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welcomeMember of Humanity; Citizen of EarthI'm a contributing editor, not a managing editor on this site - although my opinion has been sought from time to time when changes are contemplated or on the even more rare occasions when something offensive is going on and the intervention option is being considered. (I think there have been only two.) I write when I can, when I've participated in something I want to share with this community, or when something I read here resonates in one way or another with something I cherish. I enjoy the time I spend here, and I have connected in a deep way with a handful of cyber-friends. I hope you are inspired to contribute by what you find here.
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One Heart at a TimeI used to think that social change would happen if enough people got out in the street and demanded it. As I have seen the war in Iraq dragging on in spite of the millions demonstrating against it, I have become cynical and stopped demonstrating - with gratitude to those who do so as long as they realize that they may be meeting their need for self-expression, but nothing more. Today I got a local story from activist Rees Shearer that demonstrates that others' needs are also being met by demonstrations - those too-often nameless and faceless observers. The Appalachian Peace Education Center (APEC) has been demonstrating on the last Saturday of every month in front of the federal courthouse in Abingdon, VA since early 2003. At that time, David Patton was a counter-demonstrator but had not been on that corner in quite some time. At the October 27th demonstration, David walked up and handed Keith Franklin of APEC a card announcing the opening of his exhibit of photographs from Baghdad, 2004-2005, and invited Keith to come. Keith made sure that David understood that Keith is in the reserves, and that APEC is not demonstrating against the troops but just wants them to come home. David stayed with the demonstration for quite a while talking about how bad things have gotten and how bleak the future looks in Iraq. Since Keith lives quite far away and was unable to go, Rees and his wife Kathy attended the opening of David's photography exhibit Friday evening. There was Iraqi food and local belly dancers performed, and the event was attended by several people whose lives have been intimately touched by the war in Iraq. Rees got a chance to talk to David about his work and thank him for the invitation. David gave Rees a hug and spoke encouraging words about the monthly demonstration; he said he'd wave in the future. Those who demonstrate empower people like David to try on a new point of view while still maintaining values like loyalty. Thanks to all who demonstrate, and know that each of you represents a whole bunch of people who are working toward our common goals in their own way. Thanks especially to Keith for connecting with David in this beautiful, compassionate way. Thanks, David, for your exhibit and for your courage. And thanks, Rees, for sharing this story.
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propeace quoteConflict and war must be created and sustained with the illusion of fear, where as peace is created and attained by understanding fear as the illusion. daily omrecent blog postsactive discussions
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New*Horizon
When media, government, corporate, and religious leaders ignore and attempt to marginalize the protests, petitions and votes of even a minority of the people, let alone the mass majority, it is a CLEAR SIGN that those who are in the streets, ARE making a difference, as the first reaction of every failed policy maker, CEO and leader is to make motions, words and actions which amount to burying their head in the sand.
As the numbers grow, the votes and money disappear, sales drop, fuel supplies begin to backup, the economy and environment turns steadily downward, with death and destruction at their door step, the powers that be will either change or be swept away by the rise of the storm.
This is the old energy way of doing business, and it will not change easily nor readily, until it is completely replaced by the alternatives which are now looming mightily on y/our new horizon.
BL*M