It’s “Just” War, Right?

 

“Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity."

 (George Carlin)

“All wars are fought for money.”

(Socrates)

 

“In all wars the object is to protect or seize money, property and power, and there will always be wars so long as Capital rules and oppresses people.”

(Ernest Friedrich)

 

A friend recently posted on social media the question of “just war” in reference to whatever it is that our president and his lackeys are waging against Iran.  It is a question and argument that has been debated since Saint Augustine stepped forth declaring the parameters of war for Christians and Christianity.  In simplest terms “just war” is a doctrine of military ethics holding that while war is terrible, it can be morally justified if it meets strict, objective criteria—jus ad bellum (right to go to war) and jus in bello (right conduct in war).

 

The discussion he suggested caught my curiosity.  For me the answer was quick and easy—no war is ever “just”.  I don’t believe in war in any shape, size, or form.  War does not fit into my morals, beliefs, or faith.  I understand the struggle against evil and the quandary of addressing it.  Both Deitrich Bonhoffer and Thomas Merton were honest in stating their struggles during the Second World War and how they eventually felt violence was the only solution to its end.  I understand that and have had my fair share of sleepless nights wrestling with the issue.  Still . . . war is wrong.  There is no justification for war.

 

Responses to his inquiry were all over the place . . . from the extreme right and left with everything in between.  There was support of the president and his “conflict” with Iran.  There was also lots of anger and disagreement with the president’s actions and words . . . especially when he threatened to annihilate a whole culture out of existence.  The answers to the question and the discussion quickly devolved into political turf protecting and name-calling.

 

Despite having received a perceived “theological” degree from a theological seminary—a Master of Divinity, I am in no way an expert on theology.  Nor am I an “expert” on “just war”.  At the same time, I am a person who believes that people shouldn’t just believe everything they read or see on social media.  People need to do the work and do the research.  I do.  I also form my own opinions based on that research.  M. Scott Peck writes in his book, The Road Less Traveled, that “sin is laziness” and taking the easy way out.  To avoid that I do my research.  There would be less divisiveness in the world if more people did this.

 

When it comes to “just war”, this is my elementary understanding—right or wrong.

 

Jus ad Bellum.

 

Competent Authority.  “A just war must be initiated by a political authority within a political system that allows distinctions of justice.  Dictatorships or deceptive military actions are typically considered as violations of this criterion.”  According to our nation’s governing document, the Constitution, it is Congress that holds the power to declare war.  It requires a joint resolution from the House of Representatives and the Senate, that once approved must be signed by the president. (Article I, Section 8)

 

Using this understanding, my first argument would be that no “competent authority” exists in the military aggression against Iran.  Certainly, one could argue the competency of the president.  Based on the words and actions, the dire state of the nation, and his continued unpresidential and erratic behavior, in my opinion the individual is incompetent. Nor is the Secretary of Defense a competent individual declaring the conflict a “holy war” and inciting made up scriptures out of a popular cult movie, Pulp Fiction.  Throw in the Republican controlled Congress who are frightened of the president and do nothing to represent the people who elected them . . . prime example is the presidential derriere kissing Speaker of the House.  No “competent authority” has been established for the justification of what is happening in Iran.

 

The so-called war on Iran is illegal.  The president did not ask Congress for a resolution of war.  Nor did Congress write and pass a resolution of war.  The president has signed nothing.  There is no Constitutional follow-through.

 

Of course, this is politics and the president we are dealing with could use other means to wage war—AUMF.  This wonderful acronym stands for Authorization for Use of Military Force.  This was created through a joint resolution empowering the president to use all “necessary and appropriate force” against those responsible for the 9/11 attacks.  Since then, successive administrations have broadened the understanding of this resolution and have fallen back on this to initiate military moves against perceived enemies.  The president, the administration, nor the so-called Department of War have attempted to play this card to attack Iran.  It is outright aggression . . . illegal aggression.

 

Probability of Success.  The war must be achievable . . . must be able to be won.  War should not be initiated if there is no chance of winning.  Most experts (civilian and retired military) have stated this is war that is not winnable.  They see it as another Viet Nam.  The war on Iran is not one that can be clearly won.  Though the president boasted victory from day one . . . it has been two months and in an open-ended cease fire . . . and there seems to be no end to this war.  Iran refuses to come to the negotiation table. The president knows that nothing short of nuclear annihilation can win this war.  He’s even stated it through veiled threats of wiping their culture completely out. This certainly does not display competency by our nation’s most powerful leader.

 

Last Resort.  War cannot be declared or wage until all other non-violent options have been exhausted.  Those options include diplomacy, sanctions, and other non-military options.  In other words, anything and everything must be attempted before resorting to violence.  Once again, outside of veiled threats and sanctions, there were few attempts towards coming to a unified agreement.

 

Just Cause.  The reason for declaring and waging war must be “just”.  It cannot be for recapturing things.  It cannot be a punishment.  There must be a good reason, a legitimate reason, a “just” reason . . . and, so far, there hasn’t been a coherent reason given by the president, administration, or the Department of War.  It seems as if the reasons change daily.  The over-arching consensus seems to be on destroying the world’s energy (oil) industry to favor the United States, followed by ridding Iran of their nuclear weapon potential, and lastly freeing the people of their government’s regime.  Bottom line is that war must be declared to protect life.  “Innocent life must be in imminent danger, and intervention must be to protect life.”  There is no “just cause” for this aggression.

 

Jus in Bello.

 

Distinction.  War should be directed towards enemy combatants and not towards non-combatants caught in circumstances that they did not create.  It’s military against military.  It prohibits bombing civilian residential areas and necessary infrastructures that include no legitimate military targets.  This has already been trampled upon in the war as civilian sites were destroyed . . . one being a girl’s school in which 165 female students were killed.  Attacks on infrastructure with no military connection—bridges, power plants, and oil refineries—are illegal and unjust.  The threat of nuclear annihilation is unjust and purely evil.

 

Proportionality.  Combatants must make sure that the harm caused to civilians or civilian property is not excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated by an attach on a legitimate military objective.  At this time the war is focused on holding a nation and its people hostage in the bombed-out ruins of our military actions in hope that they will bend to the will of the United States.  The suffering far outweighs the purpose.

 

Military Necessity.  The attack must be meant to defeat the enemy—it must be focused and not random acts of violence.  The targets must be legitimate military objectives and not schools, hospitals, power plants, and oil refineries.  Harm caused must be minimal to the civilian population and not a decimation meant to psychologically destroy the people.

 

There is no “just war” being wages against Iran.  There is no “holy war”.  The president, administration, Department of War, and Congress have followed none of the laws of our nation or the constitutional mandates for war.  The war has not met any of the random reasons given for it.  The world has not endorsed this aggression.  The result has been a global shake-up economically and creating a fuel crisis.  In the United States it has created hardships the president asks the citizens to embrace and endure for the sake of a war no one wanted or has endorsed.

 

This is not justifiable war.  No war is.  In the end the only ones who benefit will be those in power . . . primarily the president, his family, and all of his rich cronies.  You won’t benefit.  I won’t benefit.

 

There is no “just war” being waged against Iran.

 

“Someday they’ll give a war and nobody will come.”

(Carl Sandburg)

Justice: Just a Perspective?

David Whitley of FOX Sports wrote an interesting opinion piece about the announcement by Florida State Attorney Willie Meggs that Jameis Winston--quarterback of the top ranked Flordia State University football team hoping to play for the national championship, leading Heisman Trophy candidate, and future millionaire National Football League player—would not be charged with sexual assault.  This freed up Winston to continue his football playing through the Atlantic Coast Conference championship and possible national championship games.  Whitley stated that he wasn’t sure that “justice” had been served, and that it all depended upon individual perspectives of the whole sordid affair.  Whitley quoted the state attorney, when asked that question (more or less), as saying: “The folks want to look for conclusions.  They’ll have to draw their own.”  Never, in the opinion piece, does Whitley offer an answer as to whether or not justice was served . . . he pretty much avoids answering the question.

Instead, Whitley, basically states that it all depends upon where the individual’s loyalties are . . . if you are a big Florida State Seminole fan, then justice was served, Winston was falsely accused, and everything is back on track towards the Heisman and national championship.  If you are a person who believed the woman and should have her day in court . . . then this all screams of favoritism in a football town, bumbling law enforcement, and a general circus atmosphere where illusions rule the day while the facts will never be heard.  Or, if you are a person who is totally confused as to what you believe . . . well, the whole situation still remains as clear as mud.  As Whitley states, it is all a matter of perspective.

For several years, I worked on a federal grant in the state of Montana that dealt with domestic and sexual violence . . . in particular as it affected women, children, and families.  True, not all domestic violence happens to women—men are also the victims of domestic violence, but the overwhelming majority of domestic violence cases happen to women.  Happens all of the time.  Rape falls under this umbrella of domestic and sexual violence . . . at a rate of 1.3 rapes a minute in the United States according to the federal government.  What I learned and heard in those two years influenced my perspective on the issue . . . and, from that perspective I can honestly say that “justice” was not served in this situation . . . in fact, it never had its day in court.

Earlier in the week, I was not surprised upon learning that the state attorney for Florida was going to have a press conference to announce what his office was going to do with the Winston case . . . at that very moment I knew that Winston was not going to be charged.  If the man was going to be charged, the authorities would have gone and arrested him in as quietly of a manner as they could of—sans all of the publicity.  Nope, that was not going to happen . . . Winston was going to walk free of the accusations.  I saw no reason to even watch the big press conference . . . “justice” wasn’t going to get its fair chance.

When it comes to sexual assault—especially rape—that justice is served . . . at least for the person who has been assaulted or raped.  I stand in awe of what I am witnessing when it comes to these cases and trials as victims are attacked, raked over the coals, and made to be the “bad guys” as their attackers sit there and watch.  Isn’t that what happened when a Billings judge sentenced a guilty teacher to a little over a month in jail for raping one of his students . . . didn’t the judge make references to the fact that he thought the 14 year old looked and acted much older than her actual age . . . that this played a role in the teacher’s actions?  Unfortunately or fortunately, the 14 year old avoid this smear having committed suicide before the case ever came up for trial.  Was she a victim?  Yeah, I think so. Was “justice” served in this case?  No, and now the state of Montana is scrambling like crazy to fix the situation and sentence the teacher to a minimum of four years for the rape of this 14 year old . . . unfortunately, the girl will never know . . . she’s dead.

The accuser of Winston was put on trial before the investigation was even started . . . before it even got a shot at being tried in court. She was attacked, bullied, dragged through the mud, and warned . . . warned by one of the Tallahassee police officers that she might reconsider pressing for rape charges as “Tallahassee is a big football town” and the person she was accusing was the star player.  But, she pressed on despite the smear campaign against her.  The young woman reported the rape the night it happened. This means that she probably went through all of the steps . . . telling her story to the police (in her case, not once, but twice—once to the campus police who referred her to the Tallahassee police because the incident took place off-campus and she had to tell the story a second time) . . . going to the hospital to undergo a procedure using a “rape kit” and having to tell the story for a third time . . . in fact, she probably ended up telling the story of what happened more times than any of us could count.  And, each time she told the story, she had to relive the trauma of it all.  Physical evidence was found proving that Winston was the one who she said raped her.  She stuck by her story . . . even after Winston stated that it was consensual sex . . . she called it rape.

It became a big “he said/she said” debate.  He proclaimed innocence, she claimed rape.  Lines were drawn in the sand, sides were taken . . . and, in the end, some would say that it was a tie when it was all said and done.  I am not too sure about that.  In the end the young woman had to drop out of school because the scrutiny was too much for her.  Her reputation was dragged through the muck of public opinion, a reputation that will never leave her.  She has been traumatized over and over again with the nightmare of something that she did not want to happen.  She believes what happened to her will make others not want to report rape.  She was rightly termed the “victim” in this case.  I don’t think she felt like it was a tie . . . or anything close to a tie.  I think she would say that she got stomped . . . unfairly stomped in what she believed would be a “just” system and process.

Neither do I think that the individual she accused feels as if it were a tie.  He did not have to drop out of school, sit out a football game, give up his pursuit of a national championship, give up his pursuit of a Heisman trophy, or a future big-time paycheck in the National Football League.  His name was not dragged through the mud and muck . . . far from it.  Instead we witnessed the attack against the victim . . . the lame excuse that “boys will be boys” . . . and, that he has such a bright future ahead.  He lawyer stated that it would be difficult for him to clean up his reputation . . . who is he kidding!  I do not see Jameis Winston hiding from the public eyes.  I think he would tell all of us . . . he won.

In this whole mess, Jameis Winston is probably the only winner.  Everyone else lost.  The victim lost.  The public lost.  And, the biggest loser of all . . . “justice”.  Remember that Florida’s state attorney did not say that nothing happened . . . he just stated that in his opinion—according to what the state using as a measurement for such cases—that this case would have been too difficult to try and win.  In other words, something happened and it is up to everyone to form his or her own opinion.  I say that the matter should have been given its day in court . . . that “justice” be given an opportunity to settle things once and for all.  To level the playing field and see what happens.  That is all that anyone who plays a sport wants . . . a level playing field and an opportunity to play the game.  That is all that any of us wants . . . a level playing field to share our stories and allow the chips to fall where they may.  “Justice” did not get a fair deal . . . and, probably never will.

I think that is what upset me the most by Whitley’s opinion piece . . . he chickened out . . . he didn’t take a stand . . . he didn’t stand up for “justice”.   I don’t know if the story of victim is true or not . . . I don’t know whether or not Winston is telling the truth . . . but, I think that if both of them believe that they are telling the truth, let “justice” settle the issue.  But, I forget . . . opinions are opinions, not facts . . . at least that is my opinion.  In the court of opinion, no one wins.  I say, give “justice” a chance.  What we do in our society to victims of sexual assault, rape, and domestic violence is a bigger crime than the actual crime itself . . . we deny them their humanness . . . and, we deny them “justice”.

Was “justice” served?  You tell me.

Who Will Speak?

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me -- and there was no one left to speak for me.

The above quote is attributed to the Reverend Martin Niemoller.  Niemoller was an ardent nationalist and prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps.

The big news this past week has to do with the Penn State scandal involving their football team, administration, and legendary football coach Joe Paterno.  The simple version of the scandal is that the university administration, football staff, and others averted their eyes to the sexual manipulation and abuse of young children perpetuated by one of their own--former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky--for nearly fifteen years.  The result of this scandal has been a massive firing of those involved in the cover-up--including the legendary Joe Pa.

To say the least, there has been an uproar over Joe Pa's firing from the Nittany Lion faithful.  It is not every day that a legend and football icon with the winningest record of all-time gets fired.  Students rioted.  People cried, "Foul!" and "Joe Pa got screwed!"  But the end result was that the right decisions were made by the Penn State's Board of Trustees even if it was way too late and to cover their butts for what should have been done way back in 1999.  Their righteous indignation is a little too late and merely an attempt in protecting the university and themselves.  This scandal is far, far from over and will probably get much uglier before it is ever over.

I love college football and this scandal rocked my world.  Not because it was a black eye for college football--which it is, but because it produced an epiphany of how screwed up loyalty to a program can get when there has been a great injustice has been committed.  Let us not pretend that a great injustice--criminal action--has been not been committed because it has.  The lives of those thus identified, plus those who have yet to come forward proclaiming that they too were victims of this sexual abuse, have been damaged and made more difficult because of the sins that were committed against them.  Who got the worse of this situation?  Joe Pa and those who sat on this for years or those who suffered the abuse?  Loyalty to the program and the myth perpetuated the lie and the abuse for far too long.

It is never fun to be the first one caught doing a wrong--Penn State will attest to this.  Yet, I have no doubt in my own mind that Penn State is not the only university that plays sports that has not put the program and myth before the lives of those who have suffered injustice at the hands of the program, staff, and players. As a University of Nebraska football fan I have witnessed the program and university wiggle its way out of scandal several times over the decades--from Johnny Rodgers to today.  All them have skeletons in their closets.  Even here in Montana where the beloved Grizzlies of the University of Montana have had their own scandals this season, there must have been a collective sigh of relief when it was Penn State and not them who got caught.


I can remember the time when the beloved football god, Tom Osborne, saved the season manipulating the system when one of his players beat the crud out of his ex-girlfriend and another player seeing her.  I remember how that player ended up playing in the post-season bowl when he should have been sitting in a jail.  It was all for the good of the university and the football program--for saving the myth!  And, I bought into it when I should have spoken out for the victims.  Someone should have spoken for the victims.

That is the greatest sin that Joe Pa committed.  He had the responsibility to do more than the legal, bare minimum of reporting the offense to his superiors--he should have called the police.  The dominoes fall as they do as there were many who knew what was going on but chose to say nothing.  They chose not to speak for those who could not speak.  That is the greatest sin committed.

The legacy of the winningest collegiate football coach will be forever tainted because he choose not to speak up to an injustice that he was aware of.  Who knows the reasons that he chose to look the other way and do the bare minimum--friendship, loyalty, pride, stubbornness?  Who knows?  What we do know is that we can understand why he did what he did--we can understand his looking the other way--to protect the program and myth and integrity of the program.  In this, we too, we are implicated.  We are guilty.


For those young boys--some who are young adults today--our hearts should be broken and, our prayers for them should be lifted.  This should have never happened and when it did, witness by others, someone should have spoken up for those who couldn't speak.  Joe Pa got fired--but he did not suffer the trauma of being sexually abused or raped.  He will get over it in his retirement, but these boys have a long, long way before they will ever get over what happened to them.  Someone should have spoken out for them . . .

There are lessons to be learn, but the greatest of these is that each and everyone of us has a responsibility to speak out against injustice--whatever form it takes--so that those who cannot speak will be heard.  Trust me it is worth the cost because some day we may need someone to speak out for us.