Pauling’s anti-war activity spanned the period
When the U.S. and Russia were being asked to confront
The exceptional danger of nuclear weapons and myriad
Repercussions of nuclear testing. He worked to shunt
Nuclear proliferation – with treaties and entreaties.
He joined Einstein after the war and crafted a treaty
To ban that testing, which he took to Russia and the U.S.
A similar one passed. He continued – on Vietnam, mirroring the anxiety
Of the nation. He renounced all use of war-like force.
He said “no human being should be sacrificed to a project . . .
Of perfecting nuclear weapons that could kill hundreds
Of millions of human beings, could devastate
This beautiful world in which we live.”
He called the “military-industrial complex” and “war contractors,”
With their billions in excess profits, War’s only backers.
June Edvenson 