We were out having fun with Jenny and Ian and it completely slipped my mind that it was Armistice Day. I saw nothing to remind me of the fact even though we popped into a couple of churches. Was anyone at the canal-side pub where we ate lunch wearing a poppy? I didn't notice any.
The evening before there was talk about how my eldest great-nephew- who is a scout- was going to be attending a church service carrying a flag which he would have to dip before the altar. Organised religion and militarism- two of my least favourite things. My hackles rose- but I told them to lie still because you don't foster peace by fighting- even if you're only using words. As my favourite slogan in the Peace Garden says, "There is no way to peace. Peace is the way."
Armistice Day has become a focus in the Culture Wars and therefore important to politicians and journalists but of fading significance to the rest of us. If it faded out altogether I wouldn't be sorry...
The evening before there was talk about how my eldest great-nephew- who is a scout- was going to be attending a church service carrying a flag which he would have to dip before the altar. Organised religion and militarism- two of my least favourite things. My hackles rose- but I told them to lie still because you don't foster peace by fighting- even if you're only using words. As my favourite slogan in the Peace Garden says, "There is no way to peace. Peace is the way."
Armistice Day has become a focus in the Culture Wars and therefore important to politicians and journalists but of fading significance to the rest of us. If it faded out altogether I wouldn't be sorry...