Lessons to Apply

All war is a tragic result of choosing violent ways to get needs met. Until we learn, practice and teach restorative non-violent ways to meet needs, loved ones will continue to be hurt and killed in war. This essential education needs to be a priority in homes, churches, organizations and schools. For those of us who have been injured by war (not all injuries are visible), this learning curve will help honor the sacrifice while providing a way to convert destructive approaches to creative approaches. Alcohol, anger, dominating others, blaming, and bullying others, etc. as a means of coping, only makes it worse and dishonors the sacrifice.

Regarding Afghanistan, STOP pointing fingers and come together, find consensus and figure how to save as many lives as possible. And, use your soap boxes to keep what is happening there in the full light of public exposure. We all need to bear witness to what is happening so that it never happens again. The new government must be held responsible for human rights violations. In addition to public exposure, economic and diplomatic pressure have proven effective in the past.

For how many years has this violence been occurring? It’s not about just one United States president or political party. Unless your purpose is to throw gas on the fires of partisan insurrection, we need to learn how to work in bipartisan ways to find non-violent ways to solve problems. Do this in the full sunshine of public opinion so fair and balanced attitudes and choices are fostered or are at least kept in the spotlight. More ego filled, my-way-or-the-highway divisive insurrection, will only get more people hurt and killed.

Know the history to avoid making dangerous and reactionary decisions. Czarist Russia first established diplomatic relations with Afghanistan in 1837. Russia’s 1979 Operation Storm-333 ignited the 10 year Russian-Afghan war. Read Wikipedia’s The War in Afghanistan 2001 to Present. It’s not just about one or another US president’s choices. It’s about ideological fundamentalism and our decisions or lack of decision as American citizens. An engaged and solution-focused citizenry is required for our 200 year experiment in democracy to continue to work.

Note: Paul Ruez, recently retired high school teacher and former veteran’s counselor, makes conflict resolution resources available on LinkedIn and recommends that veterans and family members take advantage of the VA's Vet Centers. Https://www.vet center.va.gov/ | https://www.va.gov/find-locations/ Hot Line Call 1-877-927-8387.

The Author: https://bit.ly/Ruez-Bio-Pg12

221st Signal Company Tribute: https://bit.ly/221stSigCo-CameraSpeaks

https://bit.ly/Restorative-Practices

Afghanistan Papers: https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/craig-whitlock/ Hundreds of secret interviews with top U.S. officials admitting in private what they never said in public.