Dear Dr. Chopra:

Have you always been politically minded, or do the gross inequities of the current US administration inspire your thoughtful political posts?
Have you thought of organizing a meditative solution to this worldly unrest? I think that if large numbers of people stopped at the same time every day for five minutes and thought of peace and reconciliation, we could make a positive change. The organizing power of collective thought and intention used as a tool for peace and understanding. You have access to a broad audience. Can you spearhead the thought revolution? Whaddayou think?

Aloha Deepak

I agree the US needs to be realize her safety lies in her defenselessness. Our children teach us we are powerless over their behavior and our parents teach us they do the best they can with what knowledge they had. The US needs to recenter herself and maybe Iran will push her to do that. The insanity of the Vice President shooting a co-hunter is saying we are over the top. If we don't disarm it will be done for us. love patty

The world needs a Police force, and the US and UK are it.Iran has threatened to blow up the Jews, a nation lead by that kind of mentality is better off without any weapons of any kind.

You and I as well as everyone else here are not qualified to make judgements on world security as we do not have access to all of the information and for good reason.

As far as The United States disarming, That is the best one i have heard in a long time.... would you feel safe at night if suddenly we decided we will disarm the police force in your area and take away their powers of arrest?

LOL that is funny

The only way forward is globalisation..... one planet....one culture...one people....one police force....one set of rules for the entire planet.

eventualy it will come one way or the other....probably not in our lifetime though

gotta Run

Simon xx

Every country of this world has a right for using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.May be Iran is trying to use this for a much peaceful purpose such as generating electrical power or just research purposes.US need not be to panicked with it...and overreact...some of its overreaction has already managed to claim the lives of over 200 US soldiers and 180,000 Iraqis...

Simon,

You are of course entitled to your opinion, but how do you think globalization is ever going to happen if ALL the small men with big weapons don't decide to give them up? These weapons only serve to compartmentalize people into "us and them". As long as there is "us and them", there will never be globalized unity and peace.

In other words, if someone, even one entity, has the weapons (i.e. the US), someone else will want it. By the nature of envy, this naturally leads to an "us and them" scenario.

Globalized or not, the presence of WMD's in the world serves to rend things asunder rather than keeping them together and peaceful through "policing".

The biggest problem I see with your argument is that you want globalization so that humankind can achieve peace, but you are unwilling to invest any trust in anybody else. There will not be any peace until everyone actually trusts each other. Then, if the trust is ever there, would we actually need the WMD's to "police" the peace?

WMD's only serve to separate, period.

Hello Deepak and Everyone,

I think nuclear disarmament will happen one day, but only because we, as a global family, realize there is no other choice. I hate to be the pessimist here, but I think something will have to happen that truly threatens our very survival before we come to that realization. Right now, the world luxuriates in its' ignorant stance on nuclear power.

Simon,

US.. UK .. Police force !!!!! a self appointed one ?? Go check the credentials.. Check the history...They are the worst offenders of international law.. just because they have the power does not automatically make them the moral police.

You need to speak why US, UK deserve to be the police force of the world. Its wrong to assume US,UK to be the polce force and then justify everything else.

Ruth,

I agree with you on principle, but wouldn't Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Chernobyl and Three Mile Island all qualify as truly threatening our survival? Do you mean that something has to happen in a major metropolitan area of the US? Or do you mean that there would actually have to be a nuclear conflict to get the point across?

Deepak, you write: “The only thing the U.S. can do, as the Islamic bomb spreads from country to country, is to demand and lead total disarmament of all nuclear weapons, beginning with ourselves”.

Reasonable people know this has to happen if we ever want to have a chance at peace. But instead, those smart men who can’t tell the difference between a quail and a human being are already planning to put arms into space!

Go figure!

Hi All -

I have always wondered how the U.S. can condemn countries for developing nuclear weapons when we have more than anyone else combined. Also the message that the U.S. sends with its foreign policy and decisions to invade are odd at best, and insane at worst: We will militarily invade countries with "evil dictators" that don't have nukes (Iraq) using the justification that they MIGHT have nukes (although we are sure they don't). However, we will NOT invade countries that have "evil dictators" that actually DO have them (Korea), even if they are more repressive and violent than those that don't have them.

So what is the message the U.S. sends to the world? If you don't want to be invaded get nuclear weapons.

THEN we are surprised when the rest of the world races to get Nukes.

Simon -
I have to disagree with you about the U.S. and the U.K. having some God-given obligation to be the "Police force" to the world. This sounds an awful lot like the old "White man's burden" argument. "Alas...it is our great burden to civilize you poor heathens"...Nonsense.

Pratap -

WHile agree with you concerning your viewpoint about the UK, US "police force", I have to say that the rest of the world does not make it easy on the US and UK.

If we DON'T take military/economic action the U.S. and Britain are called isolationists and told that we have to think more globally. We are racists because we don't protect the world. HOWEVER If we DO take military/economic action we are called Imprialists that are out to conquer the world. Even when America helps out in the world it never seems to be enough...no matter how much money and aid is sent there are always those that will hate this country no matter what it does. Yes, the U.S. is a wealthy country, but it is also an extremely generous country. The people of the U.S. give enormous amounts aid (even as a percentage of their income) and rarely ever get a thank you. USually just "Why didn't you give more?"

Dont' get me wrong...this does not change the fact that I believe the US should not be the police force for the world. Only that there are two sides to this and America and GB are in a bit of a "no win" scenario. This is no different than any other wealthy country through out history...just that it is now the US.

Peace,
Scott.

Deepak, for that
www.anhglobal.org,

>> About AEGEE-Europe <<

AEGEE is one of the biggest interdisciplinary student associations in Europe; it is represented by 15.000 students, active in 241 academic cities, in 40 countries all around Europe, presenting an amazing cultural variety. AEGEE is a secular, non-profit organization, not linked to any political party. All projects and activities are based on voluntary work of its members (READ MORE on the history of AEGEE-Europe) .

Aims of AEGEE-Europe:

To promote a unified Europe without prejudices

To strive for creating an open and tolerant society of today and tomorrow

To foster democracy, human rights, tolerance, cross-boarder co-operation, mobility and a European dimension in education

AEGEE-Europe's formal Fields of Action:

Cultural Exchange

Active Citizenship

Higher Education

Peace & Stability

Sorts of activities:

Action Days At the same time, all over Europe AEGEE locals carry out various activities, which deal with one topic and together provide a great and complex composition of results, e.g.: Socrates Action Day, European Day of Languages or Dance Action Day

Case Study Trips Research trips aiming to increase the knowledge on a specific topic ( like democracy, youth issues, standards of living and study, nationalism and minority issues) concerning a specific area.

Projects Every year, during the General Assembly (AGORA), AEGEE members decide on a Yearplan Topic -the tematic frame for projects involving whole Network, e.g. “Youth & Globalization” -2003, “European Identity” -2004 and “Tolerance - Acceptance - Peace” –2005. Moreover AEGEE organizes various conferences, seminars and smaller projects on local and European level.

Summer Universities Unique international summer courses, successfully carried out by AEGEE already for 18 years! Every year, in around 100 places all over Europe, multicultural groups of 20-50 young people, enjoy together the wonders of cultural variety. They can focus on: art, history, languages, nature or sports.

Trainings AEGEE offers to its members a professional Internal Education System with about 8 international trainings (different kinds of "European Schools") and many Local Training Courses per year. Trainings are based on a balanced combination between theory and practice in the formula of lectures followed by casework. Trainings are a tool of knowledge transfer within the organization, help members to develop their personal skills and complement education with lifetime experiences.

Structure – no national level:

In order to really promote international co-operation and avoid creating any physical or mental borders AEGEE does not recognize any national level or national administration in its unique organizational structure, which is based on:

Local level – where people from the 235 autonomic AEGEE locals directly implement AEGEE aims in a way that serves best the needs of their local community
European level – which gives the great common frame and direction for all local activities and provides a platform for international co-operation in multicultural teams

Members from local level can directly get involved in the European Working Groups, Project Teams and Commissions.

http://www.karl.aegee.org/

I was, still am a member,
http://www2.eur.nl/studeren/aegee/

cool next event:
Spring Agora 2006 Warszawa
Event topic: Breaking Stereotypes
http://www.aegee.waw.pl/

anyhow, Deepak, give some lectures, goodies, and you have Europe's kids onboard,

My 2 cts,

With Love, Passion!
Ps. don't forget the East-Europeans kids,

Well Gents,

Am sure you must realize by now that our Brother Simon is only a little harmless instigator and fire-cracker and is not to be taken seriously. Our fine reverend is ardently auditioning, in a sincere way, for top court-jester status at Intent. But, alas, that spot has long been taken by Poland's Brother Marek! So, our British Bloke Simon must again settle for first runner-up status!

Whoahahahahah.....!

Yes, Deepak is right, Iran does feel cocky since it's revolution, cocky enough to want to destroy Israel:

By: Jeff Jacoby is an Op-Ed writer for the Boston Globe from December '05

Once again, the president of Iran repeated his foul lie.

On Wednesday, in a speech broadcast live on Iranian state television, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a crowd of thousands that the Nazi destruction of European Jewry never happened. "They have created a myth with the name of 'Holocaust' and consider it to be above God, religion, and the prophets," he said. It was the second time in a week that Ahmadinejad had dismissed the most infamous genocide of the 20th century as a fairy tale. "Some European countries insist on saying that Hitler killed millions of innocent Jews in furnaces," he snorted in Mecca on Dec. 8, when he addressed an international summit of nearly 50 Muslim heads of state. "We don't accept this claim."

Even if there were a Holocaust, Ahmadinejad demanded, why should Muslims be stuck living next to a Jewish state?

"If European countries claim that they have killed Jews in World War II, why don't they provide the Zionist regime with a piece of Europe? Germany and Austria can provide . . . two or three provinces for this regime to establish itself, and the issue will be resolved. You offer part of Europe, and we will support it." Or, he suggested, the Jews could be dispatched to the United States, Canada, "or Alaska."

But whether Europe and North America take his advice or not, Ahmadinejad's bottom line doesn't change. As he put it in October, Israel must be "wiped off the map." And, vowed the president of the world's foremost state sponsor of terrorism, "a new wave in Palestine will soon wipe off this disgraceful blot from the face of the Islamic world."

Thus Ahmadinejad promises a second Holocaust even as he denies the first one, and because his manner is so bellicose and crude, his words make news. But there is nothing new about them. Iran's theocratic thugs have been threatening the Jewish state with genocide ever since Ayatollah Khomeini seized power in Tehran 26 years ago.

When it comes to Jews and Israel, Iran's fanatic rulers speak with one voice. "We have repeatedly said that this cancerous tumor of a state should be removed from the region," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the current supreme leader, remarked in December 2000. Former Iranian president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, whom Western journalists strangely describe as a "moderate," explained in 2001 how a nuclear weapon would settle Israel's hash once and for all: "The use of a nuclear bomb against Israel will leave nothing on the ground, whereas it would only damage the world of Islam." The same Rafsanjani once took to the airwaves to explain that "Hitler had only killed 20,000 Jews and not 6 million." Holocaust denial and calls for a new Holocaust are two sides of the same coin.

That coin -- virulent anti-Semitism -- circulates throughout the Muslim Middle East, not just in Iran. Ahmadinejad's ugly outpourings were condemned in the West, but they provoked almost no protest in Arab and Muslim countries, where Jews are routinely portrayed as evil subhumans fit only for extermination. In much of the Islamic world, Jew-hatred saturates the airwaves, spills from the mosques, fills the classrooms, permeates the press. Jews are represented as pigs and monkeys, as liars and connivers, as vile, hook-nosed scum who deliberately infect children with AIDS and poison Palestinian water. In their quest for power and world domination, they are said to be ruthless and devious. They were behind the 9/11 attacks, for example, and tipped off 4,000 Jews to stay home from the World Trade Center. And, of course, they concocted the "hoax" of the Holocaust, as part of an elaborate plot to establish a beachhead in the Middle East and extort money from the world.

Outsiders are rarely aware of how intense the Muslim world's Jew-hatred is. "What has surprised me is the virulence of this new anti-Semitism throughout all the Muslim countries," the distinguished journalist and editor Harold Evans wrote in 2002. "It is frenzied, vociferous, paranoid, vicious, and prolific, and is only incidentally connected to the Palestinian conflict." It is not the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that accounts for this loathing of Jews. It is the loathing of Jews that accounts for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Obsessive anti-Semitism almost always characterizes the most dangerous threats to America and the West. Nazism, Communism, Islamofascism -- one thing they have in common is intense anti-Semitism. Which is why Ahmadinejad's strident rhetoric should be setting off urgent alarms. Dictators who talk about wiping nations from the face of the earth generally mean what they say. We should know by now that it isn't only Jews who are endangered by the mullahs and their threats. All of us are. And time is wasting. Copyright © 2005 Boston Globe

Looks like lots of countries have "bombs."

politics and war: it's become a: "my dad is bigger than your dad" kinda behaviour? lol

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/india/agni.htm

too much hatred for a friday afternoon...

muslims villify jews. christians villify muslims. will it ever end? yes, it will. hopefully not with a mushroom cloud ...
peace.

Nuclear genie was released in 1940s and we have reaped its consequences. Nothing short of a global ban on possessing nuclear weapons, including the US will solve this problem.

Currently we are in the process of opening a few more pandora's boxes. Consider the genetic engineering and nano technology. These also have a potential to become grave dangers and if we don't wake up soon, we will reap even more horrific crops.

Regards,

Ravi Kulkarni

I agree Ravi.. only "global" banning of nukes will give the planet and all of its inhabitants a future chance!

I chose to add the link to the India bomb; on an Indian-based blog I visit and quite adore/enjoy; for the sake ONLY; that hypocrisy will not prevail(wink.)

North

Hello Johno,

You would have had me at Hiroshima, but I really do not know 'just' what will get the global community, as a whole, to figure it out. No nukes is good nukes..that is my motto!

What bothers me about religious war; is that ALL Hindus, for example are condemned also; for the actions of only a few Hindus, re-acting in a religous tirade of a Holy War!

IT is not right; I am not Hindu; but, I take NO responsibility for anyone, raping/pillaging/murdering, in my religious name; whatever "my religion" IS.

I declare here and NOW: that I am against violence and war, and no matter what religion I may have been born under its umbrella; I am NOT responsible for the FEW, whom follow my religion to be taking it upon themselves in violent acts; by acting in MY religous name.. uh uh, nope!

North

Ruth,I LOVE that slogan! NO nukes, is good nukes!

Tis a changing of season we witness..

no other generation will witness what we will...

come what may(frown.)

North

The Uk and the US have been responsible for terrible War crimes in the past this is true...but we are not talking about the past we are talking about now.

Self appointed world police indeed they are... tell me....did you have a choice as to what police force you have in your area?, does it matter what colour the police force is or where they are from as long as they are protecting the innocent and putting sanctions on those who will threaten world peace and world stability?.

acts of geneside and barbaric behaviour by countries rules them out as being world leaders. It is the humanitarian duty of any super power to use it's power wisely and use it's power to protect humanity from the forces of evil and hatred that exist in all of the countries on this planet. Sometimes this responsibility means stepping on governments in order to bring justice and stability to it's majority.

If you are walking down the street and you see a house and in that house you notice that there are people there who are being brutaly attacked and some of them are even being killed, It is not your house!.... if it is not your house and them people are not your family then why should you do anything to help them?... What gives you the right to go and Interfere?...

Of course you would do something....and it is the same with another country it does not matter if people are suffering or if someone is preparing to potentialy cause suffering in any other country then that gives Britain and the US and any other country who stands for democracy and fairness to Interfere and do something about it.

I agree that Nucular weapons should be dropped all together world wide.... but the US needs it's arms as a deterent, disarming would be disaterous for you and me and everyone else here.

Just to spam a little, and give Marek a little run for his crown as top-spammer(wink), what I "mean" by come what may is:

Tomorrow can only work two ways:

Backward to another ice-age; or forward towards global peace, and earthly paradise.

When the "Iron Curtain" came down, I was in my early 30's; I cried like a wee babe; over-joyed with happiness; I could not contain the elevation of elation within...

May tomorrow, be a forward move; our only "strategic move" to save the world, perhaps?

Hmm, maybe we should have "Logans Run" shown on every TV station in the world, for a week straight! Some good messages in that movie; however old the movie is; even back then; the world was trying to tell us "something."

North

Oh Simon, you broke my spam! lol

North

Here is another fact to upset you guys even more, like it or not it is a fact though and it is evident where ever you look.

The fact is that the Majority of the Public are stupid!

They have not got the sense they were born with, and I see this every day and I have traveled and lived in other countries and it appears the same there.

Like it or not that is a self evident statement and will include quite a few of you maybe even myself.

There is no past, there is only now, like how ‘we’ (the United States government) are right now paying for the what, MILLIIONS of Middle Eastern people ‘we’ have killed in the last 50 years, and the killing has to continue because we need their oil!

We will be investing heavily in Northern Africa as well as the Middle East for the foreseeable future, and this is why Iran is talking so much lately, they know China will not allow the United States to invade them. Does not everybody know that the Christian ‘right’ truly believes we will have an Armageddon-like war with China, why do you think we continue to build massive amounts of weapons, and every day on Lou Dobbs you hear about those ‘evil’ Chinese and how they spend about one-fourth the amount of money on weapons as we do, and ‘we’ just cannot have that now can we . . .

The next world war is designed to exterminate large amounts of populations, because in the eyes of the rich, there are about five billion excess people on this planet, and they only need about a billion slaves.

Iran knows what it is doing. The Europeans NEED a war to stimulate their economies, and the United States has weapons for everybody, everything will be alright,

if you own a island in the South Pacific . . .

Why did they put the Israelites in the Middle East instead of Texas in 1947, well, there are lots of reasons why, but the only one we need be concerned with is that there are many, many, people who feel Israel is a holy land,

but see, the Temple is not in Jerusalem, the Temple is in each and every one of our hearts, something we shall never discover until we dispossess ourselves of the concept of ‘private property . . .’

And I will keep saying it until the Lord comes down from the heavens: God or money baby, God or money. One cannot serve and eat the cake too . . .

peace all

"The only thing the U.S. can do, as the Islamic bomb spreads from country to country, is to demand and lead total disarmament of all nuclear weapons, beginning with ourselves."
Love,
Deepak

Dear Deepak,
I would definitely support that. But are we sure it would not be an excuse for more U.S. control and power? Only history will answer that.
Love,
Donatella

Hi Scott,
I loved your post and I was about to write so, until I got to the following point:

'Yes, the U.S. is a wealthy country, but it is also an extremely generous country. The people of the U.S. give enormous amounts aid (even as a percentage of their income) and rarely ever get a thank you. USually just "Why didn't you give more?"'

We must remember that often there is a strategy behind the help that the U.S. offers to other countries. Of course I am not talking about private donations, but rather at the governmental level. Italy, for instance, 'thanked' America for the help received during and after WWII by allowing NATO bases all around its coastline. Not a small price to pay.

Thanks everybody for your peaceful words.
Love,
Donatella

"But instead, those smart men who can’t tell the difference between a quail and a human being are already planning to put arms into space!"
Posted by: Skeptisch

Hi Skeptisch,
I agree about the U.S. threat to 'attack' anything in space. Do you remember that last year, on the 4th of July (interesting choice of date), a U.S. missile hit a comet in space? Supposedly researchers at NASA wanted to see what it was made of... I'd prefer to observe space.
Love & peace,
Donatella

Lou Dobbs reading an email 10 min. ago:
"The President was trying to make himself look smart by surrounding himself with idiots!"

Yes, the hypocrisy of the US in determining which other country should be allowed to be a nuclear power and which should not, is fat and fair target. Yet Iran is the first country to develop nukes with the stated intent of using them against another country which did not attack it first -- it has vowed to wipe Israel off the map. Does that not count for something in this debate? If you were Israel would YOU disarm under these circumstances? You were born a Hindu, a religion with a billion adherents, far too many to wipe out. Have you a clue about how insecure it might feel, to be a Jew in Israel, five million Jews surrounded by hundreds of millions of Muslims? Can you think from that standpoint?

Furthermore, while (notwithstanding US religious extremists to the contrary) the West learned futility of religious war and the importance of religious toleration after burning itself up in the Thirty Years War; Islam has yet to go through that process. Islam is the only religion I know of, which began by conquering as much of the world as it could by force. In a savage series of bloody and unprovoked conquests, the Muslims conquered the whole of the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain within a century of Muhammad's death. All in the name of God, of course. As far as I can tell, even most "moderate" Muslims believe that others have the right to practice their own religion -- as long as they submit to Muslim rule.

I agree that if all nuclear weapons were destroyed that would be the best. It is also true that since World War I the West has treated the Arab Middle East with contempt on far too many occasions. Yet given the circumstances that we have, I don't think disarmament is going to be all that easy. Rather than point out the obvious, perhaps you'd like to tell us how we should go about it. I really would like to hear.

If Israel is God'd chosen nation, then why do they need obscene amounts of American weapons of mass destruction?

300 nuclear bombs are not exactly equal to Moses parting the red sea, but it is alot like Old Testament genocidal warfare, warfare whcih I choose to believe is metaphorical for man's lust of land and sheep (natural resources).

But, if one does want to be literal. Literally, while American waepon makers are producing as fast as they can, and people are willing to kill for money, country, and 'God'; war, will literally continue, only on ever-increasing scales.

Literally, get 'our' soldiers and warplanes out of the Middle East, the Philipinnes, Europe, Africa, Central and South America, and then let God sort them out!

O, but that would leave unprotected so much American corporate assets, all of that oil and Indian cheap (SLAVE) labor that us poor and starving Americans are just 'too good' to do.

yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

I wonder if those Microsoft 'technicians' in India get full coverage health benefits? The poor in America are getting cut off food stamps and thrown into prison, but how is that American caused destruction, I mean, the re-building of Iraq going on?

Now I need to write Dick Cheney, he has had a long bad week talking about his hunting and drinking, shoot (oops), I mean schucks, I better even pawn some CDs and contribute to his defense fund . . .

Hi Craig,

I happen to identify and agree with a lot of what you are saying. I enjoy reading your postings. An added bonus is, you seem sincere when you give us your views, in sharp contrast to the quail hunter and his puppets.

The United States of America is a wonderful Nation with citizens who inherently like to believe their president is telling the truth. Well this president and his men are not doing enough of that. Fortunately we still have Woodward and Bernstein. These two guys just finished an hour with Larry King and it was refreshing to hear them compare Bush with Nixon and the similarities that happened then and now.

Larry King will be repeated in 90 min from now.

Keep up the good work, Craig!

Every country is building nukes because that is the weapon of the day.

Ten million years ago; it was a crafty spear; a rock thrown from a string and holder...

Unfortunately, in those days it was hand to hand combat; mankind has managed to modernize combat in the most undesirable way.

I have no methods of which to inspire dis-armment; but, I think the obliteration of this planet and all of its inhabitants would be enough to pursuade the global mass's?

Why do countries have to invade other countries? Why can't there be a global sharing of the earths wealth and resources; there is more than enough to go around?

And please, let us not include Canada(though far from innocence) with the "west" per se; we are not our neighbours, leaders(Bush) puppets...well, not yet,,,but, maybe soon now that Harper is in; already "private medica care" is about to severely close the gap of health care among Canadians; with of courese, privatization,,,cinching the best medicine can "buy" and may the poor sick and dying, die well? siggggggggggHh

Time for a peace-revolution!

North

OOoh, and may a thousand ants tickle my feet!!

Error, I said: "is about to severely close the gap of health care among Canadians; with of course, privatization,,,cinching the best medicine money can "buy" and may the poor sick and dying, die well? siggggggggggHh"

Scaring changes, being in delicate condition myself! lol

North

Craig, I think you should be a guest on LKLive; serving the "suits" a good dish of humble pie!

North

Must stop addicted to the warzone
Can't top destruction of the ozone
Choose not a life of violent action
Pick Love and human preservation
Dictators come in many flavors
Those punks don't do us any favors
In time we might finally realize
That karma really does rule our lives
And peace and love is such a good tune
Don't die you know the truth is due soon
Stop wars even from your basement
Weather the storms even if they charge rent
Don't watch the show rather be in it
Go with the flow even if you just sit
I ask but don't have any answers
Work on important things like cancer

[Chorus:]
The world we love
The tears we drop
To those that died
The war must stop
Ever wonder if it's all on you
The world we love
The bombs we drop
To those that cried
The war must stop
Come and tell me when it's time to

Sweetheart is bleeding in foxhole
You leader takes another strawpole
Music the great communicator
Use your sence to figure out the hater
They'll get you drafted at the station
The youth another generation
The war involves another nation
Worth your weight in gold or medication
This chapter's going to be a close one
This choice I know your going to make one
Or take a spaceship and start fleeing
But where to go where humans are just being
Can't make the spirits really like you
Unless your nice to those who hate you
The butterfly in chaos theory
change the conditions that make you weary

[Repeat Chorus]

Wait a minute we're fading out
Win or lose just like fools
Far more important
Than anything we ever do
How about you
10 more reasons
Why we need somebody new just like you
Far more important than anything we ever do
Get a clue

Must stop addiction to the killing
The meak will win if they are willing
Choose not a life of consternation
Distant cousin to evil libation
Use your conscience if you think you have one
Weapons of fear and mass destruction
Loose them all, make it your labor
Dominate yourself and not your neighbor
Control your anger and your sand dune
The truth you need is very near and due soon
Go write this message on the top
Stop war now, must stop, must stop

Press start on the golden ruling
Do unto others was not just for fooling
Can't stop the gods from engineering
They feel no need for any interfering
Your image in the book of living
This life is more than just for fighting
Can I get 2 maybe even 3 of these
Come from space
To teach you of the pliedes
Can't stop the spirits when they need you
This life is more than just a read thru

-- Morph Hot Chili Peppers

The very word "secrecy" is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a
people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths
and to secret proceedings. We decided long ago that the dangers of excessive an
d unwarranted concealment of pertinent facts far outweighed the dangers which ar
e cited to justify it. Even today, there is little value in opposing the threat
of a closed society by imitating its arbitrary restrictions. Even today, there i
s little value in insuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not s
urvive with it. And there is very grave danger that an announced need for increa
sed security will be seized upon by those anxious to expand its meaning to the v
ery limits of official censorship and concealment. That I do not intend to permi
t to the extent that it is in my control. And no official of my Administration,
whether his rank is high or low, civilian or military, should interpret my words
here tonight as an excuse to censor the news, to stifle dissent, to cover up ou
r mistakes or to withhold from the press and the public the facts they deserve t
o know. [RETURN TO INDEX]

-- JFK

Yes Skeptisch everything I write is from the heart, and all in the name of love and peace.

I know I may go a little overboard on some of my 'rants,' but I truly believe in what I am saying, and so if any of my reasoning seems, or is, illogical, attack it with all of your might. With loving reason we can conquer ourselves, and the world.

I hear you North, I have e-mailed Chris Matthews and said, "why not let somebody who makes less than 20 thousand a year on the show to rebut Joe and Rita, and that guy with the funny ties (well, I didn't say nothing about his ties . . .). No response naturally.

Oh yeah, I am a powerhouse yearning to unleash upon this political system and reveal their 'freedom' for the slavery it is, to proclaim that in fact war does not make peace, and that there is no strength in ignorance.

Personal log; stardate ****: About an hour ago the next door alcoholic comes over with the case of budweiser, and I am trying to politely to turn down his drinking offer, and then comes the crackhead from upstairs with a handful of rocks in one hand, his pipe in the other hand, all ready to smoke.

And I said to both of them something about trying to fight for them, for us, while I close my door in both of their faces.

I cannot believe I am sitting here feeling guilty about not smoking cocaine with one of my brothers . . .

ggrrrr

love all

He's not a guy who misses much
Do do do do do do do do, oh yeah
He's well acquainted with the look of the camo vest
like a lizard who is in the NRA
The lawyer in the cuvy with the cloud of misfortune
and deep sad graditude
Closing his eyes while his hands are busy
Working trigger clicks
A concerned impression for his life which he gave
And donated to the National Media

Down
I need a quail cos I'm going shootin'
Out of my car like Vladimir Putin
I need a quail cos I'm going shootin'

Secret Serviceman switched the gun
Secret Serviceman switched the gun
Secret Serviceman switched the gun
Secret Serviceman switched the gun
Secret Serviceman switched the gun
Secret Serviceman switched the gun

Happiness is with no gun (Happiness bang, bang, shoot, shoot)
Happiness is with no gun, dicky (Happiness bang, bang, shoot, shoot)
When I see you in my mind (Oo-oo oh yeah)
And I feel your finger on "THE" trigger (Oo-oo oh yeah)
I know that you can do us such harm (Oo-oo oh yeah)
Because happiness is with no gun, dicky (Happiness bang, bang, shoot, shoot)
Happiness is with no bomb, yes it is (Happiness bang, bang, shoot, shoot)
Happiness is a with no, yes it is, BOMB!!!! (Happiness bang, bang, shoot, shoot)
Well, don't you know happiness is with no gun, dicky? (Happiness is with no gun, yeah)

-- Morph of "Happiness Is A Warm Gun, The Beatles"

Aloha Craig

Here is a wonderful interview with Deepak; http://www.whatthebleep.com/herald10/articles.shtml I love how he shares to end war is to give up duality thinking. He also shared he quit his job to give up smoking. You might want to think about moving to a place where you have sober neighbors. It is a self-correcting universe. Deepak took a geographic to save his health and look how many people he enlightens. I am grateful you are being the Change, love patty

Patty,

I appreciate the advice, and you are quite right, a change of address can often help.

But, I did lie earlier, I do not make less than 20 thousand a year, actually, after having just defualted on my graduate school loans (feeling sorry for myself because the local law school would not accpet me) I 'make' absolutely no money, and the Washington State Housing Authority is at this moment working on my change of adress . . ., to the street!

I do not really know what to do now. I see a war that needs to be waged, and it is not against 'terror,' and it is not against drugs, and it is not against Osama Bin Laden: the 'war' that needs to be waged is against 'the forces' that made Osama. If one closely reads what Osama states, well . . .

I see one major difference between me and him; he is willing to kill for his freedom! I will never kill a fellow man: period. You can present all of the ethically complex arguments you want (I especially like the one wherer the dactator says, "If you do not shoot this man, I will shoot him and ten more, and you too."

If he shoots ten more and me too, he is just then a mass murderer, and you would not have been a 'savior' because you shot one man to 'supposedly' save ten mroe, yourself included. All the more I can say is; do you think Jesus Christ would pull the trigger? Because he sure did not to save eleven of his apostles and himself too.

If I were in my home and three armed burglars broke in, I would say, "take what you want." If they tried to rape my girl, or her daughter, I would physically defend them, and I would kick the dudes asses if I could, but I am not going to pick up a dropped gun, nor am I actively going to use killing force, if it happened that would be different, but I would not have in my head, "I am going to kill you man."

I chosen a course of life since I sobered up a couple of years ago, and I have been truthfully trying to emulate, inwardly, as well as outwardly, the course I have chosen, and the funniest thing about the whole deal is that, though 'my' course in life is predicated upon the words of Jesus Christ, I seem to have more in common with Deepak's words than most of the 'Christian' sentiments I hear spoken in this nation . . .

So, this 'radical Jesusian' is here to stay for as long as I can hold out.

peace and love

"The fact that a renegade state is going to acquire the bomb panics Europe and the U.S., who seem to pick and choose which Third World country deserves to go nuclear. India and Pakistan, yes, Iran and North Korea, no."

Shouldn't we also add Israel and while we are at it the USA, UK, China, France and Russia as well? This is something I have never understood about this whole nuclear issue. India is not a signatory to the NPT, the reason it gave then is still valid. Its refusal was based on the fact that it is discrimimatory and would have been willing to sign if those who already had nuclear weapons first got rid of them. Somehow the basic question as to how could some countries dictate to other countries how they should defend themselves has never been addressed by the nuclear club. This is like Rummsfeld's recent remarks that China has more military capability than it needs. Excuse me? The pot calling the kettle black?

There have been feeble answers about being responsible nuclear powers to counter the original question but they are absurdly lame. Nuclear weapons have been used just once, we know by whom. Margaret Thatcher threatened use of nuclear weapons during the Falklands war after losing two destroyers and just before the Iraq war there were reports, I don't know how factual, that the US would use low yeild tactical nuclear weapons if required. So this theory of being responsible or mature enough really holds no water for the have nots and for those who feel threatened.

In Iran's case there is a rider though, it is a signatory to the NPT and has therefore legally broken an international agreement. Even though I am most uncomfortable about Iran's nuclear applications, if I were called part of an axis of evil and threatened with the last resort use of force, I think I would take whatever steps I could to retaliate.

Like Ravi and North I think the first step needs to come from the 'responsible' members - the NPT signatories - who need to eliminate their nuclear arsenals as they had agreed to do many many years ago. Till then its just hypocritical rhetoric.

Hi Scott,

"Yes, the U.S. is a wealthy country, but it is also an extremely generous country."

I would second, third and fourth that and more!

Whenever American aid is discussed three incidents in relation to India come to mind always. Thought I'd share them here. The first was in a book by TT Krishnamachari, Indian Finance Minister at the time. India badly needed wheat following a drought. The US readily agreed to gift it. However, India was in the dog house at the time because of many reasons, but principally because Nehru had not initially criticised the USSR action in Hungary, had given a rousing reception to Kruschev and Bulganin on their visit here and I think also over India having walked into Goa and thrown the Portugese out physically. Yet the wheat was forthcoming, there was just one consideration, it was to be paraded from the airport and given a rousing welcome just as that afforded to the Soviet leaders. The Indian Government however didn't quite see the connection and instead offerred to pay for it. Mind you it was still at a very affordable price and the consignement was readily accepted.

The other two incidents concern LBJ and another or the same drought that hit India in 1963 -64 I think. BK Nehru (Indian Ambassador to the USA) in his book "Good guys come second" recounts that LBJ initially hummed and hawed about relief but later called up BKN and said to him that he would be getting all the wheat he needs pronto. The change of heart was because LBJ's daughter pulled him up for being heartless and asked him how he could be so vindictive, specially at Christmas time, and would he enjoy his Christmas thinking of all the poor starving Indian children. I think its a lovely story.

John Kenneth Galbraith, perhaps the most popular American Ambassador to India, in his book about his Indian tenure "An Ambassadors Journal" recounts how he too had rung up LBJ and asked him why he was being niggardly to which LBJ said he was most annoyed by Indira Gandhi's criticism of US policy in Vietnam. Galbraith says he told LBJ to calm down "After all even the Pope has criticised us on Vietnam." LBJ retorted, "Yes, but the Pope doesn't want our wheat!"

Craig,

Very moving, hats off to you!

Aloha Craig

Miracles do happen. And listening to Deepak opens us up to the field of possibilities. I love how he shares we are the only species that can rethink our biology. I see you healthy and well in a environment of peace. The US is an empire that is falling as England and many others did before her. Hold on to your socks because the only place we have to go is up.

The Internet is like a global mind. I am sure we will have a country with no boarders. Fear cam be like: where the false prophet becomes the best prophet, where we put our priorities in order. I am not sure but I think Washington State has a pretty progressive health care system and Microsoft is up there. They say there will be a lot of work in computerized health care with microchips. That might be a field that will open up to you. Every microchip you can program: Peace:) I have heard Deepak share intent is a force as strong as gravity.

I am sure there is a brilliant future in front of you where you will not have to fear living out on the street. It is probably a good thing you didn’t get into law school. There is that joke: The fellow looks at a lawyer and says, “You look like a intelligent lawyer. I will give you 500 dollars if you can answer two questions?” The lawyer looked at him and said, “Yes, what is the second question?” Deepak stepped out of the box of medical research and traditional medicine. We are all learning to be warriors for valued life. Work the system from inside out from non local reality. When I feel drained by someone or something like our country I just keep filling it up with Light from zero point reality, otherwise it keeps draining me.

Love patty

Aloha Craig..... here is a neat site of someone who has stepped out of the box and with science it is like death to their career; http://www.daviddarling.info/ You can read his book Soul Search on line and it is pretty interesting. The best revenge for our government is to be happy and healthy, love patty

I know this is entirely off-topic, but ever notice on FOX NEWS that when a conservative and a liberal are debating each other on a remote feed, the conservative seems to have real-time audio queues while the liberal always..........uh........always seems to have a delay........have a delay in their audio?

Makes them sound like mumbling, scrambled.....uh makes them sound like.........................................fools.

Yo patty

Cheers to you for your thoughts and words to Craig, especially your last line.

To all

Thanks for the heated but rancorless debate -- this is good reading.

Heather

Along with the majority of the western world, the US gives with one had and takes 10 times more with the other.

You cannot claim generosity when you are bleeding developing countries dry with unfair trade. Wake up!

30,000 people will die today of hunger…..

Yes, it is partly to do with corrupt governments but it is mostly to do with unfair trade. Next time you are reaching for those cheap bananas or cut price garment, remember you, me and western society are continuing to steal from the poor.

This is caused by two things:

1) Powerful people sitting on their fat asses, keeping themselves and their buddies on the gravy train.
2) The rest of us sitting on our fat asses with our heads in the sand believing everything what those above chose to tell us.

Wake up, demand fair trade products. Change the world.

Regarding Iran, if there was more justice in the Middle East, we would not have the tensions that exist there.

HI Craig; caught your reply to me in one of your posts above; about my saying you should be on LKLive too,,,giving the suits a dish of humble pie.

Who is Chris Mathews? I still think you would make a very good guest!!

And Craig; kudo's to you, for NOT indulging with the "brothers" in the building..I am quite proud of you for that strength and courage to deny yourself; something which you once found "worth" to use... good going on, Craig!! I think you are one of the smartests guys on this blog; you really know your politics and religion...you amaze me..I think you are great!(smiles)...so glad you are staying around.

North

North

Patty,

I wish brother Bill (Gates) would give me a job, but then again, it would almost be like Jesus working for Caesar,

I don't know . . .

Health care in Washington State (har har har har).
A brother gets better care in prison, at least they pull out your rotting teeth, or put you in 'the hole' and let you die peacefully of cancer in solitary confinement.

I must say this has been a very enjoyable thread. We have had Skep, Scott, Steve, but where is that Richard Thomas???

North,

Christ Matthews is this dude on MSNBC, who, even being a blonde, rifles questions a mile a minute at his guests. But, it is always the same stuff, "decmocrats have no backbone, and God is a Republican, blah, blah, blah."

Funniest thing yet, I think he is supposed to be a 'liberal.' Liberally deluding the working-class masses that is (har har har har).

Also, I do not blame 'my people' for coming at me with the Budweiser and crack, it is the only thing we have ever known, and often I feel like I am betraying them, especially after having quit school, I mean, I am doing nothing for my people, nothing! Bullshit man . . .

Now, about that revolution!!!!!!!!

Peace all

Hi Patty,
Thanks for the great interview with Deepak. That's really all encompassing. It touches every issue we have been discussing at Intent in the past 2 months (since I found this blog).

Craig,
You are an amazing man. Despite the challenges, you have your heart in the right place.

Love,
Donatella

The attitude of the world is all reflected by the attitude of the US. As long as the government there is allowed to maintain it's superior, dictatorial attitude the rest of the world will feel threatened. While the US threatens everybody with sanctions but continues to maintain their "we do what we want" attitude everybody else needs to ban together, threaten & pursue sanctions against the US. Maybe that would make them realize their behavior is unacceptable. Then maybe we could talk about world peace. It's nearly impossible to not think of defending yourself when continually threatened

Dear Craig, I hear ya; but, one small "correction" if I may adjust with an interlude of inclusion...

My people as you put it; sounds seperating..Craig; regardless of what we look like in our skin; we are all..the same, "People."

I am mixed cultural mud-blood(wink)..I do not feel an obligation to do anything for "my" people; but, to include all as One..United race!

Craig; so not fall into the trap that seperates you from the rest of the race of human beings.. I cannot see you Craig; I see no skin colour.. I see no height differences, or weight, or beauty/homely..etc...

I see only what you write about..how you present yourself..I cannot judge you; b/c I do not want God's job(wink)..

I do not feel seperate from you, merely b/c I am a woman either; in fact, I am a reflection perhaps, of your feminine side; as Shekhar mentioned in a blog once..(miss that guy around here!)

Anyway..I hope you can "see" what I am trying to "show" you..using only words to convey that "YOU, ME< WE,,,are all the same!!

A rose and a Lily are two different flowers in its construction; but, they are still a "FLower" nontheless..among all flowers..

Get my drift Craig? Hope so... so, rather than feel you owe your people anything; remember always,, YOU are the people.. just like me.

North

Indeed North,

I 'use' the 'my people' thing perhaps as a little jab at the biblicists. Point taken; my bad!

I just saw this bit on ABC News, and here is a link to the online version: http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/Science/story?id=1607112&page=1

Tis a trip, our greed, our each and every one 'I want mine' attitude, is literally, physically, polluting our planet right before our eyes, and yet we refuse to see,

much like our own government telling us that they just must keep secrets from us 'common folk,'

meanwhile the Canaanites are standing up, the Israelites are standing up, and we are making sure everybody has lots of guns,

too many of us think we know the mond of God, me too, I am just as guilty, even striving for the 'perfect' objectivity, we all fall so short,

and here I thought we were an advanced species . . .

peace

Nah, we are no more advanced than a working ant, Craig; we human beings in our "ego" frailty desire wrong things..not realizing that every candy bar wrapper will last in the earths ground/landfill sites for almost eternity...every disposable diaper, every plastic "thing" which does not break back down to a natural state...

But, we keep buying the candy bars, b/c they suite our sweeth tooth; blinded by the craving, the satiating our "desires" that the pollution is an ultimate price we pay... to "have it."

Craig; glad you got my drift... don't every let go.. don't ever convince yourself you are a different human being...b/c we are the same Spirit..just in different skins and body hair(wink.) which only makes the flower garden more beautiful,,not seperate.

North

Craig; if the USA Gov't knew a bomb was on its way; they wouldn't say so,,that only happens in the movies; let's realize.. it would cause chaos and panic like we couldn't even imagine! Katrina showed the world that-- the gov't would ultimately lose immediate control.. it just doesn't work that way.. they knew about 9/11....I"m convinced they wanted it to happen.. investigative revelations about it are talked about,,forgotten, buried..(how appropriate)

A tide turns for a change of season; it is an inevitability...the USA sold itself many, many years ago to other countries..

they are so many hundreds of billions of dollars in debt; they are slated it seems; to be north america's maybe first,,,new, fourth world..

I think it could be worse than in places like India and Pakistan; b/c the USA has a lot of pollution, etc..which will cause rampant disease, suffering like we've never seen...

the USA is not equipped for a war; there are too many sky-scrapers..too many ppl in one area...

It's just a shame,,,human beings have to take life, to have life...we are no different than other animals whom strive for survival on this planet...our intelligence gave us nothing...but the skill to kill in the millions in one swoop!

North

Now, this is really ironic! look at the "actual" link after2006; to this blog...eeeeeeee! lol

talk about a malfunctioned typo,,,error...I KNOW it is just the shortened version of a longe title; but, the ironicy of the link; just caught my eye.

North

That is not necessarily the correct conclusion to this nuclear problem. Iran gets bomb and U.S. demands disarmament? For sure Bush and Co. will bomb their facilities before they acquire a bomb in Iran. C'mon some gps and some missiles from subs no problem for the U.S. And sure it would piss off a lot of people but with the conservatives in control of the media who will complain. ..American idol watchers? I think not Deepak.

Dear Dr. Chopra,

First I doubt that Iran is thinking of itself as David, as in the David and Goliath story which is a Biblical story. Christianity is not the Iranian national religion.

Relative to the United States invading Iran to stop a potential nuclear weapon from being developed, that would work. Iraq certainly is not longer considered a threat to develop the bomb; however it has presented a host of other more serious problems, like spawning a whole new generation of terrorists, and completely destroying America’s credibility as a fair and just nation.

It should also be realized, and remembered that countries like Iraq, were never attacked to stop a nuclear bomb from being built, or liberate an oppressed population like Kuwait. These were PR reasons to hide the real agenda which of course was to have more control over their vital oil.

Iran is completely correct in pointing out the double standards that now exist relative to the nuclear question. Don’t hold your breath waiting for America to acknowledge this piece of logic.

Simon seems to think that a few decades of good behavior should erase crimes like “genocide” and “slavery” from a Nation’s past record, and qualify them to become the unappointed world police force. I completely disagree! Simon goes on to say

“Acts of genocide and barbaric behavior by countries rules them out as being world leaders.”

I completely agree with this statement, but find it also describes many of America’s actions over the past 100 odd years. I don’t think their record of these crimes, should be expunged until they have at the least made a serious effort towards restitution for their barbaric and genocidal treatment of the Native Americans, and the hundred years of forced African slavery, and discrimination which lasted well into the late 1900’s! This disqualifies them to hold the position of World Policeman.

Even America’s first attack on Iraq in 1990 which was supposed to be in response to Iraq annexing of Kuwait, was a hypocrite action in as much as America did virtually the same thing when they annexed Texas from Mexico. The similarities are scary if anyone wants me to elaborate.

Only the United Nations was formed to have this kind of police power, and irrespective of their short comings they are still the only world body authorized to do any kind of World police work. America and their “coalition of the willing” (reads coerced) have illegally usurped their place and power. Now they are working hard to discredit the UN in order to mute the UN’s condemnation of America’s actions in Iraq.

In closing I agree with Dr. Chopra that disarmament must begin with the ones who have the most weapons.

Respectfully,

Stan

'..What Can We Do?..'
Posted by Deepak Chopra

You shouldn't have asked, Deepak..;)
for that www.anhglobal.org,

ELSA is the world's largest independent law students' association. It
comprises a membership close to 30 000 students and recent graduates
who are interested in law and have demonstrated commitment to
international issues.

ELSA operates primarily through its local groups, which are located at
more than 200 universities throughout 35 countries in Europe.

http://www.elsa.org/
http://www.elsa.org.pl/

With Love, Passion!

I had said this on Intentblog two months ago as well, so this is a mere repetition & reminder. There is only ONE solution to all the problems of the world like poverty, territorial disputes, wars over Oil etc. Here is a copy paste of what I had written earlier on this site:

The solution lies in UNIFYING THE INTERESTS OF ALL COUNTRIES. And the only way to do it is to create a borderless world. Let people migrate from one country to another at will. Open all borders. Countries will become only names for Administrative Blocks. No need for any passport or visa. Let there be a complete freedom of movement of goods, people & money. Let there be a single government which rules over the whole world. Let there be a uniform tax rate across the globe. Just like water spreads evenly in a utensil, so will people, goods and money. For the initial one or two years there will be an exodus of people from poor countries into the currently rich ones. But in time a balance will be created across the world and I guarantee you that POVERTY WILL BE ELIMINATED FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH. THERE IS ENOUGH MONEY FOR EVERYONE ON THIS PLANET, IF ONLY THE HOARDED MONEY IS GIVEN AN OUTLET. Not only would such absolute freedom be beneficial for the entire human population in monetary terms, it would also bring with it a mingling of cultures and thus PEACE and brotherhood across the world.

To add to the above piece in the context of Global Disarmament:
When there is going to be ONE World, ONE SINGLE economy, ONE Global police force, ONE Global Administration then who would we need to protect against? Would there then be any need for WPDs? There would be no "us" and no "them". We could then safely destroy the entire Nuclear Arsenal of the world. And the world will then be a heaven on Earth.

The citizens of America and citizens of other wealthy/powerful nations in the world have vested interest in opposing Global Unification. They don't want their smooth, comfortable lives to get disrupted by this change. That's why we have seen no clear response from them on this proposal till date. But I say to you that Global Unification is an idea whose time has come & no matter how hard rich/powerful nations try to ignore it, it will happen within this century. Consider this an astrological prediction!

Don't believe this can happen?
Stick around with me on this planet for the next 50 years and you shall see a New One World taking shape!

Cheers!
Navin

PS:

Donatella,

When I say that the people of the U.S. are extremely generous, I am not talking about the government of the U.S. YES, it does give money, but like all government spending that money comes with strings attached. ALL governments do this without exception.

No, I was talking about the American people...private giving. The private giving of U.S. citizens actually is a larger number than the aid given by the government of the U.S. And without the strings attached. Americans on average, are wealthy...but they also give freel of that wealth.

Peace,
Scott.

People want a world revolution, and yet, they still want lawyers and money.
Cannot anybody imagine a world without lawyers, guns, and money, it is easy if you really try.

In fact, it is easier for me to imagine a world without war, than it is to think of an All-powerful God in heaven. I see the guns, planes, and bombs, but I do not see evidence for God. Millionaire lawyers and gold-clad theologians come up with the theory of 'moral intuition,' and a million African babies die each year because of those self-same lawyers and their 'superior' powers of reason.

People so badly need a cause for this universe, and the best cause 'they' can find, an Almighty God, impels certain populations unto genocidal warfare, and to proclaim this land (or that land) is mine!

Well I too have received a message from God. He told me the meek shall inherit the earth, and the golden idols you worship as money shall be worthless.

When to get literal and when to get metaphorical, the question of the ages.

So, when you people start shooting, just remember it is the rich that have oppressed you, and not the poor, we are just the most visible symbol of the rich man's, and your, love of money.

Peace

People are people what ever country they live in or were born in. some are greedy some are generous.....

classification of countries to people has to stop....we are Earthlings.... all of us United as one people that is how it has to be for world peace... one people no seperation.

Deepak,

Thanks for at least staying on the topic that effects all of us more. The rest of the world seems to be addicted to making bad jokes about Dick Cheney right now.

There are plenty of real issues to disguss without going there.

Best Regards,

GA

On a unnamed planet, it was all the talk
was it a cosmic event? No they annihilated themselves.
There were 10 people on this planet, female and male, who could at will become pure energy, a bird , insect, a beautiful thought, a river,
dew caressing the grass, water washing the faces of the flowers, music. These 10 people constantly bathed the universe with Love.

Love to all

Stan,

Continiously refering to the past about what a country or a person may or may not have been responsible for is taking 3 steps backwards. I have done things in my past that I am not proud of and wish i had never done them and I am sure you have as well as many other people here.

What good would it do if I came and constantly reminded you of negative things you had done in your past?

It would not do any good, because the only thing that is relevent is now, this moment in time is where we stand to be judged not 20 years, 100 years ago or 300 years ago.

The past is gone....it is not even real any more, you base your judgements on some thing that is not real.

The US, UK and the other Democratic Countries through out the world can and will police the world and it is not a case of whether or not you think they are not up to the Job because they may have commited acts of barbaric behaviour in their past, it is down to the fact that some body has to take responsibility for global security and also have the needs of humanity as their first and foremost concern.

so it is not a case of should they be policing our world it is a case of where do they start to make the most difference, Iraq?...certainly, Iran?...maybe.... Africa?.... yes indeed.

Fire must be fought with fire, any war or conflict between terrorists and peace keeping forces will envolve the risk of loss of life and some times it is innocent loss of life which is obviously tragic but is a sacrifice that some times saves millions of lives for the future.

Dear Deepak
With all due respect your view that Israel doesn't need the A Bomb means you are closing your eyes to the fact they were attacked three times since they became a state. Now Iran says they want to remove Israel from the planet. Israel should view that as a declaration of war and defend itself by attacking Iran now. I have agreed with you that we should meditate for peace. When do we determine that in spite of our best efforts we must defend ourselves against an attack? If another nation proclaims it will obliterate you, is that not enough provocation for war. I hate war...I deplore war. But we no longer have the luxury of time on our side. The Islamic world is too far entrenched in their belief system, their own Islamic meme, to be influenced by the rest of the world's meditations (IMHO)

I have two major intellectual influences. Deepak Chopra and Howard Bloom. Bloom makes a case for the Alpha male dominating in the biological world, the animal world and the homo sapien world. The thought of a nuclear war is horrendous. I would do anything to avoid it. I'm convinced the Islamic fundamentalists will destroy us as soon as they have a nuclear capability. unless we strike first. This is my first hawkish statement ever and I do not come by it easily. Please convince me of any error in my thinking but read The Lucifer Principle by Howard Bloom first.

Thank you and with love,
Rich Machiz

Are those who fail to learn from history doomed to repeat it?

Stan, you are the man!
“The similarities are scary if anyone wants me to elaborate”.

You don’t have to. The ones who don’t know already may listen but won’t hear!

It is from learning from the past that The Democratic Countries of the world are dealing with Rouge Countries/states, There was a little Man over half a century called Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party that taught the civilised world what can happen when power is allowed to be grasped by the wrong hands.

There is a difference between persecuting someone or some country for their past and learning from the past.....2 seperate things that you need to be aware of before you open your mouth in future.

The U.S. gave massive support to Somalia in the midst of its famine. Where were the other countries?

The U.S. was the lead on putting down the atrocities in the former Yugoslavia. Where were the Europeans when it wasn't happening out side of their door, but in their own house.

Black Hawk down.....why the heck doesn't the rest of the world step up to the plate sometimes?

That is not to say the U.S. is a pure Angelic state, but it certainly is no demon.

“You and I as well as everyone else here are not qualified to make judgements on world security as we do not have access to all of the information and for good reason.”

Sound familiar to anyone?

Simon,

You say:
"What good would it do if I came and constantly reminded you of negative things you had done in your past? "It would not do any good, because the only thing that is relevant is now, this moment in time is where we stand to be judged not 20 years ago,...."

Ok Simon my question to you is, if this is true, then why is Iraq's past constantly brandished about by those of you who want to compare them to Hitler, and justify why they were invaded??

THEY GASSED THEIR OWN PEOPLE!

Never mind that this happened back in the early 1980's more than 20 years ago! Never mind that the United States gave them the gas. Never mind that they were at war with Iran, and many of those Kurds were Iranian agents. Simon do you perhaps have what is referred to as "selective memory"?

I am ok to forget about America's past right after they accurately portray the ugly side of that past in their history books, and then make a serious attempt at some real restitution for their crimes, after all the great grand fathers of those who stole the land and murdered the inhabitants are still occupying and enjoying that land, without so much as a "thank you" or an "I'm sorry".

Why don't you study up on how the Cherokee, Choctaw and Creek were illegally removed from their homes in Georgia, and the Carolinas, rounded up and forced to march all the way to Okalahoma. 1/3 of them died along the way ,and they were only allowed to bury their dead children, wives, mothers, brothers, and sisters every three days. This meant husbands had to carry their dead wives,and mothers had to carry their dead children for up to three days even sleeping with them, before the soldiers would let them be buried. This was all done after those Indians had peacefully adopted white American ways. Oh and Simon don't look for this in American history books, it was one of many many atrocities that were conveniently omitted!

I would also like to know why, in your haste to appoint the US/UK as official world police force, have you forgotten the role of the United Nations?

Respectfully

Stan

I admire your patience Stan, but there is not much of a chance to find common ground with people who think, “you’re either with us or against us!” The sad thing is, we should all question authority. Many experts feel the present administration is ruining the best country in the world.

It is understandable that many of us don’t want to know about our past. Take a look! http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Blum/US_Interventions_WBlumZ.html

A Serenity Prayer Excerpt: "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the differnce."

This is what we must follow as an initial guideline to warring.. to saving this planet, in saving ourselves.

IT is never too late, to finally forget "yesterday" so that we might focus and forgive for today; and so then we might find we "have" a tomorrow for our children; and all the generations, waiting to be borned.

Let us all choose today and tomorrow as our best, and perhaps ultimately, our only "choice."

North

To bomb or not to bomb and the question of safety...

Let's just say it is as simple as defragmenting a few molecules from their agreement to hold on - to letting go....

Stan,

Obviously what you have said about acts of genoside in Iraq and with Nazi Germany with the Gas is a very striking point and it is a subject that people especially young people must be educated about in order for them to have insight in to the horrors that mankind is capable of.

As far as The crimes against the Native americans go, I used to be very much in love with a Native American Girl and lived with Native americans for a time and I have experienced first hand how they feel about the whole situation and many of them think it is very sad what happened in the past, but for now there is nothing that can undo the past, so preservation for the future is where many of their hearts and minds are and good on them.

The United Nations, hmmm well what can I say about them, not very much to be honest. I honestly do not think that there are enough countries who are involved in the UN who care enough about other countries situations to make a difference. So what I mean by that is there are countries who are part of the UN who's only concern is their own affairs and couldn't give a shit about anywhere else, that's my opinion there.

Skeptisch,

If you really want to know what get's my goat.... and it is not this them and us attitude, it is when there are people like you spouting off about how much you want world peace and how much America have done wrong and how we should rebel against authority, and all of this time there are people out there in places Like Iraq and Afganistan risking and sacrificing their lives so that you can sit there and spew that shit out. If it were not for people like the Americans and the Brits and the other countries Like Australia and Canada and Japan who do Police the world, you would not dare say anything like that, you would not have the freedom or the right to say what you are saying because you would probably end up being shot for it.

I still maintain the fact that none of us here are qualified to make judgements on world security as we do not have all of the Information regarding Iran or Iraq or anywhere else. And I am not making judgements on world security I am simply putting an argument against this idea that we do not need countries like Britain and the US to police our world in this very dangerous time, which common sense tells us that we most certainly do need protection from fanatics who would seek to do you, me and everyone here Harm. I am not in a position to make Judgemental decisions, that is up to the politicians.

always Clinging on to the past is bad Karma and will have a direct effect on your present condition. The past is gone let it rest in peace or it will haunt you for ever.

Ok Simon my question to you is, if this is true, then why is Iraq's past constantly brandished about by those of you who want to compare them to Hitler, and justify why they were invaded??

Iraq was not invaded because of it's past it was invaded because of the present day threat that it posed to the world and it's future threat to the world in regards supplying funding to terrorist organisations and the present day treatment of civilians, that was enough. It's past may be brandished about as a means of justifying invading them but not by me and I am not responsible for those who do use Iraq's past as any kind of justification.

I am surprised that somebody has not gone the whole Hogg yet and brought up Hiroshima!

or why don't we just make a big huge long list of all the things America and Britain have done bad in the last Million years or so in Britains case maybe even longer..... and we will charge Tony Blair and George Bush with all of it and put them in Jail.

Get Real will you!

Simon,

You’ve heard the saying, “If you don’t remember where you’ve been, you won’t know where you’re going.”

Those who want to forget the past are usually guilty of something.

Those who want to remember the past are often proud of something.

When it comes to the good America has done you want it remembered. Why are you so anxious to forget the bad things America did in the past? Heck you’re probably not even aware of a lot of them, and neither is the average American. The fact that the victors write the history books has taken care of that.

How many times did you hear President Bush rail about how dangerous and bad Iraq was, as he was trying to get us into the war? One proof he regularly remembered, was that they even gassed their own people, and would undoubtedly have the BOMB at any moment. People, perhaps like your self, swallowed this hook line and sinker, and even though NO WMD’S of any kind have ever been found until now, you still want to justify old George’s actions, and your own belief, that invading Iraq was a good thing. I wonder if you have any family or close friends among the 2000 + dead Americans due to this unnecessary war.

You have also heard it said that “those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.” Well when we have our soldiers, who you are praising for protecting us,(from a threat that didn’t exist) start abusing the men and women prisoners under their care as they have now been found to be doing in Iraq, it reminds me, of what happened to the Cherokee.

You seem to have some profound double standards Simon, when you can say out of one side of your mouth that it’s good for young people to be educated about acts of genocide, and the horrors that mankind is capable of with people like Hitler, and countries like Iraq, and then out of the other side of your mouth you want me to shut up, and forget all about telling everyone about the horrors and genocide that America has committed, and in some cases is still committing. It’s real!

You go on to say Iraq was not invaded for it’s past, but for it’s present threat to the world, and for supplying money to terrorists and mistreating their citizens. If this is what you think, you’re the one who needs to Get Real! There are dozens of countries who fit this profile why aren't we attacking them? Iraq posed no threat to the world! They had already been bombed back to the Stone Age in 1990 by America and its friends, and the cruelest of sanctions against everything from weapons to aspirin, had been in place ever since then. Sanctions that by the way, killed 500,000 children, and never bothered Saddam.

Iraq was attacked and invaded for one reason and one reason only, OIL!

I do think you made on good point in your posts Simon, when you made the following statement...

” there are countries who are part of the UN who's only concern is their own affairs and couldn't give a shit about anywhere else, that's my opinion there.”

I think you have nailed America’s current attitude relative to the UN with this statement spot on! They have shown that they will use the UN, or abuse it, only as it suits their purpose. Pay their dues when they feel like it, and go it alone if they don’t like what the UN resolves. This is the same kind of arrogance they showed to the Indians, the Africans, The Afghanis, and the Iraqis.

Who was saying history isn’t important?

Stan,

Your observations are accurate, sincere and straightforward. The polls show the majority of American people are catching on and share your views!

Many years ago, I had taken my son to the barbers to get his hair cut.

The barber is named: he is very french, extremely prejudice, respects only himself; is rich, owns lots of property, and is arrogant!! Wrong kinda guy to have such power of wealth, ouiyes?)?

Well, just ahead of us, was an Indian man I knew, a few years older than me. I couldn't pronounce his Indian name, so he was labeled with the "English" title of: Muscles, at age, around ten(yeah, nice name, huh?)when he attended school for the first time!

I attended the same grade-school with him and his sister younger sister, a year or two older than me; thier lives at home was one of sexual/physical/alcohol/mental abuse. The boy did not stand a chance against those odds..neither did she..both trying to take their lives, at least more than once...at age, ten and thirteen!!

They were "forced" by the church and government to leave their reservations(we first coralled, I mean; put them IN) waYyy back in the 1960's; and were made to live in town, and learn to NOW at someone elses command, blend in; and attended "white schools."

Needless to say again; all this did, was subject them to more human child, torturous games. IF we want to see clearly; children can exhibit the ultimate cruelty; OR, can be guided to the ultimate compassion of fellow peers.

I'd never seen such cruelty like in that school; and I hate to have to admit to that fact; but, this does not extend only to one school either, so lets get that straight; this is in every school's back-yard, it exists even in the privilaged and private schools.

OK, OK< back to the story! geez,,,be patient!!(giggles)

The worn-out of life Indian Man goes UP, to the barber chair for his turn.

The barber, suddenly develops a weird look on his face; I saw it coming!! IN for the kill, he became!!

Needless to say; this poor Indian man; "became" what he was groomed to BE - dysfunctional, and lives the part even today. I doubt he even remembers me! His sister does though; as we weren't raised prejudiced; and tried to befriend her(me and my fam)..but, we got chastised for it; but, we didn't care...being called Indian lover; did not sear my flesh and bones, nor did it touch my mind/heart/spirit...but, it did create and plant a seed so deep within me; I've become a pathetic "Devender."

I was not raised, nor took an inkling to enjoying prejudice, bullying, I found it disturbing to see peers, poking him with a long stick; once, feeding him a full-box laxative-laced brownie at lunch time; so that the Indian boy, who barely spoke english; "released his bowels" in class later. It was the worst thing, I saw anyone, "take part" in; I was maybe age seven-ten? but, it was like they were a gang; against a helpless, emanciated dog; daring it to die?

Anyway, we are in Marcels shop, waiting for my sons turn..on comes the face of hate/prejudice on the barbers face! I saw it too many times; not to recognise the terrorizing deadly "force."

He's cutting the Indian mans hair now..I take in a breath, and feel my body tighten; I KNOW what is about to come..and it did!

The barber says to the Indian man; "well, isn't this a change? A white-man, scalping an Indian for a change?"

My fist was forming in my mind; to chastise the barber for that pathetic, unnecessary remark; when suddenly the Indian man replies: "hey, don't blame me man, I wasn't even there!"

I got up, gathered me and my sons things(coat, hats) and we walked out..and as I did so, I responded: "Neither was I."

North

The moral for this true story, is that; prejudice-hatred is learned at home, on the street, on school and church grounds..every private and public place, a child attends..and learns from.

AS parents; it is our obligation and duty, to cease hatred to exist. WE cannot, as united families, continue in this failure!

I hope..since I were age seven-ten, since I gave witness to the falling of two childrens lives TO hatred; still, I wait! for the day..we are all accepted as one voice..one heart..one mind.

North

Stan,

I strongly Disagree with you that iraq was not a threat to the world. Iraq was a breeding ground for terrorist organisations that would one day pose a massive threat to the entire planet, full stop!.... as far as them being in the stone age, they have lots of oil which means money which means power which equals bad news. You are an intelligent man work it out for yourself why other countries that fit Iraqs profile have not been invaded, they did not have the financial potential that iraq had.

These are my views on the subject like them or not and this is why something was and is being done about these issues and it was about bloody time.

This debate is probably an endless one and for me is now closed, I have put my views over and i think that they are very valid points, and they are also being put in to practice by the powers that be and I feel are the views of the majority of peace loving people all over the world.

as a peace offering Stan and the other dogooder, here is a great Joke I heard the other day.... I hope you guys laugh as much as I did.

Peace

Simon

A young lady in the maternity ward just prior to labour is asked by the
midwife if she would like her husband to be present at the birth.

"I'm afraid I don't have a husband" she replies.

"O.K. Do you have a boyfriend?" asks the Midwife

"No, no boyfriend either."

"Do you have a partner then?"

"No, I'm not attached, I'll be having my baby on my own."

After the birth the midwife again speaks to the young woman.

"You have a healthy bouncing baby girl, but I must warn you before you
see her that the baby is black".

"Well," replies the girl. "I was very down on my luck, with no money and
nowhere to live, and so I accepted a job in a porno movie. The lead man
was black."

"Oh, I'm very sorry," says the midwife, "that's really none of my
business and I'm sorry that I have to ask you these awkward questions
butI must also tell you that the baby has blonde hair."

"Well yes," the girl again replies, "you see the co-star in the movie
was this Swedish guy."

"Oh, I'm sorry," the midwife repeats, "that's really none of my business
either and I hate to pry further but your baby also has slanted eyes."

"Yes," continues the girl, "there was a little Chinese man also in the
movie, I really had no choice."

At this, the midwife again apologises, collects the baby and presents
her to the girl, who immediately proceeds to give baby a slap on the
butt. The baby starts crying and the mother exclaims, "Thank god for that!"

"What do you mean?" says the midwife, shocked.

"Well," says the girl extremely relieved, "I had this horrible feeling
that it was going to bark."

PMSL!

Mr. Freejohn,

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, even if it is stupid.

LOL,

My name is not Mr Freejohn, Mr Head!...... Simon_freejohn is a Pseudo nom.

You do not think i would use my real name when they let delinquints like you on here do you?

LOL xx

simon

Iraq's oil was under UN control, now it's under US/UK control. Hello

Mr. Freejohn,

Perhaps you would do yourself a little favor by first learning how to spell pseudonym and delinquent?

This wonderful medium allows even those who are literarily challenged to opine where the big boys and girls come to play.

Mr D. Head,

Yeah I am a very lazy speller, but I make up for it in bed though ladies.

I am cut to the quick with your remarks about me AJ, infact my quick has never been so cut.

LOL,

Well Stan.... what can I say?... we have more shitty clapped out cars in the UK and US and we need the oil more than the UN to compensate for all of the oil leaks on our motors.

LOL

Simon xx