It is interesting that I should come across this story right after I posted a comment on Prawfs Blawg where a discussion was under way as to whether the criticism of the Iraq war is in some ways responsible for its failure and if criticizing the war constitutes treason during war time. Although the majority of Americans now believe Iraq to be a disaster, not every one does so for the right reasons. Not all Iraq war critics are convinced about the fundamental futility and immorality of the misadventure. Some of those who have turned against the war, did so because they gradually began to see it as a losing proposition, not that it was a criminally wrong thing to do in the first place. The blame for the mess and horror in Iraq has variously been assigned to the incompetence of the Bush administration and to the unpatriotic grumblings of Vietnam era style peace activists. That is why I fear that we may not have learnt the lessons of Iraq, just as we didn’t learn one in Vietnam. I am afraid when another pesky and arrogant leader of an oil rich nation dares to insult, needle or provoke us, we will embark upon yet another misguided war to teach a lesson in democracy and good manners to the oppressed masses of yet another sovereign nation.
A Colorado woman has run afoul of her neighborhood homeowners’ association (the only remaining American institution that operates with totalitarian authority!) for putting up a Christmas wreath depicting a "peace" sign. The sign is seen by many residents as an expression of anti-Iraq war sentiments. They want her to take the wreath down or pay a fine until she does. But isn’t Christmas the season for Peace On Earth? And are we not fighting in Iraq to promote freedom, democracy AND peace? The wreath owner, Lisa Jensen has refused to take the decoration down saying, "Peace is way bigger than not being at war. This is a spiritual thing." What a silly, unpatriotic woman!
"DENVER — A homeowners association in southwestern Colorado has threatened to fine a resident $25 a day until she removes a Christmas wreath with a peace sign that some say is an anti-Iraq war protest or a symbol of Satan.
Some residents who have complained have children serving in Iraq, said Bob Kearns, president of the Loma Linda Homeowners Association in Pagosa Springs. He said some residents have also believed it was a symbol of Satan. Three or four residents complained, he said.
"Somebody could put up signs that say drop bombs on Iraq. If you let one go up you have to let them all go up," he said Sunday.
Lisa Jensen said she wasn’t thinking of the war when she hung the wreath. She said, "Peace is way bigger than not being at war. This is a spiritual thing."
Jensen, a past association president, calculates the fines will cost her about $1,000 and doubts they will be able to make her pay. But she said she’s not going to take it down until after Christmas.
The association in this 200-home subdivision 270 miles southwest of Denver has sent a letter to her saying that residents were offended by the sign and the board "will not allow signs, flags etc. that can be considered divisive."
The subdivision’s rules say no signs, billboards or advertising are permitted without the consent of the architectural control committee. Kearns ordered the committee to require Jensen to remove the wreath, but members refused after concluding it was merely a seasonal symbol that didn’t say anything. Kearns fired all five committee members."
Accidental Blogger 
7 responses to “Peace: A Treasonous Word?”
The recent democratic victory in the mid-term polls may be a cause of euphoria to some but I’m not even cautiously optimistic. I see no evidence of a moral awakening or soul-searching in America. As you rightly note, the Republicans suffered because the Iraq war is not going well, not because the people now realize that it was an immoral war from the start. The democrats have no strategy either—pulling out after devastating a country is a strategy? Just two months ago, 46% of the Americans still believed in a link between Saddam and 9/11. Pardon the alliteration, but can moral leaders bubble up from such a morass of morons?
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I’m happy I was only in the Kosovo war in 1999. This Iraq war is horrible. Road side bombs is no way for a soldier to die. It’s a pathetic mess!
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You make many good points in your article. I would like to supplement them with some information:
I am a 2 tour Vietnam Veteran who recently retired after 36 years of working in the Defense Industrial Complex on many of the weapons systems being used by our forces as we speak.
If you are interested in a view of the inside of the Pentagon procurement process from Vietnam to Iraq please check the posting at my blog entitled, “Odyssey of Armements”
The Pentagon is a giant,incredibly complex establishment,budgeted in excess of $500B per year. The Rumsfelds, the Adminisitrations and the Congressmen come and go but the real machinery of policy and procurement keeps grinding away, presenting the politicos who arrive with detail and alternatives slanted to perpetuate itself.
How can any newcomer, be he a President, a Congressman or even the Sec. Def. to be – Mr. Gates- understand such complexity, particulary if heretofore he has not had the clearance to get the full details?
Answer- he can’t. Therefor he accepts the alternatives provided by the career establishment that never goes away and he hopes he makes the right choices. Or he is influenced by a lobbyist or two representing companies in his district or special interest groups.
From a practical standpoint, policy and war decisions are made far below the levels of the talking heads who take the heat or the credit for the results.
This situation is unfortunate but it is ablsolute fact. Take it from one who has been to war and worked in the establishment.
This giant policy making and war machine will eventually come apart and have to be put back together to operate smaller, leaner and on less fuel. But that won’t happen unitil it hits a brick wall at high speed.
We will then have to run a Volkswagon instead of a Caddy and get along somehow. We better start practicing now and get off our high horse. Our golden aura in the world is beginning to dull from arrogance.
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R: I just saw the peace-wreath story on CNN and was about to email you to ask if you’d seen it! (but decided I’d better check AB first!)
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I see no sane solution to the mess in Iraq. The current events there lead me to believe that no matter what we do, there is going to be increased bloodshed. And I hold no great hope for the Democrats showing much vision or wisdom either. The widely hailed bipartisan Iraq Study Group is designed to be a mechanism for pulling Dubya’s chestnuts out of the fire by the elder Bush’s loyal friends. I doubt that James Baker is aiming for any decent solution for Iraq’s future. As soon as there is half a chance to withdraw, under the pretense of a fake milestone, they will do so by declaring a face saving victory for America. Iraqis will continue to pay a high and bloody price for this arrogant misadventure for decades. An urgent question to ask our country’s leaders and citizens is whether we have learnt a lesson in humility and decency. I doubt it and more is the pity.
Joe: Always check A.B. first. :-)
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The residents’ association board finally saw the light.
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Thanks Sujatha.
I guess all I can say is Hallelujah!
It is pretty amazing though that ever since the US launched its “war” on terrorism, peace has become a dirty word. Numerous incidents of people wearing t-shirts with messages of peace being thrown out of political meetings, harassed at airports etc. have occurred. It is ridiculous.
I am particularly delighted that the homeowners’ association had to capitulate and it has been reviled all over the nation for its warmongering stupidity. My neighborhood is currently very agitated about our own HOA and a movement is under way to unseat some of the board members. I am keen to see what will happen in six months’ time when the next election takes place. I am amazed that conservative Americans who constantly clamor to get “government” out of their lives, quietly take endless crap from suburban homeowners’ associations. HOA abuses are widespread as well as ludicrous in their pettiness. I think state governments are becoming aware and the tin pot dictators’ powers will be curtailed. There is only so much one can tolerate in the name of “property values.”
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