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The Great Christmas Truce of World War I international |
anti-war / imperialism |
opinion/analysis
 Sunday December 26, 2004 05:59 by Robert Ted Hinds
 WWI is perhaps my most morbid curiosity where history is concerned. Though one could argue that the beginning of the industrial military complex began with the American civil war, in which major advances in repeating arms, rifled barrels, and cannons were made, the carnage itself was not industrialized until what has come to be known as "The Great War." Students of history can find much intellectual cannon-fodder in the First World War. It was the first major international conflict in the age of capitalism. It was the inevitable result of empirial hubris, national competition in the capitalist world, and the mysterious alliances that were formed through religious institutions, military despots, and secret societies. The proverbial "shot heard around the world" in Austria in 1914 was itself not far removed from the JFK assassination. A series of inexplainable reactions and oversights led the Arch Duke Ferdinand down a narrow street where he was killed. Tangled alliances exploded and were fueled by greed of capitalist competition. |
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Comments (5 of 5)
Jump To Comment: 5 4 3 2 1The military industrial complexes of many countries actually went into decline after WWI. Britain and the USA are good examples. There were also arms reduction talks and agreements. Norway practically disbanded its army. Then Hitler came along and changed everything...
The concept of “just war” is a very difficult one.
But the concept of “illegal war” is quite easy.
Illegal wars may not be prosecuted.
One of the most important concepts we must address is that of “legal” soldiers. The most advanced technological nations and states,
keep many young men and women in uniform, and in Europe they are mostly professional but many thousands of conscripted or drafted soldiers exist. They do not stay soldiers all their lives. Their
return and participation in democracy has to be planned. Attacks on democracy all to often come from disgruntled former soldiers. And the young men at least are at the most dangerous hormonal parts of thier lives.
We might _never_ have a society made completely of liberals, lefts, pacifists and conscientious objectors.
There will always be the soldiers, and shaping their XXI role and expanding
Their loyalties not only to regiment, flag, state but to the values of tolerance,
Dialogue and after their time *which they choose* in service is finished,
They go to society *not just to follow orders* nor *to give orders*
But to continue “protecting the weak”. This is important for armed forces which recruit
As do some European armies amongst citizens of countries at a different stage in the development of democracy. as Spain does in the Americas.
Those young men and women have *chosen* a role, not just to “advance” their opportunies. That role includes many facets, many formations, and too often many Psychological duresses which have been passed on from generation to generation.
The XX century was made all the more difficult by the unsuccesful “demobbing” of soldiers. The Irish situation in point from 1920 to now shows the risks and costs in human terms of militarisation at all levels.
These soldiers are not fodder for cannons.
Nor are they pawns for politicians.
Nor are they the sole protectors of their societies, countries, states and peoples.
The Diversity of our societies is astounding.
Of ages, of hopes, of beliefs, it really is so beautiful. And those who choose to be soldiers are part of that. By moving to ensure our wars are at least legal in that they are agreed by the proper institutions of international arbitration as being the only and final means of resolving crises, we move in practical terms to the objectives of pacifism.
visited the professional soldiers of the King of Spain who work side by side with the professional soldiers of the Queen of England in the Balkans.
"our last european war"
Mir = Dosta.
Pax = Basta.
a lot of money appears to be transferring to the charity and aid agencies who will help those victims of the quake. and a lot of money doesnt seem to have got past wenceslas in the cold mouthing platitudes and clichés. your choice. always was your choice.
where do you want to go today?
what you want to write in your great book?
.
the still incomplete hymn sheet from our archives...
the Irish Times can afford TGA it can afford to make a donation, after all you are a "charity" ¿Are you not?
all you need is love.