Posted in a small train station in France.
I remember talking once with a scientist who worked for the US Department of Defense about his job. I don’t remember his name but I will never forget his answer, “I design weapons that will do the most damage to human targets. Such as bullets that will shred skin as they make their way through the body.”
Later, I talked with a man about the software that he designed for law enforcement to track criminals. His comment that “only a thin band of blue (law enforcement) stands between the average citizen and criminals” was chilling.
It felt horrible to consider that a portion of humanity’s time, talent and energy must be assigned to combat evil in all its faces. What progress, what a wonderful world we could create if these talents were harnessed for solving problems rather than destruction of one’s enemies. I was young. I was naive.
Last year, I took a class at my church on Handel’s “Messiah”. I recall a ninety year old women commenting about how awful World War II was for her generation. It turned their world upside down.
I did not appreciate her comments. I do now.
It is a terrifying and yet a fitting sign of our times that the poster above was affixed to the door of the bathroom at a small train station in a small town in France. When I saw it I wanted to say to somebody in charge, “I’m on holiday! I don’t want to think about terrorists!”
I don’t have an answer but I do have a prayer. ” O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forebearance and respect.” BCP
And of course, the lovely words of St. Francis.
“Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” BCP
I have a commitment and I have a choice. In the midst of terror and uncertainty, to uphold the values that make me a good citizen of the world.
Thank you SNCF for creating this poster. I hope no one ever has to use it.
Posted under “Living Everyday” as this seems to be the new normal.
Lori Greer in Portland 
Indeed horrible, Lori. Yet the alternative justifies and in many cases, vindicates.
LikeLike
I understand and I agree.
LikeLiked by 1 person
it’s hard when you have grown up in a time when you could play outside all day and come home for dinner
And that was your day
But now innocence in no longer an excuse
We need to be mindful of anything that is going on around us
This is a sign of the times
It’s scary but this is it
Sheldon
LikeLike
You are correct. I feel sad for the children growing up in today’s world. Yet,perhaps all parents have felt that way. Thank you for sharing your comments.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sign of the times . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very much so!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Lori, I have many friends and family that work or worked for the government/military. It is their hope as well, ‘that they never have to use it.’ I believe Thomas Paine said, “If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace” It is a different world indeed. May we all continue to pray and be good citizens. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is scary but yet an attempt to minimize victims and damage. It is so unreal to see it in a public place.
Have you heard that Belgium government is to distribute Iodine pills for its inhabitants for nuclear safety? http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36157806
LikeLiked by 1 person
Somehow, it would appear that man-kinds “progress” is going in the wrong direction. We do not seem to have learned too much over the past 1000 or so years, except to take advantage of inventions to further some primeval agenda.
LikeLike
The new normal certainly isn’t the improvement that most of us hoped it would be…
LikeLike
I have lived long enough now to have known the beauty and innocence of my own childhood and the absolute futility of all warfare but I also know that we must have protection and military and folks of courage who will live to guard the values of life. We have an equal responsibility however to stand up and be counted for intrinsically important values and not be afraid to…. from our own perspective remain Ambassadors of Hope, Life, Love and Peace to everyone in our own sphere of responsibility.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Life is simply not sacred to these people who waste so much energy to cause so much harm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are not tourists any more.
LikeLiked by 1 person