This "wheel" is a stylized image of the playground merry-go-rounds many of us remember from childhood: they are turned by reinforcing pressure on many of the bars, which builds momentum. War & Militarism are like that: they are a system, one moved and reinforced from many directions, by many "hands." (Some lines here are left blank to leave room for further identification of social or institutional pressures on the "wheel.") The multitude of forces pushing this wheel can be discouraging; but seeing them also shows that there are many "handles," many opportunities for anti-militarist action. Washington is not the only locale or source of the momentum of militarism. Nor is it the only place where pressure for peace can be applied.

Copyright (c) by Chuck Fager.