War is big business. It is the economic base of this planet. We spend hundreds of billions of dollars to create new weapons to defend ourselves against the old weapons we sell to others who are our friends today but may become our enemies tomorrow. It is amazing how often both sides of a conflict have the same weapons made by the same people. We don’t just traffic in weapons. We traffic in misery and human suffering.
In the name of peace, we have created weapons so deadly we dare not use them. Yet, it is inevitable that we will use them; it is only a matter of time.
In parts of the world the destruction and pain and suffering of war are common place. You go about your daily routine hoping you don’t get shot or blown up in an insane struggle for your daily survival. This is what our guns, bombs, and bullets have gotten us. Study well the picture below. It is the face of war.
Take a good look at what all our guns, tanks, planes, missiles, bombs, and bullets have bought us. It is time to find a better way. I call upon the good people of the world to unite. Join with me and together let us find a way to stop the madness before it is too late.
The dark blue areas are countries that have signed and ratified the (anti-personal) Mine Ban Treaty.
The slightly lighter blue area are countries that have only signed the treaty.
The grey areas are countries that have not signed the treaty banning the use of land mines.
The red dots are the countries that still make land mines.
Please note that most of the countries that have not signed the Mine Ban Treaty are the countries that still make mines.
Even after a war is over land mines and other unexploded ordnance continue to kill and maim innocent people many of which are children. It is another face of war.