Peace at Last

This class, The Theories of Peace has run its course. We finished watching the film Pay it Forward. The ending, with the candle light vigil was somewhat melodramatic for my taste and sesnsibilities, and yet it made a point beyond the dramatic effect. The actions of one individual, a seed planted in the imagination of a young boy as a result of a school assignment, led to a web-like and a logrythmic response that none knew was occuring.

We only see the immediate interactions with which we are involved. The words of peace we share, the smiles we exchange, the encouragement we offer, or the possibilities we present to others do have an impact. Maybe it is irrational and naive to beleive that peace is a possibility. Perhaps it is important to have a belief in the possibilities.If we could live as if that possibility was already present, if could beleive, that in spite of the evidence that non-violence is not present in the world, then the way that is Peace would illuminate the steps we take.

Thanks

David

Depelted Uranium is a WMD

Read an article first published in August of 2005, by Leuren Moret.  The author is a self-proclaimed whistleblower who worked at the Lvermore Lab.  To quote the fimnal sentence of the first paragraph of the article:

“Depleted uranium is very, very, very nasty stuff.”

The article then explains why DU is a WMD.  It lightly goes into the science and facts of how DU keeps dispensing radiation when it has beenused as a weapon.

The article claims that DU/WMD’s have been used by US forces in Afghanistan, in Iraq, and in Yugoslavia.  This is an informative article.

Is it reliable?  Decide for yourself.  I will distribute in class.  It was first printed in the Battle Creek Enquirer.

Peace is the Way!

Pay it Forward

I am enjoying watching Pay it Forward with the class.  The movie is identifying so many issues: homelessness, drug addiction, alcoholism, single parenting, loneliness, deprerssion, criminality and prison, political corruption, child hood molestation, and marital/divorce.  Within the chaos of the world a simple concept that seems to fail is presented.  Pay it forward.  It is interesting to see the seeds and threads of the actions unfolding. Looking forward, no pun intended, to seeing the conclusion on Wednesday night.

Also, essays are due on Wednesday…..

david

Commentary

I have enjoyed being part of this class.  The works of Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Thicht Nhat Nahn, Dhali Lama, the interview with Chavez, the words of Bono, knowing what occures in Iraq and Bagdhad, the compassion of peace pilgrim and the woman in Holland.  We have all been on a journey with the Berrigans and the Ellsbergs, the words of Nobel Laureats have taken us to a place of reflections and consideration. We have grown and we are growing.

Please, if you read this entry, consider posting your final words here.  This blog will remain as a history of where we have been.

Remember  There is no way to peace.  Peace is the way!  We shall overcome some day!

david

Daring to be Human/Bagdhad after the War

I really liked hearing the stories of compassion and repsonses to the articles last night in class.  Deeds are seeds that grow into beauty and possibilites we may never realize.

I dod not so much enjoy talking about how violence affects us.  It was part of what must be learned to realize what peace can mean.

I am not so angry as I was after reading.  Read, be educated, become aware!

david

The Violence in Ourselves/Justice and Military Madness

I enjoyed class discussion of The Violence In Ourselves.  Dorothy T. Samuel spoke to some of the essential questions we have been asking in class.  What about the anger?  What about the rage?  What about human natural responses to the negativity and violence?  Use it, control it, direct it, manipulate it?  Use the ragr to speak truth to power.  The song of the civil rights movements reminds us–we shall overcome!  What is it we shall overcome?  Depends on the issues, I suppose.  Peace is the possibilities.

Miles Lord, the judge whose statement we read in Justice and Military Madness, even though from out of the past, speaks to my belief that all is not lost, that truth finds a way to be heard, that acts of civil disobediance have their place in the movement to disarm.

I am angry that schools have bake sales and the military is above scrutiny.  Poverty for protection seems injust at so many levels.  I applaud Judge Lord.

I applaud all the discussion we have been having.

Remember, There is no way to Peace.  Peace is the way!

David

The Power of Women!

Hello, I just wanted to share with all of you how much i appreciate your support of the Vagina Monologues. In rehersing for the last three weeks I have become empowered by the women around me. Since I have only lived here for a short time, i am amazed by the feeling of community that is here in Klamath Falls. I would strongly encourage everyone to check out the V-Day website…www.vday.org. It provides wonderful information about violence towards women around the world.

Also, there will be a raffle and auction during the intermission of the Vagina Monologues,so…if there is any thing, or talent, or whatever that you can think of to donate to the auction i would be very very very greatfull!!

melanie