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Howard Zinn quotes about war

American Historian December 7, 1922 – January 27, 2010

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Quotes

What struck me as I began to study history was how nationalist fervor--inculcated from childhood on by pledges of allegiance, national anthems, flags waving and rhetoric blowing--permeated the educational systems of all countries, including our own. I wonder now how the foreign policies of the United States would look if we wiped out the national boundaries of the world, at least in our minds, and thought of all children everywhere as our own. Then we could never drop an atomic bomb on... Howard Zinn
I see this as the central issue of our time: how to find a substitute for war in human ingenuity, imagination, courage, sacrifice, patience...War is not inevitable, however persistent it is, however long a history it has in human affairs. It does not come out of some instinctive human need. It is manufactured by political leaders, who then must make a tremendous effort--by enticement, by propaganda, by coercion--to mobilize a normally reluctant population to go to war. Howard Zinn
The willingness to undertake such action cannot be based on certainties, but on those possibilities glimpsed in a reading of history different from the customary painful recounting of human cruelties. In such a reading we can find not only war but resistance to war, not only injustice but rebellion against injustice, not only selfishness but self-sacrifice, not only silence in the fact of tyranny but defiance, not only callousness but compassion. Human beings show a broad spectrum of... Howard Zinn
We need to decide that we will not go to war, whatever reason is conjured up by the politicians or the media, because war in our time is always indiscriminate, a war against innocents, a war against children. Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn quote: "In war, good guys always become bad guys."
In war, good guys always become bad guys. Howard Zinn
Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience. Our problem is that people all over the world have obeyed the dictates of leaders…and millions have been killed because of this obedience…Our problem is that people are obedient allover the world in the face of poverty and starvation and stupidity, and war, and cruelty. Our problem is that people are obedient while the jails are full of petty thieves… (and) the grand thieves are running the country. That’s our problem. Howard Zinn
When people don't understand that the government doesn't have their interests in mind, they're more susceptible to go to war. Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn quote: "One certain effect of war is to diminish freedom of expression."
One certain effect of war is to diminish freedom of expression. Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn quote: "Most wars, after all, present themselves as humanitarian..."
Most wars, after all, present themselves as humanitarian endeavors to help people. Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn quote: "War itself is the enemy of the human race."
War itself is the enemy of the human race. Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn quote: "When you fight a war against a tyrant, who do you kill? You..."
When you fight a war against a tyrant, who do you kill? You kill the victims of the tyrant. Howard Zinn
Historically, the most terrible things - war, genocide, and slavery - have resulted not from disobedience, but from obedience. Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn quote: "How can you have a war on terrorism when war itself is terrorism?"
How can you have a war on terrorism when war itself is terrorism? Howard Zinn

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