The Big (Military) Taboo

The Big (Military) Taboo - NYTimes.com:

Another in the series of "read it and weep." What makes me cry is that the USA claims to be a Christian country, that is a "follower of Christ.". Yet Jesus was a peace maker. His comments on how to act with respect to the occupying Roman Empire is in complete contrast with the attitude of many "Christians" in the USA and, let's face it, every nominally Christian country in the world. Remember, the very early Christians denied baptismal entry to active duty soldiers in their communities. But within a few hundred years by the time we get to Constantine we see a complete shift. Other than a few active peace communities (most of the Mennonite movement) it is hard to find true peace makers among Christians.

Ike had it right: every bullet, every bomb, every soldier represents spending for military purposes, not for peaceful purposes. I can say with pride that while Ike was not a born Kansan, that he adopted Kansas and his final resting place is in Abilene KS. Remind me the next time we are driving from Kansas City to Hays on I-70 to stop in at the Eisenhower Library and pay my respects to a warrior president that understood better than the country itself the down side of a military industrial complex (his phrase) that lives to perpetuate itself with the blood of others.