Addicted to War: Is there any Cure?
Muslims Always Victorious
By Charles Mercieca, Ph.D.
December 18, 2009 "Information Clearing House" -- The word �addicted� is
derived from the Latin word �addictum� meaning to devote or dedicate oneself
to a specified objective, which may be beneficial or disastrous to us and to
others. For example, we may be addicted to work hard to alleviate human
suffering around the world. Mother Teresa of Calcutta and all the great
saints in history, who spent their lives helping others in all of their
needs, are very much admired for their humanitarian contributions to
society. This may be viewed as positive and constructive addiction.
Good Intentions Not Enough
At the same time, those that pursue a path that eventually leads to great
suffering and to the destruction of the infra-structure of nations become
very dangerous to the people of our communities and the world at large.
Since human beings tend to be like a coin with two sides, we may expect to
observe in them, in a number of instances, a mixture of both good and evil.
While we need to retain anything that is good in us, we need to eliminate
from us anything that is viewed as bad and disastrous. This is our real
challenge in life.
Good intentions are not enough, since we are all familiar with the
traditional saying that �the road to hell is paved with good intentions.�
Following the collapse of communism, the United States emerged to become the
sole world-power on earth in terms of its advanced technology.
Unfortunately, instead of using its resources to eliminate so much human
suffering in the world as revealed in hunger, diseases of every kind, and
homelessness, in addition to others, this nation embarked on one of the
largest military build-up in history.
In the meantime, the military industrial complex has become the most
lucrative business that ever existed in the entire 6,000 years of recorded
history. We need to keep in mind that the United States is viewed as the
seat of world capitalism where the motto is: �The sky is not the limit.�
This means that the ultimate goal is to make more and more money with no end
in sight. The tragedy with this lies in the fact that whatever comes in the
way is literally demolished. It would not make any difference if these were
to be objects or people.
When the means chosen to achieve a specific objective are intrinsically bad
and we continue to pursue such means at all costs, then we have here a
serious vicious addiction. In other words, we become categorically devoted
or dedicated to the pursuit of evil by all means. The capitalists� most
effective weapon to use without having to be accountable to anyone is war.
Ironically, Mexicans who come to the USA to make constructive contributions,
while being paid hardly anything, are viewed by many as �illegal� and
somewhat �dishonest� people.
Military Warfare above the Law
At the same time, the entrance of Americans into another country without any
permission and whose purpose is not to make constructive contributions but
to destroy the infrastructure of cities and have many innocent people killed
or maimed, is termed as �legal,� and �appropriate� like with the case of
both Iraq and Afghanistan. Such Americans are viewed as soldiers, as if such
a professional description gives them the authority or power to break any
kind of law whatsoever as they please and without any accountability.
In 2002, Frank Dorrel, published an important book which was an illustrated
expose' by Joel Andreas. It is entitled: Addicted to War: Why the U.S. Can�t
Kick Militarism. This book of merely 77 pages shows clearly that the United
States, since its early days of existence, has developed a conspicuous
addiction to war, a lethal habit that almost makes it next to impossible to
really get over it. But we should not be discouraged because everything is
possible if we sincerely try to do our very best with determination and
perseverance.
For copies of this book contact Frank Dorrel, P.O. Box 3261, Culver City,
CA 90231-3261, USA, Phone: 310-838-8131, E-Mail: fdo...@sbcglobal.net or
fdo...@addictedtowar.com This book may be previewed on the following
Website: www.addictedtowar.com You are very welcome to order at bulk rates,
which is relatively cheap. This book is made available in Spanish, Japanese,
Korean, Thai, Danish and German. It has been very widely diffused across the
United States and around the world.
This book starts with an enlightening introduction and followed by a few
chapters covering the following topics: manifestation destiny, the Cold War,
the New World Order, the War on Terrorism, the War Profiteers, the high
price of Militarism, Militarism and the Media, Resisting Militarism, and how
to become involved in helping bring the addiction to war under full control.
We will now proceed to examine the American phenomenal addiction to war
revealed over the last decade as it started by US President George W. Bush
and now continued by US President Barack Obama.
This US addiction to war is characteristic not of the American people as a
whole but of several US government officials in general, who keep on defying
the vast majority of the American people, even though constitutionally the
ultimate power in the United States lies in the hands of the people. Let us
bring one example of how the US government�s addiction to war defies the
very same people this government proclaims to serve. We all recall the
demonstrations that Americans held periodically against the Iraqi war.
U.S. People Demanding Peace
If we recall, in each of such demonstrations Americans demanded emphatically
from their government to pull all American troops out of Iraq and to bring
them home without any delay. The U.S. Republican government, under President
George Bush, kept on ignoring the peoples� demand for an eventual pull out
of such troops. When the mid-term elections came, the Americans very
determinedly ousted all the Republicans from both the US Senate and the US
House of Representatives and the Democrats became a majority over night.
Did President Bush get the message for the eventual pull out of US troops
from Iraq? In no way! A few weeks later, he defied the American people he
swore to serve by sending more thousands of troops to Iraq to continue with
the destruction of cities and the eventual killing and maiming of numerous
more innocent Iraqis. This was not due, as some have pointed out, that
President Bush was deep inside an evil man. It was due to the US government
addiction to war that has been going on for virtually two centuries!
The phenomenal American addiction to war is based on machismo consisting of
trying to convince other nations that in dealing with the USA, you better do
what this nation demands, otherwise you will regret it by being seriously
hurt unnecessarily. This addiction to war has emerged to become a very
serious problem. This bad habit tends to be covered up with carefully
elaborated phraseology and statements, such as: �national defense and
security,� and �better we fight the enemies in their own country rather than
in ours.�
The problem with this addiction to war mentality lies here. When in World
War II the USA fought the Germans and the Japanese, the Americans knew whom
they were fighting. Today, the US government came with the slogan: �War on
terrorism!� The questions that need to be raised are these: Who are the
terrorists? What is their nationality? Where are they located? There are no
clear cut answers to such questions. The typical way to avoid such questions
is found in the reply that President Bush once gave: �Those that are not
with us are against us!� This means: �Do it our own way or we view you as
the enemy!�
Is there any cure for such a serious and dangerous addiction? The answer is
a qualitative yes without the least shadow of a doubt. It would be a total
contradiction for all those who may tend to believe that the best way to
bring the United States under control is through a carefully planned war. We
must keep in mind that, in the sphere of morality, two negatives do not make
a positive. Two dead men make two dead men. They will never make one living
man. The US addiction to war can be brought totally under control only if
all of those who feel really concerned and conscientious will try to do
something about it.
Center for Defense Information
The Center for Defense Information in Washington, DC is composed of retired
top US military officials who were brought together several years ago to
explore ways that would enable the United States get rid of its war
addiction. They have made numerous videotapes of about 30 minutes each to
enable people see into proper perspective the realities that surround them
with as much accuracy and truthfulness as possible. They firmly believe that
the first duty of politicians is to do their best to solve all problems
encountered through healthy and constructive dialogues.
A few years ago, I managed to visit this Center for Defense Information in
Washington DC and I spent the whole day with Ret. Rear Admiral Eugene O�Carroll
who had visited Cuba a few times and made some positive and constructive
videos on this peaceful neighboring country. We discussed the need for the
military to start being used for positive and constructive purposes, that
is, from a destructive organization to a humanitarian agency. Among other
videos, I secured the following whose name speaks for their content:
1) Arming Dictators, a threat to their people and neighboring nations.
2) Military Nuclear Mess, radioactive waste that is dangerous to all of us.
3) The Language of War, ambiguities to keep people unaware of realities.
4) Why Military Spending goes up? Not the nation�s defense but profit.
5) Ending Cold War Freeze in Cuba, since it is in not a threat to the USA.
6) Welfare for Weapons Dealers? They seek not security but money.
7) Lifting the Veil of Military Secrecy, like dangerous military operations.
8) Defense Jobs at Economy Expense, such jobs harm the civilian economy.
9) Conversation with Noam Chomsky, weapons as the enemy of peace.
10) Costs of NATO Expansion, costing us over $200 billion dollars.
11) Child Soldiers � Invisible Combatants, forced to fight and kill badly.
12) Media and Image of War, myths about war, peace and weapons.
Anyone is welcome to visit the Center for Defense Information, which is now
being known mostly by the name, World Security Institute. They provide good
literature and excellent material that are hopefully geared toward the
provision of a cure to this US addiction to war. To this end, one may get in
touch with Mr. Andrew Portocarrero, Executive Vice President, World Security
Institute, Center for Defense Information, 1779 Massachusetts Avenue, NW,
Washington, DC 20036, USA, Phone: 202-797-5382, E-Mail:
aporto...@cdi.org
International Nuclear Disarmament
Several months ago, a group from this Center went to Russia and other
European nations that are armed with nuclear weapons to become involved in
promoting an international program of total nuclear disarmament. This would
be a gigantic step toward the achievement of a genuine world peace on a
global scale. The world will be much safer if every single country will have
no nuclear weapons than if many countries are eventually equipped with such
dangerous items. In his recent trip to Asia, President Barack Obama
emphasized his goal of seeing a world free of any nuclear weapons by all
means.
However, in spite of his good intentions, President Obama cannot do what he
believes would be in the best interest of the USA and the world at large.
This is due to the fact that he is leading a nation that has been addicted
to war for some 200 years already. Addiction is a disease, which may become
fatal unless properly controlled. This US President must keep in mind that
the American people elected him as their President because they were really
sick with previous administrations all of them proved to be addicted to war
in one way or another.
Obama promised to bring about change by shifting from a foreign diplomacy
that is based on threats and fear, as well as on struggles and wars to one
that is based on a strong diplomacy through healthy dialogues and mutual
respect. To this end, he promised to meet with any world leader to discuss
everything on basis of mutual interest and security with no pre-conditions.
In other words, Obama has advocated that the traditional culture of war
should be replaced by the culture of peace. War should never be an option
any longer.
Needless to say, soon after he took the US presidency he discovered that he
cannot implement his peace agenda without the support of those who surround
him and without the endorsement of the members of the US Congress. There
were those who advocated peace through the provision of humanitarian
assistance everywhere. There were also those who advocated the continuation
of military force as to achieve our US objectives fast and smooth. Of
course, this latter one has never worked for a long period of time.
Besides, we have to keep in mind that Barack Obama was elected as US
President because he promised to bring the unpopular Iraqi war to an end and
to get the US troops out of this country by all means. After virtually a
whole year in office as US President, the US troops are still in Iraq and,
relative to Afghanistan he chose to follow the footsteps of the previous US
President George W. Bush by sending to Afghanistan 30,000 more US troops. It
is obvious that he took this step to keep the political hawks on his side.
In this case, Obama chose the traditional way of doing things over the
courage to take a different route as he promised.
President Obama�s Dilemma
Instead of bringing home all US troops from Afghanistan and get out from
there like the Russians did before him, he chose to become more deeply
involved in this messy war. This US addiction to war is making the average
American literally very nervous. This political figure that brought
Americans so much hope during his presidential campaign with an ardent
expectation for real change, is now acting differently. This is certainly
not good for the morale of the American people. To say the least, it is very
frustrating and disappointing.
However, we should not give up. There is hope and all that we need is for
all of us to become involved in replacing the US culture of war with the
culture of peace. Based on discussions that went on among many humanitarian
and peace organizations, and even among many veterans and several retired
military officials, the following steps may be taken to eventually replace
effectively the US culture of war with the culture of peace. Let us enlist
some leading groups and what they could do. They are not enlisted in any
specific order.
Role of Clergymen �While US clergymen preach the �sacredness of life from
conception to natural death,� their infatuation with the abortion concept
force them to ignore the value of life that starts with birth. This is due
to their support of politicians who proclaim to be against abortion while,
at the same time, for more weapons and wars. Such clergymen must keep in
mind the commandment: �You should not kill.� It applies to both the life of
the unborn and born alike. Pro-life politicians pushing for weapons and wars
may be viewed as mass murderers.
Role of Physicians � The primary job of physicians is to make sure that
people enjoy good health. They should get involved in the problem of air and
water pollution as it stems from the military industrial complex. They need
to condemn actions that endanger the lives of millions of people, even when
caused by their government. It is ironic that such government officials
claim to do this for the security of the nation, when they are killing
brutally their citizens by letting them become victims of cancer and other
diseases as a result.
Role of Teachers � We may state with certainty that teaching is among the
best professions in the world. Teachers are assumed to have all necessary
knowledge that relates to the area they are assigned to teach. Although at
times it is quite frustrating, in the long range this profession is very
rewarding. Our best hopes for a better world are ingrained in the future
generations, which are under our full care. Hence, teachers should encourage
students to become involved in becoming a part of the solution and not the
problem. This is done by doing anything that is constructive and by avoiding
anything that is destructive.
Role of Parents � All parents should give top priority on their children not
from the moment of birth but from the moment of conception. They should eat
right, that is, nourishing food while avoiding anything that is junk cooked
in saturated fat and fried. Their healthy or unhealthy food will eventually
affect the lives of their children. The absence of alcohol and smoking is
imperative. Many parents with such habits lead their children quite often to
surmountable health problems. Above all, they should make sure to raise them
in a culture of peace atmosphere.
Role of Politicians �In every country we may have good and honest as well as
bad and dishonest politicians. We have to size them up not by their words
but by their eventual actions. If they put the bulk of money on the good
health, proper education, and adequate homes for the people, then we know
with certainty we do have good politicians. However, if they put in the
total yearly national budget more money on weapons and wars, then we should
conclude with absolute certainty that they are a disaster, a malignant tumor
on the face of the nation.
Role of Peace Organizations � These organizations are often described as
humanitarian groups whose ultimate goal is to alleviate human suffering with
any available means. Their objective is to find out what is wrong with our
earthly society and then to provide constructive means to replace the
culture of war that brought so much pain with the culture of peace, which
always brought joy to people. They are expected to be very vocal in praising
anything that is conducive to the welfare of all people and in condemning
anything that is bad, that is, conducive to the destruction of people, like
with the case of weapons and wars.
Role of Veterans and Military Officials � This group may prove to be an
asset in creating world peace. Many of them witnessed the brutality of war,
which leads us nowhere. They could advocate the transformation of the
military from an institution of destruction to an institution of
construction that could concentrate on building, rather than destroying,
hospitals, schools and housing facilities for people everywhere. They should
also become a major voice in demanding the closure of all military bases
overseas. The billions of dollars wasted on such bases could then be used to
improve drastically the lives of all Americans.
Role of War Industry Workers -The weapons industry need not to panic of
going out of business. The product could be simply changed from
manufacturing tanks for soldiers to manufacturing tractors for farmers. War
construction companies could simply become peace construction companies by
building houses for people instead of barracks for soldiers. It is
incomprehensible to find those who believe that the presence of the military
exists to bring about peace! Let us face it. The military always existed to
wage wars. It is the only leading organization in the world that tries to
achieve its goals through the creation of fear and paranoia.
Role of Businessmen � Quite often, those in the business profession tend to
make money as the ultimate goal of their life. For money several chose even
to risk their lives. No wonder why the Master Teacher of Nazareth told us
�that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it
is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.� Businessmen are subject
to a Code of Ethics, which demands respect for the Divine Positive Law and
the Natural Law, both viewed as God-made laws. They should never become
involved in a business which provides weapons to destroy the property of
others and kill innocent people.
Role of the News Media � The news media has become very powerful for it can
influence millions of people for the better or the worse. Unfortunately,
those that control the news media do not try to give news to the people to
let them know what is going on in the nation and the world. The news media,
especially in the United States, is used by the owners to twist around facts
and events to put people on alert with fear as to force them see things the
way such owners want. Here we have dishonesty at work, which carries
destructive results.
Role of All Nations � If all the nations continue to remain silent when
confronted with this US addiction to war, there will be not much that could
be done. For any nation to become knowingly an integral part of the US
addiction to war is deplorable and disgraceful. One drastic step all nations
should take to help the United States be cured from this fatal addiction is
to help this nation to replace its culture of war with the culture of peace.
This could be done by demanding all US military bases on their respective
territories to be closed down immediately.
The United States certainly suffers from a bad addiction that has proven to
be detrimental. Today, not only the American people have literally become
sick of their nation�s addiction to war, but the world at large as well. All
nations have an obligation to put pressure on the USA to do away with
weapons and wars. The NATO countries made a big mistake in becoming involved
into the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. All US troops should be pulled out
without further delay. Once we manage to find a cure for this US addiction
to war, the 21st century may likely to go down in history as the century of
peace.
Charles Mercieca, Ph.D. President. International Association of Educators
for World Peace. NGO, Dedicated to United Nations Goals of Peace Education,
Environmental Protection, Human Rights & Disarmament. Professor Emeritus,
Alabama A&M University.
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