With you on every point, Garrett. War never settles anything. And, furthermore, from a supporter of organized labor--war is always the bosses' answer. Some people will make a fortune from this calamity! Lord, have mercy. We don't seem to.
My former Congressional representative, Barbara Lee, cast the sole vote against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists in 2001. She received so many death threats that she was granted round-the-clock protection, but "Barbara Lee Speaks For Me" bumper stickers popped up on cars all over the Bay Area. I feel like history ultimately vindicated her, but despite efforts to repeal the AUMF, it still stands. Every act of resistance seems so futile that I can hardly bear it. I'm sure I'll still go to the March 28 protest, though.
Sometime this month I hope you do a really frivolous weekly discussion thread so I can post all of my silly (or should I say "delulu") Melodifestivalen thoughts, LOL
I haven't added any songs to my playlist this year—maybe something will grab me when I hear it again during the final. But I think the comedy bits have been mediocre (Hampus is no Björn Gustafsson!), the returning artists (Sanna, Medina, Greczula, etc.) have been saddled with songs that aren't nearly as good as their past entries, the much hyped FIRST AMERICAN in Mello was a disaster, etc. That said, I'm absolutely fine with "My System" winning, partly because I like Felicia's backstory. And maybe she'll single-handedly make masks cool! If I was visiting Sweden during the winter, I'd love to be able to wear one and not worry so much about the vinterkräksjuka!
God, yes. I've been thinking so much about all the times people have told me it's impractical to [oppose war, want everyone to be fed, etc] and your framing of pacifism and peacemaking is so refreshing. As always, THANK YOU.
When I really think about it, the greatest political shift in my life hasn't really been a "radicalization," it's just learning to not listen to the voices that have always said that the things I've always dreamed of aren't worth naming out loud because they're too unrealistic.
Thank you Garrett, as always for the moral clarity. The war apologists claim America has the moral high ground, but they fail to to look in the mirror and see ourselves as no different than the targets of our violence. Either every human life has equal value or we all are expendable as if we are just tokens in a game of winner take all. But life isn’t a game of winners and losers. We only have one life, one planet, one chance to make the world a better place for all. Dividing the world into us and them to justify violence and destruction, to justify war, only leads to more violence, more destruction, and a loss of humanity in every one of us.
A quick note-- I changed the cover image. The original image was a widely shared shot of a pink backpack covered in blood. While not verified, there are enough signs that image is AI generated (ugh!) so I've switched it out. Here at the White Pages, we don't have any time for generative AI, even accidentally.
Thank you for the songs by Joan Baez and Farhad Mehrad.I have been a pacifist since my teenage years during the Vietnam War. I don’t understand how humans aren’t capable of settling conflicts by using words instead of killing each other. The scary thing about current warfare is that it is turning into a video game with weapons operated remotely by humans aided by AI.
With you on every point, Garrett. War never settles anything. And, furthermore, from a supporter of organized labor--war is always the bosses' answer. Some people will make a fortune from this calamity! Lord, have mercy. We don't seem to.
It' ALWAYS the bosses answer. 100%!
My former Congressional representative, Barbara Lee, cast the sole vote against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists in 2001. She received so many death threats that she was granted round-the-clock protection, but "Barbara Lee Speaks For Me" bumper stickers popped up on cars all over the Bay Area. I feel like history ultimately vindicated her, but despite efforts to repeal the AUMF, it still stands. Every act of resistance seems so futile that I can hardly bear it. I'm sure I'll still go to the March 28 protest, though.
Will always be grateful to Barbara Lee for that vote!
Sometime this month I hope you do a really frivolous weekly discussion thread so I can post all of my silly (or should I say "delulu") Melodifestivalen thoughts, LOL
You know I welcome it on any threads! As for me, I could not be any more in the bag for My System.
I haven't added any songs to my playlist this year—maybe something will grab me when I hear it again during the final. But I think the comedy bits have been mediocre (Hampus is no Björn Gustafsson!), the returning artists (Sanna, Medina, Greczula, etc.) have been saddled with songs that aren't nearly as good as their past entries, the much hyped FIRST AMERICAN in Mello was a disaster, etc. That said, I'm absolutely fine with "My System" winning, partly because I like Felicia's backstory. And maybe she'll single-handedly make masks cool! If I was visiting Sweden during the winter, I'd love to be able to wear one and not worry so much about the vinterkräksjuka!
'Tis the season!
God, yes. I've been thinking so much about all the times people have told me it's impractical to [oppose war, want everyone to be fed, etc] and your framing of pacifism and peacemaking is so refreshing. As always, THANK YOU.
When I really think about it, the greatest political shift in my life hasn't really been a "radicalization," it's just learning to not listen to the voices that have always said that the things I've always dreamed of aren't worth naming out loud because they're too unrealistic.
Thank you Garrett, as always for the moral clarity. The war apologists claim America has the moral high ground, but they fail to to look in the mirror and see ourselves as no different than the targets of our violence. Either every human life has equal value or we all are expendable as if we are just tokens in a game of winner take all. But life isn’t a game of winners and losers. We only have one life, one planet, one chance to make the world a better place for all. Dividing the world into us and them to justify violence and destruction, to justify war, only leads to more violence, more destruction, and a loss of humanity in every one of us.
Immensely well put, Ted.
Always with the moral clarity, Garrett - thank you. ❤️
❤️❤️
Thank you for putting my belief and praxis and anguish into words so clearly.
A quick note-- I changed the cover image. The original image was a widely shared shot of a pink backpack covered in blood. While not verified, there are enough signs that image is AI generated (ugh!) so I've switched it out. Here at the White Pages, we don't have any time for generative AI, even accidentally.
Thank you for the songs by Joan Baez and Farhad Mehrad.I have been a pacifist since my teenage years during the Vietnam War. I don’t understand how humans aren’t capable of settling conflicts by using words instead of killing each other. The scary thing about current warfare is that it is turning into a video game with weapons operated remotely by humans aided by AI.
Always appreciate a Quaker testimony. Thank you.