Negativism?

Posted on March 18, 2003 in Peace

One can desire the peace of victory without desiring the ravaged towns. — Graham Greene

I’ve come under the gun from Karen Zipdrive and chari who are shocked that I have reiterated my stand that I will not support the men and women who comprise the American invasion force in Iraq. They call me “negative” and suggest that I am “hateful” for saying that I will place no greater value on an American life than an Iraqi life. (See corrections and responses in comments)

I, for my part, do not characterize them as evil. I think they are misguided and not understanding what I am saying here.

Since the successful operations of the Quaker ambulance services in World War I, pacifist gestures towards soldiers in conflicts have been suppressed. I would gladly render my services as a medical volunteer as long as I could tend to the wounded on both sides and would not be compelled by either side to deliver the enemy casualties to them. That kind of service is a positive affirmation of the humanity of the participants. My government thinks that it is collaboration. My government does not want to see Iraqis seen as human beings.

What I am called to do, however, is throw all my support — in the form of luxuries — just to the Americans.

It’s not just about Americans. It’s about people and the things they do.

I love peace. I love the impulse inside each of us which finds it hard to look into a man’s eyes and want him dead. I love the quiet, the dawns without the metal thunder or the terrible music of tanks and cruise missiles.

I have explained elsewhere, both in a statement and as an extended rebuttal to chari, my position. My words are offered as a warning: look what you are allowing to happen, both in this country and in yourself. This comment that I made at Karen Zipdrive’s blog clarifies things further:

Karen and chari: I stand by what I say. I want them as neighbors and, perhaps, friends. I do not want them over there killing Iraqis and I value the lives of Iraqis as much as I value those of Americans.

American soldiers are paid to defend our country and its institutions. Going to Iraq to fight George W. Bush’s personal grudge is not the job for which they are being paid.

War is negativism in the extreme. If you support it, you support negativism….

You can falsely imply that I am unAmerican for this stance. You can falsely imply, as you both have, that I hate our boys. Consider the philosophy that you support by stepping so decisively away from me. Support our boys ~over there~ and you support the war and the disintegration of our institutions that it represents. Refuse to cooperate and work as hard as you can to bring them home and you support them, their right to live and have children, to make families, to be Americans.

Show me the negativism in that desire.

I reiterate this challenge to anyone who thinks the time has come to give in to Bush by participating in campaigns or personal gestures in support of the soldiers, sailors, and airmen now poised to attack Iraq: show me the negativism in promoting making lives over killing.

I counsel noncooperation.