Lessons of War - What Have We Learned?

We are in a time when this question needs to be asked by everyone - supporters of wars, opponents and those in between. We are in a period where choices need to be made. Yes, a period where decisions that could effect generations for years to come may be made very quickly, by a small handful of people.

According to most experts, we are closer to a nuclear incident then ever before. In addition, there are enough nuclear weapons to wipe out the entire planet many times over. We have seen and lived with the horrors of war for centuries. History is filled with facts and stories about war and combat. One thing is certain in all of this history - there are winners and there are losers. There is also brutality and death of both combatants and of innocent civilians. Some have always said that those deaths are inevitable and one of the prices of victory, freedom or fighting for any cause.

So what else have we learned about war and its consequences? We've learned about theories of justifiable war but we've learned about a soldier's responsibility to refuse orders per the Nuremberg trials. Due to technology's evolution, we've learned about atrocities first hand, watching villages being burned and civilians being shot on newscasts for everyone to see. We've watched live events of Towers burning and crumbling from planes flown into them. We've watched drones controlled from thousands of miles away hone in on targets, sometimes getting it right and other times making terrible errors, killing civilians at weddings and family gatherings.

We've also learned that people can make a difference in opposing wars. We've learned that mass movements take time and require that people who may not agree on all kinds of things, can agree on one or two core principles. We've learned that political and religious leaders can stand up against wars and violence. We've learned that movements take leaders, organizers, people who are prepared to work hard at making views known.

So what does it take? Ads in major publications signed by religious, political, scientific, literary leaders could be a start. Bringing attention to what's wrong with nuclear tit for tat, etc. Large demonstrations, organized well and focused, in major cities do work. Nonviolent resistance has always been key to effective change. Violence in the streets works against any movement for justice.

Leaders are certainly needed from both past and current generations and these generations need to talk to and learn from each other. It's too serious to not have this happen. So do what you can to start the conversations and the organizing. Tell stories, sing about the past and the present, support causes, encourage young people. Let people know that taking a stand against war is not only important but it works.