Jon jonhinthorne
Educational Leader and Thinker
- October 20, 2008 • 9:41 pm PDT
- 1 responses
As I admit that the ideas in this post are in no way original, I find
them extremely pertinent to a world and country so focused on war and
struggle.
I recently attended a conference at Webster University led
by a man who possibly no better embodies a sustainable, peaceful,
pragmatic lifestyle: Satish Kumar. (Please follow this link to one of
the most eloquent publications which Kumar is and has been the editor
for the past 30 years called Resurgence.)
During this conference, the speakers stood in front of us and talked
very clearly and passionately about Kumar's three word mantra: Soil,
Society, and Soul. In short, he and his movement towards a more equal,
sustainable, peaceful world supports a sustainable earth, an equal
society, and a spiritual faith no matter what particular religious
faith. One man particularly impressed the crowd and gave the final
speech: Dennis Kucinich. I had heard a little bit about this
humanitarian, environmental politician running for the Democratic
Presidential Nomination; however, I knew very little about him. Then my
ears perked up as he introduced an idea to me that I believe is worthy
of discussion.
Kucinich and many others in this country and around
the world are in favor of introducing a Department of Peace. The
argument is that the U.S. has a Department of Defense (aka Department
of War and Defense of the State). I urge you all to go read the bill
that he has attempted to introduce into Congress multiple times. Here
is the meet of the issue.
"The
United States was founded on hope, optimism, and a commitment to
freedom. We can once again become a beacon of hope for the world. To do
that, we must reject the current administration's policies of fear,
suspicion, and preemptive war. It is time to jettison our illusions and
fears and to transform age-old challenges with new thinking. This is
the idea behind my proposal to establish a Department of Peace. This is
the idea to make nonviolence an organizing principle at home and abroad
and dedicate ourselves to peaceful coexistence, consensus building,
disarmament, and respect for international treaties. Violence and war
are not inevitable. Nonviolence and peace are inevitable." (Source: Kucinich.us )
What
would happen if we as a nation were to move this idea from an ideal to
a reality? I end this blog post with one more idea to answer the
aforementioned question: WE WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE
NEVER TRY.
I do want to add that I believe Kucinich would have
been too idealistic to be President of the United States; however, his
ideas have the possibility of being revolutionary for the greater good
of humanity.
them extremely pertinent to a world and country so focused on war and
struggle.
I recently attended a conference at Webster University led
by a man who possibly no better embodies a sustainable, peaceful,
pragmatic lifestyle: Satish Kumar. (Please follow this link to one of
the most eloquent publications which Kumar is and has been the editor
for the past 30 years called Resurgence.)
During this conference, the speakers stood in front of us and talked
very clearly and passionately about Kumar's three word mantra: Soil,
Society, and Soul. In short, he and his movement towards a more equal,
sustainable, peaceful world supports a sustainable earth, an equal
society, and a spiritual faith no matter what particular religious
faith. One man particularly impressed the crowd and gave the final
speech: Dennis Kucinich. I had heard a little bit about this
humanitarian, environmental politician running for the Democratic
Presidential Nomination; however, I knew very little about him. Then my
ears perked up as he introduced an idea to me that I believe is worthy
of discussion.
Kucinich and many others in this country and around
the world are in favor of introducing a Department of Peace. The
argument is that the U.S. has a Department of Defense (aka Department
of War and Defense of the State). I urge you all to go read the bill
that he has attempted to introduce into Congress multiple times. Here
is the meet of the issue.
"The
United States was founded on hope, optimism, and a commitment to
freedom. We can once again become a beacon of hope for the world. To do
that, we must reject the current administration's policies of fear,
suspicion, and preemptive war. It is time to jettison our illusions and
fears and to transform age-old challenges with new thinking. This is
the idea behind my proposal to establish a Department of Peace. This is
the idea to make nonviolence an organizing principle at home and abroad
and dedicate ourselves to peaceful coexistence, consensus building,
disarmament, and respect for international treaties. Violence and war
are not inevitable. Nonviolence and peace are inevitable." (Source: Kucinich.us )
What
would happen if we as a nation were to move this idea from an ideal to
a reality? I end this blog post with one more idea to answer the
aforementioned question: WE WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE
NEVER TRY.
I do want to add that I believe Kucinich would have
been too idealistic to be President of the United States; however, his
ideas have the possibility of being revolutionary for the greater good
of humanity.
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