I read a column this week by James Carroll of the Boston Globe in which he raised some questions that don't seem to be asked all that much. He called into question our escalation of the war in Afghanistan saying in effect that this war has the potential to become President Obama's Vietnam. Carroll always writes with remarkable insight and is wonderful at asking the right questions.
As John XXIII did so well in his groundbreaking letter PACEM IN TERRIS, written as he prepared himself for his death, one must always question the assumptions that support war so that one can support paths of action that are moral and right. It is important that voices such as Carroll's be raised so that society can move more deeply into responsible use of its resources, both human and financial. These financial questions become real human questions, especially as we consider where we as a society should be spending our money.
As I said from different pulpits during Desert Storm, our attacks on Afghanistan and our efforts in Iraq, we need to have some serious moral reflection on what might ever constitute a 'just war' in light of all of the realities of the current age., an age which happens to be a NUCLEAR ONE!
In light of much of the craziness and name calling going on out there, it's important that serious conversations about serious matters take place-----be they about health care, race or matters of war and peace....
On a real positive note.....
KUDOS to the Connecticut Conference, United Church of Christ, for such outstanding efforts as devoting Fall Annual Meeting time to ongoing DIALOGUE on the subject of RACE....
We need opportunities like this!!
PB
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