Beautifully expressed. I fear the incentive for war — particularly prolonged conflict— is even darker: as long as there is obscene profit to be made from arms manufacturing and sales, and all of the auxiliary goods, products, services and supplies that accompany its unfurling, governments including our own will find justification for its existence.
Thanks, Debra. Great point! It feels like a vicious cycle. We (or at least the male of the species) are drawn toward war. When making war also makes a profit, those two desires feed on each other. War breeds profit breeds war.
I bumped into an old example of that ancient military virtue this week, in a war I'd never heard of until this week! An army colonel was sent to defuse a group of Americans who had joined one side of an internal war in Canada. He couldn't persuade them that their action was unproductive, so he "de-officered" himself and joined them as a private. No modern officer would show such devotion to the PEOPLE of his country.
I’d never heard this story. Thanks for sharing! I do believe there are plenty of good officers who would put their fighting force and their country ahead of their own well being. But I worry they’re being forced out.
I love the depth of thought you bring to your work, and I especially appreciate the kind of reflection and conversation that Substack seems to encourage. Your voice is thoughtful, authentic, and engaging, no matter the subject. As you know I’m a big fan of!!!
Thanks, Ben. :) I love how Substack offers the chance to share and engage in so many different topics! Start writing, my friend. You have a lot to say.
I shudder at some of the statements being made, not because of the violence our supposed leaders promise on the battlefield, but because of the violence that must have been visited upon them to elicit a wholesale rejection of connection, understanding, and empathy as an option.
LoML and I had the privelege of meeting Desmond Tutu many years ago after he'd given a speech. In it he said, "Anything war can do, peace can do better." And he repeated it for emphasis.
With a little luck, some prayer, and a hell of a lot of fortitude we will put current ideology behind us, repair the cracks it has exposed, and rebuild our institutions even better.
Oh, a privilege indeed. I've read his work and love his message. Peace can always do it better--yet we keep choosing war. I hope we can learn to do better.
Beautifully expressed. I fear the incentive for war — particularly prolonged conflict— is even darker: as long as there is obscene profit to be made from arms manufacturing and sales, and all of the auxiliary goods, products, services and supplies that accompany its unfurling, governments including our own will find justification for its existence.
Thanks, Debra. Great point! It feels like a vicious cycle. We (or at least the male of the species) are drawn toward war. When making war also makes a profit, those two desires feed on each other. War breeds profit breeds war.
I bumped into an old example of that ancient military virtue this week, in a war I'd never heard of until this week! An army colonel was sent to defuse a group of Americans who had joined one side of an internal war in Canada. He couldn't persuade them that their action was unproductive, so he "de-officered" himself and joined them as a private. No modern officer would show such devotion to the PEOPLE of his country.
https://polistrasmill.com/2026/06/09/the-doctors-war-of-1838/
I’d never heard this story. Thanks for sharing! I do believe there are plenty of good officers who would put their fighting force and their country ahead of their own well being. But I worry they’re being forced out.
Hi Barbara it’s Ben
I love the depth of thought you bring to your work, and I especially appreciate the kind of reflection and conversation that Substack seems to encourage. Your voice is thoughtful, authentic, and engaging, no matter the subject. As you know I’m a big fan of!!!
Thanks, Ben. :) I love how Substack offers the chance to share and engage in so many different topics! Start writing, my friend. You have a lot to say.
So glad you’re here!
“Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime.” Ernest Hemingway
I shudder at some of the statements being made, not because of the violence our supposed leaders promise on the battlefield, but because of the violence that must have been visited upon them to elicit a wholesale rejection of connection, understanding, and empathy as an option.
So true. Why would anyone reject empathy? Whatever violence we endure can make us more compassionate if handled carefully.
LoML and I had the privelege of meeting Desmond Tutu many years ago after he'd given a speech. In it he said, "Anything war can do, peace can do better." And he repeated it for emphasis.
With a little luck, some prayer, and a hell of a lot of fortitude we will put current ideology behind us, repair the cracks it has exposed, and rebuild our institutions even better.
Oh, a privilege indeed. I've read his work and love his message. Peace can always do it better--yet we keep choosing war. I hope we can learn to do better.
Love this. Poets stand next to the flaming wreckage, making sense for future generations.
That's it exactly. Thanks for this.