Building a culture of peace may seem like an impossible dream when rich nations are spending billions in Afghanistan waging war on the world’s poorest people, all in the name of self-defence. Yet participants at a conference this week at Mount Saint Vincent University know full well that discussing ways of building a culture of peace is not only an urgent priority, it also makes sense. As Ursula Franklin, one of the leading thinkers of the Canadian peace movement writes, “War does not work, not even for the warriors.”
US soldiers expressed that idea less politely during the Second World War when they coined the acronym snafu: situation normal, all fucked up. Those jaded soldiers also knew that wars are chaotic and rarely unfold as planned, thanks in part, to the inept arrogance of military leaders. Think of former chief of defence staff Rick Hillier, architect of Canada’s expanded fighting role in Afghanistan. Hillier confidently dismissed Afghan resistance fighters as “detestable murderers and scumbags,” adding blithely, “We are the Canadian Forces, and our job is to be able to kill people.” That was in 2005. Two weeks ago, American general David Petraeus, who now leads US and NATO forces, admitted that after nine years of war, “We cannot kill or capture our way out of an industrial-strength insurgency like that in Afghanistan.”
Petraeus’s now-disgraced predecessor, Stanley McChrystal, complained in March that NATO soldiers firing from military convoys and at checkpoints were killing so many civilians that Afghans were increasingly siding with the Taliban. “We have shot an amazing number of people, but to my knowledge, none has ever proven to be a threat,” McChrystal lamented during a question and answer session with soldiers. As the New York Times observed in its report on his remarks, even larger numbers of Afghan civilians are being killed in NATO air strikes and special forces operations.
The futility of the war in Afghanistan has been plain for years, yet that hasn’t stopped Canadian politicians from recklessly pumping in billions. In a report issued last December by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, military analyst Bill Robinson calculated that so far, Canada had spent 12 to $15 billion on the Afghan war, money that could have gone to peacekeeping instead of war making. Robinson noted that this year, Canada will allocate a total of more than $21 billion to its armed forces. That’s a higher level of spending than at any time since the Second World War. It places Canada among the world’s top 15 military spenders and sixth highest among the 28 members of NATO. At a time when we face imminent catastrophe because of global warming, the government spends 20 times more on the oil-guzzling military than on the federal department of the environment.
Yes, talking about building a culture of peace makes sense in the face of such madness. As Ursula Franklin points out, peace is not just the absence of war, it’s also the absence of fear. She argues that governments, acting on behalf of global corporations, have established what she calls a “threat system” to control citizens by instilling economic uncertainty and fear—fear of joblessness and poverty, for example, as corporations move work to low-wage countries and governments cut unemployment insurance benefits and social programs.
Franklin maintains that only social justice can overcome fear and bring peace. Justice means freedom from coercion and fear, but it also means equality. The victims of US remote-controlled bombing in Pakistan are no less worthy than the victims of the 9/11 attacks. The Ogoni people in the Niger Delta who have endured oil spills the size of the Exxon Valdez one every year for the last 50 years, are no less victims than the hundreds of thousands losing their livelihoods because of the BP oil gusher in the Gulf of Mexico.
Yes, now is definitely the time to talk about building a culture of social justice and peace.
Bruce Wark is participating on a Friday afternoon panel at the conference that will discuss ways of communicating messages of disarmament and peace. See msvu.ca/peaceconference for more information.
This article appears in Jul 8-14, 2010.
So you want to change human nature? Let me know how that works out for you.
Social Justice – a phrase that means whatever you want it to mean.
The Wankster must have just about burst his piles wide open last week. Not just the sight of the harbor filled with “evil corporate death boats” but Haligonians opening their homes and their hearts not just to OUR Navy, but those of our friends , neighbors and allies as well.
See you at the Tattoo Cousin Brucie.
And for the love of God you’ve been riding the cotton pony about General Hillier’s detestable scumbags remark for 6 bloody years now. Get the hell over it.
“War does not work, not even for the warriors.”if you know any history you will see this statement is bullshit.
US soldiers expressed that idea less politely during the Second World War when they coined the acronym snafu: situation normal, all fucked up. Those jaded soldiers also knew that wars are chaotic and rarely unfold as planned, thanks in part, to the inept arrogance of military leaders snafu: situation normal, all fucked up.if you know anything about war this is called the fog of war
The futility of the war in Afghanistan has been plain for years.that is because with all the negative press and the vocal left with their uninformed views do not allow our armies to fight the war that is needed to fight to win this war.
Canada had spent 12 to $15 billion on the Afghan war, money that could have gone to peacekeeping instead of war making.peace keeping where.also canadian military history is based more on military action not peace keeping.
Yes, talking about building a culture of peace makes sense in the face of such madness.the talk of peace is madness if you look at the desperation that non-western population have to face each day.
it’s also the absence of .most people have fear to walk down streets in their own neighbourhood.let alone there is no peace in some neighbourhoods.so how can the world be peaceful if we do not have peace in our own backyard.
She argues that governments, acting on behalf of global corporations.the only thing to say to this is typical leftwing propaganda bullshit.
The victims of US remote-controlled bombing in Pakistan are no less worthy than the victims of the 9/11 attacks.yes they are for they house western enemies.meaning enemies to your comfortable self-centered life.
BP oil gusher in the Gulf of Mexico.the question should be asked why are we drilling in such harsh environment and not on land where such problems if they ever occur are easily fixed.
Yes, now is definitely the time to talk about building a culture of social justice and peace.such beliefs only exist in the west because all your needs are easily met.
if someone is actually informed on human nature and reality they will realize that such beliefs belong in the same catagory as creationism.
And by the way, all justice is inherently social. Can someone on a desert island be either just or unjust?
Peace and social justice are like socialism itself. They look good on paper but a little thing like, oh, reality gets in the way… Bruce seems to have a problem with reality.
Then again, I have a lot of respect for the military and, unlike Bruce, not ashamed to admit that it does a hell of a lot more than support the capitalist running dogs.
Bruce war is human nature and even the far left can’t change this.
“Freedom from coercion and fear, and equality” Do you suppose that means freedom from the fear of having your livelihood destroyed.? Freedom from the coercion of a mob run amok? Does the equality of suffering of the small business owner whose premises were ransacked and property looted deserve equal place with that of someone who was detained in a makeshift holding facility for a couple of hours?.
Toronto played host to several thousand “activists” most of whom would describe themselves as leftists of one degree or another. They are still totting up the cost and repairing the damage. Halifax ,on the other hand, was “occupied” by several thousand “brainwashed killing machines” (that’s the left’s label, not mine) and I don’t recall seeing the riot squad deployed, not once.
Maybe it’s time for the left to find an alternative. “It’s not only an urgent priority, it also makes sense”
Toronto played host to several thousand “activists” most of whom would describe themselves as leftists of one degree or another. They are still totting up the cost and repairing the damage. Halifax ,on the other hand, was “occupied” by several thousand “brainwashed killing machines” (that’s the left’s label, not mine) and I don’t recall seeing the riot squad deployed, not once.
perfectly said ivan.
the left and their soldiers are the true threat to us and our way of life, and should be dealt with accordingly.
I will agree that some wars are unnecessary, like Vietnam and Iraq. However Afghanistan was started when the Taliban attacked New York and then refused to turn over Bin Laden. And it should continue until the Taliban are defeated, and a government is set up that is not run by the mullahs.
OK, I’ll grant that the war in Afghanistan stopped making military sense a good while back. It’s fairly clear, and was clear years ago, that we should invade Pakistan instead, since that country is the real problem child, but fat chance of that happening – we’re sending flood relief instead.
I also agree that the amount of money the federal department of the environment is getting is way too low, but I doubt it’s getting shortchanged because the CF is getting so much cash – Harper simply doesn’t care about the environment much. If the Canadian military was a tenth the size Harper still wouldn’t send more money over to Environment…he’d simply have more for corporate subsidies.
The suggestion that we put the money into peacekeeping is plain silly. As others have stated war and conflict is in the nature of man. Things are going to get worse because of the growing overpopulation and resource depletion. Peacekeeping is a futile game – all it means is that you keep groups apart that would like nothing better than to kill each other, and once you’ve spent hundreds of millions (or billions) over some decades to do that, inevitably you have to leave…after which the groups you were keeping apart kill each other. So why bother?
A strong national defence is needed now more than ever, and let’s bear in mind that for many decades our armed forces have been a joke. When shit really hits the fan we’ll be happy that the federal government fulfilled one of its few *real* obligations, which is to maintain a strong defence.
But I do agree that Afghanistan stopped making sense 6 or 7 years ago.
Hmmm.
As I read some of these comments I can hear faint strains of the Koniggratzer Marsch wafting on the air.
What’s next? Freikorps paramilitaries full of disgruntled, overweight, club-swinging baboons dealing out harsh ‘justice’ to peaceniks?
If “peaceniks” convince themselves that the tinkle of window glass adds more significance to their arguments than some moronic chant that begins “Hey Hey, Ho Ho..”, then by all means, they should be treated to the taste of pepper spray and oiled walnut, and the clank of iron.
Arische Kampfer wrote “the left and their soldiers are the true threat to us and our way of life, and should be dealt with accordingly”.
Our friend with the Wolfsangel avatar seems to agree with you.
The insignia of the 2nd S.S. Panzer Division “Das Reich”. Perhaps my friend has adopted it as a provocation to those he knows will over-react to it. Sort of like a Che Guevara T-shirt, Red Guard hat ,PLO Keffiyeh or Steve Earle’s tender love ballad to John Walker Lindh. You should ask him if you are curious.
whats wrong with clubbing hippies and “peaceniks”.gets you in shape.someone has to ground them in reality.
and the Koniggratzer Marsch sounds great.very motivating,gets you up off your feet.better then smoking dope and going to sleep to jimmy hendrix or whatever you lefties listen to.
hows my new avatar.keeping the name a little longer though.surprise you never mentioned anything about it.
Loving your new avatar Ari. And why would anybody complain about it or your name? It’s not as if words are dangerous. If they were, we’d have to have hate speech legislation. And that would be downright nutty. >; )
I don’t like your new avatar any better than the old one, since you asked, but hell it’s a free country. Do as you please.
I don’t condone the clubbing of hippies, or anyone else for that matter. However, I would make the following exception: if you’d like to get up and get in shape, and do the world a big favour while you’re at it, you could spend your spare time clubbing those Nordic circle jerk types who hang out over at Stormfront. Have you seen some of the avatars over there? The stuff of Aryan homoerotic wet dreams – all that Thor and Odin worship going on.
My father’s generation wholeheartedly embraced the notion that “the only good Nazi is a dead Nazi”, and they made a lot of progress towards that goal. I’d hate to see all of their sacrifice go for naught.
So, when logic fails, bolster your argument with a homophobic slur. Nice example of “critical thinking”. Keep reaching for that rainbow.
Something tells me that a majority of Canadian, British or American soldiers did not care overly much about the political affiliations of the Germans that they had to kill in order to finish the job and come home, but that’s a matter of personal belief. Since you raise the topic, how did we defeat Nazi Germany? Was it by : Starving our military of much needed equipment. Denigrating the profession of soldier to the level of 2nd class citizen and third rate human being. Non-violent protests outside the House of Commons. The Womyn’s Peace Camp outside the fence at Belsen. Activists vandalizing the property of De Havilland, Avro, General Motors, Northrop, Lockheed and all the other big arms manufacturers.
Banning military recruiters from high schools Branding Mackenzie King as nothing but a pawn of FDR. Dismissing the conflict as “just being about oil, or some other natural resource”.
Refusing to succumb to “Naziphobia”
…or some combination of the above?
Make no mistake, I have the highest admiration for the generation who fought the Second World War. Their spirit is alive and well, sweltering under canvas and humping ruck on the stony plains around Kandahar.
Sorry, I guess I missed something. The only argument I can see going on here is the one you seem to be having with yourself.
I stand by my comments about Nazis. My grandfather served in two world wars, my father in one, and neither one of them had any time for Nazis and their sympathizers. My father left two cousins buried in Europe, one KIA a month after D-Day and the other captured and tortured by the Gestapo in German-occupied France after parachuting in with the SOE. The latter was executed in a German concentration camp in Poland. I don’t require internet lectures from somebody like you about how we defeated Nazi Germany.
For myself, I have absolutely zero tolerance for modern day Nazi admirers, who parade around displaying Nazi emblems, spouting the same sort of “racial purity” nonsense that gave Hitler orgasms, whining about how the Nordic “race” has been sullied by contact with Jews, Blacks and Asians, and, much like their brown-shirted predecessors did in Hitler’s prewar Germany, threatening to inflict thuggish violence on those they disagree with politically.
I agree with you that the spirit of my father’s generation is alive and well in today’s military, yes even “sweltering under canvas and humping ruck” in Afghanistan, but I don’t think the memory of his generation’s sacrifice is well-served by remaining silent while ignorant, thuggish neo Nazi types try to usurp the mantle of defenders of “our way of life”.
Well internet lectures from somebody like me are an occupational hazard here whether you need them or not and if you can’t accept that you’ve clearly pitched your poncho in the wrong ashram, brother.
Tell me this, when you are in the presence of politically engaged,activist youth, or rioters, as the rest of us call them, do the cheap kitschy props and outdated sloganeering of the Soviet era inspire in you the same contempt and revulsion as the trappings of neo-nazis and white supremacists. Do Red Stars, Hammers & Sickles, “Thoughts of Mao” and Khmer Rouge scarves even register as symbols of evil in the same way that Swastikas, Totenkopfen , “Mein Kampf” and twin lightning bolt runes do. Or does your life have to have been touched by the genocidal excesses of state socialism in order to feel outrage about them. Do you seriously believe that there is somehow less hatred and potential for anarchic bloodletting in the concept of “class war” than there is in “race war”.
Because that is the argument that I’ve been having with self-righteous left-wing gas bags for a very long time. Sift away the rhetoric and there is no appreciable difference between the far right and the far left. Neither in thought, nor in action. I had lots to say about the cowardly thugs in their masks and their little black uniforms in Toronto and their even more disgusting apologists and as far as I am concerned they are as pathetic and reprehensible as the Stormfront posers that you feel so threatened by. Using violence to promote a socio-political agenda and silence those you disagree with is not the sole domain of the radical right, and it never has been. And it is as much a “clear and present danger”
I appreciate your family’s service to this country and their sacrifices for it.
i have zero tolerance for people spouting communist ideas.a system that is responsible for over 100 million deaths,through execution,starvation,torture.and yes i do see these views freely pushed here,even by you.these views are contrary to western values,that your family so bravely defended.so, these people who promote these views are enemies of the west.and being our enemies,we need to deal with them accordingly.
as for spouting nazi ideologies,i do not think i do.i do not believe in racial superiority.what i do believe in is cultural superiority.i have no problem sharing the benefits our culture has to offer,and the countries they created.just as long as they show respect to the way we do things when they come here.
past wars have been built on the premise of the enemies destruction.know it is based on restrainment and negotiations.
all out war and total destruction of your enemy stops these long drawn out wars from happening.
nato has tactical nukes for a reason.lets start using them.no enemy will fuck around when a nuke has gone off in their backyard.
@AK
Interesting new avatar. If you had any balls you’d post the lyrics to the song or perhaps you don’t know enough German to be able to translate. Just as well – it might get you banned, or worse. After all, there are laws against this kind of speech in Canada.
I think you really CAN judge a person by the ‘friends’ they keep.
judge me all you want.but if shit ever goes to shit, you will be depending on people like me to feed you.pacifism gets you nowhere but slavery shitbag.
speak nobly now farmer(on my avatar), or show your true colours.
Hey Sepp, you read Charles Messenger’s bio of him?
no i haven’t.i may see if i can get that.do not know to much about him except he was hard ass.is it worth the read
It is. It’s called “Hitler’s Gladiator” and it manages to walk quite neatly between the cliches of “Hitler’s butcher boy” on the one hand and “Just another good soldier in a bad cause” on the other. He wouldn’t be the first general whose leadership & personality caused him to be promoted beyond his tactical competence. Chris Vokes and Lewis Puller both come to mind, but neither of them were Nazis so history has been a bit kinder to them. If I should see a copy pass through a certain establishment I’ll give you a heads up.
sounds good i would apprieciate that
Das Reich, Ivans great escape, Heres my opinion, it is just as ignorant and misinformed as yours:
Your both in need of an education, a real one, here are your options
1) you need to take a trade or go to university, where real debates happen, and real young men sharpen their minds and learn the value of history, math or social interaction.
2) Join the army, learn what it actually means to be a soldier, learn what hate is an what it means to sacrifice for others.
3) do some volunteer work in another country and experiance another culture, If I were you id try germany, where your nazi bull shit would likley get you beat up.
the moral of the story is that all you two did was make idiots of your selfs on here. we all think you suck and if you would kindly fuck off we’d all appreciate it.