27 August 24

Today (27 August) counts as a special day for pacifists (who generally get very little to celebrate among national holidays, etc.). In 1928, the international community signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact, an international treaty that declared war illegal. You may say that its effects are nonexistent, but its passage represents a moment when people actually agreed that violent altercations are nonsensical. Also worthy of note is Friday's historical reference to 1146, when European leaders outlawed the crossbow, intending to end war for all time. My tie's design shows the peace symbol and a single peace dove.

30 August 23

According to many Web calendar sites, on 30 August 1146 many European leaders joined together to outlaw crossbows, in an effort to end war forever. It had little effect but it is one touchstone for those of us who champion pacifism. The date is more likely in 1139, with the ban on crossbows being listed among the decisions of the Second Lateran Council of the (Roman) Catholic Church. My tie shows the modern peace symbol, accompanied by a flying dove.

16 November 22

Today in Beginning Ethics we are continuing to study the morality of war, peace, (non)violence and terrorism. To help me stand up for pacifism I'm wearing my peace symbol tie, which also includes a descending dove. "The modern peace sign was designed by Gerald Holtom for the British Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in 1958. The vertical line in the center represents the flag semaphore signal for the letter D, and the downward lines on either side represent the semaphore signal for the letter N. “N” and “D”, for nuclear disarmament, enclosed in a circle."

15 May 22

I am proud to be a conscientious objector! Today is International Conscientious Objectors' Day. Its annual celebration began in 1982. This year's special emphasis is support for war resisters in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. The history of official conscientious objection traces back to 295 CE, when Maximilian claimed that his Christian faith prevented him from serving in the Roman military. I was not aware of my own pacifist views when I registered with the Selective Service around 1971, but I wish now that I had certified myself as a "CO." In the absence of a military draft there is no particular reason to worry about affirming this status, but it must be understood as both a statement against participating in armed conflict and as a justification for rejecting Selective Service registration at all. My tie is decorated in red/white/blue peace symbols and a dove of peace.

21 September 21

The United Nations designates 21 September as the International Day of Peace. It is intended to provide "a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire." "The 2021 theme for the International Day of Peace is “Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world”. We invite you to join the efforts of the United Nations family as we focus on recovering better for a more equitable and peaceful world. Celebrate peace by standing up against acts of hate online and offline, and by spreading compassion, kindness, and hope in the face of the pandemic, and as we recover." My tie is covered with the peace symbol and also has a dove!

13 May 21

This is the last work day for the week, and so I'm honoring Saturday's celebration of International Conscientious Objectors' Day. When I signed up with the Selective Service in 1971 I did not know that I was a "conshie" -- I naively accepted what I had been taught through school, church, family and community that cooperation with "war" was normal. I have evolved into a complete pacifist and I stand for that perspective throughout my life -- in my teaching, in my politics and in my choices for charitable contributions. My tie features the peace symbol and includes one spot for a dove of peace!

11 November 20

 It's Veterans Day. My brand new tie celebrates peace, and so I'm honoring all the people who work for peace, particularly in military life, and especially those who register their commitments as conscientious objectors. Yes, the tie's design includes a dove of peace.