This is an incredibly powerful post with great questions as its opening. It would be wonderful to see the world through the eyes of children.
Grandson asked
A Poem by Coyote Poetry
Would be a better world if we saw with the eyes of the children.
Memorial poetry
I stopped by the nearby location for the Memorial day celebration. There had a flag for every Soldier killed in the new wars. I took my grandsons with me. This time with each flag was a photo of each soldier and where he was killed.
I found my three friends I served with. I stood by one of my friend photo lost in Iraq and I wanted to fall down with sadness. A older man came up and tapped my shoulder and told me. This is a sad place. I’m a Vietnam Vet from Holly, Michigan. I wanted to show respect to my brothers lost to war. I told him. I have three good friends here and I had to visit them. He saw…
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ivonprefontaine
Teacher as Transformer 
If these wars actually achieved something perhaps we wouldn’t have to ask “Why” so often.
I wish children could be taught in schools that war isn’t a thing of glory as shown in films. We need a standing army to protect our shores in case of invasion or to take down the Hitler’s of the World along with his followers. But do we really need to jump into or create new wars all the time and lose the flower of our manhood?
I think of all those who died who may have been the ones to discover the cure for cancer had they lived and who wouldn’t have left a fatherless child or created one elsewhere. We’re killing ourselves and the planet without looking at the future for our children and their children too.
The longer we stay in other people’s countries, Iraq, Afghanistan, the more enemies we make. The more enemies we kill the more of our own we kill too with friendly fire and the more innocent civilians die creating yet more families who hate us. Most of these countries have populations who when they’ve had enough can rise up and take out their rulers and create a country they want, not one we want for them. The time for killing is over. It’s time to create peace in the world.
I agree whole heartedly David. I used to tell my students I was against war based on the principle that it was wrong to kill others. That seemed to impress them.
War is the real pornography.
Let me share a Daili Llama quote.
If we taught all eight year olds to meditate, war would be extinguished in two generations.
I have read that quote a number of times and there is incredible truth there. It took almost 20 years to convince parents and players on my hockey teams that fighting was unnecessary and hurt the game. For the last 15 years, I had parents and players lined up to play for me. I agree Marty. War and violence are the real pornography.
Once again you demonstrate what I believe, a coach can be one of the most influential teachers we come across.
Looking back on my professional career, I did not know the caliber of motivator that I was exposed to. I have not experienced men like that since I retired.
Ivon, so you changed a long held belief of Canadians about their national sport. You chose the correct profession.
So the broadstreet Bullies are not your favourite team?
No, the Montreal Canadiens are and have been since I was very young. I listened to them on Saturday on the radio in English and on Sunday in French. Right now, I am listening to the Buffalo-Chicago game on the Internet. The irony of my coaching was I played a tough game and took many penalties including fighting. When we began to have a family and think about the boys playing, I realized the error in my ways. As well, as a Montreal fan, I realized they rarely used those tactics.
Great post and so important. Hugs, Barbara
Thank you Barbara. Take care and enjoy.
John always writes great poetry. 🙂
He does. It is question we should ask each day.