Mark Chatterton
Wed,29 Jul 2009
Mark Chatterton
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Back in the 1960s and 70s, the country of Afghanistan was part of the “Hippy Trail”, which the Flower Children and the drop-outs of Western society would pass through on their way to India. Some were looking for enlightenment, whilst others were looking for the next drug based ‘high’. They knew they would be safe and welcome in Kabul and all of the other places on the route, which took them ever eastwards. Gradually after many years of fighting and war, Afghanistan has become one of the most lawless and hostile countries on Earth. Now in July 2009, Afghanistan is the main news topic. The headlines in both the newspapers and on the TV have been dominated by “the War against Terror”, or more precisely, the war against the Taliban and how “public opinion” is becoming more and more against the war. Even my father, an old soldier who fought in the 2nd World War, is saying that he can’t understand why the war is taking place. I won’t go into the right and wrongs of having a war in Afghanistan, but will mention the cost of war – on both sides.
War occurs because ultimately one man, with the power, decides that an army should go to war. There is an enemy to fight and conquer and it is OK to use any means possible to destroy your enemy, (or at least within the terms of the Geneva Convention). There is of course the whole industry of war - companies who profit from the manufacture of bullets, bombs, mines and weapons – all designed to kill or hurt another human being. If the Taliban did not have their weapons, the war would have ended a long time ago. So someone, somewhere is supplying weapons to both sides and making millions, if not billions out of it.
Then there is the human cost. Of course most soldiers who fight, return home in one piece, though many of them must be mentally scared, with all they see and experience. Many are wounded and maimed - some will never walk again or function properly as human beings. Finally there are those who return from the war in a coffin, who have been shot or blown up by “the enemy”. Many more people, who are related to or friends of the soldiers, are shocked, saddened, or angered by the sight of their returning loved ones. For example, I read in one newspaper that many unmarried partners of soldiers killed in the Afghanistan war, are at risk from losing their homes
, as their soldier partners didn’t leave a will, or the will that he said he made has mysteriously ‘disappeared’. Then there are those who are maimed and permanently injured, either physically or mentally, who are constantly battling to get compensation from the authorities so they can lead some sort of normal life. Yet the money is not forthcoming.
War hurts many people, but in the end, however many of the enemy you kill, that is not the solution. Building bridges and finding the common ground by talking and communicating is the best and the only way to end any conflict. I was heartened to read that the Foreign Secretary, David Milliband, was saying that it is time to speak to the more moderate members of the Taliban. I hope this policy does gain ground amongst the politicians and those who have the power to change things. Otherwise as many people are predicting, Afghanistan could become another Vietnam.
In closing, I would like to finish with some words that perfectly sum up this situation. They were written by a good friend of mine, Del Bromham, who is in the rock group Stray. They come from a song of his called, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, which for the uninitiated, is the address of the White House in Washington, DC….
Here I stand, full of fear,
I wonder what the Hell I’m doing here.
Don’t know these people; they don’t know me
I’ve only seen their country on TV.
At 1600 and number 10,
You think you are above all other men.
You’ve got the power, but it’s no game,
These are the actions of a world that’s gone insane.
I hear the cry of a mother’s tears,
She has lost the life of one she holds so dear.
She raises hands up the sky
And asks her God the question, “Tell me why?”
I have my life, I have my gun,
I’m telling you, I don’t want to shoot no one.
I’m just a man and here I stand.
Don’t want the blood of someone on my hands.
Packed in boxes on a plane,
Send them home with just a flag on their remains.
Yellow ribbons on the trees,
Stay in their minds for all eternity.
Woh oh…1600 Pennsylvania Avenue…..
If you would like to hear this song, go to:
http://www.myspace.com/delbromhamstray
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