The Painted Bird

“We just had to read "The Painted Bird" by Jerzy Kosinski for my Ethics class. Amazing writing, but . . . . scary stuff. Anybody read this book? And if so doesn't it make you think twice or three times or maybe even four times about the possibility of America going to war, if war has the potential to result in that kind of suffering for innocent children? Just wonderin'.”

“your Sally Struthers aren't you newgirl?”

“Sorry no, but I was just moved by the book. It is a good argument against war . . . ever, for any reason.”

“Hey newgirl.. don't you think you are PAST being new?

*ducks*”

“Maybe he/she is a transvestite/transexual?”

“so should she change her name to Post-Op?”

“Newgirl, so rather than fight these insane terrorists, you would rather we sit idly waiting for the anthrax or nuclear attack, for fear some kid might be killed? That's nuts, girl!

BTW, in Kosinski's book, if I remember correctly from my read of the book 15 years ago, the worst atrocities involve one-on-one murder and rape of civilians by an invading army. Do you really think the U.S. armed forces are going to commit these kinds of atrocities?

A whole lot more children are going to die if we don't kick some serious terrorist butt real soon!”

“I've never read the book but I can tell you I do think two or three or four times--or four-thousand times--about the horrors of America going to war.

The conclusion seems to be...the horrors are less, long-term, if we go to war than if we do not.

It is not a pretty picture, either way.”

“War is a terrible thing. It should be avoided if at all possible. It destroys innocent lives and often leaves even the victors physically, emotionally and spiritually damaged. It is one of the worst things that human beings can do.

Unfortunately there are worse things. Like sitting safe at home while others are victimized and brutally murdered. Like hiding and giving up personal freedom while evil creeps ever closer. Like having nothing that one is willing to fight for.

I wish we lived in a perfect world and all of our moral choices were easy. If only wishing could make it true.”

“Thank you Violin for that thought.”