View From the Top > Letters

The Path to War

All the articles in the recent December issue of Chronogram appear to share one common theme—war and the horrors of war. The ultimate price is not only death and destruction, but the “after-effects of war” (as described by Lorna Tychostup)—the madness of it all.

As an old veteran from World War II (Normandy to Buchenwald), I can attest to the almost step by step descent into the madness that is war. It begins with a systematic and all-pervasive propaganda assault on the minds of the civilian population, everyone expected to fall into line: “Who is not with us is against us!” demands our president. Chilling words, reminding me (growing up in Berlin) of exactly the same slogan from Hitler’s storm troopers—”Wer nicht mit uns ist, ist gegen uns!” Brainwashed and cleansed of all possible effective dissent, the next inevitable step leads to massive armament and military training—to turn out mindless killers. And then on to the killing fields and the final madness of slaughter.

No survivor, whether soldier or civilian, can ever again be completely healed or normal. The longer a war, and war psychosis, the more profound and disturbing the trauma. It’s a violence-induced trauma from which even children are not immune. We, the American people, have been subjected to a continuous military mentality for far too many years. And now we seem to be getting ready to be led into yet another unfathomable, perhaps ultimate madness, urged on by men who have never known the slaughter, the screams, and the putrid stench of war.
Euripides, almost 2,500 years ago, warned: “Those whom God wishes to destroy, he first makes mad.” As well as mindless, one might now add.

Si Lewen, New Paltz

Women in Black Write Back

To the Editor:
I want to thank you for Cassady Casey’s well-written article “Women in Black, Portrait of a Peace Movement.”

Since its appearance, another Women in Black group has formed in Red Hook, meeting Saturdays from 1-2pm on the corner of South Broadway and East Market Street. Many new women have also expressed interest in joining our New Paltz group, which has been standing weekly in a silent vigil since shortly after 9/11/2001. As our country edges closer to a war that many see as unnecessary and immoral, we expect that more people will feel the need to visibly and strongly make a stand for peace.

There is a spot for every person of conscience on our vigil corner at Main and Front Streets in New Paltz. You will find us there every Saturday from 12:30-1:30pm, along with Quakers and members of Arts for Peace. Or you may stand with Women in Black in Kingston, Woodstock, or Red Hook. Write to wibnewpaltz@hotmail.com for more information. Each of you is needed during this critical time.

One point of clarification: All credit for organizing the highly successful October 26 Antiwar Rally and March in Kingston, must go to the Mid-Hudson National People’s Campaign, headed up by Jack Smith. All local Women in Black groups were sponsors of the event.

Lastly, thank you to all who honk and wave as we stand in snow, sleet, and rain. You’ll never know how much your support warms and encourages us.

Sincerely,
Barbara Upton, Women in Black in New Paltz

The War Inside

To the Editor:
Thank you for the unending integrity that Chronogram puts forth. It is a beacon in the midst of a media whitewash. I came across this quote and thought it might be useful to you or your staff in covering articles on current foreign policy.

Someone asked the Dalai Lama “Why didn’t you fight back against the Chinese?” The Dalai Lama looked down, swung his feet just a bit, then looked back up at us and said with a gentle smile, “Well, war is obsolete, you know.” Then, after a few moments, his face grave, he said, “Of course, the mind can rationalize fighting back…but the heart, the heart would never understand. Then you would be divided in yourself, the heart and the mind, and the war would be inside you.”

Lisa Chason, via e-mail