Martha Gellhorn, was a famous American war correspondent who covered most of the major wars of the 20th century. At every war and conflict, from the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s to the Vietnam War in the ’60s and 70’s, Martha was present, reporting on what she saw. She even stowed away on a hospital ship so that she could cover the Normandy landings.
So, Martha Gellhorn knew war and she hated it.
Below is one of her statements about war. It seems to me that it is also applicable to many other ills – famine, poverty, abuse – in our world.
War happens to people, one by one. That is really all I have to say and it seems to me I have been saying it forever. Unless they are immediate victims, the majority of mankind behaves as if war was an act of God which could not be prevented; or they behave as if war elsewhere was none of their business. It would be a bitter cosmic joke if we destroy ourselves due to atrophy of the imagination.
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- Marie, Full of Grace (40isthenew30.me)
Her statement says it much more eloquently or completely than anything I’ve seen before … if so many of us oppose and reject the idea of war, then why have we become so complacent in accepting it as a distasteful byproduct of civilized society? There’s nothing civilized about war.
We tell ourselves that it is inevitable – but it isn’t. And you’re right – there most certainly isn’t anything civilised about it.
How does the imagination die? Should we investigate??? 😉
There will be people running around saying, oh, wait, I wouldn’t do that?
Oh, really? Why is that?
Haven’t you heard? They say doing (fill in the blank) is bad for your imagination.
Really.
Yes.
That’s horrible
I know, it is horrible
So I won’t do (fill in the blank) any more
Or people might say
Why are you doing (fill in the blank)?
Oh, haven’t you heard…is soooo good for your imagination.
No kidding, really?
Yes, ever since I started (fill in the blank) my imagination has just been going gangbusters
Really?
Yes
That’s wonderful
I know, it is wonderful
Well I want to start (fill in the blank) more too.
🙂 🙂 🙂
Or they might start trying to sell it – convince people that they’ll be more special if they are ‘creative’ and then try to ‘sell’ them some thing/idea/lifestyle so they can be that special person – oh no, sorry, that happens already…
Hello again, Sorry Ive not been around for a while,
War is contrived and planned well in advance of there being a war.. experts say that it takes several years in the planning.. And let’s make no mistakes here.. WAR is about those behind the scenes.. and it generating money and reducing populations..
And do not have much time for those who feel the need to go to War for whatever reason.. I feel sorry for those soldiers who defend and serve and have died needlessly thinking they protect their country.. when in fact their countries have betrayed them by sending them to their needless deaths..
It is not the decision makers who get blown to pieces, or raped and mutilated.. They sit and rake in the glory of War saying it was needed to keep Peace! Who is kidding who? And when will the everyday citizens realise that we can stop wars by refusing to take part in their Games! For this World is a playing field.. But the Truths about History soon will open up many eyes as to who rules our Nations and why things happen as they have done throughout the centuries as we make War with one another..
I know within my being that War is still being planned behind the scenes as they want WW3 to happen, it will solve many problems for the elite.. I only hope that mass consciousness has started to kick in as we are beginning to see now how the game is being played as many unveil their eyes and awaken from their slumbers..
I agree with Martha~ I hate War also………
Dreamwalker
Thank you for your comment – every word of it is probably true, unfortunately. War is hell. Or, as it says in the song – What is it good for – absolutely nothing! Thanks.
Sadly… it exerts a toll on all involved on both sides. 🙁
Well that is the complete and unfortunate truth. Lose/lose.
war does not solve anything.. it creates animosity and burdens both sides.
Absolutely – and often these hurts persist for years and even cause further wars – and so it goes on.