Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Editor, Times-Union:
Half a century ago, Robert Kennedy was killed by an assassin in California. He most likely would have become president that fall and would have ended our involvement in the Vietnam War by early 1969. He said that violence never solved anything. He would have to discard historical truth to believe that. But since his brother was killed by an assassin and the war in Vietnam looked unwinnable, I can see why he would believe violence couldn't solve anything.
This nation wouldn't be an independent nation in 1776 if it weren't for the violence of our Revolutionary War. We originally wanted King George to give us more say in how we managed our affairs. But many wanted us to make a clean break from the crown and it required war. We might have eventually become a free nation. But I don't know if we would have become the greatest nation in the world.
If it hadn't been for the violence of the Civil War, slavery might not have been abolished for decades and this nation would be two. If it had been up to Democrats, that would have been the case. Democrats imposed the Jim Crow laws that stole civil rights from blacks and it took Republicans to abolish them.
The Soviet Union was built on violence. After centuries of conquering people and adding their lands to the Russian Empire, the thread of violence held the republics together. If there had never been the Bolshevik Revolution, Russia might have been an even tougher competitor in many areas. The violence of communism hindered Russia and deprived China of becoming greater than it is today.
If it hadn't been for the violent response to the violent aggression of the Nazis, the world would have been very different. Did Robert oppose his brothers' efforts to defeat the Nazis and the Japanese Empire? John might have never become president if it hadn't been for his military service in the Pacific. And he knew talking nice to those in the mob would do nothing to right the wrongs they were doing.
Israel might not exist if it weren't for the violent opposition against its enemies. Even God will use violence against the enemies of Israel at the Battle of Armageddon.
Peace isn't the absence of war. It is achieved when the ability to wage war is eliminated. Only God can bring world peace. After the seven years of violence of the Tribulation, the world will be more than ready for peace.
Rick Badman
Warsaw
