Yesterday, the Abingdon Peace Group held a vigil at the war memorial, marking Armistice Day, and wearing white poppies. They were joined by three visitors from Abingdon’s twin town, Argentan in France.
Sally Reynolds, from Abingdon Peace Group, said their Banner – NO MORE WAR – ‘represents the sentiment we have in common with veterans of all wars – that war is a catastrophic event and there are no more ardent peacemakers than those who have experienced it.’
If the primary duty of a government is the defence of its people, what counsel do you give to those borders are violently invaded by hostile forces with territorial ambitions?
Of course, war is horrific; but it may on occasion be the lesser of two evils. I don’t know the answers; but when I asked my father (who was a conscientious objector) this question, I don’t think his reply was without its own internal logical difficulties.
I respected my father’s position (which was not without its costs), just as I admire the courage of the Abingdon Peace Group.
… those whose borders …
It is a nice sentiment but no group can stop a country or dictator that wants to attack another country. The only thing that we can do is to maintain our defence so that we can protect our population. I visited Mauthausen concentration camp and was made aware of the dreadul evil of the Nazi regime and how they exterminated people including anyone who opposed Hitler. I was extremely grateful for Winston Churchill and the people who went to war to defeat the Nazis. Hitler hated the British and had he have invaded he would have set up extermination camps to murder British people. In some instances you have to defend the country.
100% Janet
Most definitely, spoken as an exserviceman.
Absolutely Janet and ppjs. Of course no-one wants war, but Peace Group members seem to be motivated by fear and to allow their hearts to rule their heads. I bet that if you ask them HOW they are going to end war they don’t have a credible answer. Evil has to be opposed, and sometimes conflict is necessary as Janet says.
Conflict will always be with us whether that is in families, within nations or between nations. The challenge has always been to find better ways to resolve conflict .
Anne, do you really think that Hitler, Stalin, Putin, Netanyahu and the leaders of the Palestinian terrorist movements, to name but a few, would have been or are open to “better ways to resolve conflict”. Get real!
Thank you to Abingdon Peace Group for their very important and sincere message.
Michael, please do not put Netanyahu in the same catergory as Hitler, Stalin etc. Israel holds free elections and he was fairly elected to lead the country. Also, Israel was attacked by terrorists and is defending itself which is one of the things previous contributors have said that a country has a right to do.
Who cares about the peace group – a bunch of pensioners with nothing to do that are having no substantial or meaningful impact on events. Absolute waste of time. Next thing we know they’ll be chaining themselves to monuments and throwing fake blood over works of art
In many ways I agree with you..protesting has no value whatsoever …the Middle East problem has been going on for many many years..I am aware of this through personal experience..we all need to love one another and live in peace no matter what colour or religion..I am almost 84 and my entire life there has been a country at war with no solution to a world at peace!