Conflict, Combat, Bloodshed, Struggle. - Haven

   Those words up there are just some of the synonyms I found for the word war.
   It's an odd reflection, since I know what each of those words mean. Yet when the word "war" appears I always feel that I don't quite understand the full meaning and impact of it. It's a curse of ignorance on my part. I don't even have a clear mental image like the other words - conflict has two or more people yelling, bloodshed has blood (naturally), and war ... war only has it's name in black against a grainy white screen. 
   So please forgive me if my opinion grinds against yours, for I can only assume war is a natural disaster.
   I class war among tornadoes and hurricanes as terrible events that devastate any and all that are involved. But like nature itself - or perhaps because of nature - there's not a thing we can do to prevent it. 
   From what I do understand, there's always a group or a person behind a war. These people are humans, and like everyone else they have their own mental workings on the environment around them. In most cases (I assume) these minds hold a belief so secure that a large scale fight. It's a shame that person can only express their beliefs through violence, but even if the beliefs are flawed, we can't change them. Ergo, war can not be avoided. 
   Do I think there are just times for war? No. 
   Something I do understand is that lives are lost and damaged as a result from war. No one deserves this. That doesn't mean it'll stop. 
   It's an unfortunate disaster that I don't have any alternatives for. You cannot change a person, and at this point of violent passion you cannot change their mind. 
   You can only defend and pray your country will not hold such a twisted view.

   "War isn't hell. War is war and hell is hell. And of the two war is a lot worse" - Hawkeye.