Writing for Peace

Restarting with Dalai Lama

2011-09-03T17:39:00.002-07:00

I'm reading and learning about the importance of taming my mind. Like many others, I assume, my mind takes on a life of its own and frequently leads me to wrong conclusions or premature judgments. These are never healthy in establishing connections with ourselves or with others. So as I practice this mind taming ideal, I hope to create inner peace for me and greater peace between me and those with whom I interact.

It seems to me that people from many different cultures have much to teach this short NewYorican/West Coast woman..

I will do my best to share my thoughts following prayer and meditation as well as following my more peaceful readings.

Kerry Rips MSNBC On Wright: 'You People Need To Let Go Of This' - Politics on The Huffington Post

2008-05-02T14:21:00.000-07:00

If ever we are to have a peace movement we need to get rid of yellow journalism in the mainstream media. This little story from the Huffington Post and MSNBC has John Kerry standing up to the media. Perhaps he could have contributed to a diminished war in Iraq if he'd fought back as strenuously during his failed run for the presidency. Many people I know believe that there is a reason for everything; others of us believe that good can come from evil if we learn and grow from the struggle with it. Thus, perhaps Kerry can grow into a powerful voice for righting the wrongs created by the Bush administration and the NEOCONS who run it.

Kerry Rips MSNBC On Wright: 'You People Need To Let Go Of This' - Politics on The Huffington Post

Arianna Huffington: Shameful Days: Why Won't The Media Pursue the Pentagon Propaganda Scandal? - Media on The Huffington Post

2008-04-30T16:31:00.000-07:00

Since the weaning days of Eisenhower's presidency, the pentagon has grown and taken huge chunks of political clout and government funding to itself. The media has shrunk due to the fact that just a handful of people own the major news outlets. Focus on peace has diminished and war mongering has increased. These are all my opinions which with time I am certain I could substantiate; however, I can't really be surprised as Arianna Huffington seems to be that what passes for mainstream media does not pursue and highlight important issues. Instead, this entire week has been spent on Obama/Wright controversy. What a presidential candidate's pastor says is given more importance than the lies and propaganda that comes out of the pentagon and that impacts the lives of our service personnel in war zones far from home.

Arianna Huffington: Shameful Days: Why Won't The Media Pursue the Pentagon Propaganda Scandal? - Media on The Huffington Post

Alice Walker on Obama | Views | TheRoot.com

2008-03-28T15:44:00.002-07:00

Alice Walker on Obama | Views | TheRoot.com

I haven't hear Alice Walker's beautiful voice in a long time. Recently a good friend forwarded the link to a story Ms Walker wrote for The Root online journal and once again I wept. This time in the good way that we can weep when the connection is deep and good. Our lives matter and our connections remain more important than the particular things that "seem" to project deep divisions and differences. I cannot have Ms Walker's experiences but I can relate to them in ways that are meaningful to me and to any work I choose to do with other women of color. Bell Hooks once wrote that too often the feminisms we encounter in academia do not lend themselves to the realities in the lives of women of color. She was right and Walker's sharing is another way of showing ways of working with the distinctions and more importantly making connections with one another.

I hope again and have begun to work for the "greater" good by working with like minded people in my corner of the world. Walker and other women inspire the hope as does the young man who seems to resonate the ideas and words of heroes of younger years. So Walker's metaphor of the goddess who sees three views is excellent for those of us who need to hope for the future, recall the past and work in the present.

Words, Words, Words

2008-03-28T00:05:00.001-07:00

Recent weeks show that politicians can seduce us with words or destroy our public discourse with them. Sometimes, as during the past two weeks, the seduction and destruction takes place simultaneously.

YouTube - She without arm, he without leg - ballet - Hand in Hand

2008-03-27T23:56:00.000-07:00

War can destroy much but not the human spirit. At least this is so in the ballet scene performed below.

Humor from Colbert, Stewart, and O'Brien

2008-02-11T23:24:00.000-07:00

Will this lead to peace? I think not. Will Huckabee become the next president because he can laugh at silly situations? Perhaps.

Moderate Conservative McCain

2008-02-11T22:43:00.000-07:00

The following video was developed to pair with Obama's Yes We Can hip hopped video. However, McCain's video does not engender a feeling that Peace will be promoted or even sought by the McCain administration should he become president. This fact is truly sad as until now I'd believed that people who had endured great suffering while serving their country would be among the first to do all possible to prevent wars and to end wars they would inherit.

ABC Distorts Story on Obama

2008-01-23T13:31:00.000-07:00

Mainstream media must have "drama" so they resort to distortions. This video first came to my attention from Huffington Post and The Horse's Mouth.

From Arianna on DC Conventional Wisdom

2007-12-31T16:08:00.000-07:00

As I wrote in an earlier post today, the Washington DC Zombies control our news media outlets with their versions of "truth" and "fact" to the detriment of the nation's well-being and/or welfare. The example shown in Huffington's column demonstrates this long practiced deception of twisting others' statements into questions that need to be addressed. This keeps the lie or conventional wisdom up front in the minds of listeners or viewers and unfortunately the refutations are subordinated and left un-highlighted.

With the lack of audience engagement with critical analysis of the news they get, it is easy to see one of the reasons for citizen apathy. Of course, this 24/7 cycle of news tends to overwhelm even the most thoughtful person. Could that be the reason for non engagement with civic issues?

NYT End of Year Editorial

2007-12-31T14:02:00.000-07:00

If we are to maintain a democracy or return the US to its higher values, then we must have leaders who have true integrity and not the facade which recent politicians have used. The NYT's editorial comes at a time when the little dirty secrets of the Bush administration are finally being aired. Why has it taken so long to publicize this? Those of us who want peace need to count on a vigilant press and on men and women of honor and integrity to assume leadership positions, more importantly, we need citizens who care and take action when the government makes bad policy and poor decisions concerning war and peace issues.

I still feel we should call the Department of Defense by its old name, the "Department of War" and that we should form a Department for Peace.

Once Again Republicans "Eat" One of Their Own

2007-12-27T23:34:00.000-07:00

As the story from the Huffington Post points out, members of the Republican party are after one of their own. John McCain on the verge of making a comeback finds himself under dirty political trickery ===yet again. How can we develop a plan for peace when politicians vie for power and control instead of for who has the best ideas to help our country?

Benazir Bhutto: From the Oxford Union to Her Last Rally in Rawalpindi

2007-12-27T23:12:00.000-07:00

Arianna Huffington wrote a decent piece on the death of a woman who like herself came to leadership position in a British university club. I find it interesting that as foreigners in England they overcame any possible stigma of "other" through the kind of fearlessness that Huffington writes about. I am a woman whose realm is not that of the elite with which these two women associated. However, I have fought through bouts of fearfulness to do what I can in my little corner of my world. Tomorrow, after all the initial hoopla over the former prime minister's death is tamped down, I will plod along to do what I can to listen better and help those whose lives I may influence.

Women leaders who represent what is good in human kind are rare in the rarefied atmosphere of international/world politics. Women, who like me, work toward making their ideals a reality are rarer still because idealism interferes with the status quo of acquiring and keeping power to the detriment of people one is supposed to lead, guide, and help. Despite the contradictory comments about Bhutto's political history, I tend to honor her. After all her history is frequently transcribed by men whose own attachment to power and corruption is challenged by women such as Bhutto. May she be at peace. May her family feel her strength and love in the months and years ahead, and may the many decent people of Pakistan get leaders worthy of their support. That is my small prayer from Tempe Arizona on a day such as today.

Burning Fires in CA -- National Guard in Iraq

2007-11-04T22:57:00.000-07:00

Paul Rieckhoff writes at Huffington's post and he experienced the Iraq war. He works toward helping veterans of both Iraq and Afghanistan through an organization he and other veterans began. The point of the particular article he recently wrote in The Huffington Post is that while many if not most young men in the National Guard throughout the 50 states joined the Guard to be of service to their home states, these young men find themselves in Iraq. With the recent fires in California, it must have been difficult for many of the marines leaving Camp Pendleton to go to Iraq when many of their neighborhoods were in danger and when they could have been available to help put out fires--except for the war intended to keep us safe.

A Courthouse in Iraq

2007-08-14T00:09:00.000-07:00

David sent pictures of the "landscape" where he is at. According to his note this is a courthouse where the soldiers have protected renovations or improvements.

Promotion for David

2007-08-14T00:07:00.000-07:00

Despite my oposition to the war, I do have friends and family over in Iraq and Afghanistan. David has been over in Iraq three times now. He is happy to be a noncommissioned officer at a higher rank than the private first class which is my grandson's rank.

Some days are good for some of these youngish men.

Peace and Justice?

2007-07-27T14:23:00.001-07:00

Pat Tillman's death continues to enlighten us as to the perverse lengths this administration will go to in order to "cover up" the true nature of a young man's death. The story from Alternet provides the essentials. I pray this family gets justice since their son cannot be restored to them.

AlterNet: MediaCulture: Taking Apart Bill O'Reilly's Shoddy Journalism

2007-07-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

I really must save this link for my classes. O'Reilly and his ideological journalism is a prime example of what contributes to the diseased civic discourse we all experience today. How can peace be achieved with such a distortion of facts? Rhetorical question but one that we can consider mulling over.

AlterNet: MediaCulture: Taking Apart Bill O'Reilly's Shoddy Journalism

Clinton Hits Back at Pentagon Official - The Huffington Post

2007-07-20T08:46:00.000-07:00

In addition to not answering questions, the War Department has attempted to muzzle those who want to see contingency plans for our withdrawal from Iraq. Once again, members of the Bush Administration would classify questions as unAmerican and traitorous behavior.

I'm not a great fan of Senator Clinton but in this instance she is 100 per cent correct.

Clinton Hits Back at Pentagon Official - The Huffington Post

Fourth of July 2007

2007-07-04T11:23:00.000-07:00

Fourth of July this year finds two of my grandsons enrolled in military service and of course my cousin's son in Iraq. So while we here, stateside, sing patriotic songs, set off fireworks, and gather together to celebrate the nation's birthday, many of our young sons, grandsons, cousins, husbands and fathers are away in less comforting situations.

I pray for all our citizens and our boys overseas. I pray for an end to war and hate and pray for more understanding among people around the world.

Peace and JFK

2007-06-15T18:07:00.000-07:00

Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind.

John F. Kennedy (1)
05/29/1917 - 11/22/1963
35th president of the USA

Reading the new book on the Kennedy brothers merely underscores the accuracy of this quote. I do hope someone will be courageous enough to follow up on such an idea--peace--that can lead us out of the quagmires of war.

Alliance for Peace

2007-06-14T12:04:00.000-07:00

A new call for a Father's Day project aimed at reducing war and working for a Department of Peace.

He's at it Again

2007-06-12T12:28:00.000-07:00

Know I understand the reason for Gore losing to Bush--his vice-presidential running mate was Joe Lieberman. Now Generalissimo Lieberman wants to make war on Iran if it doesn't play by the rules. Whose rules? Where did Generalissimo Lieberman get the right to tell other countries how and when to behave by those rules? Doesn't the Generalissimo realize that his kind of talk contributes to the hatred festering in the very places he would invade and occupy?

When two-faced Lieberman (and I do hate ad hominem attacks), leaves the party he spent so much of his time in so that he could retain power (however much a United States Senator might have) to undermine the call of most of the people in that party he demonstrates his duplicity. Perhaps his ties to Israel create his thinking of war in the Middle East. Perhaps he should be a senator there rather than here. I have felt for a long time that he thinks of what is best for Israel and conflates that thinking with his perceptions of what is good for the US. But is his thinking really accurate?

I'm with the doves here, we must appeal to the higher angels of our nature before even thinking of more death and carnage on this continent or anywhere else.

General Wesley Clarke sent an address for a new website he's created: Stop War in Iran
I hope more people on the blogosphere sign on.

A Personal Plea for Peace

2007-06-11T10:53:00.000-07:00

As a grandparent, I realize ever more acutely now that we must let our grandchildren seek their own way through life. Yesterday, we had a farewell dinner for my second grandchild, James Antonio Ernesto Rodriguez. He volunteered for Afghanistan and none of us know why. I couldn't help but cry at the thought of his leaving AND at the departure of all other young men and women who hold ideals of duty to this country in ways that differ from my own. I suppose that age leads to greater reflections on the beauty of life and the fact that in the words of JFK all wars are stupid.

We should lead a world to develop the better nature of humankind--not the lowest and darkest nature of our beings.

I'm reading a new book on the Kennedy Brothers--Robert and John and wonder how our world would look today if either or both had not been assassinated. Ah well we can't know that, but I hope future world leaders will pick up courageously the cause of peace.

How could we go about such a venture? Some would say addressing the needs of the poor, not only the desires of the rich, could lead to people having more time to spend on developing the better natures of their being instead of pursuing survival.

That would be one thought that I fear our present culture/society ignores.

George Washington Comments on George W. Bush

2007-06-08T11:42:00.000-07:00

view

Retired Gen. George Washington Criticizes Bush's Handling Of Iraq War

This delightful story from the online version of The Onion highlights what many peacenicks have been thinking and saying--The Shrub has mismanaged the war and has not acted within the confines of his job description--seeking instead to become the monarch that George Washington refused to become following end of the Revolutionary war and the end of his second term in office in 1796. Congress does not get off in this delightful and insightful commentary. Civilian authorities should pay attention to their responsibilities of oversight and not give any elected representative, like the president, leave to usurp more power than the constitution allows.

Keith Olbermann's Special Comment on Rudy Giulianni

2007-05-01T15:00:00.001-07:00

Either or talk and misrepresentation of others' positions lead to the kind of thinking that led to war--in this case a warrant less war.

Olbermann's discussion helps place a bit of sense to the Gulliani self serving untruthful statements.

Keith Olbermann Interviews Bill Maher March 27, 2007

2007-04-30T21:51:00.001-07:00

As I wrote in the post below this one, people must be honest. If one is principled, one should stick to those principles. Placating our baser urges as many have done in this era leads to the ethical problems we see in government and in other areas of life.

Defining Our Principles

2007-04-30T21:32:00.000-07:00

I've recently been drawn to people from disparate parts of the world who seem to be doing the same thing--namely standing up for their beliefs despite pressures to moderate their positions. One such person is Asma Khalid and another is Dennis Kucinich. In an alternet article,
Ms Khalid indicates that placating frightened Europeans by identifying herself as a moderate Muslim would nullify her definition of orthodoxy--namely being pious about her faith. Changing her identity would further distort Muslim faith and align it more with bombers and other radical elements which she claims Muslims in general are not.

Another person whose credentials have risen sharply in my estimation is Dennis Kucinich. I usually enjoy listening to Bill Maher but was not pleased when he persisted in attempting to get Mr. Kucinich to answer questions his way. Mr. Kucinich would not. Citing his own beliefs, Kucinich claimed his belief in working toward peace not war and that use of assassination as a tactic would not be his policy even if the target were Osama bin Laden.

Kudos to Kucinich who everyday says and does things many of us believe in.

Dennis Kucinich Discusses Iraq War Vote and Funding on CNN

2007-04-19T12:46:00.001-07:00

People who want peace should be consistent. Here Dennis Kucinich is the one man who has stood on his principles while others put their fingers to the wind to see which way the wind blows.

Hurray for Dennis. He makes my other possible choices for president look like hawks. I do hope his ideas catch fire.

Marianne Williamson Department of Peace Interview

2007-04-17T17:07:00.001-07:00

I just received this bit of information from a colleague. Whereas the current department of defense was known as department of war during WWII and before that era, it is important to be "proactive" in developing and continuing peace in our world. Thus it is important to develop a cabinet level Department of Peace. Thus Williamson's call for a Department of Peace and all the monies and divisions that would serve peace in our country and world. Given the events of 4/16 in Virginia, it is evident that we need a Cabinet level Department of Peace.

Can Decreasing Poverty Lead to Peace?

2007-04-09T22:33:00.000-07:00

Many people I am certain have posed the question I ask in the title to this post. It seems on a surface level that many if not most problems around the world share an underlying area--poverty. I think when poverty is severe people lose hope and entertain radical ideas and anger. These as seen in many of our city streets and perhaps other places around the world lead to the kind of violence and war on our daily news. Of course, sometimes greed leads some corporations to take advantage of the disenfranchised which in turn leads ot more angry people. I can't understand how giving more power to corporations will truly answer the needs of people looking for work. Yet our government hires many of the same corporations that have participated in the by now ritual outsourcing of jobs. This leaves us with greater poverty related issues. Yet today a man actually praised the very government that makes it necessary for him to take on a post-retirement job. Such is life.

Radicals for Peace

2007-04-03T14:47:00.000-07:00

I suppose people wanting an end to the war now are on the "radical" side of politics. In the not so distant past, people asking to end the war were labeled unpatriotic. However, recent increase in the dissatisfaction of the war in Iraq and the administration's handling of it seem to have decreased the rhetoric of labeling people negatively just for wanting peace.

For Lasting Peace Put God First?

2007-04-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

I had a brief errand to run in Glendale Arizona. I live in Tempe. On the return trip from ASU-West, I noticed a sign for a church, "For a Lasting Peace, Put God First." It's quite interesting that not too many months ago that sign on route 17 had quite a different message, one that parroted the Bush pro-war line.

The Blog | Arianna Huffington: The Injustice at Justice: The White House's Fingerprints Begin to Show | The Huffington Post

2007-03-13T12:27:00.000-07:00

The Blog | Arianna Huffington: The Injustice at Justice: The White House's Fingerprints Begin to Show | The Huffington Post

Will the White House do more than offer a sacrificial lamb or scapegoat for this scandal? That is the question du jour. Who will be the counsel firings' Libby? It'll be sad for our country if people so eager for war demonstrate such cowardice because of their attachment to power.

Bait and Switch

2007-03-09T11:53:00.000-07:00

When reading the HuffPost today I came across a cartoon that illustrates the bait and switch approach to keeping focus off of pertinent issues. It's quite amusing--applies to the recent Bill Maher "incident."

From Arrianna

2007-03-08T21:09:00.000-07:00

Arianna Huffington hits the right tone on the implications of the Libby verdict. Yet, I'm sure that none of the Bushites will get impeached for their mendacity. Meanwhile while they proceed to cover their posteriors, young men die, at risk students fail poverty levels rise and the world in DC continues as is without anyone applying the brakes.

What a lousy system!

Leaving Iraq?

2007-03-07T23:18:00.000-07:00

Following the November elections I expected greater momentum toward our military draw down in Iraq. From the story about leaving Iraq, there may be a slim opportunity to do this. However, I don't believe the Republicans in the US Senate will allow such a plan to move forward. Peace would be so great to have, especially if we can gain it quickly and with the use of diplomacy that includes nations in and around the Middle East.

Eisenhower's Farewell Address: A Lesson for Today

2007-03-07T22:47:00.000-07:00

I like history and frequently wonder how people I admire from the past would deal with current issues. We are living in a world where our current POTUS initiated a war in the Middle East. His motives are ostensibly "noble," yet when the thousands of wounded men and women who served at his behest return to the US too many find insufficient treatment, belittlement of their conditions, loss of careers and lack of actual support. My cousin in Florida tells me that is not the case where her son works as a medical doctor working at the VA Hospital near Tampa. I write about this tonight, March 7, 2007 because the story about VA issues is off the front burner today displaced by the "Scooter Libby" verdict. That story is fascinating in what we learn about the current POTUS' administration's handling of events that displease them. However, the Libby verdict should not take all the attention away from important issues such as the veterans' issues, education issues etc.

I heard Bill Gates in front of a senate committee providing cogent and forward thinking suggestions about how to deal with education and nary a word of this was published on the online blogs and news papers I read. A nation that does not keep its citizens well prepared for the future has a bleak future of its own.

It was great hearing that problem solving assignments engage even high risk students. I'll see how that plays out at the conference I'll attend in the next two weeks.

Unlike Eisenhower who cautioned a future government to aim for balance in the use of a military industrial complex, current presidents have failed and now we are neglecting social programs for an increase in military spending. The costs are mighty in terms of lives, blood, and money and in terms of what we do not do for the future citizens of our country and what we do not do now for the poor, under educated etc.

So I wish that the Shrub would be more like George Washington and Dwight David Eisenhower and less like Cheney.

Column of the Americas

2007-02-22T22:31:00.000-07:00

While ruminating on the concept of peace, I frequently encounter writers' works that intimate the ideal of social action and justice to achieve a lasting peace. Earlier today, I noted that some people take seriously the fact of poverty and its contribution to global warming. Many have noted that poverty may lead to feelings of victimization by one power over groups of people with money and the power that money provides in our global village.

As a Latina, I look to writers like Patrisia Gonzales and Roberto Rodriguez in their Column of the Americas. I hope the occasional reader who stops by my blog will find their words helpful in understanding people with the rich perspectives they provide.

Listening to NPR I Was Surprised

2007-02-22T13:39:00.000-07:00

Rarely will I agree with Jonah Goldberg on anything because he has seemed so strident on television programs. The topic du jour was global warming and Mr Goldberg actually presented a cogent argument for a position with which I disagree. His take on global warming is to leave the solution to the future. I do not agree with that. However, somewhere in his argument he and later other speakers addressed the inequities to the poor around the world which global warming will create. The costs will be unbearable for the poor. Moreover, solutions according to Goldberg and another speaker whose name I missed, lies in solving problem of poverty around the world. Now if Goldberg could get behind that idea for solving poverty here in the US, I might become a fan of his.

Kiva Org

2007-02-22T05:22:00.000-07:00

Came across the following url at another site and began wondering if an americanized version of Liberation Theology is at work here or if its just another symptom of USCapitalism run a muck. Poverty flames the fires and passions of people into unpeaceful actions and perhaps fundamental issues of poverty create hoplesness and make it easy for people to gravitate to radicalism. So although the kiva.org site may be too commercial, the thought of what we as members of the human race could do to increase peace might include other social justice issues which when left unaddressed lead to disparity of division of wealth, education etc and to the increased fanaticism seen around the world today.

http://www.kiva.org/

Competence in Policy

2007-02-22T04:51:00.000-07:00

From Quote of the Day, I found the following by Isaac Asimov:
"Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent." I imagine the word to focus is incompetent. Not a very "nice" thing to say about people who lead our country, but one that should/could be considered given many issues that affect our lives. War, peace, poverty programs or lack thereof, education, all these and many more issues require thoughtfulness and knowledge of the issues. Some of the policy created by leaders at many levels of government show a lack of competence. My question then becomes how can we raise the level of our leaders' competence to do the work people elected them to do? How can we work for a more peaceful world when so many issues remain unresolved, untended, or downright made worse by poor choices and political pandering to the lowest common denominators in our society?

Language and Peace

2007-02-21T16:11:00.000-07:00

As stated in an earlier post, many of us teach language and are aware of the power it has to get people to take action. Recent postings in the media concerning war, peace, and even entertainment have reflected a callousness that all too often leads to a deadening of nobler human instincts. This appeal to the baser elements of human beings' nature or in our society are quite evident in much of the rhetoric of public discourse. Soon, however, this will end. I hope that we can use language for peace more often by avoiding name calling, finding alternatives to violent images and metaphors. Let's paint pictures of peace with the language we select.

Playfulness and Blogging

2007-02-10T00:09:00.000-07:00

I need to write more and use the two blogs I do have for that purpose. Although I am more politically minded in this particular blog, readers to it can see a bit of playfulness in the added cyber pets and YouTube videos included. As I tell students, communication requires all the various technologies available to us.

Opinion of Congress Improving?

2007-02-10T00:04:00.000-07:00

A story that mirrors my own thinking claims many USAmericans remain dissatisfied with Congress, although people's opinions of Congress are slowly improving. Congress has too many procedures that actually getting work done in a pace that many of us want. We want more action and less talk from these congressional and senatorial types.

It's good that the congress' polls are up. Now let us hope that more of these political types will take steps to do what is right for USAmerica instead of what will keep them in power. Our country has been hurt too much by war mongering, incompetent people now running the executive branches of government.

Beginnings of Peace?

2007-02-09T23:51:00.000-07:00

The Middle East's problems often have at their core issues concerning the people of Palestine. This week two factions met in Mecca Saudi Arabia to find ways of unifying their government and ending Palestinian on Palestinian violence and in hopes of persuading outsiders to end their embargo and isolation of the people of Palestine. I wish these efforts good fortune and pray that our government will see the wisdom of allowing the democratically elected members of the Palestinian government to work for their people. Palestinians' choices cannot be our choices for we do not live in Palestinian lands. Those lands, too, should be returned to them without further delay. While Israeli security should be maintained, the close fisted tough approaches used to date do not provide for a long term solution and not demonstrating fairness to both sides of the longstanding struggle only makes USAmerican interests at risk.

Thoughts on Oversight Committees

2007-02-09T23:43:00.001-07:00

Since Leahy and Gonzales' exchange last month, more people have gone before congress to present information. Now that more of the interviews or presentations can be seen on CSpan, an average citizen can read the postures, tone of voice and other gestures that people make when giving testimony. I just wonder how deeply invested in the current administration many citizens are because too many citizens, despite the president's low poll numbers, remain unquestioning of the things that politicians do.

If we went to war to bring "democracy" to Iraq, then why are so many of our civil rights being trampled on?

More importantly, why can't we get straight answers from those charged with preserving the republic/democracy? If so many acts lack transparency, we should have a greater outcry about the behaviors of those in power who work so hard to dampen our freedoms. See patriot act and the various attorney generals, generals, and others who obfuscate in front of congressional oversight committees.

Clash in Palestine Despite a Truce

2007-02-03T22:18:00.000-07:00

These kinds of events must end if we are truly for peace. I realize the bulk of the news is concentrated on the Iraqi war, yet there are other conflicts within the Middle East that require the greatest support from all of us--where ever in the world we reside.

Lust for Pets

2007-02-03T22:08:00.000-07:00

I keep adding pets to my blogs because I can't have them where I live. If I could have the space I'd have horses, dogs, and cats. Tigers are exotic but not practical when other domestic animals form part of the family. Hence I'll not include them in a real life fantasy but in a cyberspace "realityl". As I get older, many of the films, books, and teachings come back as old haunts to remind me of who I really am. This is important as I strive to find my real self and the real reasons for my desires. Now I have been discovering that my greatest desires are not to become reality because I lack stamina these days. So I'm hoping to slow down to give my stamina an opportunity to grow and reach a point of strength that will support all that I need to do before my time on earth expires. Molly Ivins' passing reminds me how limited or finite our time here is and that I must make the most of it.

In terms of peace, I feel more strongly that we must become more radical in demanding our rights as citizens of the most precious place on the planet--USAmerica. Who having read the founding fathers' struggles, and the struggles of subsequent generations can give up on such a wonderful place or at least a place that promises so much to all who live within its borders. These are the things that all politicians must address. We must work to fulfill the promise of the past as we work to meet the needs of the present.

Carter's Speech at Brandeis

2007-01-29T15:50:00.000-07:00

Propaganda machines operate round the clock to keep people from seeing Palestinians as human beings who suffer and pray for justice in this world. People who dare to attempt a humane presentation of these people quickly become fodder for the self-righteous and self-proclaimed defenders of Israel. For his efforts at writing about the issue, former President Jimmy Carter has been unjustly maligned. Yet Mr. Carter's ideas need some fair airing. At Brandeis, we get a glimmer of his thinking on the history of the issue and the resultant attacks on him for his efforts. I am sure his opposition can twist his meaning. We all can twist words of others for our own arguments, yet is that an ethical approach to public debate? Can we learn what is best if we always twist others' words and ideas to suit our own biases. Listen to the speech and see if the solutions Mr. Carter proposes are truly incompatible with USAmerican ideals and values.

Immigration: Will It Be the New Wedge Issue for the Right?

2007-01-29T13:30:00.000-07:00

Not satisfied with using issues such as abortion and gay marriage or gays in society as wedge issues to divide our country and to inject religion or religious views into public/political life, zealots for Jesus now attempt to take positions on the immigration issue. Here however, the divide will not be easily made as some Christians actually believe in the words that Christ spoke. In addition, older religions also value the tenets of treating the poor and the stranger or outsider with some charity. See the following story from alternet. News of radical religious right's positions on the immigration issue.

January 27, 2007 March on Washington

2007-01-28T17:46:00.000-07:00

Sen Leahy

2007-01-27T13:07:00.001-07:00

One of the deterrents to peace is mindless adherence to prejudice. The case of Maher Arar -- the Canadian citizen who was stopped at JFK airport, sent to Syria to be tortured and later found to be completely innocent--demonstrates the bias we have toward people from Middle Eastern backgrounds. This particular bias fuels anti-USAmerican sentiments and thus increases instability among people around the world caught in the rhetorics of war on terrorism. In many ways the question can legitimately posed--who is the real terrorist when innocent people from Middle Eastern backgrounds cannot safely travel within USAmerican borders?

High Technology Notwithstanding

2007-01-26T12:49:00.000-07:00

War and Peace issues are serious matters. As one of the videos I viewed yesterday demonstrates, people's lives are altered in ways that are horrific. Those of us not living in war zones must do what we can to end as many of the causes of war as possible. Of course, idealistically speaking, finding the end of all wars does not seem possible.

A Perfect Circle - Imagine

2007-01-25T23:42:00.001-07:00

After I listened to John Lennon earlier, I found a different version of his song. The videos are quite enlightening.

Jimmy Carter and Surviving Ideologues

2007-01-25T14:16:00.000-07:00

History the study of it and engagement with it appeals to me as a curious human and as a scholar of issues. More often than not, we can find the strands of current issues rooted in the past. However, when people haven't a clue as to what took place in the past and the reasons for the actions of the past, then people are apt to make judgments based on their own limited and limiting world views. Additionally, an inability to understand the underlying reasons for problems in today's world can often lead to shallow and idealogical attacks on the works of people who have a tendency to be studious about the issues that we face. Such seems to be the case with former president Carter. Despite his personal experience, engagement with and knowledge of issues concerning the Middle East, his work is under attack. Yet his work is most important for he sheds light on something our media in USAmerica fails to do---he presents a point of view that is not in lock step with Israeli Zionism. Being fair does not mean one is anti-semitic, anti-Jew or even anti-Jewish state in the Middle East. However, in our democracy, taking a seldom heard position is tantamount to being "unAmerican."

A Democratic Response

2007-01-24T12:29:00.001-07:00

Jim Webb demonstrates the kind of leadership that more democrats should exhibit.

Media Needs Character and Strength

2007-01-23T23:07:00.000-07:00

Jane Fonda continues to do public service despite the fact that she is not among the "Hollywood" top ten box office draws anymore. In a piece she wrote and that I found in Alternet, she discusses the importance of a strong, powerful, courageous media. This is something that we do not have and without it it the opportunities for democracy and peace wither on the vine of civic life. The world as it is today in these United States consists of a weak show time-type media. Challenges to the power base do not take place. No one questions the actions of the government, which is merely an extension of corporate USAmerica. How can we have governance that is honest and responds to its citizens when people fear to question government actions and demand what is best for the country's citizens in place of the actions taken that are good for the rich and the powerful. Somewhere else I read of the increasing reality that we are now a class-based society not dissimilar from British society. Our dukes and earls are the heads of corporations. The trite pronouncements are nothing more than propaganda mouthed by the various arms of the media--from news to entertainment.

The concept of honesty and honor seem dead in today's USAmerican world and thus our standing in the world quite rightly has fallen to low levels. Tis a pity as this country has been good to many despite its imperialistic agendas and many people who live within its borders have worked to keep the founding ideals at work with a heavy cost to their lives.

Let the plans for our future develop with no war mongers and more peacemakers. That is my prayer for the future.

Misadventure Moving Us Away from Peace

2007-01-22T01:18:00.000-07:00

Death and more death seems the paramount formula for a nebulous success in Iraq. People leading our country are increasingly shown to lack the fundamental knowledge of the histories and cultures of the the middle east where their adventurism has taken its toll on not only American service men's lives but on the lives of others. Worse there is a real danger that war profiteering goes on unchecked. Additionally, the matter of torture and death of Iraqui and other nationals raises questions of whether or not members of the current administration should be taken to world court to answer serious questions of abuse of power, genocide, and war crimes.

When we went into the invasion of Iraq without cooperation from our allies, and wit little proofs we created a terrible environment which does not allow for peace or real democratic development. It is no wonder that the Egyptians, Jordanians, Syrians, and Iranians to name just a few whose countries' stabilities are at stake, worry and reject USAmerican intrusion into the area. Later in the week I hope to connect the articles that led to my summary here in this post. However, Alternet, The Nation, The Huffington Post, and other articles provide the foundations for my conclusions.

Peace requires lack of violence in order that it thrive. Peace requires positive engagement wih people with whom we may disagree. Peace does not require saber rattling and not so veiled threats.

In a way the call for God's support in this Bushian misadventure is the last thing we need. I pray that God protect the soldiers, marines, air force, navy, and special troops that with God's grace they return as whole and as healthy as possible. I can't imagine the trauma these people endure and can only applaud their loyalty to a misbegotten war plan for they do what so many others have done before--they believe in their leaders and hence are willing to follow these leaders' hair brained plans.

So Clinton's Team is Getting Testy, Is It?

2007-01-16T20:46:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time I dreamt of voting for a competent, principled, no nonsense woman for the position of President of the United States. I realized then and now that in order to run for the position the woman in question would have to be politically astute, cunning, and even ruthless; however, I expected her not to be like so many others--so married to other people's principles as to have lost a sense of acting on principles based on right or wrong. In other words, someone who, like Martin Luther King, Jr. would not allow naysayers to dissuade her from taking principled stances and arguing for them when others would distract her from those principles.

I do not doubt that Mrs. Clinton is an intelligent, astute, competent, no nonsense woman, but I do question her lack of attachment to any principle worth having. She shakes hands with a Palestinian woman, comes to NY hears herself criticized and changes her mind about the plight of Palestinians. She votes for the Israeli interests because she cannot see the errors inherent in some of those interests and the truly non peace producing acts they engender.

Young John Edwards comes along and speaks out against the war that Bush began and that he supported. Edwards admits his error in supporting the president and now Clinton's campaign team tries to sully Edwards' character with accusations that are not true. Edwards does not criticize Democrats working to counter the president's position--only those Democrats who are working hand in glove with Bush.

Perhaps Mrs. Clinton's team should caution her to get Mr. Clinton from being so cozy with the Bush family. Her husband's infatuation with the elder Bush seems to be clouding her judgment on the difference between right and wrong, between what the definition of defeat in Iraq is etc.

Glad Tidings

2007-01-01T14:07:00.000-07:00

The move from Luisa Boricua to here Write for Peace is nearly complete. Now my more political less personal musings can be located in one place. I guess it's fitting that language the medium with which we should attain peace will be the focus here in this blog; although the foolish uses of language have gotten humanity into much trouble as we have seen during the past five years. Let us pray that the time in the wilderness will end soon and that brighter minds, souls, and hearts will prevail.

Edwards Is In the Race

2006-12-28T14:34:00.000-07:00

In my other blog, I questioned whether or not Edwards could successfully become POTUS. However, what good is having decent people with great ideas make the effort if we don't support them? So I am joining the Edwards for president campaign. My reasons are simply:

He speaks grassroots. That is, Mr. Edwards understands that in today's world the government cannot do everything for us. I know that I could stand around and wait and eventually wear my legs out with the waiting.
He looks at people in pain and directs energies toward helping those people. I think I joined such a person in a truly Jesus path in this world.
He has a good understanding of true patriotism--doing what is right for the country, admit mistakes, and take steps to undo mistakes.

It might be noteworthy to see the little that mainstream media has done to cover the former senator's announcement. From one Huffington Posts regular posts come a few interesting stories on the announcement and the possibility of an Edwards run for the White House. One also Michelle Pilecke's blog discusses the disconnect between the location and announcement and the causes of the repaired damages from the flood nor a discussion of repaired levees and another discusses the consequences of his announcements on other would be entrants into the presidential debate.

Gerald R. Ford

2006-12-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

The passing of a person prominent in our civic and cultural history leads us to reflect. This reflection can lead to some of the comments posted by Georgie Anne Geyer Whether or not we see the past through rose colored glasses, as Ms Geyer's comments seem to do, it is a fact that the present is filled with sufficient vitriol in the civic or political discourse as to lead us to search for some way of living, behaving, participating in our common life that does credit to the reputation we desire for ourselves and the legacy of our country. Some of us can't help but be patriotic but in terms of peace not war and reflections of the work people did in the past can shine some sort of light on that.

Whether or not I agree with Mr. Ford's pardon of Richard M. Nixon for his knowledge of or participation with the Watergate cover-up, I do remember the conversation of the country move toward the needs of the country. OF course economic recession and inflation etc were those things that affected our everyday lives. That perhaps led Mr. Ford to "forgive" on behalf of a country not yet ready to forgive the wayward Mr. Nixon.

That act aside and his rationale for it.

However, as a political junkie who wants peace on earth I do wonder if today would be in place had Ford allowed the impeachment process to go forward. His generosity, it seems to me, may have led to some of the horrible things we have witnessed during the past four years.

Something to ponder.

A New Blog of Interest

2006-12-22T12:03:00.001-07:00

I found this blog via the Huntington Post: Left I The blogger offers many good political findings on reasons we don't easily have peace in the world and his/her links to a wide range of primary writers will be useful as I pick up the time I spend writing during the coming year. I'm taking a turn at writing more often and teaching in classrooms less.

Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving Day

2006-11-23T11:48:00.000-07:00

In order to combat that dark disease that troubles my life almost daily--but less so now that I'm back West, I thought it only fitting on Thanksgiving Day to find things for which to give thanks.

I'm thankful for life, work, and family. I'm thankful for the importance I and other members of my family are to one another. I'm thankful for my ancestors whose lives led the way; I'm thankful that I can still be pleasant when I talk to my grandson, newly enlisted and trained in the Army National Guard for Arizona, that we don't raise our voices when expressing opposing positions concerning the war.

I'm thankful to accept the offerings of family even when they've no clue of the value of reading and ideas and how much I love them. I'm thankful for being able to truly help my students even when I'm not at my best. I'm thankful for my students for they lift my soul when it wants to droop and flounder.

In a personal area, I'm thankful for learning to handle my own problems as I once did. I'm glad to be alive and thankful that others seem to be thankful for my life.

I"m thankful for my love of learning and politics and life.
I'm thankful for the hundreds of people whose writings keep me alert and laughing if not screaming.

Alec Baldwin a wonderful actor who is increasingly gaining my admiration for his public positions on peace/war/ left/right issues, wrote a blog entry giving thanks for service men and women. In it he thanks the men and women serving in our armed services. His post begins a bit defensive by stating that it may be a bit "corny" to thank our troops. The remainder of his post went to the point. My response to Mr. Baldwin should I ever get the opportunity to meet a high powered actor would be to state that Thanking people for their service to our country regardless of our position on the war in which the troops serve is never corny. Overall, Baldwin's post made a day that started off questionably end quite well.

Luisa

From Ariana Huffington

MIlitary Standards?

2006-11-21T14:56:00.000-07:00

A recent article posted on the RFP list ignites my response. In an effort to camouflage its inadequacies the department of war aka department of defense has been giving criminals and drug users waivers for entering the armed services. This is a typical response of those who would protect us from the terrorists. Are we endangering our armed services? I don't know. However, the lower standards can potentially pose serious problems should a future or current enemy of our state want to find weakness in our defense. More later as this is a rushed writing job.

Blog for Peace in Munich

2006-11-16T00:55:00.000-07:00

While avoiding my usual heavy reading load, I took a time out to go through blogs dedicated to peace and found one honoring Rachel Corrie. I'll have to share this with Harriet who has worked tirelessly for remembering the brave young woman who worked for peace for Palestinians.

Volunteering

2006-11-04T12:46:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd do something productive for the coming elections. Okay, I'm a cynic even when I try not to be. Cynicism interferes with higher spiritual goals. However, I thought I'd begin calling other voters to encourage them to vote. The first caller hung up on me but I persisted. Since it is Saturday, many people were out and about. An older Missouri person disclosed nothing of her intentions so I engaged in friendly non committal conversation so that the next caller who calls her will not get a "hang" up when they attempt to nail down her preferences.

I'm not very good, I learned, at "closing in on people" to persuade them to vote the direction I'd like for them to vote.

This bodes ill for my rhetorical skills but well for my spiritual practices.

The Day of the Dead

2006-11-02T22:35:00.000-07:00

I've written of this elsewhere. The this is lighting candles in memory of those from our family who have died. As I wrote of my mother's lighting candles in the sturdy tubs in New York during the 1950s, a new thought came to me. What if we all took time out to reflect? What if we made a conscious effort to meditate on who we are and what we do and most importantly what we want and need from our interactions with others?

I try to teach reflection in the classes I teach, but the personal reflection I think of if widely practiced by a large number of people could lead to less temptation to rush headlong into the actions that harm us and society. Increasingly, I borrow from my cousin's practice in PR. Using kind terms of address in place of harsh or sarcastic ones among my colleagues or friends, reducing the number of sarcastic wisecracks all these steps, it is my hope, will lead me to a greater place of peace.

Perhaps, I can once again place myself on that sail boat on the big sea that lolls me to a greater sense of peace.

Other Views of Peace

2006-10-22T20:47:00.000-07:00

Found an interesting blog that connects the past with the present through pop culture. Though the title of the blog asserts a philosophical discussion, it is by no means a dry academic look at war. Of course the use of Marley's lyrics reminds me that his voice and words are needed today. Although we all worked hard to progress to a point where wars would be unnecessary, there are many others who do not have a clue about what peace could give them. I'm using "Give them" because most humans have a what's in it for me attitude. I'll use this posting as a storage place for other fun and thoughtful perspectives on current human views on war.

Teachers for Tolerance

2006-06-24T11:43:00.000-07:00

I ran across an old blog entry elsewhere and found this url on tolerance that is think could be useful in teaching peace or a non combative approach to problem solving and learning. Of course, peace as I've discussed here and elsewhere has more than one connotative meaning. Inner peace is something I am searching for in the hopes that if most of us seek it we will spread the balm of peace to others and so on.

Progressive Spirituality?

2006-06-13T16:38:00.000-07:00

A Girl playing with dollies and angels /spirits surround her. A lovely notion far removed from the daily politics of Life in the US. All too often we forget the other worldliness that we learned about in churches or from other cultures whose connections to the spirit of plants, animals, air, natural phenomena.
Much discussion from the political progressives do not address the human need for a spiritual dimension in our public discusssions. A report on the reasons for the more "humane" progressives will not win politically even though it does a brilliant job of addressing discourse analysis and the ways that politicians use language against people of strong convictions for the betterment of humans on this planet. Nary a word of spirituality is mentioned for it is no longer seen as essential for modern or postmodern life. Yet at unseen levels we seem to hunger for spirituality and so this kind of discourse while useful on some levels lacks the healing uses for which language can be used.

The HuntingtonPost's entry by Kathleen Reardon is a very good example of what I mean. Reach article through title of this post.

Sail Away

2006-06-13T01:36:00.000-07:00

Sometimes images of the ocean and a slow moving sail boat help me to relax and think of the important things in life. The ocean lends itself to action or meditation. Since writing and participating in professional discussions often rattle any sense of inner peace, I thought to upload a picture of a sailboat to this blog as a reminder of gentler human pursuits.

I have been away from the Pacific Ocean beaches for a long time and have memories of the sound of water lapping at small areas where it was trapped by boulders. In my mind's ear I hear the seagulls and the larger sounds of the ocean with waves crashing-sometimes gently on the shore.

Besides Spirituality

2006-04-15T22:00:00.000-07:00

As I look at the marches for social justiice on behalf of migrant workers and people who emigrated to the US without papers, I am happy to note the increase of a sense of community and support of some church priests and ministers. The tendency to reduce people to objects or criminals does injustice not only to the people referenced but also to ourselves for doing so starts the process of dehumanizing one group of people. If we can do that to one group we can do it to others and the chain created can lead to a nonspiritual and fascist state.

But wait! We are living in a country controlled by corporations and if I'm remembering correctly, that is the definition of a fascist state. This increased materialism, conflation of capitalism with democracy, loss of values all are leading us to live lives that do not stand for the principles this country began with. SO it is no surprise that the complacency and lack of participation in restarting or revolutionizing the system exists. The SHOCK of the mass demonstrations by these allegedly illegal workers has begun an expected spate of nasty comments by talking heads of US Media. Little do they realize the power of their words to poison the air between humans who in fact are in the same position. We are all victims of globalization. We are all paying for NAFTA, CAFTA and other treaties that increase globalization.

Lou Dobbs may rail against illegal immigrants, but his aim would be more effective if he railed against the government and the corporations that have created and expanded the mess that creates a decrease in pay, the middle class and increases those of us in the lower or poorer classes.

Indigenous Pedagogy

2006-03-17T21:44:00.000-07:00

I'm writing about the importance of history and the cultural exchanges that occurred between indigenous people and Europeans. However, wanting to look at ways to make good outcomes from these exchanges and avoid the stereotypic depictions of pagans, savages etc or the equally dim witted idea of the noble savage, I am looking at past exchanges that yielded good outcomes. For example cabeza de vaca's 8 year roaming in the southern part of United States during the 16th Century led to one of the first depictions of Native Americans in terms that showed them as brutal, kind, loving, generous, or willing to enslave enemies. This more balanced portrait conveys a human quality. Also, the references to spiritual practices indicates that Cabeza de Vaca learned about a different worldview, one that has referents to phenomena that Cabeza de Vaca seemed to intuit from his exchanges with these people. In addition, the ability for Europeans and Native Americans from various tribes to develop communication signals points to the intelligence of these natives.

Black Elk and John G. Niehardt's cultural exchanges produced the book Black Elk Speaks which transmits information for those willing to learn and once again Niehardt does not judge or belittle the practices of the Oglala Sioux. He learns and so those of us who read his work can learn too.

Learning about other points of view in a way that allows us to step outside of our personal perspectives is difficult. However, if we truly want to engage with people and learn and collaborate and avoid wars we must do so at a higher dimension than that engaged in by warriors and politicians hungry for power.

Teaching for Peace

2006-02-08T19:10:00.000-07:00

I want to learn how to connect the teaching ideas from Rhetoricians for Peace to this blog and my blog to their website. We're all a bit philosophical and some of us are also political. So I sometimes get frustrated with our apparent impotence to effect change and I want to find ways to teach peace. When I teach the political I get to "passionate" in ways that impede my intended results. I suppose that I can start looking for and practicing inner peace in order to teach peace. I've placed the RFP link on the sidebar of this blog.

A Worker for Peace Has Left Us

2006-02-07T23:55:00.000-07:00

A Worker for Peace Has Left Us

Coretta Scott King had a spirited send off after her passing today, February 7, 2006. I’ve been so busy surviving my life that I hadn’t kept up with her work, which is monumental. So from the stories I heard yesterday and today I am reminded of the quote by MLK—not everyone can be famous but everyone can be great in service. I paraphrased that one. One fo the Main Stories on this is "Body of Coretta King Laid to Rest" I appreciated the question posed by Bill Clinton because it reminds me that we need to continue to work for peace and do what we can in our various corners of the world. As long as each of us does something to contribute to peace, understanding, and love for one another, King’s dream may yet be a reality for many who have been unable to live the dream he and his wife had for humankind. Two news stories about the funeral and about the fact that people desperate for healing must be careful in whom they place their trust. First, 10,000 Mourn Then, the story of King's Children's shock
at their mother's death.

Navajo Peaceful Resistance

2006-02-04T09:50:00.000-07:00

This article from the LATimes, demonstrates a quiet and peaceful resistance to perceived injuries and unfairness by the USGovernment. This woman prays daily for the right to stay where she is. Whether or not one agrees with her point on the legalities of the situation, it is interesting that a small woman has not faced violence over her point of view. For my Native American women writers' class this may be a good model for a representation of women from the past.

ahistoricality: We need new Democrats

2006-01-30T17:28:00.000-07:00

While surfing the blogs, I came across this entry and found myself intrigued. While the topic was that of the new supreme court justice, somehow the court's participation in the Bush coronation contributed to the lack of peace many feel. Perhaps the writer of the entry has a good point.
ahistoricality: We need new Democrats

Peace

2006-01-29T21:37:00.000-07:00

I am a writing instructor and generally I ask students to think critically and analyze what they write. But I need a space where I can focus on peace. Peace, sorely needed during any era, but more particularly now, may need defining. I've gut definitions as: no noise, sea sounds, gulls calling, sea breezes. That'd be my ideal. However, I no longer live by the shores of the Pacific so I must find a new way to find peace.

I suppose most of us have a need for quiet but sometimes even the most ardent recluse can no longer be at peace in total silence.

Another gut definition would be no war. I'm like the idealistic person in Lennon's song "Give Peace a Chance" or "Imagine." While many of my friends are active at marches and but to today's youth these activities seem to be not worth the effort or not their "thing." I suppose the generation gap may also contribute to the differences in the way many young people and many older people view the world. So peace may not be the final goal for people at either end of the generation gap because each group has its agenda.

Many formerly active in the 60's have lost their ideals now that they are members of the "establishment" they fought against. And many of today's youth are raised to be unconcerned about things not part of their immediate environs.

I find that there are many good young people who are busy just trying to figure out what to do with their lives. However, when made aware of issues they'll have to confront eventually they do make tenative efforts to figure out what they could do about those issues.

Of course, many live with violence and do not know about "peace" in their lives so how can we expect them to want peace for all people. Besides our society's economy is based on a very self-gratification system to consume, even those things we do not need. Instead of spending money on smaller school campuses, we spend money on war. Foolishly we call the war department the defense department and we have created the very military-industrial complex that President Eisenhower warned the country about in his 1960 farewell address.

So the ongoing definition of peace covers many areas--the spiritual renewal we need, the lack of war that may lead us to spend money and resources on positive things, the ability to decrease violence in our society's families, and the growth of a social consciousness to help those who ask for our help.

More ruminations on peace in later posts.