Peace is almost universally valued. Ironically, it cannot be achieved without holding militaristic forces at bay. And preventing them from crushing the weak, requires that a more “benevolent” be strong enough to stand up to the international bullies.
If there is no champion for those unable to defend themselves, the wolves tear their prey apart and the only limits placed on their appetites are the threats posed by other predators. The fate of the small ranges from domination by ruthless powers to domination by less ruthless overlords.
If there is no benevolent “superpower,” or if it is viewed as feeble and indecisive, the Third Reichs of the world will reign.
Historically, imperialistic agendas have been checked by other empires or alliances. Some alliances are small, such as the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) which includes only Canada and the U.S. Others are intercontinental, such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), with its thirty members. Further growth of this alliance is at the heart of global tensions as this post is published.
The alliances I have mentioned are established for mutual defense. NATO has not secreted away a covert plan for world domination.
My thoughts turn to the possibility of war because (in view of many) the power of the United States is waning. Wolves are licking their proverbial chops, eager to expand their spheres of influence.
Even as we pray that God would preserve Europe from conflict around Ukraine, remember that there are nations where civil wars have raged for generations. God have mercy.
War & Peace
The “collectable plate” pictured at the top of this post was purchased by my mother when she visited our family in the U.K. in 1990. A decade after my retirement from the USAF, I am still unpacking some of the boxes I accumulated during decades, and after my mom’s passing, this souvenir joined the archives.
It really is beautifully ornate. Such an attractive setting for an awesomely combative image.
Lest they be misperceived as “conventional” weapons, it should be noted that Ground Launched Cruise Missiles were expressly devised to deliver intermediate range nuclear explosives. Deadly.
The great thing about NATO’s cruise missiles is that they were deployed to bring the Soviet Union to the negotiating table, where the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty led to the elimination of all such munitions from Europe!
Combining military and peace imagery has a long tradition. I wrote about “Powerful Names” and how Iran chose the classic name “Peacekeeper” for one of its deadly missiles. But you can find in my post many other, stranger labels. (I’m still confused why the Brits named of their 1950s missiles “Green Cheese.”)
My assignment at Royal Air Force Greenham Common was a joy. And it was a genuine privilege to be part of a mission that literally made the world a safer place.
I hope all people who desire lasting peace will join me in supporting the allied nations of democratic countries as they counterbalance the world’s totalitarians. And if they can combine the power of necessary arms with artistry that celebrates the pastimes of peace, all the better.
C.S. Lewis worked his own magic combining frightening images with peaceful pursuits. Included in the ranks of Aslan’s army, after all, we see not only cute badgers and prickly hedgehogs. Fierce (even beastly) satyrs are found in the ranks of Good. (Think super-gross, goat-faced fauns . . . with axes). Still, when they are aligned in the ranks beside Narnia, they appear noble. I can even imagine them, during seasons of peace, tilling the soil and tending the orchards.
We will close with a piece of trivia about Narnian warriors. In the books, the Minotaurs (nasty creatures these), are all portrayed in a negative light. They are among the troops of the White Witch celebrating Aslan’s death. However, in the films they have been redeemed and some fight beside Aslan and Narnia’s kings. C.S. Lewis’ son, Doug Gresham, explained the change in an interview:
There are several reasons for that. Firstly, we felt that we needed to show that in Narnia as here, old foes can be forgiven and can reconcile and work together, given the will to do so. Secondly, that in Narnia as also it is here, a common adversary will bring even the worst of enemies together and unite them.
Also, that the shapes and colours of a species’ body do not necessarily denote their character, that just because someone is a Minotaur does not have to mean that they are all bad. Finally, we kind of like Minotaurs.
Mere Inkling Press 
Reblogged this on: lawrencemorra.com/2022/02/09/anachronistic-military-imagery and commented:
Straight out of the gate I quote you here because this is a huge challenge to extrapolate any comparison that is even remotely possible for men of the current world system to bring about such forgiveness between sworn enemies and determined adversaries; especially when same have divorced all interest or belief in God.
“Firstly, we felt that we needed to show that in Narnia as here, old foes can be forgiven and can reconcile and work together, given the will to do so. Secondly, that in Narnia as also it is here, a common adversary will bring even the worst of enemies together and unite them.
Also, that the shapes and colours of a species’ body do not necessarily denote their character, that just because someone is a Minotaur does not have to mean that they are all bad. Finally, we kind of like Minotaurs.”
In fanciful imaginary human creations this may fly very well with the captive audience but in practicality terms say in facing the reality that “pure evil does exist” and is not to be reckoned with or reconciled in some way, even tamed like some former ferocious beast that is now a wonderful happy pussycat that’s not going to ever strike mercilessly if given what it sees as the ideal opportunity!
Even in simple Word Press site terms where a form of literary bantering does occur and as you mention here about cruise missiles flying with massive destructive capability, we see how even your site attracts “sorts that are probably more adept at flying broomsticks” like your mention here of how “They are among the troops of the White Witch,” that show up as a blimp on the current radar only because someone like me had frequented this fly zone site for quite some time, but then suddenly maybe so bored or with nothing worthwhile to do but pick their toenails and instead perhaps as a show of aggression or tempting to trigger a response to provoke that can then be taken as a hostile action that requires a full implementing of sophisticated weaponry to flex muscle or show who is boss, especially when America is at its weakest time in modern history, this is how wars start; and in society all the crazies are now running loose, even some on Word Press which isn’t Facebook, but it has its trolls! Which brings us to the simple reality we know people like Putin and his communist party Hardliners want to do this muscle flexing at any chance that presents itself like what happened in Crimea to bring back the Czar Era which is a big dream of Putin’s, and then subsequently back to a more former Soviet Union might and stature that all the hardliners desire! While China is playing for global domination and as perhaps friends by convenience of the same political totalitarian government style, they join forces to take on their biggest adversary America, to then if successful in kicking the one nation that has been the defender of true democracy and freedom during the 20th century out of the running, that would put these brutes in the position to begin crushing all other weaker nations under their boots. This all tells me how it is true, that you can even shave a tiger right down to its bare naked skin, but; his stripes remain embedded!
Back in August 2020 there was a lot to be concerned about with China pushing the envelope with operations to dominate the South China Sea and the situation since then has only gotten worse. I posted an essay that was pointing to some very specific and powerful flexing of muscle and posturing rhetoric by China, and then SOS Mike Pompeo.
“Bradley Bowman, a military expert with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told CBN News. “There are tremendous economic interests in maintaining the freedom of navigation of commerce through that area.”
China wants to limit that access, claiming it has rights to almost all the South China Sea.
“China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea are based on sufficient historical and jurisprudential evidence and are in line with the relevant international law and practice,” Zhao Lijian, spokesperson with China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters this week.
Pompeo is pushing back, accusing China of breaking international law and urging world leaders to standup to Beijing’s expanding territorial ambitions.
“If Beijing violates the international law and free nations do nothing, then history shows that the CCP will simply take more territory. That happened in the last administration,” warned Pompeo.
America has opposed China’s aggressive ambitions, including efforts to turn several islands and reefs into military outposts, complete with aircraft, runway, and hi-tech capability.
“So this is good old-fashioned ‘the biggest kid on the playground’ if you will, trying to bully others, to steal their resources and to push others who might get in their way out, and foremost of that is the United States,” said Bowman.”
So Robert I can unequivocally agree with this statement I quote from your article as being the Truth and a powerful sign of what is coming and I don’t see peace on earth and good will toward men being any part of that scene!
“The power of the United States is waning. Wolves are licking their proverbial chops, eager to expand their spheres of influence.”
Now that the Good Guys are not so “Good” anymore, look at Congress as a prime example, where it hardly even exists in any measurable numbers that matter; it looks more like Hell on Earth is the Trump Card the Devil has ready to pull out of his ass!
The following link is that article with accompanying links that I see as a great warning sign of what is coming! Actually I just wrote another essay that points to what I’m convinced is absolute truth that Evil has a face and pure evil is so beyond what people today are thinking about; but in effect this evil as you rightly mention, the “Third Reich” is that same face we know from history with the likes of Adolph Hitler and the Beast from Hell; rearing its Ugly Head back then to only be pushed back from total conquest and victory over good by a massive loss on all sides, but, only because I believe America was still a predominantly God fearing nation of good people united as one nation under God along with the good allies at the time who were granted Divine Providence to succeed; but I just don’t see this unity or goodness to that degree anymore and when and if all hell breaks loose, this time it will be for keeps and the last hoorah for civilization! Of course I could be all wet and the Second Coming may occur in the nick of time just before it gets to that braking point, but no matter, “there is going to be hell to pay” in the short term; in my humble opinion!
I can add for now something that may put a bit more perspective of where I’m coming from in this regard that initially last week got me thinking when I was up against atheistic secular thinking when responding to someone on one of my postings but that all came to naught until today when it all fit tidily and actually dovetailed with another fine Christian blogger’s latest publication and I hope that by sharing all of this here and you with your extensive military background of which I personally lack other than my being on a Naval base in the past and catching a fair amount of scuttlebutt daily, I think your experience may even sharpen the focus of this prism of which I’m viewing the coming event in short order!
God bless.
Brother in Christ Jesus,
Lawrence Morra III
I see the subject of this post has really piqued your interest. You have raised some interesting ideas here.
As for having an “extensive military background,” I don’t claim that. Eleven assignments did provide me with a broad swath of experience, but chaplains are usually relegated to non-operational (i.e. combat) concerns, so our exposure is limited in that way. We do, however, attend the same Professional Military Education courses as line officers, so we study the same subjects.
“broad swath of experience” This is why I’m a jack of all trades and a master of a few, I never limited myself to being confined to one mode of making a living over another; as my father taught me when just a kid you have to learn to adapt in life; so I took that a bit further than he anticipated, but, that’s me, I didn’t mind trying new things in order to get to know what it’s like to do this or that; and job markets or workloads can fluctuate! Now your field is highly commendable, and with my overall life perspective I can say if I had an epiphany early on or just a bit more foresight I probably would have done a lot more with theology and planted myself in a similar position as you then stick with that for life! I would have liked it for sure, but, I think God obviously wanted it to go the way it did for reasons I probably don’t fully comprehend or appreciate yet; I think a “real calling” is required at the minimum. I’m sure with your insights and aptitudes even though you were non-operational duty, you are quite aware of strategic and tactical capability in the branch of the armed forces you served! Like I said I was in a similar circumstance on a Naval base, but, being a curious and engaging sort of fellow I was always open to understanding what others are doing; and liking conversation so much it hurts sometimes, not so much me; the person having to listen to me, but, I learn a lot in the process.
Sorry if I draw any cyber pests but I’ve found of late there are some very disturbed human beings floating around out in this cyber space, just didn’t expect such nasty ones on Word Press; never wanted Facebook for this very reason along with seeing right through Zuckerberg and the crew he flies with; they attract an enormous number of pesky flies. I always look for character, integrity and sanity in people I connect to in person certainly, but, online may be just as or even more important at times!
Thank you, for this again very inspiring posting; that I have to agree got me really interested and inspired, so I did kind of ran with it! It was very timely just as one other blogger’s posting was tying into precisely things I was pondering and praying about; I appreciate the opportunity my Friend!
God bless!
Link to 2nd part of this reblog: lawrencemorra.com/2022/02/09/the-wolves-are-licking-their-chops/
Hi Rob,
Right war and warfare are tricky things. There is a time for peace and a time for war in the present state of the world. If one is to do what is right there are opposing forces in play.
In Christ, Gary
The saddest part is that decisions related to war are usually made for political reasons.
Only for time, not eternity.
Thank you for the gracious reminder!
My husband has made this point as well, that of peace maintained by war -or, ideally, threat of war. I agree that the U.S.’s power wanes and we settle into peace and plenty without hard work. We’re getting soft in our old age.
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