War
heartdesire
Posts: 430
I have never been one for the Iraq war. War period. I find it senseless.
I recently met a young woman who has a boyfriend in the National Guard. He is from a small town and at 17 decided to join signing an 8 year contract. Wow. 17 years old, signing an 8 year contract. That amazes me. Isn't that illegal? He was 17, not even 18 yet!
He is now 4 years in and is in the process of trying to get out. It is slow moving. He is a peaceful young man that sees and feels violence and killing do not solve anything. He has seen the ravages of war and the senselessness of it.
This young woman grew up in El Salvador. She experienced and saw the ravages and senselessness of war too.
They both know what war does and how truly political it is.
This young woman has now become my friend. I'm 46. She is 26. We met in a yoga class and then realized a deeper connection, pearl jam. She discovered pj at 13 and me 29. The connection between us is ageless.
She actually turned her boyfriend on to pearl jam. He is now a true fan. Listening to pearl jam when away gives him a lot of strength. He is currently on call in the states training at a base where they shoot guns 12-18 hours a day. Some may think this is cool. Yeah if it was for the fun of it sure thing. It's not. It's training to kill. Isn't that grand.
Luckily in the process to depart it has been agreed he doesn't have to engage in any further actual combat training. He gets chided by fellow gents, though holds to his truth.
During one of his exit interview processes the following was said and asked (not fully verbatim) ... "War in the past has really helped America, what if every American felt the way you did?"
He replied, "Let me answer that with another question sir. "What if the whole world felt the way I did?". The interviewer wasn't able to comment back.
This young man has a lot of courage.
I honor all those who are fighting, but its time for a new mind set. What exactly are we fighting for? Let's listen to the many returning veterans who have been there and experienced the senselessness of this war and its politics.
We don't need to be there. We don't.
Some may complain about Eddie's political rants. I applaud them. He cares. And I wish many more did.
So next pj show you go to remember how blessed ya are and how free ya are to be there. To be present and to be rocking out!
Please hold a prayer, a wish, a thought, for this young courageous man who's name is Tyler, to be set free from an obligation he signed at 17. Hold that vibe a bit further for this war to end. It needs to. Its time.
Thanks for listening.
I recently met a young woman who has a boyfriend in the National Guard. He is from a small town and at 17 decided to join signing an 8 year contract. Wow. 17 years old, signing an 8 year contract. That amazes me. Isn't that illegal? He was 17, not even 18 yet!
He is now 4 years in and is in the process of trying to get out. It is slow moving. He is a peaceful young man that sees and feels violence and killing do not solve anything. He has seen the ravages of war and the senselessness of it.
This young woman grew up in El Salvador. She experienced and saw the ravages and senselessness of war too.
They both know what war does and how truly political it is.
This young woman has now become my friend. I'm 46. She is 26. We met in a yoga class and then realized a deeper connection, pearl jam. She discovered pj at 13 and me 29. The connection between us is ageless.
She actually turned her boyfriend on to pearl jam. He is now a true fan. Listening to pearl jam when away gives him a lot of strength. He is currently on call in the states training at a base where they shoot guns 12-18 hours a day. Some may think this is cool. Yeah if it was for the fun of it sure thing. It's not. It's training to kill. Isn't that grand.
Luckily in the process to depart it has been agreed he doesn't have to engage in any further actual combat training. He gets chided by fellow gents, though holds to his truth.
During one of his exit interview processes the following was said and asked (not fully verbatim) ... "War in the past has really helped America, what if every American felt the way you did?"
He replied, "Let me answer that with another question sir. "What if the whole world felt the way I did?". The interviewer wasn't able to comment back.
This young man has a lot of courage.
I honor all those who are fighting, but its time for a new mind set. What exactly are we fighting for? Let's listen to the many returning veterans who have been there and experienced the senselessness of this war and its politics.
We don't need to be there. We don't.
Some may complain about Eddie's political rants. I applaud them. He cares. And I wish many more did.
So next pj show you go to remember how blessed ya are and how free ya are to be there. To be present and to be rocking out!
Please hold a prayer, a wish, a thought, for this young courageous man who's name is Tyler, to be set free from an obligation he signed at 17. Hold that vibe a bit further for this war to end. It needs to. Its time.
Thanks for listening.
"i'm a dedicated insomniac" ~ ev nyc beacon 6/22
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Comments
Every American has the right to feel the way Tyler does, and I believe most do. Yet when so many foreign nationals dedicate themselves to the destruction of our country and our fellow citizens, regardless of our feelings about war, we must defend ourselves at all costs, or cease to exist. That means confronting a reality that we may not necessarily wish to. I'm afraid it's an unavoidable consequence that man has always, and will always face. "Perpetual peace is a futile dream."
"What I lack in decorum, I make up for with an absence of tact."
Camden 5-28-06
Washington, D.C. 6-22-08
Wow. It is this exact thinking that keeps us stuck in the state we are in ... "Perpetual peace is a futile dream".
Who lays down arms first, we or our supposed enemies? Neither, cuz neither will. Because the view is "enemies".
It takes one. Look at Rosa Parks. Ghandi. Martin Luther King ... please open your eyes and your heart. May not happen in an instant, though it can and it is possible.
Look to a future with possibility not age old worn arguments.
Well said.
That is crazy that you can even enter a contract like that at 17 years old. And not to try and sound like a smartass, because I have huge respect for people in the military, but I am curious why your friend enlsisted if he is a peaceful person. I mean 4 years ago the Iraq war had already started.
Welcome to reality heart&desire. You see, what normally happens is that there is some sort of treaty that ends a war and both sides mutually agree to stop fighting.
Seriously, there is never going to be peace on Earth. There wasn't peace on Earth when there was 1,000 people--it's not gonna happen with 6 billion people. And as the Earth gets more populous and the resources become more scarce, there is going to be even more war. So get ready for it
East Troy '03
Boston I '04
Pittsburgh '06
Lollapalooza '07
DC '08
MSG I & II '08
Good inquiry about why he enlisted if he is a peaceful person.
At 17 he was not very worldly and was confused. There was strife in his life and this seemed like a good idea.
The way things were presented to him was a lot different than the actual reality of what actually is.
So he has now grown. His thinking and seeing of the world has changed. He doesn't want to kill people. He had no true understanding of what he truly was getting into at the time. He was very naive.
The flip side is, he signed up and grew from the experience. It just seems like 8 years is a long investment to ask of one at 17 or even 18, especially from those who are truly confused and naive. It is just wrong.
Why is everyone accepting defeat for humanity?
We can all make a change. How? Change your perception of reality. Believe peace is possible and tell others. Act in a peaceful manner. Love your brothers and sisters. Stop it with the death instinct, overcome it with a love for life. It all sounds very "Hippie-ish" but that is just an innappropriate label given to a fad. What I'm talking about is a change in the mass-subconscious. Maybe that is what 2012 is?
Dang, harsh aren't ya! lol and not at ya!
Did you believe in the millennium computer scare?
A little apocalyptic mindset you carry. How do you know for sure that there never will be peace on earth? Just cuz it hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it can't. Neither you or I may see it, though the possibility exits.
I choose to see possibility. You don't. That is the difference between us.
Hope its workin' for ya darlin'.
"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
- Ben Franklin
well said. thank you.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
absolutely wonderful! this made my day! : >
"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
- Ben Franklin
FEAR FEAR FEAR THE TURRISTS!!!
His parents probably consented. I will check on this. Though I know for a fact that he has an eight year commitment. This is for the National Guard. What you described totals 8, so again I will verify with my friend.
"Wanting to end all wars is like saying you want to end all crime". I want this current Iraq war to end.
I do think it is possible to have a world without war, and maybe crime too one day. One thing at a time.
Again it is the thinking, the visioning and deep seated beliefs such things continue to carry on. It is possible for change.
At one time people thought the world was flat, it was an impossibility to visit the moon, women couldn't vote, segregation was rampant, the list goes on.
The world isn't always pretty and it has its share of problems. Doesn't mean change can't happen and will. Like I wrote earlier, none of us may see these changes, though they may happen.
I'd rather be a visionary and cause for change rather than the same old tired thinking that perpetuates unrest.
Take a second and imagine the possibilities.
I agree, war is a horrible, evil creation of man...but...until the whole world can agree not to take up arms against each other, you still need a military. Yep, everyone who enlists has 8 years. What ever you don't complete is inactive (call up) with in that 8 years.
Vote, write your congress person, protest, do what you can to voice your opinion legally. I don't want war with anyone, but you still need the military.
The worst thing is that he never understood what he was doing there, that's it, a war with no reason.
Voicing ones opinion legally is good. At this time we do need the military, I don't disagree with this. It's where we are at this point in time.
I still am one to vision, beyond imagining, a world without war. Yes, my dear I am a dreamer! Can't take that away from me! It will hopefully come about with a rise in consciousness of peace, without power struggles or crazy cults involved. That's a whole nuther story! : >
Or they can just draft people when they run out of volunteers...and no one wants that. Even some European countries have manditory enlistments or year or two of public service. I'm sorry you need a military, even as horrible as war is.
When enough people decide to vote and take an active part in the political process, we might just see a State less willing to wage war. What ever direction this country takes, you will need a military, now the choice is on how you use it.
I am truly sorry for your loss. May your friend rest in peace.
This war is a war with no reason. It does need to end and soon.
Wars are waged by the poor for the rich.
Can you go into a little more detail as to why you think that?