In The Powder Room

Jun 25

I hate war

Comments (12) by Clare Macnaughton June 25, 2012 - 6:02 AM

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People always say to me that when I married into the military I must have known what I was getting myself involved. But I didn't. I grew up in the 80s when Margaret Thatcher was our first female prime minister. I stupidly believed that women were equal and we could do what we wanted. When I met Hagar, the errant pilot, I fell in love with him, not his job. He was based in Northern Ireland as a Puma helicopter navigator. It was a time of rioting. When he flew at night over the fires and fighting I would lie awake all night watching 24 hour news willing him to land safely at home. I watched the young, thrusting men and women that serve, like an anthropological observer. I never integrated. I was an outsider. This was their life, and their choices, not mine.

I am a peaceful, wandering soul who loves the thrill of adventure on the water without guns and battle. I drove powerboats professionally for photographers at regattas and had worked seasonally basking on the beaches of Spain, France, Greece and Turkey, first teaching children, and then later, adults how to sail. I didn't wear the apparent dress code of those who gravitate towards a UK serviceperson's spouse. I foolishly believed because I tolerated their views, which conflicted deeply with mine, that in turn my rights to hold a different perspective would also be respected. Time and institution wore me down and it became apparent that I was wrong. I learned my hard life lessons very slowly.

Hagar was selected to be a pilot and his training began. He was lucky to join the squadron of his support helicopter of choice. He loved his job. The conflicts unfolded, some more tricky than others when it came to the heightened danger zone. As Hagar went to war more often my hide thickened and I stopped looking at the news, burying my head deeper in the sand. As he became more senior he transitioned from the vigour of youth and hardened too. I can't imagine what it is like to see what he has seen and feel what he has felt in the churn that has now become enduring operations in the Afghanistan war zone.

But I know what I feel as once again the battlefield looms into my family life.

I hate war.

I hate the relationship between war, power and status. It's an alpha male device of pure raw evil that kills, maims and damages. It makes me sick and the lump hangs in my throat. I can't face it. My head is no longer buried in the sand. I am frozen by it all - buried up to my waist. If I could wave my magic wand and turn back the clock, centuries, perhaps millions of years to find the tipping point where war became the only way to resolve our differences then I would, in a heartbeat, search for another way. A different way; not one based on greed, power and evil acts of death and destruction.

Peace and love.

by Clare Macnaughton June 25, 2012 - 6:02 AM

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  Report Sun Apr 28, 2013 - 4:06 am

  by  Mont Blanc Pens

  I will most definitely took pleasure reading the idea, you will be an excellent writer.

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  Report Sat Mar 30, 2013 - 3:03 am

  by  Denture Clinic

  what he has felt in the churn that has now become enduring operations in the Afghanistan war zone

  Reply Delete
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  Report Wed Nov 7, 2012 - 4:26 pm

  by  Term Paper Writing

  It is my first occasion to commenting anywhere, when i read this post i thought i could also make comment due to this brilliant piece of writing.

  Reply Delete
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  Report Fri Aug 31, 2012 - 5:44 pm

  by  Orlando Seo Company

  Good to be back, you have been a great resource.

  Reply Delete
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  Report Sat Aug 25, 2012 - 7:07 pm

  by  hooded sweatshirts for women

  I also hate war

  Reply Delete
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  Report Sun Jul 15, 2012 - 6:53 pm

  by  SEO Lake Mary

  I can't imagine what it is like to see what he has seen and feel what he has felt in the churn that has now become enduring operations in the Afghanistan war zone.

  Reply Delete
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  Report Tue Jun 26, 2012 - 5:36 am

  by  Janie Emaus

  I hate it too. And yet, I have total respect for those who join and fight for their country. Especially my husband who served in Vietnam.

  Reply Delete
• 2 replies, Last reply by www.seo-micrositez.co.uk on Sun Jul 15, 2012 at 1:32 pm
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  Report Tue Jun 26, 2012 - 12:37 pm

  by  Clare Macnaughton

  @Janie Emaus: Yes, I do too but I just wish they didn't have to - i wish there was a different way.

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  Report Sun Jul 15, 2012 - 1:32 pm

  by  www.seo-micrositez.co.uk

  @Clare Macnaughton: i wish there was a different way.

  Reply Delete
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  Report Tue Jun 26, 2012 - 3:01 am

  by  academic writing

  I did’t know that.

  Reply Delete
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  Report Tue Jun 26, 2012 - 1:39 am

  by  lhewitt

  Peace and love Clare.

  Reply Delete
• 1 reply, Last reply by Clare Macnaughton on Tue Jun 26, 2012 at 2:03 am
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  Report Tue Jun 26, 2012 - 2:03 am

  by  Clare Macnaughton

  @lhewitt: Thanks Lisa xx

  Reply Delete