Twenty Two Wars (And Counting)

 Ever since the Israeli/Hamas war broke out there's been little reporting from Ukraine. This could be because the Russians are winning and the people who own the media don't want us knowing about it or- more likely- because a new war will do a better job of keeping us jittery and distracted (which is what media exists for) than one that's been dragging on for ages. 

Apparently there are  22 wars in progress on the planet right now.  I can name three of them. 

Too Small, But At Least It Exists

 The path up hill to the Remembrance Arch in Leicester goes through The Peace Garden- and is flanked by modestly sized memorials to people other than frontline soldiers who have suffered in war. Here's the one to the conscientious objectors. It should be at least the size of the Lutyens Arch. Perhaps one day we'll come to our senses and it will be...



The inscription reads:

"The right to Conscientious Objection was hard won. We honour the 250 known and many unknown individuals from Leicester and Leicestershire who refused to fight in WWI"

I ask myself if I would have had the courage to be one of them- and doubt that I would. I think contempt and mental cruelty- which is what they faced- may be harder to bear than the horrors of active service. But what do I know? I haven't had to deal with either...