[Peace-discuss] Fwd: Comments from Frank Schaeffer's Radio Talk

[Ricky Baldwin]

[Forwarding this from a longtime AWARE activist - RB]
--- Peggy Patten <m-patten at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2004 17:00:28 -0500
> To: baldwinricky at yahoo.com
> From: Peggy Patten <m-patten at sbcglobal.net>
> Subject: Comments from Frank Schaeffer's Radio Talk
> 
> Hi Ricky,
> 
> I started to post this to the AWARE list &
> remembered that it is for 
> announcements only.  I think
> you said there was a separate list for more lengthy
> sharings.  If you think 
> this is appropriate to share,
> please forward this along.
> 
> 
> I happened to hear some of Frank Shaeffer's
> discussion with Celeste Quinn 
> on WILL 580's Afternoon Magazine
> yesterday.  Schaeffer was on to discuss his two
> recent books, Faith Of Our 
> Sons -- A Father's Wartime Diary
> and Keeping Faith: A Father-Son Story About Love and
> The United States 
> Marine Corps, which he co wrote with
> his son, John.
> 
> I found Shaeffer's story about being a parent of a
> son who enlists in the 
> Marines & volunteers to go to Iraq compelling.  Any
> parent would
> empathize with his anxiety and concern mixed with
> pride perhaps to know 
> that your son is doing something so courageous and
> something
> he feels is so right for his country.
> 
> I called into the radio program (something I've
> never been moved to do 
> before) to ask how we who oppose the war in Iraq can
> do so publicly and 
> vocally while
> remaining sensitive to and appreciative of service
> men and women and their 
> families.  Schaeffer gave a very thoughtful reply
> which I've
> summarized below.  I found his comments helpful and
> thought others might as 
> well.
> 
> His advice included:
> 
> >-  don't assume that those who enlist are victims &
> are doing so because 
> >they have no other viable option in life
> >-  focus on common or shared values such as our
> love of the US & the need 
> >for a strong military (I don't know if I agree with
> the latter point)
> >-  distance yourself from past protest movements
> which have been critical 
> >of the military
> >-  be clear in criticism of Bush's policies (vs.
> the troops or US military)
> >-  do practical things to support the military:
> send care packages and 
> >support humanitarian aid
> 
> Frank compared service men & women to postal workers
> who must do their job 
> delivering mail even if they are carrying hate mail
> which they disagree with.
> Servicemen and women, like postal workers, have a
> job to do.
> 
> I sent Frank an email after the program (I found his
> email on the Web) with 
> the following question related to his response:
> 
> I agree with the importance of focusing on our
> common concerns and shared 
> beliefs.
> Those who support and oppose the war share their
> love of the US.  I assume 
> a second area
> of shared views is our desire to prevent or minimize
> the occasions when the 
> US must use military force.
> How can service men & women work to that end if
> opposing our government's 
> military action is
> forbidden?  How can we as a nation work toward a
> future where military 
> force is no longer
> a means to solve international conflict, if those
> who must sacrifice the 
> most are unable to voice opposition
> to a military action they may feel is unjust?  I
> assume there are some who 
> are fighting in Iraq who feel so.
> 
> >To my surprise Frank S. sent an immediate response.
>  He said:
> 
> >Good question. I don't know the answer. But I do
> know that we all have to 
> >tell the truth, and the truth is a lot of people on
> both sides are playing 
> >politics with this war. Will the Democrats like it
> better when Kerry is 
> >President? Are the Republican leaders who have no
> children serving really 
> >so patriotic? This whole situation stinks. And one
> reason is that no one 
> >will tell the truth about the dirty little secret
> of the issue of class 
> >and the military. Lets at least start there.
> 
> 
> Food for thought.
> Sorry I can't make this Saturday's P4P.
> I appreciate the AWARE Minutes you share.  It helps
> me to stay connected 
> even when I can't be physically present.
> 
> PEGGY PATTEN
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Please note that my email address has changed and is
> now
> m-patten at sbcglobal.net.  Mail addressed to
> mpatten at prairienet.org
> will continue to be accepted until 12/31/03.  



	
		
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at Yahoo! HotJobs  
http://hotjobs.sweepstakes.yahoo.com/careermakeover