Connecticut Quakers discover 45 common concerns shared by US troops, their families, and pacifists. They've created an Internet survey to bring the groups together.
Ten Connecticut Quaker pacifists decided to find out just how much they have in common with traditional opponents: advocates of armed force against America’s enemies. The Quakers brainstormed a list of 45 values and concerns that can be common to both pacifists and the military. The resulting 45--item Military/Pacifist Similarities Survey is now up on the Internet, at
http://www.AmericanConfusion.com .
Site visitors send in online their opinions of such items as
“Both the military and pacifists need to respond rapidly to political or humanitarian crises in the country where they are working.”
“Both sides value diplomatic efforts to resolve international conflicts…”
“Pacifists compete against rival pacifist organizations, and branches of the armed services compete against other branches for money, reputation, and recognition.”
“We’ve gotten responses from all over the world,” says psychiatrist William R. Taylor, contact person for the survey. “Pacifists are easy to find. Getting the military to respond has been harder.”
The project aims to increase awareness of similarities. One pacifist from the Midwest reported: “I have to admit that I was impressed with your survey once I realized that there are so many similarities. I had to re-evaluate how I felt about many things concerning war.”
Taylor conceived the survey as he finished his book, Lethal American Confusion: How Bush and the Pacifists Each Failed in the War on Terrorism. “I criticize both Bush and the pacifists, the latter for generating over 100 alternatives to war with Afghanistan in 2001. They also failed to address the suffering here at home. As I finished the book I asked myself: what might the military and pacifists have in common? Having served as a Navy hospital psychiatrist during the Vietnam War, I have a different experience of the military from some other pacifists. I know fine people in both camps, and I’d like to see them focus on what they have in common.”
Those who take part in the survey--and anyone else who’s interested--will get a report of the overall results in January 2007. “Then the real adventure begins,” says Taylor. “We want to create an ongoing discussion across the spectrum of military and pacifist views. We’ll seek new ideas about war and peace in the 21st Century. After all, the concepts of ‘war’ and ‘peace’ have been around for thousands of years. It’s about time to look for new ways of thinking, ways to bridge that gap.”
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For more information about Taylor’s book, Lethal American Confusion, visit www.AmericanConfusion.com.
For interviews with William R. Taylor, M.D.
Email
wfbftaylor@comcast.net
Or phone USA 860 236-3709 (Eastern Time Zone)
http://www.AmericanConfusion.com . Site visitors send in online their opinions of such items as
“Both the military and pacifists need to respond rapidly to political or humanitarian crises in the country where they are working.”
“Both sides value diplomatic efforts to resolve international conflicts…”
“Pacifists compete against rival pacifist organizations, and branches of the armed services compete against other branches for money, reputation, and recognition.”
“We’ve gotten responses from all over the world,” says psychiatrist William R. Taylor, contact person for the survey. “Pacifists are easy to find. Getting the military to respond has been harder.”
The project aims to increase awareness of similarities. One pacifist from the Midwest reported: “I have to admit that I was impressed with your survey once I realized that there are so many similarities. I had to re-evaluate how I felt about many things concerning war.”
Taylor conceived the survey as he finished his book, Lethal American Confusion: How Bush and the Pacifists Each Failed in the War on Terrorism. “I criticize both Bush and the pacifists, the latter for generating over 100 alternatives to war with Afghanistan in 2001. They also failed to address the suffering here at home. As I finished the book I asked myself: what might the military and pacifists have in common? Having served as a Navy hospital psychiatrist during the Vietnam War, I have a different experience of the military from some other pacifists. I know fine people in both camps, and I’d like to see them focus on what they have in common.”
Those who take part in the survey--and anyone else who’s interested--will get a report of the overall results in January 2007. “Then the real adventure begins,” says Taylor. “We want to create an ongoing discussion across the spectrum of military and pacifist views. We’ll seek new ideas about war and peace in the 21st Century. After all, the concepts of ‘war’ and ‘peace’ have been around for thousands of years. It’s about time to look for new ways of thinking, ways to bridge that gap.”
###
For more information about Taylor’s book, Lethal American Confusion, visit www.AmericanConfusion.com.
For interviews with William R. Taylor, M.D.
wfbftaylor@comcast.net Or phone USA 860 236-3709 (Eastern Time Zone)
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