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Yep, there's a "HELL" alright.
War, is Hell.
"""""""""""""""""
No, it's not Hiroshima; it's my home city of Liverpool, England. It's how it was when I was born here and grew up here, during WW2.
Can you believe things got even worse before, only gradually, getting better? Go on, take a good look. See how it was [and still is] to be on the receiving end of warfare -- via aerial bombing.
What you can't see here, is the so-called, collateral damage. You know, that's the term the brass use. It's how they describe the dead, the dying, the dismembered, the disfigured and the disabled -- not to mention the dispossessed, the demented and the bereaved. And, remember that collateral damage applies almost exclusively, to innocent civilians -- not armed troops with at least a fighting chance.
Study the pic as long and as intently as you like. Take forever if you want. But, you'll never hear the screams, nor sniff the stench -- be it of burning, or rotting flesh. Nor will you whiff the stink of human shit, running open-sewer-style through the streets, as the infrastructure shattered daily. Clean water, gas and electricity distribution was a-la today's Iraq.
What an introduction to life, eh? What a wonderful, welcoming world. Brings a whole new meaning to the term 'baptism of fire, wouldn't you say?
Now, here we are today;April 2005, in the 21st century. Yet, there's still WW2 related suffering all around me, even as celebrations of the 60th anniversary of that war's end are arranged. Some survivors still search for war-wound, pain-relief. Many, for more straightforward solace -- all too often in the bottoms of bottles. Others remain in their long time, asylum-homes -- for their own safety, you see. Incidentally, we don't really call them asylums any more; too uncivilized, you see.
Still living [yet mainly ignored] badly crippled victims, now barely crawl, through their remaining days. Mercifully, for many, their suffering's almost over;their war's end's in site. They've waited three score years, this year. Sometimes, I imagine I hear them. "Death, where is thy sting?"
Believe me, there are no winners in war -- only loosers. Witness the evidence I've offered and think on this; I've written only of the 'winners'.
A famous American general, Smedley Butler, once exposed war for what it truly is -- in just four short words. "War is a racket," he said.
He knew exactly what he was saying;he'd had lots of first hand experience. He knew that while the rich & powerful get richer and more powerful, we, the ordinary people of either side, never stand a chance. From the first shot of any war, the best any of us can hope for, is simpy to survive.
I, for one, can't wait to celebrate this upcoming 60 year anniversary . The further behind us, the better
"""""""""""""""""
No, it's not Hiroshima; it's my home city of Liverpool, England. It's how it was when I was born here and grew up here, during WW2.Can you believe things got even worse before, only gradually, getting better? Go on, take a good look. See how it was [and still is] to be on the receiving end of warfare -- via aerial bombing.
What you can't see here, is the so-called, collateral damage. You know, that's the term the brass use. It's how they describe the dead, the dying, the dismembered, the disfigured and the disabled -- not to mention the dispossessed, the demented and the bereaved. And, remember that collateral damage applies almost exclusively, to innocent civilians -- not armed troops with at least a fighting chance.
Study the pic as long and as intently as you like. Take forever if you want. But, you'll never hear the screams, nor sniff the stench -- be it of burning, or rotting flesh. Nor will you whiff the stink of human shit, running open-sewer-style through the streets, as the infrastructure shattered daily. Clean water, gas and electricity distribution was a-la today's Iraq.
What an introduction to life, eh? What a wonderful, welcoming world. Brings a whole new meaning to the term 'baptism of fire, wouldn't you say?
Now, here we are today;April 2005, in the 21st century. Yet, there's still WW2 related suffering all around me, even as celebrations of the 60th anniversary of that war's end are arranged. Some survivors still search for war-wound, pain-relief. Many, for more straightforward solace -- all too often in the bottoms of bottles. Others remain in their long time, asylum-homes -- for their own safety, you see. Incidentally, we don't really call them asylums any more; too uncivilized, you see.
Still living [yet mainly ignored] badly crippled victims, now barely crawl, through their remaining days. Mercifully, for many, their suffering's almost over;their war's end's in site. They've waited three score years, this year. Sometimes, I imagine I hear them. "Death, where is thy sting?"
Believe me, there are no winners in war -- only loosers. Witness the evidence I've offered and think on this; I've written only of the 'winners'.
A famous American general, Smedley Butler, once exposed war for what it truly is -- in just four short words. "War is a racket," he said.
He knew exactly what he was saying;he'd had lots of first hand experience. He knew that while the rich & powerful get richer and more powerful, we, the ordinary people of either side, never stand a chance. From the first shot of any war, the best any of us can hope for, is simpy to survive.
I, for one, can't wait to celebrate this upcoming 60 year anniversary . The further behind us, the better
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© 2005 Richard Morrison
posted by Richard at Thursday, April 21, 2005
2 Comments:
Thanks, Elaine. My dad & his brother had terrible times in Germany too. Dad was slightly wounded - partially deafened in one ear - an shock brought on alapeasa, causing all his hair to fall out within a few days. It eventually grew back several months later. [He died just a few years ago.] His brother, my uncle, was a field ambulance driver - the sights he saw [close-up] drove him to drink once he evntually got back home. It took about 20 miserable years but, he eventually drank himself to death. Like I said, war is hell - & it's right here on earth.
Btw, I read & enjoy all your blogs - sheesh, it's hard keeping up sometimes though - you can write faster than I can read. Heh. Keep 'em going though!
PS, I forgot to say, I hope it gets easier for your dad with each passing year - those kind of memories we can best do without - but we keep hammering home the truths of war, & one of these days .. maybe .. just maybe ..
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