I don’t know what sort of music George W. Bush listened to in his collegiate and post-collegiate daze, but I’m sure it wasn’t the hit single “War.” That song was one of the many anti-war anthems vocalized by my generation in the 1970s, and even though George W. is only five years older than I am, I doubt if “War” was in his record collection.

War.
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing.
War.
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing.

The tune was written by Barrett Strong and made famous by Detroit rhythm and blues singer Edwin Starr, who picked up a Grammy Award for the protest song in 1971. It was later re-released by Bruce Springsteen in 1985, and continues to be one of the staples in the anti-war bin.

As I scanned the Oct. 11, 2002, morning headlines, “War” kept messing with my mind: “Police investigate another shooting death in Virginia” and “Congress authorizes Bush to use force against Iraq.” Not lyrics that sit well on my ear.

The only good news was, “2002 Peace Prize awarded to Carter,” a front-page story about former president Jimmy Carter’s much deserved Nobel Peace Prize. As jubilant as Jimmy must be over this much-deserved honor, I’m sure he’s singing the blues about the possibility of war.

War
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing.
Say it again.
War.
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing.

Now that George W’s poison pen is poised in the attack position, take a look at what others have said about war and peace over the years.

“War is at best barbarism … its glory is all moonshine. It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, more vengeance, more desolation. War is hell.”
Willliam Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891), commencement address at Michigan Military Academy June 19, 1879

“A war, even the most victorious, is a national misfortune.”
Helmuth von Moltke (1800-1891)

“Mankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to mankind.”
John F. Kennedy (1917-1963), address to the United Nations Sept. 25, 1961

“There never was a good war or a bad peace.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), letter to Josiah Quincy, 1783

But some of the finest words on peace are contained in John Lennon’s haunting “Imagine.” Since its release in 1971, “Imagine” has touched a chord with proponents of peace around the world. Its message continues to ring true three decades later.

George W., if you’re listening, this tune’s for you.

IMAGINE
Imagine there’s no heaven,
It’s easy if you try,
No hell below us,
Above us only sky,
Imagine all the people
Living for today.

Imagine there’s no countries,
It isn’t hard to do,
Nothing to kill or die for,
No religion too,
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace.

Imagine no possessions,
I wonder if you can,
No need for greed or hunger,
A brotherhood of man,
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world.

You may say I’m a dreamer,
But I’m not the only one,
I hope some day you’ll join us,
And the world will live as one.

Sue Frause can be reached by e-mail at skfrause@whidbey.com.