7d • General discussion
The Integrity of War
The Integrity of War
By Kathleen Tonn
“Son, you shovel that side of the driveway, and I will shovel this side,” Ryan instructed his twelve-year-old.
With those words, each picked up their shovel and began the arduous work of removing the five inches of snowfall covering the length of the thirty-eight foot driveway. Ryan calculated it would take at least two hours to clear the snow. He and Styles wouldn’t even have to shovel if his snowplow truck had not blown a gasket.
Ryan stacked his shovels of snow near his wife’s garden. He caught Tina peeking out the window smiling at him. She then pointed towards Styles.
Ryan looked over his shoulder at his son.
“What are you doing making a snowman when you are to be shoveling?” he asked with a hint of exasperation in his voice.
“I thought he might like to watch us shovel,” replied Styles with amusement.
“I am going to give him my shovel, so he can be my proxy,” exclaimed the freckled boy.
Ryan wasn’t sure if he heard Styles correctly. “Say that again.”
“I am making him a proxy. He can shovel for me, so I can go back inside an play Fortrite. Is that okay with you Dad?”
“No, that’s not okay with me. Pick up your shovel and get back to work,” demanded Ryan sternly.
Styles did as he was told. He quickly picked up his shovel. While standing in front of the snowman, he saluted the lop-sided fellow.
Then, Styles returned to his side of the driveway to resume shoveling.
The two quietly worked. After ten minutes, however, Ryan asked Styles, “Where did you hear the word proxy?”
“On Fox News last night. The retired general said Iran uses a proxy in war. That way the government can be sneaky.”
Ryan stood up and looked at his son. In the warmth of the sun, Styles looked like his mother, but his mind was clever like his grandfather.
It became clear to Ryan the work of shoveling could be both a bonding moment and a teaching moment.
“Styles, give me your understanding of what a proxy is,” Ryan calmly requested.
“Dad, it’s when other people fight others, so a country doesn’t have to. Like, I wanted my snowman to shovel, so I wouldn’t have to.”
“Son, that is the essence of being a proxy, but it also has to be done legally. You have the concept down. Now, do you know the meaning of integrity?”
“Yeah, it is when someone is honest.”
“Alright, think about this,” Ryan said, as he lobbed another shovel of snow towards the growing mound by Tina’s garden.
“Do you think having a proxy is having integrity? Especially, if one uses a proxy in war or in our case, shoveling?”
“It seems sneaky. I want to play Fortrite, and I don’t want to have to shovel snow,” said Styles.
“Do you think a proxy is sneaky when it comes to a country fighting a war with another country?” asked Ryan, curious of his young son’s take on the news.
“Well, I don’t think it’s right. It’s not honest,” replied Styles emphatically. And in a swift turn, the boy ran over to his snowman patting him on the head.
“You can’t be my proxy. It wouldn’t be honest.
Styles heard the snow crunch as his dad walked up beside him.
“Styles, your snowman could be a proxy for truth. A proxy for war is dishonest, whether Iran or the United States uses a proxy. War, through its ugliness, most often has no integrity. And the use of a proxy underscores this point. I’m glad you made this snowman Styles.”
The father drew a smile on the snowman’s face as he placed his arm around his son’s shoulders.
Then, Styles put his arm around his dad’s waist.
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The Integrity of War
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