perspectives

OUR PORTS and a WAR OF MINDS

When BUSH proclaimed his "war on terror," Osama bin Laden made a statement in a tape that continues to haunt me from time to time, particularly when you see a continuing stream of BUSH administation leadership judgments that defy all logic. Osama bin Laden said...

"This is a war of minds."

The discussion and debate in the last two days about the BUSH administration handing over control of seven of our strategic ports to another country at this time in history sets bin Laden's claim into a flashing neon sign. I know nothing about the operations of ports, but it doesn't require knowledge to know that this makes no sense.

The suggestion that we should worry first about hurt relations with the Middle East if we do not succumb is also absurd. The argument that a British company formerly held this contract in itself is upsetting. I am sure they did a great job. but why would our strategic ports be something we would sub out to another country or another country's company??? The argument that because we did it previously with a privately held company, doesn't mean that at this grave time in the world and in this country, it is the right thing to do for National Security.  One would expect, all politics aside, that any strategic decision with the sweeping, far-reaching implications on national security would be thoroughly re-evaluated to ensure current decisions strengten security at our ports. Giving operational control to a foreign country ---- any foreign country ---- as I said defies all logic. Why would a president of this country make such a decision to give this contract, our tax dollars and these jobs away to another country when our ports have already been reportedly and proven to be vulnerable. How could it be that a leader would think that Debai Ports would have our best interest in mind under the worst of circumstances, which we cannot at this time predict.

The pending sale — expected to be finalized in early March — puts Dubai Ports in charge of major shipping operations in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia. Obviously, with the emotional race cards being put on the table today and other less than pragmatic arguments for allowing such a situation to go through brings with it suspicion warranting following the money. Could is be that Michael Moore wasn't so wrong?

BUSH SAID:

"If there was any chance that this transaction would jeopardize the security of the United States, it would not go forward."  Mr. Bush there are plenty of chances that this could seriously compromise our security.

"It sends a terrible signal to friends around the world that it's OK for a company from one country to manage the port, but not a country that plays by the rules and has got a good track record from another part of the world..." 

I think our friends might understand that under the current "war on terror" under Bush's leadership we might choose to tighten up a bit, not open the possibilities with another government that too could change its mind.

"I can understand why some in Congress have raised questions about whether or not our country will be less secure as a result of this transaction," the president said. "But they need to know that our government has looked at this issue and looked at it carefully."

After watching the debacle of Katrina, Iraq and other results achieved, it is difficult to put one's faith in the fact that the BUSH administration "has looked at it carefully."

The "war of minds" is on the march.  With all that this country has gone through in the past six years, it is hard imagine that any leader would make such careless judgments about such a critical issue of national security as our major ports. I wish it were comforting to know that the Coast Guard was managing security at these ports. I'm sure they do a fine job. But OPERATIONS of the ports owned by a foreign country when BUSH's policies and action shave resulted in anti-American hatred throughout the world makes this decision crazy.

I don't know the answers to any of this, but I feel compelled to raise my voice in hopes that it will be joined along with others to say, NO!

What thoughts do you have on this topic?

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center

John Perkins: Confessions in the Mainstream

A dear friend wrote to me today: "It's a shame that there are still people out there who do not want to understand that the government under corporatocracy is out of touch with the humanity of the people whom they are supposed to govern or serve..." Yes, it is. I suppose the latest news about "outsourcing" of the care of our major ports is a prime example of the poor judgment, certainly greed and mismanagement of our country and the world. What is even more sad is the state of seeming helplessness that seems to surround us ---- not knowing --- or some indifferent --- as to what we are suppose to do about what we are seeing and experiencing almost daily. Afterall, the election is still two years away and we appear to have a "runaway train" and no provision to halt it on our own. Instead, we continue witnessing the unimaginable.

However, hope is alive!!! Today a major milestone was achieved that symbolizes that some people are waking up. They are beginning to ask questions, think about the implications of such careless disregard of our citizens and our resources and other nation's citizens and their resources. They are connecting the dots of things they are seeing and reading about and telling their friends. This news came in the form of a NY Times mainstream article "Confessions to the Converted" about John Perkins runaway bestseller, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man. One year ago, this would not have been possible. When John Perkins' book was first published by brave independent publisher in hardcover, Berrett-Koehler in San Francisco, a mainstream media interview was noticeably absent. With Perkins' new paperback version, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man has flourished rising to #5 on the NY Times Bestseller list in just a few weeks. What has also happened is that many things have happened since the book first released in November 2004 to validate his claims, as well as causing people all over of the world to begin watching more closely to what is happening in the world and neighborhoods where they live.

John Perkins joined a few members of the Global Dialogue Center community not long ago to for an exclusive interview and personal discussion his journey the past year, answering many questions we had top of mind for us. LISTEN IN What is different about this interview from those he gives on his road tour is he generously gave us the opportunity to just talk with him.

If you've not yet read John Perkins' book or had the opportunity to hear him speak, it is well worth the effort. You don't have to agree, but objectively allow yourself to think, question and decide for yourself. It will open your eyes.

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center

Visit the John Perkins Collection at the Global Dialogue Center

Confessions of Economic Hit Man with new material in paperback

LISTEN/READ John Perkins on DEMOCRACY NOW February 15, 2006

Mutual Respect and Regard and the Notorious Cartoon

Today as we watch the continued violence over the now notorious cartoon, it certainly brings us cause to think through what we are witnessing on a number of fronts. In situations like this, one has to move away from sides of the issue and review the facts. In them, you see insights into the human drama we create for ourselves and others.

I offer my perspective with just an outsider's point-of-view and with great humility. I don't know, but perhaps if my thinking and questioning invites you to think and question, we can collectively begin to find a new level of healing across the world. Perhaps, each of us can contribute in our own way through the object lesson that this unfortunate situation represents.

HOW DID THIS NEW STREAM OF VIOLENCE START?
Well, one's immediate reaction might be that it started with the cartoonist. This was my first thought. I also did bump up against "freedom of the the press" but is that really the proper justification for what has happened? Why are people so frustrated and upset to cause such violence? What led people to such a violent response? What it just the cartoon?

What came to me as I thought further, tracing the trail backwards, was that the cartoonist I'm sure never intentionally meant, or dreamed, the cartoon would get so much exposure or incite such violence. Unfortunately, that is really an important point we can't overlook. As Nelson Mandela reminded us in his book, Long Walk to Freedom, "With freedom comes responsibility." Far beyond any threats to "freedom of the press," are the mutual respect and regard for others that should reign in our consciousness above all personal expression or gain. If we lived in a mutualistic world, where everyone benefited and no one was harmed, we would not publish such a cartoon thoughtlessly without examining it's potential far-reaching implications on others and the world around us. If we were in tune with others, we wouldn't do things to one another that would be perceived as disregard and disrepect for any reason.

So where did this stream of violence begin?  Gandi offered some sage advice ...

"There is no halfway between truth and nonviolence on the one hand and untruth and violence on the other. ... The attainment of freedom, whether for a man, a nation or the world, must be in exact proportion to the attainment of nonviolence."

BUSH and his administration have criticized the violence. The WashingtonPost affirms a "shift in their strategy" from their earlier condemnation of the provocative drawings. "We reject violence as a way to express discontent...," Bush said. This is an interesting comment from a self-proclaimed war president, who started a war. It immediately reminded me of several reliable sayings:

"If you point the finger at others, there are three pointing back at you." 

" You can only see what is in your own heart."

My final conclusion is that what has started this new stream of violence is an escalculating, ongoing lack of consciousness and leadership for nonviolence across the world. With President BUSH, as "leader of the free world" investing several years in fear-based, "shock and awe" rehtoric, manifesting violence, disregard, disrespect, death of civilians and alienating our friends and furthering the leadership of exploitation of the most vulnerable, it begins to take hold on the people, so is this result so surprising?

I don't mean to imply that I think he is totally responsible --- nor do I condone the violence itself --- but he and other leaders without NONVIOLENCE as their mantra and conviction, have been able to impact the consciousness of all of us. VIOLENCE begets VIOLENCE. DISRESPECT begets DISRESPECT.

WHAT CAN WE DO?
Mother Teresa offered this simple recipe for change. "Don't wait for the leaders do it person to person." Viktor Frankl, too, reminded us, "Everything can be taken from a man but...the last of human freedoms---to choose on'e attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's way."

Each of us, of all faiths and no faith, can join together with a renewed conviction to manifest nonviolence across the world. We can fill our minds with thoughts of peace and goodness. We can vote for candidates that regard nonviolence as an essential for the good of all people. We can make our lives everyday a message of nonviolence. We can teach our children. We can support one another in working each day to reaffirm our own thinking and actions. Never giving up. This is how you reach a tipping point that could be man's salvation for the world.

"In mass civil resistance leadership is essential. In individual civil resistance every resister is his own leader."  --- Gandhi

IMAGINE THE POWER OF OUR COLLECTIVE CHANGE IN OUR THINKING AND ACTION?

Debbe Kennedy
Global Dialogue Center

Mrs. Coretta Scott King, WE THANK YOU!

IN MEMORIAM...Coretta Scott King
First LADY of the US civil rights movement, Champion of nonviolence and racial equality, global leader, wife, mother and beautiful woman.

Today was a day that I found myself delving into one of my cherished books, appropriately titled for this day of both celebration and mourning for the passing of Coretta Scott King --- THE TRUMPET OF CONSCIENCE by Martin Luther King, Jr. with a foreword by Mrs. King. She wrote about her beloved husband May 1, 1968, putting his eternal imprint on all of us:

"Martin Luther King, Jr. --- black leader ----  was a man for all people. The killers of the dream could end his mortal existence with a single bullet, but not all the bullets in all the arsenals can effect his death. We will not have to search for him. Listen for him in the protests of the poor---black and white. Look for him in the places where social evils are nonviolently resisted by proud, brave people. Listen for him in the ever-increasing chorus of committed individuals. Remember him as a man who tried to be "a drum major for justice, a drum major for peace, a drum major for righteousness." Remember him as a man who refused to lose faith in the ultimate redemption of mankind."

It is ironic that today on the day of celebration of the life dedicated to peace and justice, we saw again the violence of disregard and disrespect bringing about more violence of riots and destruction, bombings and death.

Action without conscience one more time seems to create a tipping point that starts the chain of violence. For example, imagine a cartoon, so important to someone to express, that they were overlooked the sweeping disregard and disrespect for others that it conveyed.

On the other side of the violence, would the Phrophet Muhammad (upon him peace) or Jesus or any spiritual leader suggest that more violence is the solution? Who is it that the Phrophet Muhammad or Jesus for example would choose to violate or bomb?  It's a question that stops anyone in there misdirection if one knows even a little about the wisdom of these too spiritual leaders. Gandhi was right when he said, "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of the differences here between violence against people and violence against property. "I am aware that there are many who wince at a distinction between property and persons --- who hold both sacrosanct. My views are not so rigid. A life is sacred. Property is intended to serve life. ... and no matter how much we surround it with rights and respect, it has no person being. It is part of the earth man walks on; it is not man." He also  offered insight into the reason behind the riots he experienced that seem worthy of our consideration on this day of violence decades later:

"...people wanted the experience of taking, of redressing the power imbalance that property represents. ...A deeper level of hostility came out in arson, which was far more dangerous than the looting. It was a demonstration and a warning. It was directed against the symbols of exploitation, and it was designed to express the depth of anger in the community. ...the administration has ignored its responsibility for the causes of riots, and instead it has used the negative aspect of them to justify continued inaction on the underlying issues."

It would be difficult to point one finger at anyone for all the violence of this day. Our leaders in many places throughout the world have certainly set the tone for violence by their proclamations, wars, actions and inactions, but each of us to must have an examination of conscience.

"Forgiveness is the virtue of the brave. He alone who is strong enough to avenge a wrong knows how to love (and forgive). ...Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man." --- Gandhi 

Do you know we could change the whole world with just a shift in our collective consciousness and conviction to nonviolence?

What contribution will you make?

These are the questions that whisper in the wind from all those who have reached for peace. ...and today, we thank Mrs. Coretta Scott King for her example, courage and relentless pursuit of nonviolence for all people.

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center