.jpg)
Dec. 14, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: I would like to introduce to your readers two young boys. Some see them as identical twins; others as being very different.
The first boy is very peaceful. In any conversation he tends to agree with whatever you say. “That’s not worth fighting over. Why fight with someone whose mind is made up. Besides war has never solved anything,” he would be inclined to say. And if the conversation gets a little heated he has a wonderful ability to politely change the subject. That’s unless the subject is how much we spend on the military. He always thinks it’s too much.
Our second boy sees life differently. He thinks that the key to a better life is to be free to chart your own course. He worships democracy, thinking that it is the best form of government, only after considering all the others. He likes peace, but not at any price. That’s not true with freedom where no price is too high. He has been known to have said that when he gets bigger he will be willing to go to war to maintain our freedom.
As you may have guessed their names, the first boy is Peace, while the second boy, of course, is Freedom.
Which one is your favorite? Who do you cherish more? I’ll try to help you. Should Russia’s invasion of Ukraine end where apparently the battle lines are frozen for the winter? This will bring peace and end much suffering. Here’s another question: What should Israel do after the 10/7/23 terrorist attack? Accept a cease fire and end the current suffering on both sides?
As you well know such decisions are not local matters. Yet how we deal with them tells us much about ourselves and our neighbors. Nonetheless, for now let’s put Peace and Freedom in the back seats and have Hope and Joy up front. After all, it’s Christmas time! Have a merry one. DAVID REYNOLDS Rockbridge County
