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This was a popular refrain of the antiwar movement during the conflict in Vietnam. It was used to vilify us. After all, there would be no war, no babies murdered, if we all just burned our draft cards and refused to fight. Does anyone actually believe this?
I'm surprised that this cry hasn't been heard recently. Despite the fact that the WMDs were found, pacifists still insist that “Bush lied and people died.” Despite the fact that it has now been documented that Bush directed the CIA and his Administration to refrain from making a big deal out of the WMDs, his critics insist that it was his only rationale for going to war (that and as revenge for an alleged attack on this father). Despite the fact that Saddam Hussein was in breach of the agreement that suspended the war that drove his forces from Kuwait, the war's critics insist that there was no legal basis for the resumption of hostilities. In view of all this, I'm surprised that the pacifists haven't fallen back on the argument that all wars would be impossible if common folk like you and me simply refused to put on the uniform, pick up a gun, and go soldiering.
Interestingly, like most good ideas, it was taken out of context and perverted to the simplistic thinking of idealists. The actual line is plagiarized from a poem by Bertold Bretch
What if they gave a war and nobody came?
Why then the war will come to you!
He who stays home when the fight begins
And lets another fight for his cause
Should take care:
He who does not take part
In the battle will share in the defeat.
Even avoiding battle will not avoid Battle,
since not to fight for your own cause really means
Fighting in behalf of your enemy's cause.
I suppose it rhymes when read in Bretch's native language (German). It certainly doesn't support the pacifist's ideology in any language. Failure to read past the first line simply is lazy thinking.
Now let me say it to one and all, "Thank you for coming..."
I'm surprised that this cry hasn't been heard recently. Despite the fact that the WMDs were found, pacifists still insist that “Bush lied and people died.” Despite the fact that it has now been documented that Bush directed the CIA and his Administration to refrain from making a big deal out of the WMDs, his critics insist that it was his only rationale for going to war (that and as revenge for an alleged attack on this father). Despite the fact that Saddam Hussein was in breach of the agreement that suspended the war that drove his forces from Kuwait, the war's critics insist that there was no legal basis for the resumption of hostilities. In view of all this, I'm surprised that the pacifists haven't fallen back on the argument that all wars would be impossible if common folk like you and me simply refused to put on the uniform, pick up a gun, and go soldiering.
Interestingly, like most good ideas, it was taken out of context and perverted to the simplistic thinking of idealists. The actual line is plagiarized from a poem by Bertold Bretch
What if they gave a war and nobody came?
Why then the war will come to you!
He who stays home when the fight begins
And lets another fight for his cause
Should take care:
He who does not take part
In the battle will share in the defeat.
Even avoiding battle will not avoid Battle,
since not to fight for your own cause really means
Fighting in behalf of your enemy's cause.
I suppose it rhymes when read in Bretch's native language (German). It certainly doesn't support the pacifist's ideology in any language. Failure to read past the first line simply is lazy thinking.
Now let me say it to one and all, "Thank you for coming..."
Warfare
Diplomacy
Politics
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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The problem is, the bad guys always come. The good guys can choose not to fight, but the bad guys will just come faster. A couple things most 60's hippies didn't do: Study history, and study human behavior.
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What if I went to war, and nobody supported me?
That is my fear.
That we wage war (contingency operations, whatever) and can't be bothered to build national consensus that this was the way to deal with the problem at hand. That the opposition to war is celebrated, while those who wage it are forgotten.
I respect people's right to protest. There have been times that the US military has been committed to causes that reasonable people would think are questionable. Some are against war on principle. That is OK. I would fight and die for your right to protest.
I did not go to war based on a lie. I went to war because the people entrusted over me with the power to decide to engage in military action saw fit to send me. I owe it to them to be the best I can be, to not stain the honor of our nation, to close with and destroy our enemies, and if necessary, lay down my life in the cause of our nation's defense.
They owe to me the right training, equipment, and men to accomplish what they are ordering me to do.
I do not need their adoration.
I do not need their medals.
I do need their will to ensure that I can do what they've ordered me to do.
That is our sacred compact.
And that is where we have gone wrong way too often during the past couple decades.
That is my fear.
That we wage war (contingency operations, whatever) and can't be bothered to build national consensus that this was the way to deal with the problem at hand. That the opposition to war is celebrated, while those who wage it are forgotten.
I respect people's right to protest. There have been times that the US military has been committed to causes that reasonable people would think are questionable. Some are against war on principle. That is OK. I would fight and die for your right to protest.
I did not go to war based on a lie. I went to war because the people entrusted over me with the power to decide to engage in military action saw fit to send me. I owe it to them to be the best I can be, to not stain the honor of our nation, to close with and destroy our enemies, and if necessary, lay down my life in the cause of our nation's defense.
They owe to me the right training, equipment, and men to accomplish what they are ordering me to do.
I do not need their adoration.
I do not need their medals.
I do need their will to ensure that I can do what they've ordered me to do.
That is our sacred compact.
And that is where we have gone wrong way too often during the past couple decades.
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CPT Jack Durish
Many Vietnam Vets I know swore that they would never allow future American warriors be treated as we were treated. Sadly, it was like most promises - given sincerely with little regard for one's ability to keep it. Fortunately the Left has steered clear of blaming soldiers this time around, but just barely...
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No WMDS were found. I call BS. That to me negates your whole premise. You can't rewrite history.
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