Letter: Attend Pigstock, rally to end war

To the Editor:

Because we are taught that freedom is priceless, the cost of war always seems like a small price to pay for it. After all, isn't "Priceless" the perfect pitch that the credit card companies have settled on to open up empty wallets all over the world?

Of course, as every credit card holder knows, there is always a bill at the end of the spending rainbow. So, when the U.S. government is spending more than half of its budget on the military, it may be a good time to ask ourselves what the real cost of "priceless" is. Perhaps we are paying too much and buying too little. I think we are.

I think we are seeing the costs of our other freedoms skyrocket because investment in the future is being hijacked. Education, infrastructure, and health care have become the orphan freedoms in a society held hostage by war.

As hostages of an oil-based economy we have to watch silently as the Defense Department burns 650,000 barrels of oil a day. Our military's addiction to oil is the single blackest carbon footprint on the planet. That isn't "priceless," that is dangerously costly.

So, should we all shrug our shoulders; or, should we all go to Pigstock? That's right, that strangely named retreat for people who want to think about these issues is this Saturday in Hager City.

Will the history of the Iraq War be discussed by expert panelists? Yes.

Will the scary saber rattling over Iran be discussed? Yes.

Will the costs and benefits for our returning troops be discussed? Yes

And, will the education and networking necessary to change our militaristic direction happen at Pigstock? Yes.

Pigstock is an opportunity to get together with friends and share a vision of the future that includes the blessings of peace instead of the scourges of war.

The program starts at 9:30 a.m. Just follow Highway 63 over the high bridge for about six miles to signs on the right (290th Street).

The war won't end itself. Please come to Pigstock and help!

Paul Drotos

Red Wing

Paul Drotos is an associate member of Veterans for Peace.

Tags: letter, drotos, pigstock