The Atrocities of War and the Rules of Engagement

Before we dive into the UN and the International order so to speak, let's take a look at what war is, was and how much it's changed. Last night I attended a concert band performance by the Westminster regiment military band along with the Maple Ridge concert band. It was nice to see a live concert band and when both groups performed together it was very impressive.

The conductor for the Maple Ridge band mentioned there's a bit of conflict in the world right now with our neighbours so he wanted to look to our European heritage to perform a military tribute. So they played abide with me and recited how Canadian troupes helped liberate Holland at the end of World Ward 2. 

He reflected on a time when Canadian troupes were good. I'm not saying Canadian troupes now are not good. I'm just saying times have changed completely. 

Remembrance day in Canada reflects quite a bit on the first and second world war as that was a coming of age for Canada as a country. It was also a more clear example of good versus evil as Hitler was invading other countries and committing atrocities against the Jews. I'm not saying the Germans were evil. I'm saying Hitler used false flag attacks to con the people just like the Neo Cons do now. The oil wars are far less noble.

The first point I'd like to make is usually when we think of war, we think of two opposing armies shooting each other. We don't normally think of soldiers shooting civilians. That's kind of a Vietnam stereotype that resulted in a lot of mistreatment of soldiers when they came back from that war. 

I am not familiar with all the historical details and realities of the Vietnam war but one tragedy that comes to mind is the use of napalm on civilians. That was off the hook. Like using white phosphorus on civilians. It is inexcusable. 

Again when we think of the first and second world war, we think of trench warfare and two opposing armies brutalizing each other. Chemical weapons were used in those wars. My grandfather had mustered gas burns on his back from trenches of WWl. Most of us now consider using chemical weapons is a war crime. Using chemical weapons on civilians is inexcusable.

Using atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was certainly a turning point in the war but I personally still struggle with the atrocity. Japan attacks a military post and the Americans respond by nuking two entire cities. How many schoolchildren were murdered in that horrific event? Lots. 

In their defense, Germany would often do bombing raids in London so I guess murdering civilians has always been a part of war. It's just hard to get one's brain around that. 

So many women and children murdered. It was so horrifically tragic yet it goes far beyond that. So many people were on the edge of the blast they didn't die immediately, they developed radiation sickness. Sadako Sasaki was 2 years old when the atomic bomb went off and developed leukemia at age 12. 

Many children living on the edge of the bomb blast got sick and were hospitalized. They were told if they made a thousand paper cranes they would live. They told them that because if they lived long enough to make a thousand paper cranes the odds of them surviving were much higher. The paper cane has become a positive symbol of peace.

So that was then and this is now. Now, the US bombing Iranian civilians in a pledge to liberate them is disgusting. There is nothing noble or admirable in that. It's terrorism hidden with lies. Just like the Gaza genocide is. Using white phosphorus on Gaza and Lebanon is inexcusable.