The title says it all, and tragically  we still continue to see war as a solution to the problems which confront us at times.. Never mind that the children who are in the midst of it, and  who do survive, will live forever with the memories seared into their minds and their hearts. It is horrendous enough when the war is a  so-called 'just war' based on overriding necessity, but when that war is based on lies and subterfuge it  becomes untenable that we stand by and allow it to continue. How do we look at our own children knowing we have allowed  this to happen ? That we have allowed leaders , who by all  that is right should be answerable to those whom  they took an oath to serve, to run rampant in their quest for power.

 How does anyone look into the eyes of the child in this photograph as he cowers before the strange big man in a uniform holding a huge ugly weapon ? How do we reconcile that with what we profess to believe and hold dear ? If you can't relate to what that child is feeling then perhaps you can understand what that soldier feels. In all probability he is not that many years older than the child before him. Or perhaps he even has  young children of his own. Perhaps he even sees the face of his own son  or daughter as he stands before that child. And he is there because we allowed this to happen. He didn't choose to stand over a wee child  knowing that child was terrified,  he was sent there by  his Commander in Chief. And he will carry the memories of this mission with him always. That is, if he is more fortunate than the increasing number  that  have, or will lose their lives  in this damnable war, and survives to even have memories.

If nothing else this most recent fiasco should wake people up to the realization that unless they participate and educate themselves as to the quality of leadership they are selecting there is every possibility that they will be complicit in atrocities which they abhor. One has to look no further than the past few years. Has there ever been  a clearer example of the dangers inherent in  taking a leader on faith ?  Because one says one is a Christian, and mouths all the correct platitudes, does not make it so. Actions speak louder than words. Decent people with good intent should never assume that their trust will be honoured without thoroughly examining the  record of the individual in whose hands they  place the welfare and future of their children. Failure to do so, and to align themselves with  someone seeking their support  on blind faith is  careless, foolhardy, and dangerous, and  one of the main reasons we find ourselves in this  horrific quandary which Iraq presents.

 How many deaths is it going to take before  people finally accept that they have been deceived and  misled as every value upon which they have based their lives is cast aside by those who have only one agenda in mind. Power and Control. Unlimited and all inclusive power and control. No matter the cost in human life. How long before that power is used against those who bought into their rhetoric ? Because that day will come. It is inevitable. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely, as someone once so wisely said. It is only a matter of time unless they are forced by the people to cease and desist . The people do have that power still ... at the moment. Elected representatives are just that. Elected. They can be made to  follow the will of the people if the voices are loud enough to penetrate into the miasma  with which they are surrounded in the complacency of believing their support will not waver when they next face the electorate. They can be made to do your will.  It only takes finding the  courage and decency to acknowledge 'this is wrong and I will not continue to  condone such actions in my name'.

 Failure to recognize this could be a very costly mistake. It could  well cost you and yours their freedom  and liberty and inflict upon you a way of life which is alien to every principle upon which the nation was founded. Surely the reasons are worth admitting to yourself that  your choice was wrong ?

 Really look at the picture which graces this page. Look into the eyes of that child. Now look at your precious children.  Can you imagine their ever being in a position where they are so helpless and vulnerable ? And only you can stop that from one day  possibly being their fate or the fate of their children. Power has no friends or allies.  Absolute Power is all encompassing.  It may take time to achieve it , but once achieved it cannot be harnessed or contained.

 Think about it. Think very, very carefully.