VETERANS FOR PEACE
Organized locally. Recognized internationally.
SPRING 2016
VFP Advisory Board Members:
Is Peace Possible?
Editor’s Note: As a way to introduce you to some of the members
of VFP’s Advisory Board, we asked
them to respond to one or more of
the following questions: Why have
you chosen to advise VFP? Do you
honestly think that our overriding
mission "to abolish war as an instrument of national policy" is achievable? Will we ever have a world of
peace?
Below are excerpts from the responses of Ed Asner, Andrew
Bacevich, Phyllis Bennis, Paul
Chappell, Charlie Clements, Marjorie Cohn, Ann Jones, Kathy Kelly,
Dave Krieger, Ray McGovern, David Swanson and Ann Wright. Full
text from each statement can be
found at our website: veteransforpeace.org/index.php?cID=867
Ed
Asner
I doubt my ability to advise
VFP. My only hope is to learn from
them and have my inner warlike
being eventually subdued and controlled by the collected wisdom of
VFP.
God knows how long it will take,
but pounding the stupidity of war
into all our brains can only occur
with long practice and ensuring
that all parties are equally influenced. It takes at least two to tango and to make peace. Seeing
how many war mongers exist in
our mass makes me realize how
inordinately long making a lasting
peace can take. If we can achieve
climate control (a big if), then
peace is also achievable. War as
a part of national policy can only
be dismissed as greed and stupidity. Bottom line -- war is the chief
means to divert, to distract. Expose that nefarious purpose and
the rest should be easy...
Andrew
Bacevich
As a Catholic who sees Original
Sin — that is, the fallen nature of
humankind -- everywhere in evi-
dence, I don’t see world peace as
plausible. There are some problems that only God can sort
out. Until He chooses to do so, the
best we can do is to reduce our
collective propensity for war and
violence. That’s a worthy
cause. Since that’s a cause to
which Veterans for Peace is committed, I see VFP as a movement
that is worthy of support. I know
that my own support doesn’t
amount to much, but I am glad to
play whatever part I can.
Phyllis
Bennis
Veterans for Peace – like our
partner organizations IVAW, MFSO
and others – represents one of the
(Continued on page 5)
IN THIS ISSUE:
From the President…….....…..2 Chapter Reports…………...9
From the Executive Director..3
Book Review………....…..18
Islamophobia……….…..……...4 Poetry………......………….19
VFP Newsletter Spring 2016 1