Ain't Gonna Study War No More

This weekend several different groups are in DC to protest the war in Iraq, because Tuesday is the war's 4th Anniversary. So the war is 4 years old. This war could go to preschool, assuming it is potty trained. 4 years ago, I walked with the Code Pink anti-war rally and march. President Bush was out of town that day. Last night Pastor Amy and Ray went to a Sojourners/Call to Renewal Peace Vigil and walk. President Bush is away this weekend.

What can the citizens of a country do when its President has hardened his heart against the words of the Lord? Congress is paralyzed, because Bush has essentially said, "Well I'm putting the troops in there, I double dog dare you to cut their funding." Control of the purse strings is one of the main ways Congress can check the President's power, but this president is using the troops as leverage.

When Teddy Roosevelt wanted to send the Great White Fleet around the world in a grand display of American strength, there was an outcry from people who did not want the fleet to leave the Atlantic. Roosevelt responded that "I had enough money to take the fleet around to the Pacific anyhow, that the fleet would certainly go, and that if Congress did not choose to appropriate enough money to get the fleet back, why, it would stay in the Pacific." (The Japanese were so impressed by our strength that they attacked us 30 years later). Our president is doing the same thing, but with our troops.

Jeremiah 8:11-12 says:
They have treated the wound of my people carelessly.
saying, "Peace, peace,"
when there is no peace.
They acted shamefully, they committed abomination;
yet they were not at all ashamed,
they did not know how to blush.
Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;
at the time when I punish them, they shall be overthrown"
says the Lord.

Military force will not bring peace, because peace (shalom) means wholeness. Israel and Judah fell because they expected God to protect them even as they oppressed the poor, treated their people unjustly, and provoked neighboring nations. If our country does not turn from violence and start to "seek justice and love kindness," I fear that we can only expect to see more terrorist groups rising up against us.