FReep this Euro-Weenie: Send Euro-Weenie Anita Roddick Your Favorite Anti-War Quotes

The same lovely lady who brought you this thread (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/757163/posts) wherein she whined about becoming "a target for America's zealots" now invites us to send her our favorite anti-war quotes (after sharing a list of her own that probably includes every anti-war quote EVER!). I think we Freepers should accept her kind invitation. Here's mine:

Thank you so much for posting this wonderful, life-affirming thread. I was unsure that you would want to post again so soon after all those conservative types suppressed your speech by assaulting you viciously with email. I hope your injuries aren't too severe and that your stock of Body Shop products will soothe those sling and arrow wounds. Allow me to share one of my favorite anti-war quotes:

"Torture, killings and mass arrests had started on the day of the invasion. Men and women were pulled off the streets for interrogations. The wrong responses brought pain, mutilation, and in many cases death. Iraqi soldiers also raped women. After the war, Iraqi 'torture centers' in Kuwait were found to contain bloodstained saws, axes, pick handles, meat hooks, a power drill, hand vise, and electric cattle prods, pliers to extract fingernails; carpenter planes to shave off skin; and a pair of industrial driers, also stained inside with blood. Liberators also discovered a bed frame and a hot plate that had been wired to give electric shocks. The number of Kuwaitis tortured and murdered during the six months of Iraqi occupation is estimated to be in the thousands."
-From the CNN book "War in the Gulf"

You see, I'm against the people of Kuwait, Iraq or any other country having to suffer under Saddam Hussein. He is trying to develop weapons that make the pain in the quote above look like playtime at the sandbox. If he will not turn from the course of terror, we will send him to the dustbin of history, where his ideas (and yours) belong.

By the way, Anita, I just wanted to express my total confidence in you as a "radical" "voice for change"; I'm sure you'll find some way to blame America if L.A., New York, Riyadh or Tel Aviv disappears under a mushroom cloud. After all, blaming America appears to be what you do best.

Here my contribution to her list.

"Dear Mrs. Roddick,
I happened upon your website and was quite intrigued by the collection of Anti-war quotes you were amasing. However, I noticed some important ommissions and gaps. I must assume your many fans were simply unaware of their existence so I will offer them to you myself, since they are of such great importance. I apologize for the length of the list, but I am sure you will aggree that when it comes to educating the masses no effort should be spared. In deference to your English heritage, I begin the list with Winston Churchill, one of the greatest statesmen of the last century, and perhaps of all time."
Sincerely, [PsyOp].

"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile -- hoping it will eat him last." - Winston Churchill.

"Things do not get better by being left alone. Unless they are adjusted, they explode with a shattering detonation." - Winston Churchill.

"Once you are so unfortunate as to be drawn into a war, no price is too great to pay for an early and victorious peace." - Winston Churchill, speech, House of Commons, May 12, 1901.

"It is the same in politics as it is in war. When one crest has been left, it is necessary to go to the next. To halt half-way in the valley between is to court swift and certain destruction." - Winston Churchill, speech, House of Commons. April 5, 1906.

"Civilization will not last, freedom will not survive, peace will not be kept, unless a very large majority of mankind unite together to defend them and show themselves possessed of a constabulary power before which barbaric and atavistic forces will stand in awe." - Winston Churchill, Bristol University. July 2, 1938.

"Do not suppose that this is the end. This is only the beginning of the reckoning. This is only the first sip, the first foretaste of a bitter cup which will be proffered to us year by year unless by a supreme recovery of moral health and martial vigour we arise again and take our stand for freedom as in the olden time." - Winston Churchill, Bristol University, July 2, 1938.

"All the world wishes for peace and security. Have we gained it by the sacrifice of the Czechoslovak Republic? Here was the model democratic state of Central Europe, a country where minorities were treated better than anywhere else. It has been deserted, destroyed and devoured. It is now being digested. The question which is of interest to a lot of ordinary, common people is whether this destruction of the Czechoslovak Republic will bring upon the world a blessing or a curse...." - Winston Churchill, House of Commons. October 5, 1938.

"Where is it all to end? To try to buy off Nazidom, or any other sign of moral weakness, would only be to bring near the very thing we still hope may be averted." - Winston Churchill, House of Commons. June 28, 1939.

"Conscience and muddle cannot be reconciled; conscience apart from truth is mere stupidity, regrettable but by no means respectable." - Winston Churchill, House of Commons, July 15, 1948.

"The British and Americans do not war with races or governments as such. Tyranny, external or internal, is our foe whatever trappings and disguises it wears, whatever language it speaks, or perverts." - Winston Churchill, Speech, Dorchester Hotel, London, July 4, 1953.

"Danger is part of the friction of war. Without an accurate conception of danger we cannot understand war." - Karl von Clauswitz, On War, 1832

"The fact that slaughter is a horrifying spectacle must make us take war more seriously, but not provide an excuse for gradually blunting our swords in the name of humanity. Sooner or later someone will come along with a sharp sword and hack off our arms." - Karl von Clauswitz, On War, 1832.

"No reading is more necessary than that of Machiavelli; those who affect to be shocked by his principals are nothing but petty intellectuals posing as humanists." - Karl von Clauswitz, On War, 1832.

"Truth in itself is rarely sufficient to make men act. Hence the step is always long from cognition to volition, from knowledge to ability. The most powerful springs of action in man lie in his emotions. He derives his most vigorous support, if we may use the term, from that blend of brains and temperament which we have learned to recognize in the qualities of determination, firmness, staunchness, and strength of character." - Karl von Clauswitz, On War, 1832.

"Woe to the government, which, relying on half-hearted politics and a shackled military policy, meets a foe who, like the untamed elements, knows no law other than his own power! Any defect of action and effort will turn to the advantage of the enemy, and it will not be easy to change fencer's position to that of a wrestler. A slight blow may then often be enough to cause a total collapse." - Karl von Clauswitz, On War, 1832.

"The preservation of our own state and the overthrow of the other is the ultimate end. Peace will be obtained because the conflict is resolved and completed in a way affecting both." - Karl von Clauswitz.

"The original means of strategy is victory--that is tactical success--it's ends, in the final analysis, are those objects which will lead directly to peace." - Karl von Clauswitz, On War, 1832.

"We must always consider that with the conclusion of peace the purpose of the war has been achieved and its business is at an end." - Karl von Clauswitz, On War, 1832.

"In war and peace alike there must be men charged with superintending the protection of walls and gates, and with inspecting and marshalling the citizens." - Aristotle, Politics. c.334-23 BC

"Theoretical speculation is free, but practical experience is tied fast to circumstances and needs." - Aristotle, Politics. c.334-23 BC.

"As for major crimes, men commit them when their aims are extravagant, not just to provide themselves with necessities. Who ever heard of a man making himself a dictator in order to keep warm? For this reason there is more honour in slaying a tyrant than a thief." - Aristotle, Politics. c.334-23 BC.

"One cannot but ponder the question: what if the Arabs had been Christians? To me it seems certain that the fatalistic teachings of Mohammed and the utter degradation of women is the outstanding cause for the arrested development of the Arab. He is exactly what he was around the year 700, while we have kept on developing. Here, I think, is a text for some eloquent sermon on the virtues of Christianity." - General George S. Patton, diary, June 9, 1943.

"A good solution applied with vigor now is better than a perfect solution ten minutes later." - General George S. Patton, Jr., Letter of Instruction, 3 April, 1944.

"Pacifists would do well to study the Siegfried and Maginot Lines, remembering that these defenses were forced; that Troy fell; that the walls of Hadrian succumbed; that the Great Wall of China was futile; and that, by the same token, the mighty seas which are alleged to defend us can also be circumvented by a resolute and ingenious opponent. In war, the only sure defense is offense, and the efficiency of offense depends on the warlike souls of those conducting it." - General George S. Patton, Jr., War As I Knew It. 1947.

"In the actions of all men, and especially those of Princes... one looks at the result." - Niccoló Machiavelli, The Prince. 1537.

"If he yields it from fear, it is for the purpose of avoiding war, and he will rarely escape from that; for he to whom he has from cowardice conceded the one thing will not be satisfied, but will want to take other things from him, and his arrogance will increase as his esteem for the prince is lessened." - Niccoló Machiavelli, The Discourses. 1517.

"One ought never to allow a disorder to take place in order to avoid war, for war is not thereby avoided, but only deferred to your disadvantage." - Niccoló Machiavelli, The Prince. 1537.

"Thus it happens in matters of state; for knowing afar off (which it is only given to a prudent man to do) the evils that are brewing, they are easily cured. But when, for want of such knowledge, they are allowed to grow so that everyone can recognize them, there is no longer any remedy to be followed." - Niccoló Machiavelli, The Prince. 1537.

"Irresolute republics never take a course except by force; for their weakness never allows them to resolve upon anything where there is a doubt; and if that doubt is not overcome by some force, they remain forever in a state of suspense." - Niccoló Machiavelli, The Discourses. 1517.

"Wise men say, and not without reason, that whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who have been, and ever will be, animated by the same passions and thus they must necessarily have the same results." - Niccoló Machiavelli, The Discourses. 1517.

"Men generally decide upon a middle course, which is most hazardous; for they know neither how to be entirely good or entirely bad." - Niccoló Machiavelli, The Discourses. 1517.

"It is impossible to explain one?s self properly when in doubt and indecision as to what is to be done; but once resolved and decided, it is easy to find suitable words." - Niccoló Machiavelli, The Discourses. 1517.

"It will always happen that in doubtful cases, where prompt resolution is required, there will be this indecision when weak men have to deliberate and resolve. Slow and dilatory deliberations are not less injurious than indecision, especially when you have to decide in favor of an ally; for tardiness helps no one, and generally injures yourself." - Niccoló Machiavelli, The Discourses. 1517.

"For where the very safety of the country depends upon the resolution to be taken, no considerations of justice or injustice, humanity or cruelty, nor of glory or of shame, should be allowed to prevail. But putting all other considerations aside, the only question should be, what course will save the life and liberty of the country?" - Niccoló Machiavelli, The Discourses. 1517.

"A prince is further esteemed when he is a true friend or a true enemy, when, that is, he declares himself without reserve in favor of someone or against another. This policy is always more useful than remaining neutral.... And it will always happen that the one who is not your friend will want you to remain neutral, and the one who is your friend will require to declare yourself by taking arms." - Niccoló Machiavelli, The Prince. 1537.

"It is impossible for a republic to remain long in the quiet enjoyment of freedom within her limited confines; for even if she does not molest others, others will molest her, and from being thus molested will spring the desire and necessity of conquests, and even if she has no foreign foes, she will find domestic enemies amongst her own citizens, for such seems to be the inevitable fate of all large cities." - Niccoló Machiavelli, The Discourses. 1517.

"Blinded by their eager desire for present peace, they do not see the snares that are concealed under these liberal promises, and thus many cities have fallen into servitude." - Niccoló Machiavelli, The Discourses. 1517.

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