Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

On Anzac Day give peace a go

By Greg Rolles - posted Thursday, 23 April 2015


The politicians, media-starved and headline hungry would have to show vision. They would have to lead and navigate the complex, necessary work of reforming the global economy that will be necessary to eradicate global poverty and global warming. Politicians would have to inspire impatient populaces through complex economics. When politicians are facing strife, pointing a finger at an enemy and making them look more powerful than they are is the best way to distract a television and media saturated audience.

Australia could be a world leader in education, medical research or transforming our energy needs to a fossil free future. We could be a good neighbour to our exploited Pacific neighbours and a voice of moderation and mercy in the region. Instead, we use our wealth to invade other countries, to kill and destroy whoever we are told to by the US powers.

When we stand unquestioningly at ANZAC Day services, we do not honour the fallen. We give our political leaders the leverage to use our warranted emotions against us. Further wars seem justified and otherwise inept political leaders hold on to power. In the end, instead of working on ways to stop Australian involvement in future wars, we surrender ourselves to the lie that war is necessary. We give up the future that we claim the ANZAC's gave us, to power hungry politicians and the merchants of death who amass vast profits from our collective self-destruction.

Advertisement

If you find yourself at a service this weekend- look past the politician's bluster. Look at the veterans with their physical and emotional scars. Think about what it would be like for civilians to be killed in their own homes by our weapons, delivered on the lie of a political leader. If the ANZAC sacrifice was for anything, if we can take anything from 100 years of expensive and destructive war making, it should be the bloody imperative to try and stop war itself.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

31 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Greg Rolles is a secondary teacher who holds a Masters in International Relations. He was formerly a member of the Australian Defence Force, and studied for two years at the Australian Defence Force Academy, leaving during the ramping up of Australia's "war on Terror". His work for peace has taken him to Palestine and West Papua he blogs at www.gregsrole.wordpress.com a link to the report on the death toll of the War on Terror is here: http://www.psr.org/assets/pdfs/body-count.pdf

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Greg Rolles
Article Tools
Comment 31 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy