perspectives

View from Camp Anaconda

If you've not yet read John Perkins, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, the best selling expose that has spread around the world. This message may give you an added incentive to get a copy and read it.

We received a letter from Camp Anaconda this week. It came from a man who identified himself as a TAKU TLINGIT father of six, working for KBR (Halliburton). He noted with a sad tone that 3-weeks work in 3 years, led him to be there. He said:

"We only have one copy of Confessions [of an Economic Hit Man], but the waiting list to read grows daily. I consider myself to be an economic slave of KBR... As you know people are dying and some, because of the idiots placed in charge, but this operation is not about support of the troops. its about money, oil and the expansion of greed." Read the post.

If you've not really taken time to consider what is going on in IRAQ beyond the sound bytes you may have heard, it might be worth "listening" to this voice and checking into the other references he shared. Inform yourself. Look for yourself. Think for youself. Decide for yourself.

Time Exclusive: Scott Ritter

DAHR Jamail's Iraq Dispatches Be sure to see the images. A picture is worth a thousand words about the far-reaching realities of the occupation of IRAQ.

If you're not into reading, LISTEN TO THIS INTERVIEW.

SO WHAT CAN WE DO? WHAT CAN YOU DO?
We can join together to collectively work to change our consciousness about war and the possibilities of peace. Imagine what millions of us could do to save lives of our military and innocent civilians, creating a more peaceful, loving, generous respectful world for all people.

Don't hover above. Make your contribute by sharing your voice. WE NEED IT! The WORLD NEEDS YOU! You're invited to participate in these dialogues inspired by John Perkins message to the world.

World Vision Dialogue --- Share your vision of a better world.

What YOU Can Do --- Find Practical ideas

Confessions - 24seven Conversations

May we each find our way to contribute to peace. IMAGINE.

Debbe Kennedy

KATRINA - We are standing with you

As many of us sit safe in our homes, millions of our good neighbors lives have been disrupted by the expected havoc of KATRINA soon to come.

"We are facing a storm that most of us have long feared," Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans said in ordering the mandatory evacuation for his city of 485,000 people, surrounded by suburbs of a million more. "The storm surge will most likely topple our levee system."

My mind is filled with thoughts and warm wishes for those who are scared, feeling alone and trembling in the wake of this storm ---- may you be comforted with Peace. My heart is filled with prayers for every person. In the distance, I want to call out, "We stand with you, dear friends."

I keep thinking of the stories that remind me of our interconnectedness --- the strength we have when we all pull together:

"Visitors to California are often surprised to learn that the magnificant redwood trees have roots that go down less than six feet. What keeps them up? They grow in groups, their root systems interwining with one another. By working together they have become among the oldest and most magnificant living things on earth." I know, like the redwoods, many souls and loved ones are interwined in oneness across the land with all our friends in the stormy distance.

I also hope that all those in the path of Katrina will be surrounded by ubunto ...humanity towards each other --- may the love of your good neighbors through the world embrace you all.

Debbe Kennedy

LEADERSHIP: Expecting MORE

With so much disappointing news in recent weeks, it grieves the soul. The most powerful leaders in the world have brought us to times of grave turmoil with life or death circumstances with stress on all the systems of humanity and suffering of the innocents. In a few conversations recently with others, it is clear that for some people, there is a passive INDIFFERENCE, DENIAL, RESIGNATION that these conditions are "just the way it is." We can't do anthing. If this were true, we would not have a purpose on this earth, yes? Shouldn't we set our expectations higher for those we look to for leadership of our countries and organizations? ---- for what we ask of ourselves?

This morning, I ran across a quote that hit home ----- "I realize that all my choices have consequences, therefore, I can hold no one other than myself responsible for the outcome." Doesn't this mean that if the future is our to create, the responsibility asks us to "reach high" ourselves and  set expectations of those we vote into office ---- those who by just a casual observation at the state of things have made quite a mess of things in unprecedented ways. Here are just a few things that readily come to mind:

• A war out of control in IRAQ, 75 US Military dead this month in 26 days; up to 325 civilians (13 days in August) ---------- no strategic exit plan.
• people dying without our care and help in places like Dafur
• Halliburton's pockets stuffed with taxpayer dollars with 284 percent increase in 4th quarter IRAQ WAR profits, while military men and women lack armor, children lack school supplies and many are homeless and hungry in every country.
• a US president, at a grave time, takes the longest vacation in US history, including side trips to resorts on our tab
• we have money for "presidential rest" in resorts --- but without a care, we readily sell off our jobs, close our military bases, displacing our workers
• Gas is up to $66+ a barrel and the GCC nations are it is also "enjoying an unprecedented economic boom." Meanwhile, many are struggle to get to work.
• Not one official in BUSH administration has been held accountable, instead they have tarnished the meaning of the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarding poor results achieved with it (Tenet) or allegations just shoved under the carpet (ROVE) or lies resolved with spin and photo ops (BUSH).

One could go on and on. Our leaders appear to be ineffective at a minimum and certainly should be subject to an "AFTER ACTION REVIEW" or a "performance review" by the citizens that are paying them. Shouldn't we expect more???? Shouldn't we exercise our the right to question????

A CONSTRAST OF EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP
When I get most discouraged, I recall history's leadership greats, who didn't just use "freedom" as rehtoric for a photo op ---- leaders who co-created freedom with others ---- this restores HOPE. These are excerpts of my observations of Nelson Mandela. Great leaders do exist. Imagine the world if it were run by leaders of character, courage, positive vision ---- imagine the power of one.

A Tribute to Nelson Mandela by Debbe Kennedy
He stands. Silence comes. He speaks. He is heard. His message is clear and truthful. Change will not reshape current realities overnight ... we bear the responsibility for creating a new and different future. A man who describes himself as "a ordinary man" has touched the world with presence, courage, commitment to mission, and his leadership example that we so longingly need. It is not intended that we will capture his essence or tell his story. It would be impossible to do his life justice in a few words, but in a small way our intent is to honor him and the many talented people that have opened his legacy to the world through their writing and other collections. In the spotlight, we pay tribute to Nelson Mandela by sharing three leadership lessons that have stayed with us as admirers in the distance.

1. Speak the truth. "I try not to be a rabble rouser. People want things explained to them clearly and rationally. They recognize when someone is speaking to them seriously. They want to see how you handle difficult situations and whether or not you stay calm." ---Nelson Mandela, "The Making of a Leader" by Richard Stengel, Time

2. Accept your responsibility as a leader---let your light shine.
He gave new meaning to MaryAnne Williamson's words when he share them with a nation ---- "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. ...Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightening about shrinking, so that other people won't feel insecure around you... As we let our light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

3. Leadership is a lifetime journey.
"I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are so many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended." ---Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom

We can have more responsible leaders. It is up to you and me. We have to share in the responsibility to revitalize a world that is ethical, principled, works for common good and is more generous, loving, peaceful for all its inhabitants.

"Whatever you can do or dream you can, BEGIN IT! --- Goethe

Debbe Kennedy

Visit the Global Dialogue Center

IRAQ: MORE ALARMING; MORE HOPEFUL

Each day gets more alarming and more hopeful when it comes to the IRAQ WAR.

MORE ALARMING:  Did you know?
73 US military troops have lost their lives in the first 23 days of August and up to 325 cilivilians reportedly lost their lives in the first 13 days of August. Hallburton posted a 284 percent increase in its 4th Quarter profits due to its Iraq reconstruction contracts.

While this was happening our self-proclaimed war president found it appropriate to schedule the longest vacation in US presidential history. To top it off, we see he is reportedly roughing it at a resort in Idaho --- "Bush, dressed in blue jeans and a fleece jacket, spoke underneath the tall pine trees at the Tamarack Resort, where he is spending two nights away from his ranch. His visit to the mountain getaway came between two speeches to rally support for the war."

If this is not enough to shock you, read Support War? Know the FACTS from OUTSIDE THE BOX, Un-embedded Political Discussion.

MORE HOPEFUL:  Millions are gathering across the world against the war!
The antiwar movement is building with unlikely allies joining the march. This war reaches beyond party alliances. This is a live or death movement. Everyone supports our troops, who have been shamefully put in harms way, while the powerful stuff their pockets and innocents die. BUSH has run this country into the ground and he should be held accountable. Clinton was impeached for having an affair. The crimes against humanity for this president require a thorough examination and the attention of every American citizen. For our neighbors across the world, please help by joining the global effort to stop the killing ---- envision healing, let your voice be heard, get involved, be the change where you are. Together, we can stop the war and change the world.

Debbe Kennedy

BUSH: The Fingers Pointing Back at Him

In Bush's speech today, he said, "THEY have killed innocents." Isn't is interesting how when we point our finger at others, there is great truth that there are "three fingers pointing back at us" ... our own.

In BUSH's case, not only is he not brave enough to face the consequences of his decisions by talking with a group of grieving mothers, he also has not even shown the decency to acknowledge "the innocents" that have been killed in his role as a self-defined "war president.

However, a dedicated group of citizens, Iraq Body Count Project, has worked tirelessly to respectfully account for the blood of innocents that BUSH wears on his hands.

When you listen to his speech, it is difficult to not catch the fear BUSH works so hard to instill in all of us. Additionally, he also works so hard to keep us focused on a "common enemy." Meanwhile, deals and dollars of the powerful are leaving us all unsafe with our money stuffing their pockets. The words are designed to divert our attention to the mess he has made of our nation and the world.

I find it frightening to hear BUSH speak. Increasingly, itis hard to avoid the parallel of the rhetorical philosophy of another "world leader" ..."The effectiveness of a national leader consists in preventing his people from dividing their attention and keeping it fixed on a common enemy." --- Adolph Hitler

We can change the status quo! There are millions of us all over the world that don't believe in this war. There are millions of us that have the power to speak up and call George Bush to account for his war crimes and also for his poor management and leadership.

Help us list the ways --- share your ideas, links and other innovations by leaving a comment on your recommendation about we can create change things by joining together with other peace-loving people.

Debbe Kennedy

BUSH vs. SHEEHAN: Indefensible Desperation

The BUSH political machine is in full force today. Its mission to CRUSH Cindy Sheehan, a symbol of grieving IRAQ mothers who have earned the right to speak out. is truly the bullies' acts of desperation. Kill the messenger! SPEW OUT LIES AND MISTRUTHS! Isn't this the technique of ROVE & Co. has mastered? So, the band of bullies is  hitting it hard, as Cindy Sheehan travels home to her ill mother's side. Here is a couple of examples, but you know, she's started a long-overdue uprising! YES! There are obviously shaking in their boots at her power to influence.

Slate: "...an embarrassment to her family, Cindy Sheehan is at best a shifty fantasist."

Arizona Republic: "Cindy Sheehan, on the other hand, is protesting the choices her son made."

Dan Froomkin wrote in the Washington Post wrote in the White House Briefing:

"With President Bush kicking back at his ranch, the task of nipping a nascent antiwar movement in the bud fell to Vice President Cheney yesterday, and he went at it with his typical gusto.

...Cheney, for instance, didn't discuss the administration's current military strategy, or the lessons learned since the invasion. He didn't describe in any detail either the current tactical situation or the mission objective. He certainly didn't discuss the merits and drawbacks of alternative approaches, or acknowledge the desire of many Americans to start bringing the troops home now.

What he did -- very much in keeping with previous White House strategy -- was try to marginalize any opposition to the war as being deeply unpatriotic."

What's unpatriotic about speaking the truth!!! What is unpatriotic when you've paid the ultimate sacrifice for a man who is so disrespectful of others, he chooses to take the longest presidential holiday in history, while our men and women and country stand in harm's way (that is unpatriotic!) What's unpatriotic about asking questions of the powerful who have lied, twisted and wasted our young, taxpayer dollars and disrespected our neighbors around the world?

As Thomas Paine told his neighbors in 1776...
"...a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, give it a superficial appearance of being right."

Stop! Good neighbors everywhere --------- listen, think, question and know you can be part of change. Find out what you can do.

More...
http://www.codepink4peace.org/
http://www.axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/article_19519.shtml
http://www.guerrillanews.com/headlines/4228/Military_Families_to_Join_Cindy_Sheehan_in_Crawford

Talk to me! I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas.

Debbe Kennedy

Israel Seals Gaza Strip

The headline reads Withdrawal Begins. The photos ominous. The question is What will this mean for so many lives as the official government action takes place, "signaling the start of a historic withdrawal that will end its 38-year occupation, redraw borders and reshape prospects for Mideast peace? " A world away, I cannot comprehend what it must be like for either side. However, it is hard not to feel the cadence build, the drum beat, the roar of bulldozers that seem far away from being symbols of peace. I also feel as collective anxiousness, the heart beat of women, children and men too, who must be frightened as they wait for what they can really know. Will they be safe? I can't imagine the burden of this question as mothers and fathers look at their children.

I suppose the lack of faith in the process being a peaceful, just one has to do with the track record of military actions. Civilian heartache, casualties and personal destruction of others' property isn't a core concern of military actions based on past behavior?

Can you recall a time when bulldozing homes and military force were catalysts for PEACE?

As Gandhi left in one of his enduring messages...
"It may be long before the law of love will be recognized in internal affairs. The machineries of governments stand between and hide the hearts of one people from those of another."

Meanwhile, the flame of hope resides in the hearts of good neighbors...
Earlier this month, there was a murder of 4 Israeli Arabs by a Jewish terrorist. Sharon put out is statement of military outrage, "This was a reprehensible act by a bloodthirsty Jewish terrorist, calling for an immediate and thorough investigation in this unspeakable act."

It is interesting how the people, faced with this tragedy chose a different approach to comforting. I received a report from the Interfaith Encounter Association about their response.

"Yesterday we went to offer the condolences of the Interfaith Encounter Association to the mourning families in Shfaram. Unfortunately, due to our financial constrains, we could not organize transportation for the many friends who wanted to join and were there with only a symbolic Jewish-Druze delegation, offering condolences to the Muslim and Christian mourning families.

The visits were very moving and we could see in the eyes of the family members how touched they were and how much our visit and the opportunity to hear about the Interfaith Encounter Association and its activity meant to them.

But much more than we touched and encouraged and supported, we were touched and encouraged and supported by the nobility of the families behavior. The highlight of our visit was when the mourning brother approached us and talked with us about the how this murder created a bridge between all the communities of the country and how all our communities are one nation, how the family did not allow politicians from any side to take advantage of this event and how we have to continue to work on strengthening the bridges between us not only when terrible things happen but in every day life.

We concluded by reinforcing our joint condemnation of all kinds of murder and reaffirming that only solid bridges built between the different communities will prevent even the thinking of someone from one community to hurt people of other communities.

With comforting thoughts, I write to honor the courage of these far away good neighbors I do not know. May your heart be filled with calm and blessing of inner peace fall upon you and your families.

Debbe Kennedy

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Learn more about the Interfaith Encounter Association 

Visit the Global Dialogue Center

For Inspiration, we invite you visit our Viktor Frankl: The Man, His Message and His Principles.
Be sure to view the POWER OF VISION video excerpt below the exhibit, it will give you hope.

BUSH: Incapable of LISTENING

I've truly been baffled by George Bush's pig-headedness about anything and everything. He apparently does not have it him him to create harmony. He never LISTENS. Many lives might have been saved if he were big enough to LISTEN to what people have to say. Imagine the difference he had once sought to find out what his behavior and actions might be doing to make people so desperate that they resort to terriorism.

Another clear example is BUSH's lack of leadership is demonstrated in his response to Cindy Sheehan, mother of son, Casey, killed five days after he arrived in Iraq at age 24. It is a perfect example. Imagine the good it would do, if he spent 30 minutes, LISTENING to what she and the other mothers have to say. 

Bush said he had "heard the voices of those saying, 'Pull out now.'" And he said, I've thought about their cry and their sincere desire to reduce the loss of life by pulling our troops out. I just strongly disagree."  How can he possibly have thought about "their cry," when he has yet to LISTEN. News Story

Deborah Tannen, Author and Professor of Linquistics at Georgetown University share a little wisdom that Bush needs to learn (isn't this sad to say about the one of the world's most powerful men?):

"To say that a person feels listened to means a lot more than just their ideas get heard. It's a sign of respect. It makes people feel valued."

Former Presidents, Woodrow Wilson and Calvin Coolidge also have advice for Bush, echoing across time:

"The ear of the leader must ring with the voices of the people."

— Woodrow Wilson, 28th U.S. President

"No man ever listened himself out of a job."
—    Calvin Coolidge, 13th U.S. President

It takes a big man to LISTEN. It takes courage to face the truth and consequences of the realities that George Bush, the "self-proclaimed war-president" has manifested for himself. It is truly sad that the man who has blood dripping from his hands of thousands of service men and women and thousands of innocent civilians has not even the courage to LISTEN to a grieving mother.

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak;
courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."

— Winston Churchill

Debbe Kennedy

Come visit the Global Dialogue Center

Also our newest virtual wing,  Women in the Lead