Amidst the Loveliness

We have a week of amazing weather – sunny, dry, warm but not hot, clear air and fresh breezes. This is what West Michiganders endure abundant winters and relentless gray skies to get and we have it. Amen.

But the rest of life continues, including the death of Robert McNamara for whom there will be no memorial spectacle or ‘continuing coverage,’ although it is likely he had more impact on our lives than the ‘gloved one’ ever had or will.

I mention him because the obituary I read had a telling comment in it,

“What makes it immoral if you lose and not immoral if you win?” he asked. The times writer adds, "He found the question impossible to answer.”

Because war is never moral.

I am not a pacifist, but I do believe war can never be called good. It may be inevitable, even necessary but never good. Every war, even those that meet the criteria of ‘just’ does violence to people and society and that violence can never be called good.

What we need is a doctrine of political atonement, one that requires those who engage us in war to make some ritual recognition of their sin of violence, even if it was absolutely unavoidable.

During the Pesach seder, celebrants ritually pour out ten drops of wine for each of the plagues on Egypt, consciously sacrificing some of their joy for the suffering endured by their oppressors. We need something like this a ritual required of those who led us into war, politicians I am thinking, who should be required to make ritual atonement to those who suffered, at home or abroad.

And the nation should atone even for its victory by doing some tikkun olam, repair of the world we damaged. Part of our price as a nation must be to restore something of what we did to those we harmed, even our enemies.

Maybe if we did that, if our leaders knew that they would have to atone even for the victories, and we would have to repair the damage we do, we and they would be more reluctant to wage wars in the first place.

The Pen Is Mightier

Set off some sparklers last night, not even a dozen. That was the extent of my patriotic display. That and observing the local recreation of the War of Independence when two "teams" faced 9off in a water balloon fight downtown. “Oh, the humanity.”

Somehow the grand displays of patriotism do not feed me. I thought it was cynicism until just before bed I realized I show my patriotic commitment four times a year – January 15, Apil 15, June 15 and September 15. Those are the quarterly estimated tax days, when self employed folks send in their money.

It occurred to me last night that many people cheering fireworks from coast to coast and feeling their breasts swell with pride when hearing songs like “I’m Proud to Be An American,” or “God Bless America” are the first ones to complain when it comes to paying taxes. We rightfully revere those who serve in harm’s way, but are not taxes a sacrifice as well? How come it is OK to die for one’s country but not pay for one’s country?

Ready, Aim, Think

I have a few minutes on this July 4th. Being the Sabbath I will likely attend services, which is a good foil to the near religious fervor patriotic days can inspire. Like those Hebrew National commercials from a few years ago, it is good to remember we all answer to “a higher authority” than the state.

What I noticed this morning, having indulged a twenty some year old movie about Lyndon Johnson (who served longer than Kennedy and less criminally than Nixon and yet has received far less media attention than either) was a connection I never saw before.

In the movie, Lyndon goes out deer hunting with a reluctant Bobby Kennedy. I instantly thought of how many politicians make a point of hunting. Even the late Texas governor Ann Richards pointed out her dove hunting history, meaning even women politicians are constrained to show their ‘manliness.’

What occurred to me was that hunting serves many symbolic purposes, well beyond manliness and deflecting the gun lobby. As I watched the characters take aim at a deer I suddenly realized that the willingness to kill is important. At some elemental level we know our leaders have to be able to make life and death decisions, and I do mean both life and death.

Someone who hunts demonstrates the capacity to make such decisions. Unless our leaders can make the hardest choices they are not leaders, and hunting symbolizes that choice. Anyone unable to face that choice, make that choice, will lack some essential thing we need in a leader.

I find this sobering, sad, and compelling. We still live in a world where people will have to face death in order to protect others. That means we need people who know this and can shoulder this responsibility well. I do not think hunting is the only or even best measure of such resolve, but I do know that people want to be sure their leaders have it.

About Time?

Yep. And only for a moment. I got back from Utah not even 24 hours ago, and am still at work unpacking, catching up, adjusting to slight jet lag and otherwise settling in.

While I have abundant thoughts and wonderings to consider, some of which might result in postings to this blog, you will just have to wait a while. Maybe when I have downloaded some pictures from my iphone I'll share one or two.

But suffice it to say that way too much happened while I was gone, newswise. Might there be a connection?

Out To Lunch...

... and dinner and breakfast. I will be on the move for a few days, and so posts will be spotty and small. I'll try to make them fun. And as summer is truly here this weekend, solstices and all, a little relaxation seems to be in order. laisse les longtemps temps roulez!