Commentary
In support of war or how the antiwar community came to love war
By Robert Magill
Online Journal Guest Writer


Jan 7, 2009, 00:25

The earnest but essentially futile effort by the antiwar community over decades, even centuries, suggest a new approach is in order. Nothing is working. This is because of using spoil-sport methods and banding about the dread Peace word until the message has fallen on deaf ears. What has been consistently overlooked is the propensity for young men and , alas, a few misguided young women, to be so convinced they are personally immortal they cannot hear anything to the contrary. This elementary fact of life has enabled every army in history to exist.

To accomplish our purpose we must begin to glorify war -- the uniforms, the comradery and feats of daring-do. So speak constantly of the nobility of armed effort in behalf of one’s country and family, one’s friends and loved ones; we all know the language. But this talk must not come from the usual suspects. It must be noised about enthusiastically, nay zealously, by the antiwar community.

This 180 turn will not go unnoticed by the old guard supporters of the status quo.

Resentment will quickly follow astonishment, as a rush to defend turf is sure to ensue. After all, who are the true believers here, and what are these usurpers up to anyway? When the cacophony builds and the jingoism crescendo reaches critical mass, and it will, the time will be ripe for the next step which is . . .

Compromise! Yes! That’s the key. The antiwar folks agree to go back to the old stance if . . .

the establishment agrees to one small change in the Military Code. If they do this one thing, both sides return to the old positions. Not such a big change, really, simply tweeking a number, that’s all. Will they agree?

Do this and we have detente. Change the minimum age for entry into any of the armed services to 35 . . . and reinstate the draft! That’s all. Then loose the dogs of war to your heart’s content and the movement will shut up. That we promise, (our mission will be accomplished).