Progressive Ponderings: Peaceful "Extremists"

by Joe Mayer

Geneva, Switzerland – News Bulletin

An international peace-crimes tribunal commenced legal proceedings against former U.S. president Jimmy Carter for alleged crimes against inhumanity…

"Jimmy Carter's political career includes a laundry list of anti-war-making offense," said chief prosecutor Charles Simmons. "Carter's record of benevolence, diplomacy and respect for human life is unrivaled in recent geopolitical history. For millions, the very sight of his face evokes memories of his administration's reign of tolerance."

"Carter is one of the worst enemies the forces of destruction have known since Martin Luther King, Jr. and his non-violent rampages of the 50s and 60s," Simmons said. "Even today…he continues his pursuit of non-aggression. He must be stopped now, before another terrible war is avoided and more lives are saved."

The above is a shortened version from the online magazine "The Onion." The beauty of satire lies in its truth, its realism.

Militarism bedevils our religion – claiming to be a "Christian" nation, we've transformed Jesus' "love God, love your neighbor" – into Ares and Mars, the Greek and Roman gods of war.

Militarism undermines our Constitution – Congress has turned over to the "unitary" executive the right to declare and fund war.

Militarism destroys democracy – pre-emptive violence as security has caused us to regress over two hundred thirty years and surrender the "rule of law" to the "rule of man."

Militarism poisons our press – the long-standing role of the press in a free society as the critic of government has become its enablers.

Militarism ruins our economy – the violence machine bends research and technology into destructive enterprises instead of useful infrastructure for human needs.

Militarism oppresses human rights – rather than with respect, humans are treated with torture, government secrecy and distortion of truth, and rejection of habeas corpus.

Militarism despoils our earth community – modern weapons and a war mentality drain our resources and the supposedly unintended consequences of destruction.

Militarism devours our soul – when fear and hatred overtake us, human virtues are subdued as we foolishly seek our safety at the expense of human security for all.

Militarism extinguishes imagination – bombarded by references to the crazed Satanic other, better solutions are suppressed through misinformation and propaganda.

Militarism turns inward – Jimmy Carter, the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Dennis Kucinich, Ron Paul and all who challenge any aspect of militarism are marginalized or condemned. People opposing the Iraq occupation are branded the extremists — not the imperialists, preemptors, or neocons. Upholding the Constitution rather than the president is deemed unpatriotic. Internal surveillance (spying) on citizens is considered necessary for national security rather than its true purpose of political safety for deceitful ends. When a leader, at a time of national attack or economic recession declares that we should go "shopping" he is treating us only as consumers, not as citizens. When posse comitatus – the use of military for domestic law enforcement – is overturned it results in a "government against its own citizens."

Militarism is us – its beneficiaries are the powerful, the profiteers, the propagandists, the religious enablers, the military/industrial/political complex.

Militarism is us – we are the problem AND the solution. Voting is not enough; holding politicians' feet to the fire in the name of justice, equity, democracy, sustainability and peace is the only solution.