for them.
“Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”
-Hermann Goering
“War is fear cloaked in courage.”
-Gen William C. Westmoreland
“There was never a good war or a bad peace."
-Benjamin Franklin
“I cannot believe that war is the best solution. No one won the last war and no one will win the next.”
-Eleanor Roosevelt
“I find war detestable but those who praise it without participating in it even more so”
-Romain Rolland
http://www.warpoetry.co.uk/owen1.html
Before I say my position, which should be obvious, understand my lineage, I am the descendant of Hannibal Hamlin, Robert E. Lee and Eleanor Roosevelt.
My uncles served in the armed forces, though none of them died in combat and many of my family members have served.
Why?
Because they were fools who believed that dying for one's country is right.
A lie pushed on by those who don't need to fight, by old men willing to watch young men die for them.
“Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”
-Hermann Goering
“War is fear cloaked in courage.”
-Gen William C. Westmoreland
“There was never a good war or a bad peace."
-Benjamin Franklin
“I cannot believe that war is the best solution. No one won the last war and no one will win the next.”
-Eleanor Roosevelt
“I find war detestable but those who praise it without participating in it even more so”
-Romain Rolland