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

[Linda Evans]

I heard this show too and Peggy's question with his
answer.  It was very interesting and I thank Peggy for
calling in.  The interview might be on the WILL
archive if people want to hear it.

Linda
--- Ricky Baldwin <baldwinricky at yahoo.com> wrote:
> [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.  
> 
> 
> 
> 	
> 		
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