Ponderings (August 2009) - “WAR”

According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary …

War is “a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism; a struggle or competition between opposing forces or for a particular end”

Sharing my thoughts …

My son is fascinated with WWII, so we travelled to Ohio recently to watch reenactments of some WWII battles.  While watching the reenactments the realization struck me that war is driven by an attitude of us versus them with “us” being right and “them” being wrong.  Have you ever experienced this attitude of us versus them or me versus you with family, friends, co-workers, etc., where you found yourself in a war with another?  Did the war create a win/win solution for all?  What has been your experience? 

Questions to ponder …

    For the questions below, think of a situation where you were at “war” with someone …

1. How did you feel mentally, physically and emotionally during the “war”?
2. How did your actions contribute to the situation resulting in “war”?
3. What would be your advice to someone facing a similar situation?
4. If you could replay the situation, what would you do differently?
5. How did it end?  What was the immediate result?
6. What have been the long term consequences?
7. What relationships were affected and how?
8. How could the “war” have been prevented?

Related quotes …

War settles nothing.  [Dwight D. Eisenhower]

A “just war” is a contradiction in terms.  [John Quinn]

You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war.  [Albert Einstein]

War is an instrument entirely inefficient toward redressing wrong; and multiplies, instead of indemnifying losses.  [Omar Bradley]