Some Thoughts about Nuclear Weapons, Bullying, and Policy

I will not bully.

This photo is from the 3rd of March 2011. It was for an F.O.R. [http://forusa.org/] effort to post photos of people holding signs like this on a giant electronic billboard in (I think, though I am not sure) Manhattan, downtown NYC.

I was reminded of it because of I was arraigned on federal trespassing charges yesterday in Tacoma, WA. I and six others are accused of trespassing on the Naval Nuclear Weapons/Submarine Base Kitsap—Bangor, during a protest hosted by the Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action [http://gzcenter.org/], on Martin Luther King day this year (15 January 2011.)

KOMO had a TV camera and reporter there, and also a journalist with the radio station.

During a pre-arraignment rally and vigil, I was able to speak in front of the TV camera for a little bit, and then reporter from the radio station did a short interview with me.

In front of the camera I echoed previous comments made by my fellow defendants, about being inspired by the actions of the Disarm Now Swords into Plowshares group [disarmnowplowshares.wordpress.com].

I also mentioned being thankful for the hard work that the GZ Center does, and my reason for being there, which is to inspire increased awareness, and inspire people to ask whether we might be on the wrong track as far as these weapons are concerned—and if so, then how we might go about abolishing them as soon as possible!

I am glad the KOMO radio reporter also stopped me before entering the courthouse, because I was able to talk more about my reasons for being there. Which is where the bullying idea comes in. My opposition to nuclear weapons is not only based on their destructive potential (and illegality,) but because their existence is designed to support, enable, and further policies and practices of economic and political dominance.

So I ask why, when it is wrong for children to bully in kindergarten, is it considered normal or acceptable for grown-ups to bully in the marketplace or in the international political arena?

Just say no to bullying!

[also see "no more Hiroshimas or Nagasakis": www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1589328&l=9ad9eae545&id=1061322373]

Invest in peace, not war.

Friday 11 March 2011, Olympia WA—At the Friday evening Olympia FOR (Fellowship of Reconciliation) weekly peace vigil

Dear All: Invest in peace, not war. Divest from war. It's the right time to change. The USA can stop bullying—stop treating people poorly. We can find mutual welfare and happiness in life-serving policies. Please: put international public interest before private/special/national interest.
Thank you!
Berd

An Act of Nonviolent Civil Resistance

Update, it's about 1pm on Monday, and I feel super bad, because I slept through my alarm and failed to make it to the protest at Ground Zero. I guess this is proof that I need to take care of myself. I am sorry that I let down my friends, and I hope the protest went well. I will look forward to being able to participate in the future.

The following is something I intended to publish earlier, though I stopped it from being published after my friend called and woke me up, and I realized that I had slept through my alarm and wouldn't be able to make it to the protest in time to participate. -Berd

This post is set to self-publish at 6 am on the morning of Monday the 9th of August, which is the 65th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the Japanese city Nagasaki. I will be on the Kitsap peninsula at that time.

I am planning to participate in nonviolent civil resistance/disobedience against the immoral and illegal maintenance of nuclear weapons by my government, the United States of America, by entering the roadway in an effort to blockade passage into the base. As these Trident nuclear missile weapons system exist in a first strike capacity they are illegal under recognized legal agreements. As such, this is a big part of why I see the USA as a rogue nation.

These maintenance of these weapons furthers the American Empire, an empire which is also immoral and illegal. I call for an end to imperialism.

When I enter the roadway and risk arrest, I will do so in an effort to raise awareness about, and prevent the conduct of, an immoral and illegal military infrastructure. Either way, I enter the roadway to block traffic in a sincere effort to prevent harm, to save lives, and to give voice to the vision of a world that is based on mutual respect and reciprocity, rather than conquest and domination.

I will carry a statement similar to the following, when I enter the roadway.

Peace,
Berd

By peacefully entering the roadway in front of the Gate to the Naval Submarine Base Kitsap-Bangor, on Monday the 9th of August 2010, I take meaningful action in nonviolent civil resistance to the immoral and illegal actions of my government. I resist the maintenance of weapons of mass destruction.

I act against bullying.

I act against imperialism.

I act against aggression.

And I call for change.

I call for peace. I call for respect for the rights of all people, all around the world, the rights of whom are denied by the policies of my government, of the USA. People deserve to live in peace, and to be free from the fear of the threat of nuclear war.

By taking action to resist, and risking arrest for doing so, I stand for a world that is much different than the one we have now. I stand for a benign world that is altruistic, a world that seeks to serve life and to meet the needs of all people.

I stand and voice my desire for a day when people don't feel the need to wield power over others, whether they do so in order to feel safe themselves or for other reasons.

I have a message for the soldiers, sailors, and other military personnel of the US military: I want to be your friend. I mean that sincerely. From where I stand, I see the government as a guilty partner, an abuser, and an enabler of tremendous abuses.

I believe that we have that in common, that we are essentially victims here, the victims of an abusive society, one that is enabled and perpetuated by the government of the United States of America.

What I want is for you, and for all people, to have meaningful work that is enjoyable, and constructive. I want you and all people to have economic security, without weapons, and violence, bullying and belligerence.

I want to be happy, and I want you to be happy. I want happiness and joy for all people.

So here I stand: a witness to the annihilation, 65 years ago today, of the residents of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. May it be that such atrocities never happen again—to anyone.

For the immediate abolition of all nuclear weapons!

Sincerely,

Robert Friend Weber (Berd) Whitlock

Thought Bandit!

I just posted three new blogs on OlyBlog. One about the socially destructive nature of advertisements, another about my letter of interest to serve on the Editorial Board of The Olympian, and the following Thought Bandit, which is also cross posted here:

Chalmers Johnson: High-Ranking U.S. Military Officers Treated Like Royalty

Had a great discussion at book club tonight about nonviolent communication (language,) nonviolence as a cultural alternative, the prospects for empathy, kindness, compassion for creating a better world.

I also described a movie that I saw in fourth grade. In the movie it rained all the time, except for a two hour window every year. The two hour window was known well in advance, and in the movie, which was set in an elementary school, all the students and teachers were very excited and looking forward to the annual two hours of sunshine (because in the film, all the flowers would bloom in that very short window.)

When the day came, some mean students locked up one of their peers in a closet, so that she was unable to venture outside and run in the sunshine through fields of flowers.

I felt very sad for the poor child, a victim of bullying. I wonder how other people interpreted the film. Maybe that it is better to be strong than weak, better to be a bully than to risk being bullied?...

Personally, I think the path to peace is through trust, honesty, openness, truth, and vulnerability...

There are so many reasons to believe in the transformative power of love and compassion, and cooperation - rather than fear, hate, and violence, and domination...

The following is an interview with Chalmers Johnson that mentions how U.S. military generals get treated like royalty:

Obama, "War is Necessary" + Political Art on Display at the Northern

Recently, in a commencement address at a military school (West Point,) President Obama said that while war is abhorrent, that it is also "necessary". I see it differently.

I believe that war is only necessary because the USA has policies of taking without asking. Policies and politics, a political economy, of territorial conquest - of resource acquisition at gun point - under the threat of violence.

I believe that war is not necessary for the legitimate security needs of the people of the USA, nor of anyone.

Instead, war is only necessary to defend what are essentially violent and destructive economic and political policies.

Another world is possible, a world of economic and ecological sustainability and justice, fairness and equity. A world where people treat each other well, and do not exploit each other. A respectful, peaceful, harmonious world where people do not put each other down, nor beat each other up.

Peace is possible!

In other news, there is some political art on display at Northern, an All Ages Venue in downtown Olympia, Washington. I think the art is really great. I recommend checking it out. Here's a short slideshow introduction to some of the works.

You can find more information about the displays and the venue here: Northern | The Olympia All Ages Project.

A Social Transformation Toward Sustainability and Justice Would Benefit Everyone

the words of Mahatma (Mohandas K.) Gandhi

This quote needs to be framed in reference to the struggle by people native to the Indian Subcontinent against what was the tyrannous and incredibly violent and harmful colonialism that was waged under the auspices of the British Empire.

I also like the idea of altering the quote slightly so that it ends with "everyone wins" - because real social transformation toward justice and sustainability would benefit everyone. Real social transformation, justice and sustainability would prove to be a winner for everyone...

Wow!!! Humanity has done such a huge damage to itself and to the living systems of the Earth in such a short time since the advent of fossil fueled industrialization!

The following are thoughts which are cross-posted at OlyBlog, link below:

I would really like to see people from the various social and environmental justice movements working along more of a unified front.

The root causes of environmental degradation and ecological unsustainability; imperialism and wars of aggression; exploitative labor practices; societal oppression; and poverty and any other social injustice are the same.

I would like to see a broad based, inclusive and supportive social movement - a movement that is accessible to everyone regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, ability, creed, and/or any other distinguishing feature - in order to effectively and successfully challenge the status quo: a status quo which is currently doing so much harm to all people.

Please imagine a movement to challenge the current establishment's enablement of a degrading and dehumanizing status quo of economic instability, ecological unsustainability, and social injustice...

Further thoughts and avenues for consideration on this topic include, but are not limited to, potential solutions and responses such as 1) permaculture: a resilient, sustainable and independent local/regional economic infrastructure, 2) socio-economic egalitarianism, 3) making health care a central and foundational economic feature ...and etc....

larger image olyblog.net/working-union

Evolution to an Altruistic Society

I am interested in an evolution of human societies to a place where people widely uphold the idea that it is not okay for people to hurt each other. I think it's remarkably phenomenal that we live in a society that is so far from, and in many ways the exact opposite of, the simple idea that it is wrong for people to do harm to one another. The modern economy is based in hurtful, divisive, derisive, destructive, exploitative and violent activities.

So I think the following passage, which comes to us from over 115 years ago, is striking in its relevance to the current situation of our modern day economy. People talk about progress. But we need a wake-up call, because in some very real ways, the economy is actually degenerating - and becoming more exploitative. When all is told, in many ways that are very real, the economy is getting worse and worse for common people, and for everyone—everywhere.

I believe that everyone deserves to be treated well. How about you? Do you agree? If you do, then I ask: where do we start changing this abusive and destructive socio-economic political system?

Mary Elizabeth Lease, "Wall Street Owns the Country" (Circa 1890)
from A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove

"This is a nation of inconsistencies. The Puritans fleeing from oppression became oppressors. We fought England for our liberty and put chains on four million of blacks. We wiped out slavery and our tariff laws and national banks began a system of white wage slavery worse than the first. Wall Street owns the country. It is no longer a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, but a government of Wall Street, by Wall Street, and for Wall Street. The great common people of this country are slaves, and monopoly is the master. The West and South and bound and prostrate before the manufacturing East. Money rules, and our Vice-President [Levi Parsons Morton] is a London banker. Our laws are the output of a system which clothes rascals in robes and honesty in rags. The parties lie to us and the political speakers mislead us. We were told two years ago to go to work and raise a big crop, that was all we needed. We went to work and plowed and planted; the rains fell, the sun shone, nature smiled, and we raised the big crop that they told us to; and what came of it? Eight-cent corn, ten-cent oats, two-cent beef and no price at all for butter and eggs—that's what came of it. The the politicians said we suffered from over-production. Over-production, when 10,000 little children, so statistics tell us, starve to death every year in the United States, and over 100,000 shop-girls in New York are forced to sell their virtue for the bread their niggardly wages deny them.... We want money, land and transportation. We want the abolition of the National Banks, and we want the power to make loans direct from the Government. We want the accursed foreclosure system wiped out.... We will stand by our homes and stay by our fireside by force if necessary, and we will ot pay our debts to the loan-shark companies until the Government pays its debts to us. The people are at bay, [so] let the bloodhounds of money who dogged us thus far beware."

more information: Mary Elizabeth Lease, "Wall Street Owns the Country" (Circa 1890)

In other news, Fort Lewis Army Base and McChord Air Force Base have been merged into a join operations center. "Lewis-McChord: A giant military marriage"

Military Evil

Viewer be advised: This is very graphic and highly disturbing material.

Antiwar Protest Interview

Olympia, Washington
November 2007
Photo by Kay Schultz

Here I am talking to news reporters about the way police attacked peaceful protesters with chemical weapons, and also the anti-war/anti-imperialism civil resistance movement's need for legal support.

No Donkey! No Elephant!

No Donkey, No Elephant

"No" to bi-partisan support for U.S. international policies.

Policies of dominance and aggression, and exploitation of overseas material and labor resources are wrong - these policies are harmful and violent!

If the U.S.A. wants to counteract "extremist" opposition - then the people of the U.S. will need to take a look at the extremely abusive economic policies that have their roots in U.S. policies and practices.

No to Abusive Economic Policies!

View Larger: No Donkey, No Elephant

Who Would Jesus Bomb

Who would Jesus bomb?

Christmas Day, 2009

Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation Peace Vigil

Percival Landing, Olympia, Washington

War is immoral. All war begins with aggression. Aggression is immoral. Military aggression is widely considered immoral, and there are numerous international legally binding treaties established against war of aggression. It is probably unanimous amongst international political bodies that aggression is immoral and illegal. How could it not be? If stealing is illegal, if rape is illegal, if murder is illegal - then how could the most horrendous violence possible - the violence of a war of aggression - ever be considered legal.

Self-defense is one thing. A reasonable and proportional self-defense against immediate attack. But the wars of the United States of America are a different beast. The wars of the USA are not truly self-defense - nor a legitimate protection of "national interest." What the wars of the USA defend is the selfishness and the greed of the USA. The wars are an effort to further international policies of and practices of oppression and exploitation, under which the USA operates. The wars of the USA do not truly defend the national interest. The wars and international policies of the USA defend the corporate interest - the interest of the most influential and powerful (typically multi-national) giant corporations.

War is immoral. For good reason. War is the worst violence known to humanity. War is waste. It is oblivion. War is destruction defined.

People and nations have a right to defend themselves. But people and nations do not have a right - and in fact they betray the rights of all people - when they commit the crime of a war of aggression.

The wars of the USA are aggressive wars - imperialistic wars - wars designed to further the establishment of dominance - of global hegemony.

I believe that the imperialism of the USA, and the giant corporations that are its keepers, is the worst violence known to modern humanity.

But this perspective - these truths - are very effectively kept away from the American people by a revolving door between cultural affectation, and a media structure that feed off of, and create, each other.

There is a horrible myth in today's America, and to a lesser extent in today's world. It is the myth that America is the greatest nation on Earth - when in reality, the very opposite may be true. It may be more true that America is the worst nation on Earth - that America is the world's greatest perpetrator of violence and oppression - even to the point of wars of aggression, conquest and imperialism.

In America, terrible violence is part of mainstream culture. In America, there is a disparity in wealth between rich and poor that is maintained through systematic oppression.

In America, some people make profit when bombs are dropped. People profit when wars are waged. People profit from all sorts of harmful, destructive and violent economic (and anti-economic) activities!

So, really, I ask you to please answer this question: who would Jesus bomb?

Against Imperialism, Against All Wars

Obama Peace Prize Protest

Obama didn't mention the obvious common sense reality - that it is American policies of militaristic violence, imperialism and economic exploitation that are the principle underlying causes of anti-American terrorism...

It's wrong to use violence against people. It's wrong to profit from harmful activities.

Very disappointing. The empire rages on.

Thanking the Troops

I just posted a version of this on the White House Facebook page:

Thanking the Troops



Imagine that the troops are actually doing the work that they are popularly claimed to be doing - that is, protecting us from irrational terrorists, (the "bad guys,") whom are bent upon destruction of our way of life (we're the "good guys!") Assuming that's the case, then hell yeah - thanks for protecting us.

But then again, what if it's not so simple—not so clear. What if the truth is something different than that reality as presented so often in mainstream media. What if the troops are actually protecting US access to global mineral resources? What if the troops are actually enabling the execution of a foreign policy of dominance? Should we still thank them if it turns out that they aren't protecting us? What if the truth is that they are actually protecting the interests of oil companies, war contractors, and the likes of Halliburton, et al.?

The reality on the ground—the truth as I see it, is that the USA is pursuing a foreign policy of dominance. That's to say that the goal of the US government is to enable domination of the global economy by US and Western, and other associated interests.

It can also be rightly stated and understood that the US attack on Iraq was unprovoked. And even though the attack of Afghanistan was (arguably) provoked by the 9/11 attacks, it also doesn't mean that the attack was justified (either by law or by legitimate defensive strategy.)

The greatest crime is a foreign policy of dominance as it seeks to employ the means of violence, militarism and aggression in order to accomplish it's oppressive ends. This dominance policy is a foreign policy of might makes right, and it would be absolutely intolerable if it was being practiced against "us" rather than by "us." (''Us" in quotes because of my desire to separate myself from the dreadfully wrong foreign policy of my government.)

The above sign is a sticker as it was seen on the front door of a restaurant in Northern Wisconsin (where, perhaps coincidentally, my long beard received plenty of stares.)

So, Thank You. Thank you to those soldiers who refuse to serve in illegal and immoral imperial wars of aggression. You're the real heroes. You're the ones who dutifully uphold your oath of service, your oath to the constitution.

To those troops who serve either willingly or unwillingly, I am so sad. And I am sorry that you have been thrust into this horrible position. I will continue to work to hold our government accountable so that the military is not used to further aggressive and intrusive foreign policy agendas.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rwhitlock/3141396189/

War is a Racket, by Smedley Butler

Please take some time to watch this important video. It's a theatrical rendering of a speech delivered by Major General Smedley D. Butler, USMC, to the National VFW, in 1933:

War is a Racket by Smedley Butler

The White House, the Pentagon, and War (etc.)

The following is a comment (slightly amended for clarity) that I just posted to the White House Facebook Page. I was inspired by a Nick Turse article from Tomdispatch.com, Tomgram: Nick Turse, In Afghanistan, the Pentagon Digs in.

To President Obama and Administration:

I believe that war is an outmoded and archaic way to deal with dispute. The USA has a serious problem in its relationship with the world - because our government seems to be content to enable a corporatist policy of global dominance. Under the policy of global dominance, some few act as though they are entitled to receive state support for their efforts to "take without asking" (of material and other resources) - and to exert political and economic influence on sovereign peoples/nations/lands.

That's imperialism. It hurts people. It's very sad.

I strongly believe that a "hands off" approach is a far better way to approach international relationships. No coercive pressure. No economic exploitation. The disparity in wealth between rich and poor is astronomical - and I strongly believe that the massive riches of some is all too often NOT based purely on merit.

The extreme wealth of a very small class of people is based more purely on single-minded (and unregulated) ambition. The extreme wealth is based on a willingness to dominate others and "put others down" (including the natural environment.) The tremendous treasure of those few is based in economically exploitative behaviors that, when all is said and done, serve only an individual's economic interest. Some people's wealth comes at the expense of the well-being of others. It's an arrangement that is very far from copacetic.

Please stop the torturing and the bombing. It's a horrible disservice to humanity.

We can choose to go in the direction of truth, love, hope and justice. Or we can continue this horrible decay of war and environmental abuses. We have a choice. Please, President Obama and Administration, use your voice. Lead America toward the right choice. Lead away from violence, fear, and hate. Lead toward kindness, love, truth, justice and peace. Show us that you are not profiteers by clamping down on these tremendously harmful behaviors.

In Afghanistan - there is no military solution short of total destruction, and that is not a solution at all. So there is no military solution. Many people of Afghanistan hate the Taliban. But many of them have come to hate America even more. American soldiers have been told that the way to win the war is to make people fear them more than anyone else. To rule by fear. It's not the way to make friends - nor is it the way to peace.

Does the USA want peace, or does the USA want domination? It's a serious question. The only rational interpretation is that the USA wants domination. The USA can't have it both ways. It's either domination or peace. They don't go hand in hand.

Please choose the path of peace. Please show us the caring spirit that exists in the hearts of all human beings. Please demonstrate your concern for the well-being of all people.

The situation is serious. The planet's ecological systems are in crisis. We need to confront the problem of perpetual economic growth and come to understand that it is antithetical to sustainability. Instead of growth dependent markets, we would do well to transition to a steady state economy.

Thank you.

[I also wrote another one yesterday, viewable at this link: Letter to the President, as Posted on Facebook]

To Save Our Republic: Stop Our Empire!

War Wastes, War Confines: Peace Conserves, Peace Liberates

Stoploss is one of the horrible policies to come out of the military in relation to imperialism. Stoploss is a backdoor draft that attempts to force and coerce soldiers to stay in the military beyond what ought to be their rightful contractual obligation.


End Stoploss

Comments (posted to the flickr photo page):

Wayne in Indy says:
If you're a coward, don't join the armed forces like this one did.


^Berd says:
I have the pleasure to report that this young man is not a coward.

In fact - he is a model of courage.


Wayne in Indy says:
He is a model of cowardice.


^Berd says:
Looks like we have different opinions on this one.

So then, why do you think his behavior demonstrates cowardice?


Wayne in Indy says:
When one signs up for military service they are expected to fully understand that, if war comes, they will likely see combat. It's disgusting that, when war does come, some servicemen suddenly get the willies and want out. So, if this character is anti-war, he had no reason to join up in the first place.
Surely it's not that he opposes this particualar war? That's worse. There are only two sides and no middle ground whatsoever. You either support the war against Terrorism or you support Terrorism.
So which of the two is he?


^Berd says:
I don't know Josh's story, but I know him enough to know that he isn't a coward. It takes real courage to stand up and refuse to comply with the military establishment.

A lot of folks signed up to be in the National Guard, thinking that they would protect the USA against invasion - but never dreaming of being sent overseas to fight against an ambiguous enemy in a foreign nation.

Let's look at what is going on in Iraq. It's a guerilla war, an insurgency. To Iraqis, insurgents are freedom fighters - fighting for liberation against imperial occupation.

Terrorism isn't so simple. And the best way to fight terrorism isn't with war and violence. The best way to fight terrorism is with justice, truth, and tolerance of personal differences. Economic imperialism is creating terrorists. It's blowback. It's well documented and well understood. America's foreign and economic policies (global domination, or hegemony) are principle causes of terrorism.

If you're really against terrorism, then it makes sense to be against imperialism too.


Wayne in Indy says:
Terrorism is, by my definition, resistance to American imperialism. It must be destroyed. I don't give a rat's caboose about folks who consider terrorists to be freedom fighters. It just means that they too are terrorists.
"Justice", "truth", and "tolerance" as weapons against "Terror"? Need to come out of that dream world of yours, my dear Berd. Real world don't work that way--never has.
The application of full-scale brute force has been, is, and ever shall be, the ONLY answer.
Resistance to America is a war crime and should be dealt with as such.


^Berd says:
Terrorism defined as resistance to American Imperialism, that's interesting.

You support imperialism. I oppose imperialism. In fact, I resist American imperialism. By your definition, I would be a terrorist.

Might does not make right. America behaving as if it can dictate the ways of the global economy is ridiculous and insane. Empires are born to fail. They are inherently unsustainable. Empires require oppression. People naturally will resist and oppose oppression.

The American Empire is already on its way out. The Empire is on the wane. Inherently unstable, the empire alienates, disenfranchises, and weakens its own foundations all the time. The empire is wholly dependent on a steady supply of cheap energy. Supplies of cheap energy are dwindling.

I could go on and on. But the point here is that being opposed to imperialism is not wrong. Opposition to empire is right. Empire is constricting, restricting, wasteful, oppressive. So (nonviolently) resisting empire is the right action to take.

I am a humanist Wayne. I care about humanity. I want all people to be free. I want a common societal denominator of ecological and economic sustainability.

Empire is an obstacle to peace. Empire is oppression. Empire is environmental degradation. Empire limits freedom. Empire wastes resources. Empire is a blood stain on the fabric of humanity.

Opposition to empire - resistance to empire - that's right and true.


Wayne in Indy says:
I agree that the American Empire is in decline. However I'm hopeful that this decline will be reversed when all the inevitable disasters of of the Obama presidency come home to us--and they will. It took four years of Jimmy Carter to bring us eight of Reagan and four of Bush for twelve years total. Obama is worse than Carter--far worse. A right-wing backlash is inevitable as Americans are rudely awakened by the consequences of the last presidential election.
And cheap energy isn't going anywhere. The planet is producing more oil than we can drill for.
And your dream of "peace" will never come, Berd. Too many people like me out there. Human beings are a predator species. That's what makes us great. The idea of all human beings coming together as one is a nightmare far too horrific for me to even contemplate.


^Berd says:
Dear Wayne, why is the idea of all human beings "coming together as one," or living alongside each other respectfully and peacefully, horrific for you?

It seems to me common sense, and something that resonates with most people, that justice, fairness and equity are universal. I prefer to think that there are no bad people. Sure, some people do bad things. But people only do bad things out of fear, out of misunderstanding, out of being hurt themselves. People hurt each other as a product of being hurt. It's an insane obsession.

I believe that taking an eye for an eye will only leave the whole world blind. How sad would the world be then? I want to live in a world that is full of beautiful light and color - light and color that everyone can see.

Peace will come. Peace is the way. Peace is all around us everyday. Peace comes from within. When enough people carry peace in their hearts, then we will see peace reflected in the institutions, societies and culture around us.

Human beings are versatile, adaptable. That's what makes us great. We never stop learning. The only reason that human beings prey upon each other, and hurt each other in general, is because of misunderstandings and fear. When we wake up to the fact that there is enough for everyone, then we will no longer oppress each other, and put each other down.

The world is changing. A growing chorus is rising up. People know that true security and peace are born out of economic justice and equity. There is enough to go around. There is no scarcity of what we need to live happily. There is enough land, water, food, love and community for everyone.

A world where people live to lift each other up, to support each other in personal and social liberation is not far off.

War is waste. War is prison. War is poison. Peace conserves. Peace liberates. Peace heals.

Another world is possible. A world of peace, truth, justice, and security -- for all.


Wayne in Indy says:
What makes us great is our primitive human nature. We are one of the only (if not the only) predator species that preys even on itself. This, coupled with our complex homo-sapien brain, makes us a truly deadly and has given us sole control of this world. Our continuing to utilize this deadly combination is the very root and reason of our expansion and our technological advancement.
Without these, we are nothing more than glorified plants.


^Berd says:
That's sad.


Wayne in Indy says:
Nothing "sad" about it. We are the Alpha Predator species on this planet and possess the most complex brain in all of nature.
You want to throw it away and embrace peace, love, and kumbayah. Yeech! What a waste.


^Berd says:
Wayne, that's offensive and cruel. I am not so sure that you aren't just trying to test getting a rise out of me. However, it's plain to see that most people would consider your ideas to be hate speech.

Wayne. Humans do not exist on this beautiful planet for the purpose of conquering and subduing. Humans exist on this planet for the purpose of promoting the natural brilliance and beauty. Humans exist as shephards, stewards and protectors. The highest virtue and noblest cause for any human being is to serve the interests of life. To hold up the sanctity of all life, we as human beings are the ultimate arbiters of our fate - and I know that the great majority of us would rather work toward a "heaven on earth," a place where all people have enough, a place where all people take care of each other, a place where all people have the opportunity to prosper, a place where no one lives under oppression.

I know that the far and away great majority of people believe in this vision of a stable, secure, cooperative, peaceful, and harmonious co-exist amongst all the peoples of the one human family... Come join us Wayne. There is plenty of love and community to go around for everyone.

In Peace,
Berd

War is a Government Riot

The government uses war as a supposed solution to conflict. But war is really unnecessary. Our own government engages in offensive wars of conquest (AKA: Aggression), cloaking it as "necessary defense" against terrorism. But it's not necessary. And to boot, it was policies and politics (and specific practices) of (and related to) conquest (AKA domination and/or imperialism), which have created the environment and the will for terrorists and terrorism to develop.