| Coalition to Oppose the Arms Trade (COAT) |
From: "rex.barger" <rex.barger_-at-_hwcn.org>
To: "No to Nato" <no_to_nato_-at-_flora.org>
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001 14:32:44 -0500
The United Nations was born over 50 yeas ago with great hope that we would learn to resolve our differences without killing each other. We haven't yet learned, but let's not give up. Let's keep trying! Home owners are probably at least somewhat aware that they must be ever alert for signs of decay & of the need for repair. All the residents share that responsibility. The more care-takers there are, the more likely trouble will be spotted early-on when it's easier to remedy. The Earth is our home, our commonwealth. All 6 billion of us are responsible for its condition (even though we're only guests). We are also responsible for doing our part to live in harmony with each other (while we're here). We're 'sposed to be one big happy family! Because each one of us has the capacity to make worthwhile contributions to our commonweal, we need to treat each other with respect. But, one problem is, because our 'home' is so huge & there are so many of us, we each get only a tiny glimpse of the ever-changing 'big picture'. We all need to help each other enlarge our perceptions from our various unique viewpoints. And there is another problem. We sometimes assume that, because we seem to have such good agreement on the concrete aspects of our 'home', we assume we have equal agreement on our more abstract ideas. We often feel so sure that we are right, we set our ideas in concrete. But any rigidity of position courts conflict. We could avoid much conflict (& bloodshed) if we would keep our concepts pliable & our attitudes humble. When I encounter ideas that contradict my own, I find it very helpful to assume that their holders are not my opponents, but that, instead, they have presented me with a wonderful opportunity to fine-tune my own tiny glimpse of the 'big picture'. I assume that their experiences are both as valid & as invalid as mine. If we are not able to quickly find common ground, we can at least listen to each other compassionately in an effort to more fully understand each other. Collaborative problem-solving is quite a different process from the usual adversarial methods of conflict resolution found in our hurting-society. [Please note: our hurt society also causes hurts; people who hurt others always hurt themselves eventually, because we are all in the same WHOLE!] Terrorism & war are particularly bad because they not only kill people, they also do much long-term damage to the Earth, our mother, our only 'home'. That is why I consider them both to be crimes against humanity---but not the only ones. Any time any one of us does anything that damages our beautiful common 'home', we are committing a crime against humanity. I suspect that we're all guilty of, at least, some relatively minor crimes. If that is true, what should we do? Who among us is qualified to judge us, to jail us, to guard us, to punish us? And how do people who respect all life deal with those who don't (yet)? Surely, our technology has already developed adequate means for stopping at least some forms of violence without actually killing the perpetrators (& with no 'collateral damage'). Perhaps we could also divert the huge amounts of money now being invested in weapons research to the development of devices to prevent or better control serious violence as peacefully as possible. But we must not neglect the much surer methods of prevention. We ~must~ learn how to help develop Self-directed, Effective, Empowering, Keen, Earnest, Responsible (SEEKER) world citizens within the myriad of local mutual- support communities that we so desperately need. How can we do better at maintaining our precious premises, this land we live on? And let's not forget to keep trying to enhance life's dance in every way we can! And put Nato out of business! Rex Barger, Hamilton, Ontario If all the people on this earth became the same size as their financial worth & if the average, white, American Joe were 5'10 or just below, 90% of everyone else would be smaller by far & easily covered by snow & all of us could be easily squashed by the richest person's toe! Beware! The bigger the gap, the more terrifying the tornado! Let's row, row, row our boat toward our common dream of community, harmony, peace & joy on life's exciting stream! If we don't our common boat is headed for disaster & I think we'll sink into the drink unless our greed we master! Let's stop our stupid wasteful ways like wars & exploitation. Let's solve our problems peacefully with win/win situations! Let's focus only on life's needs & make sure they're all met. Let's help all those in most distress to get what they don't get! Let's give-of-ourselves till no one hurts. Let's give & do it gladly! Since we're all earthmates on this earth, let's show we love us MAD-LY!