JessM, I have a lot of sympathy for the views that you and Faye have expressed. I really dislike the phrase 'War on Terror' because it hides the reality that it is PEOPLE who fight wars - and die - and are injured. It is PEOPLE who are marginalised - discriminated against - and who suffer. I would much rather talk about winning peace than fighting wars; which is why I shall be walking today alongside Christians and muslims, pacifists and service personnel, atheists and clergy. Similarly, on October 22nd I shall be in Taunton at an Afghan cultural evening being held by the PARFAN (Peace and reconciliation for Afghanistan) group.
In my profile on GN I describe myself as an internationalist and quote from Donne's writings.
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind.
Whether in Iraq, Afghanistan, America, or East Africa; whether through senseless war, greed or selfishness - every needless death of a human being is a call to action. We can all make a difference, we can all take part in the changes we would like to see in the world.