[Peace-discuss] Jarhead book against War

[Kimberlie Kranich]

Hey, all. I just finished reading one of the most heartwrenching indictments against war by an X-Marine who fought in the front lines of combat during the Persian Gulf War.   The book is called, "Jarhead: A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles" by Anthony Swofford.  I found it last week at a bookstore.  I am happy to see that it's on the NY Times bestseller list right next to Michael Moore's "Stupid White Men." The book is 260 pages and reads incredibly fast.  It details what it's like to be on the front lines (the boredom, the violence directed at each other and the enemy), to be trained in the Marines, to grow up wanting to become a 'legitimate' killer, to empathize with the 'enemy,' and how fucked up one is during and after the experience .  The book is never preachy. It is only in the last pages of the book that the author draws conclusions for his readers.  I found myself excited and repulsed by the descriptions of war preparations and war duty.  I had compassion for many of the soldiers on both sides. I'd like to give every hothead who wants to join the military a copy of this book and ask her/him to read it before he/she signs a contract. Here are two excerpts I found particularly moving: p. 145 "I joined the Marine Corps to impose domestic struture upon my life, to find a home.  But Marine Corps domesticity always ends. As much as you love your fellow jarheads and love field life and training and firing weapons, you will someday have to leave the Coprs, at least spiritually, and find a partner and possibly have children and create a realistic domestic realm.  The simple domesticity of the MArine Coprs is seductive and dangerous.  Some men claim to love the Corps more than they love their own mother or wife or children -- this is because loving the Corps is uncomplicated. The Corps always waits up with you.  The Corps forgives your drunkenness and stupidity. The Corps encourages your brutality." p. 254 "Unfortunately, many of the men who live through the awr don't understand why they were spared. They think they are still alive in order to return home and make money and fuck their wife and get drunk and wave the flag. "These men spread what they call good news, the good news about war and warriors.  Some of the men who spread good news have never fought -- so what could they have to say about the purity of war and warriors?  These men are liars and cheats and they gamble with your freedom and your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and the reputation of your country." Kimberlie      


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