I think of the apathy towards the War more in terms of a paradox. Who in America can fathom the depths of dispair that is felt in any nation on whose grounds War takes place? We are blessed in North America with plenty and our "greed" be it for oil or power or both or other lusts just as destructive is glaring and apparent to the rest of the world. A peace march is just that....marching and gathering to show we are "in step" against War in all of its ugliness. I also do not see this as focused towards peace as much as non-violence training,ethics classes, other attempts at peace education, or even feeding and housing the poor among us. I do see strides being taken more so each and every day. Little details being worked out that will lead to more conscious-awareness of what maturity it does take on a national scale to forward a World Peace Agenda is still quite a far off. It is the keeping hope alive that peace marches and other gatherings sustain. I cannot forget the many who chose to arm themselves and answer the call of their nation to defend....[I cannot kill and find little to defend at the hands of greedy leadership that invokes an unrighteous war over the world's few remaining resources]...and I must honor their choice as well as the sacrifice of any and all human life so willingly lain before us. The paradox is in finding a midway point aka "common ground" where the strongest defense of all is "peace action" instead of retalitory aggression and defense-posturing based wholely on hysteria and induced fear aka terrorisms. The greatest fear is fear, itself. What we need most as world-class citizens is such love for our fellow mankind that even thoughts of violence and/or war would be seldom, if ever, entertained. Peace and "peace action" are choices that make for a healthy world where all God's children can live and thrive. So by what reasoning is the creation of avenues and pathways wherein Peace can be achieved proving so very difficult? read more »

May I suggest something better since "Perfect Love cast out fear", here is my suggestion...
> Make it a "Courage to Love One Another" Month....doing "acts of random kindness" each and every day throughout the Month of October, not forgetting to share smiles, good news, and willingness to help one another experience joy, laughter, and life at its fullness.
> Afterall, the mere acknowledgement of fear gives unfair advantage to assure defeat. I choose my stance and stand in victory and courage as a "seeker of Truth". read more »

Americans have been rather notorious (hope I spelled that right) for their pioneering spirit since the first pilgrims landed. I have sought to be a Pioneer For Peace in all the moments of my life and shall continue my quest to do so. It takes tons of courage to have the courage to pioneer whether it is settling in a new land/environment, landing a man on the moon, or even creating on-going explorations of space, lands, and seas (notwithstanding the duty to discover self in such a Way as to be of service to others joyfully and willingly). read more »

For years now I have repeatedly asked throughout my daily journeys to my local city leaders, government representatives, Senators, and, yes, even my President, "If we can study, research, and document the causes of illness, why is it so difficult to do the same with violence and violent behaviors?
Most of the world's ills and all of the world's wars no matter how small or large would be stopped immediately if only we knew the answer as to what makes a person choose peace over violence and/or violence over peace. read more »

[My response to my local Senator's request for my opinion on Immigration issue...
Just whose idea was it to build walls instead of bridges anyways? Spend money on unnecessary and ridiculous enforcements and enforcers when so many needs of housing, food, medical, and educational expenses are urgent?]

Where is the choice of "none of the above"? My husband and I believe that affirmation of "good work ethics" needs to be fully rewarded. We would like the RACISM that is FULLY FUNDED in this nation to be Halted at Once (no agency, housing, or employment is free from the INQUEST of "Race"). Our neighbors to the South and Southwest are hard workers and often add to the prosperity of many Americans as they do flee violence and extreme poverty in their previous neighborhoods. They deserve to be pardon for their desire to better their own life plight and left In Peace exactly where they have found employment, housing, and "a place in the sun". And voluntary learning of English ought to be encouraged as a means of "U-n-I-ty(Ties)". America's politics and social policies need to reach a level of maturity that seeks prosperity for all not just for those who spend time and "far too much money needed elsewhere(more pressing needs are feeding, housing, and educating the poor among us)" to loudly proclaim some STUPID "manifest destiny" that has cause nothing thoughout our nation's and that of others but annilihations and chaos. read more »

Not since Hitler's time has hysteria been so used to move a nation as it is currently moving America. Peace requires a quiet assurance of faith that as we move about doing the works of Righteousness so that peace for all mankind will be the ultimate and final result. We must not move in ways that condemn others, that engage the same evil name-calling and demands for angered venegance of one kind or another, such acts and actions show neither forgiveness or kindness. To use the same methods as the world does to attempt to right the wrongs does nothing to encourage any higher course of action. I agree that peace circles give people an outlet to voice frustration but those frustration need to be channeled in non-violent and peace-enhancing character-building. Standing against something in one's street presence is vastly different than making forward moves to advance in either defense or rebellion some cause that has not been well-thought out as to results and consequences. First Love, then do no harm. Working together is far more acceptable than pulling apart and destroying the unity and the safety that commonality affords to all. Our differences are not that different. It is our attitute towards Love, Mercy, and Peace that all mankind will look upon us to measure our continuing progress towards peace. Let us take the greater challenge to work together for goodwill and peace among all mankind, with all mankind, and for all mankind. Let us learn to call one another friend(s) and brother/sister. read more »

Some years ago, I was consoling a young woman who had lost 8 of her children over a period of some 10 years to Child Protective Services in the State of Oregon and, at 32 years of age, she cried out to me that she was "nothing more than a Baby-Maker for the State of Oregon." She pointed out what beautiful babies she always made. She was blond with clear, sky-blue eyes. The Ultimate essence of an Aryan Broodmare, the Nazi ideology for Caucasian gentile. I could do nothing but agree with her and share the depth of her sorrows at the loss of so many opportunities to attempt the "raising of her own." read more »

Just as the poor will always be with us, I believe those who desire to hate, even if it is only the tiniest seed in their heart of hearts, will evolve their hate into violence at every opportunity that presents itself.
The true question for mankind at this time is... What is the reason we have FAIL TO PROVIDE for an evolution that works at displacing hate and promotes peace among mankind? Especially in America, where we were able to pioneer our way to the moon yet we deem it an impossibility to seek real peace through dipolmatic means among our fellow man? read more »

Dedicated to my special Hero, Tom Fox

The Hope of the Peace Seeker

More economic debt,

Oh! Woe! the cost of war....

To China, oh, Great Lender,

Our souls are sold and sore.

And behind to many bushes

search still more money sources;

To keep up a war-mongering,

No halting such errored discourses.

Our troops are tired and weary-eyed

And some do lay a-dying, read more »

Spring and Summer Suggestions
1. Just sending a Postcard to our nations' leaders with the note "Peace for our children NOW." [or any similiar quote about peace...maybe even on a monthly basis if you can commit to that] How wonderful it would be if all nations' leaders were looking over the same plea from their peoples.
2. Just holding a community gathering, a potluck picnic, once a month, so that those with a "Brave Heart" of peace could congregate for friendship, tolerance, and acceptance of one another. Even today in many countries this is near impossible...but it is something to work towards for the betterment of our world, isn't it? read more »