Mankind and War

Today a package arrived from my son in the UK. It seemed like early Christmas, for there were books, CDs, a DVD -  and a small fridge magnet.

The books we will love. The CDs and DVD will bring us joy and entertainment.

As for the little magnet, it will provide sobering thoughts.

On it is President JFK’s statement on war and mankind.

These words were included in an address he delivered to the UN General Assembly in 1961.

The words are simple; the message is simple, but it seems very few people in power are taking any notice of such sentiments.

What is wrong with our world?

In this same 1961 speech, President Kennedy also said, 

“Today, every inhabitant of this planet must contemplate the day when this planet may no longer be habitable. Every man, woman and child lives under a nuclear sword of Damocles, hanging by the slenderest of threads, capable of being cut at any moment by accident or miscalculation or by madness. The weapons of war must be abolished before they abolish us…….”

Over 50 years ago, President Kennedy was concerned with the proliferation of nuclear power and its destructive capabilities in times of conflict. He was unaware of future atrocities, such as that delivered by terrorism and the evil wrought by individuals.

He was also unaware of the threat of global warming as a possible cause of  mankind’s end.

The magnet and its message will cling to the front of our fridge as a constant reminder.

But what I would like to see is the same message on EVERYONE’S fridge, on banners flying high, on huge billboards, on walls, on television screens and movie theatre screens, until it penetrates the very hearts of people everywhere.

MANKIND MUST PUT AN END TO WAR BEFORE WAR PUTS AND END TO MANKIND

But, that’s not going to happen, is it?