Dulce et decorum est

"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"

Words from a Wilfred Owen poem (http://www.1914-18.co.uk/owen/) read in an English class many, many years ago that started me on my inner journey to explore pacifism and non-violent action.

Warfare has changed dramatically since his time, with smart bombs and long range weapons - soldiers no longer have to see the whites of their enemies' eyes. However, the move of some of our troops (including those from the Black Watch Regiments and others) to areas of more conflict in Iraq, and possibly a change in role from that of peace-keeping to combat (lets hope not), has worried me immensely and called to mind those words.

We still send lads who should holding books in college not guns in muddy fields except, unlike in Wilson Owen's time, we send lasses now too. There is still no clear line between "us" and "them". I'm not talking about dictators or government regimes. I'm talking about the soldiers, militia, resistance fighters, men, women and children. The "enemy" in Iraq have mothers and fathers, wives and husbands, children and friends ... the same as our armed forces do.

I must say that respect our guys for doing a difficult and challenging job and, for the most part, doing it with dignity and respect for all.

And as we approach another remembrance day which, to my mind, is used as a glorification for past victories and justification for present and future blood-shed, his words should be read by everyone.

As ever, I shall not be wearing my red poppy, although I must stress that I know I owe my freedom to many men and women that fought for that freedom but I choose to honour them in my own way.

I shall be wearing a White Poppy instead.
If you want to learn more - take a look at the Peace Pledge Union's website (http://www.ppu.org.uk/indexa.html). They sell White Poppies which remember ALL those who have died in every war (and there have been a hell of a lot of them, even just in this century) both military and civilian, "us" and "them".

I'll let Wilfred Owen have the last words as he is far more eloquent than me ...

If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud,
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest,
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old lie: Dulce et Decorum est
Pro patria mori.

Translation: It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country.

Animal Rights v Human Rights

I refer, of course, to the current story in the news about the desecration of a Mrs Hammond's grave.

My heart says that animal testing must be wrong, my head does not know enough about it or the alternative methods available so I am not in a position to comment further about the ethics and moralities of testing here.

However, I must comment on the ethics and moralities of the people that feel it is acceptable to desecrate a grave. There can be no justification for such an act. I whole-heartedly support paeceful legal protest. I think it is very important for people to be able to offer alternative viewpoints; to vocalise their protest; to challenge beliefs and ethics; to try to bring about change through cogent argument and peaceful action

I cannot see how the actions of these protestors have done any good for their cause. It has not educated the general public as to why they believe animal testing is wrong; it has not explained to us what alternative methods are available. I would hazard a guess that all that it has achieved is to create a lot of sympathy for Mrs Hammond's relative and friends.

Perhaps peaceful, non-violent protest is the longer route to change but surely the better one which respects both animal and human rights?

Happy Journeys.

Virtual Reality

Having a fab weekend of carnage and slaughter ... virtual of course!

Hubby and I are staying with friends that we met online in Star Wars Galaxies (an online role playing game which is, surprisingly enough, based upon Star Wars).

I can offer no real explanation for the contradictory viewpoints of a strong belief in non-violent action and a love for definately violent computer games. The only semi-plausible defence I can offer is that I am a 30 year old who can definately distinguish between the virtual and real world.

It does concern me when overtly violent games are deemed a suitable for children. Whilst the majority of kids are perfectly able to distinguish life from fiction, there are those few for whom the line blurs. But then again, if they did not copy the "hero" from their favourite game would they still not act out some other violent fantasy? Who knows.

Returning back to my original line of thought. Isn't it great when you can have a weekend with friends enjoying a mutual hobby ... and even better when it involves pizza and beer! :o)

Happy Journeys.