Monday, September 14, 2009

We will glorify peace--the world's only chance

“We will glorify war—the world’s only hygiene—militarism, patriotism, the destructive gesture of freedom-bringers, beautiful ideas worth dying for, and scorn for women.

“We will destroy the museums, libraries, academies of every kind, will fight moralism, feminism, every opportunistic or utilitarian cowardice.” – F. T. Marinetti

I once wrote: “they say that dog is man’s best friend, but in truth, perhaps war is. It has followed him longer than any dog. It has slept at the foot of his bed more than any dog. It has eaten more, walked with him more oft, and lived longer than any canine. It has also cost him more: more sweat, tears, and blood. It is a terrible pet, whose swath of destruction is longer than a wagging tail or biting teeth.”

But to fight this beast is not cowardice. To say that the pompous cat is better is not cowardice. To request diplomacy—moralism—is not cowardice. Which is easier? To compromise or to punch someone? To insist that everyone speak up, or to shout over all?

And if war really is the world’s only hygiene, we must realize that through our insistence of hygiene, new resistances pop up. Through our scourge against germs, we create new, worse killers. Or would you rather have a healthy immune system?

1 comment:

  1. Ah, methinks we have the makings of a manifesto writer here. How about one on health care.

    ReplyDelete