Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Robert Wilkerson: Avoiding war

  The U.S. did a wonderful thing a few weeks ago. We solved a problem without going to war. That has been rare in our recent history.

  The issue was Syria and its possession and use of chemical weapons on rebels fighting to overthrow their present government. The Hawks in Washington began to advocate several different military actions that we could take. Some even suggested that our President and our nation would be seen as weak, cowardly, and an undependable ally if we did not take some sort of military action.

  However, cooler, more intelligent heads prevailed. President Obama, working with others including Russia’s President Putin, negotiated a deal for the inspection and removal of chemical weapons from Syria. All is going well at this time.

  Because of not going to war, many good things have happened. Possibly thousands of lives have been saved. Thousands of young military people will not be killed. Thousands will not lose arms and legs and become disfigured and disabled. Horrible atrocities will not happen. People will not come home with scarred and damaged minds suffering with post-traumatic stress syndrome. Military cemeteries will not be forced to add more graves to their already over-crowded fields. Rivers of tears will not flow from the eyes of mothers and fathers, and newly widowed spouses, and fatherless/motherless children.

  The lives of thousands of Syrians will be saved. More of their cities and homes will not be turned to rubble, at least not by us. Many Syrians will survive to return to their normal lifestyles after their internal conflict is resolved.

  Avoiding military action in Syria will help America’s national reputation. It will weaken the perception that we are an international bully, out to run the world and willing to go to war quickly with little, if any, justification.

  Years ago, someone asked, "What would happen if they threw a war and no one came?" In Syria, someone threw a war, we did not come, and it is absolutely wonderful!

  About the author: Dr. Robert Wilkerson is a minister, writer, and founder of People for the Christian Way, an organization whose mission is to encourage all people to practice Christian principles in business, politics, and every area of life. drbobwilkerson[at]bellsouth.net, www.peopleforthechristianway.com.

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