Would that it were Memorial Day every day. For we could be continually reminded of the deeply tragic costs of war.

As I watch the images and read the words of those who would have us believe that “this was a good war” and “that was a brave battle,” my antenna detects a trap. When we fall prey to the glorification of war—any war—we are being set up.

“For what?,” you may ask. “For the next war,” I answer.

There is nothing romantic about war, and we must resist those who would have us believe it so. Making war is an ugly, painful, horrific, and unnecessary enterprise. Since the “winners” get to write heroic history and make dramatic Hollywood movies, let’s not forget “the first casualty of war is the truth.” And, as peace activist David Swanson reminds us, “the rest are mostly civilians.”

My fellow peacemakers, we must stay strong and committed to finding geopolitical solutions to our nation’s challenges that do not involve war. The only thing we get from war . . . is more war.

Those who promote war will try to silence us by calling us names. They will call us “pacifists.” We are not. We will defend our homeland if attacked, but we also mind our own business. As Thomas Jefferson advised, we seek no “entangling alliances.”

We are Americans first.

They will call us “isolationists.” We are not. On the contrary, we reach out to the rest of the world in friendship; we desire trade with all nations; and we seek engagement in sports and cultural exchanges with other countries. For it’s far less likely that a violent conflict will break out between friends—those who trade with one another, compete in games with one another, and visit one another’s homes and families overseas.

Our road to peace, prosperity, and happiness is paved with goodwill and interaction, not intervention.

So, my fellow peacemakers, the next time a media pundit, or a politician, or a religious authority, or a so-called overseas “ally” attempts to manipulate you into believing that we must to go to war, you know what to do. Arm yourself with empathy and break out your critical thinking skills.

In other words: Remember Memorial Day.

Peace,

Gary