A Time of War, And a Time of Peace

Heraclitus (c. 535-475 BC) the Greek philosopher is attributed with the famous quote,

"Nothing endures but change."

A more famous interpretation of the need for different approaches at different times comes right from the Bible, Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, where it is written:

3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

3:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

3:5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

3:6 A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

3:7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

In other words, the world that we live in is full of change. Changing economic situations, changing political arrangements, and yes changing military involvements.

It is a wise man that can admit his errors. It is a fool who persists in making the same mistake over and over in order to deny his own fallibility.

Senator Kerry has written a wonderful piece in the Washington Post about change. About "flipping for a flop". Kerry, paraphrasing his own Winter Soldier Testimony writes:

"I'd rather explain a change of position any day than look a parent in the eye and tell them that their son or daughter had to die so that a broken policy could live."

Kerry criticizes this Administration's "stay the course" strategy by noting:

"Changing tactics in the face of changing conditions on the ground, developing new strategies because the old ones don't work, is a hell of a lot smarter than the insanity of doing the same thing over and over again with the same tragic results."

Also:

"The Iraq Study Group tells us that "the situation in Iraq is grave and deteriorating." It joins the chorus of experts in and outside of Baghdad reminding us that there is no military solution to a political crisis. And yet, over the warnings of former secretary of state Colin Powell, Gen. John Abizaid and the entire Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington is considering a "troop buildup" option, sending more troops into harm's way to referee a civil war."

Senator Kerry goes on to comment on his advocacy for negotiations with all of the parties in the region. Discussion is not capitulation.

Thank you Senator Kerry for your continued service to this nation. We need your voice in America now more than any recent moment in history. We need your experience, your insight, and your committment to an America which values peace, believes in a strong military, but is always prepared to try diplomacy before military intervention.

Keep on coming John! We have got your back!

Bob