Thetis Island friends and neighbours listen politely to my plea to voice support for nuclear disarmament and then change the subject.
Mine is not an original or lonely quest. In fact individuals, groups and a majority of all world countries support the United Nations treaty banning nuclear weapons.
Why not Thetis?
Here are some answers I’ve received:
These answers fortify the illusion of security. They amount to a prediction of a safe future, one that many accept while ignoring its dangerous absence of a guarantee.
For as long as nuclear weapons exist, some will be used for the purpose they were built -- to kill people, their structures and systems.
The first will be launched by accident, miscalculation or vile intent. Ones that follow will be for retaliation that can’t be contained until the whole world is in ruins.
Thinking it’s too horrible to happen won’t stop it from happening.
Relying on deterrence won’t stop it.
Because it hasn’t happened since Hiroshima and Nagasaki 80 years ago won’t stop it.
Our silence certainly won't stop it.
Every voice counts. If we think and act like we don’t count, we won’t.
In July 2017, the UN adopted the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which forbids all activities related to nuclear weapons: testing, building, funding and even threatening to use them.
The Thetis community could join other Canadian centres that support this treaty. They include Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Winnipeg, and, in BC, Vancouver, Victoria, West Vancouver, White Rock, Langley, North Saanich, Saanich, Sooke and Squamish.
If you’re interested in this initiative or any aimed at eliminating the nuclear menace, I'd appreciate hearing from you at thetisteen@gmail.com .
Dave Steen