perspectives

WAR & PEACE: Returning to Spiritual Values

There is something chilling about reading tonight's late night news report: "There is a significant risk that the U.S. military won't be able to quickly and fully respond to yet another crisis, according to a new report to Congress... The report is classified, but on Monday senior defense officials, speaking on condition on anonymity, confirmed the decline in overall military readiness."

Are you surprised? Do we really need a report to confirm the erosion on many levels of our humanity and foundation of leadership that is inevitable when a nation puts its focus on ill-conceived greedy warring, mis-managing our country's assets to the tune of billions spent on bombs and bullets, killing, maiming and destruction?  How would a country with leaders responsible for leading our national consciousness to its deepest lows manifest any better? ...and while putting our families and people of the world and the future of mankind at HIGH RISK, our leaders again, on both domestic and global affairs without conscience, appear to be laying plans and strategy to expand the war across the Middle East in ways we can't even comprehend. While Generals are swearing to resign in protest, and the rhetoric heightens to convince us these actions are not taking place, the deafening drum beat of widening ego-conflict can be heard. 

What is the logic that when strategy and results have proven faulty, you expand the endeavor using the same failed leadership minds and methods?

At the same time, our government representatives keep talking, posturing and passing symbolic measures of word vs. deed with no beginning in sight for really turning our direction.

...and what about all of us? It seems most of us sit here perplexed, either watching the unbelievable unfolding or simply choosing to ignore the horror of this reign of incompetence. I'm not pointing fingers at YOU. I'm with you carrying my share of responsibility for the mess our indifference and lack of attention has allowed to fester to a point of global crisis in nearly every direction.

Peter F. Drucker, the father of modern management, left this powerful question for consideration at a first step in his book, Landmarks of Tomorrow...

In the presence of the threat of instant annihilation, how can we maintain meaning and responsibility without spiritual values?

Regardless of your faith or unfaith, this is a question to ponder --- one that can be best understood learning from another disaster in a previous war. I read it in a old book written in 1943 that landed in my hands recently:

After the disastrous defeat of Northern army at Bull Run, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of prayer. When the day had passed, Lincoln learned of a strange and unusual occurrence. A little group of atheists had gone to a chapel and had offered up a petition to the Almighty in behalf of the Union cause. Deeply interested, Lincoln went to the leader of the atheists and asked him to explain. "Well," said the would-be unbeliever, "atheism seemed all right in time of peace, but when the disaster of Bull Run befell us, we felt that something beyond our power had to be done; therefore we went and prayed."

For the record, I'm not suggesting that religious dogma here as the answer. I am suggesting that all of us, regardless of our faith or unfaith, need to meet on the common ground of goodness, connected by the common thread of life that makes us interdependent on each other.  It seems that right now a first step to build our confidence, would be to return to our human spiritual centers --- to pray in our own ways for the strength, will, vision and belief that we, as a human family, do hold the future for our families, communities, world and planet in our hands. Collectively, in an instant, with resolute belief and a shifting our consciousness on a grand scale, reaching beyond our present reign of fear, terror and greed in the world, we could change it. If not us, who?

"Men must be governed by God or they will be ruled by tyrants."
--- William Penn, author of democratic principles that inspired the US Constitution

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
author and founder
Global Dialogue Center and Leadership Solutions Companies

RELATED WRITINGS:
Tribute to Peter F. Drucker
Peter Drucker: What do you want to be remembered for?

AMERICAN DREAM traded for VIOLENCE and GREED: How did this happen to us?

I suppose most of us could all find fault with how we grew up in some way --- there is always mom, dad and Uncle Joe to blame things on. However, for me, with all its imperfections, what I remember MOST now is the gift my big brother gave me, when he focused my attention on the importance of striving for EXCELLENCE in all I did. Some of his early lessons for me came when he was still in high school and became my “surrogate father,” when my dad and mom split up. He qualified his advice with a sense of realism (or was it a reflection of his own doubt?). "You may not get to do this or that, he would tell me, "...because we can't afford it, but you, little sister, should always work as if all these dreams will come true for you and EXCELLENCE is the differentiator."

Later on, my brothers lessons were affirmed with each achievement that emerged in small and big influences on my future. Working toward EXCELLENCE, became almost addictive. I loved achieving and it fueled working hard, which had its generous rewards. I am most grateful to attest that the ability to dream, a high regard for ethics, deeply held values and a strong belief that the best opportunities are produced through EXCELLENCE have stood the test of time.

The truths about EXCELLENCE were deeply rooted in history. Aristotle's words have been an ever-present reminder:

"We are what we repeatedly DO. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit."

It seems at one time, the pursuit of EXCELLENCE, was a constant theme in working toward our own individual American Dreams. Our achievements, and some of heroes were widely admired all over the world. Our pursuit of EXCELLENCE drove GPAs in college, the ambitions of our athletes to reach new records, helped children to dream, businesses were in search of it and "the American Dream" was made of it. Today, EXCELLENCE isn't a word you hear much from people, young and old and in-between. I’ve even heard companies shy away of its ideals, because it raised the bar to a level that seemed less than anyone expected to achieve. Also, perhaps our replacements of the pursuit of excellence have exacerbated the major tragic problems that weigh heavy on our lives, our human family, living creatures, the world and this planet.

It seems that perhaps by choices we made carelessly, we have let go of the pursuit of EXCELLENCE as our driving force and allowed the AMERICAN DREAM to be traded before our eyes for an intentional seductive flow of VIOLENCE, SEX and GREED that has grown like a cancer on our society. This brainwashing has gone way beyond “free speech”. It has us hooked and its tantalizing realities are popping up in our lives and in the lives of our children and grandchildren, while lining the pockets of the wealthy and filling our minds with garbage ---- neutralizing the gruesome to point it doesn't even matter to us anymore ---- and sadly, it appears we can't get enough. We want it more and more ---- or at least, the seduction or indifference keeps it coming --- or it wouldn't sell.

OUR PURSUIT OF VIOLENCE, SEX and GREED

This notion was fully revealed yesterday during the SUPERBOWL. The ads for the extravaganza, included previewing the top shows over and over again. Every drama show that was previewed for MONDAY, TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY was full of the grotesque and violence beyond imagination. Even the new popular show, HEROES demonstrated that our culture is now redefining today’s HERO in a backdrop of VIOLENCE and DESTRUCTION ---- not EXCELLENCE and ACHIEVEMENT. Even the comedy shows previewed and the advertising shown in prime time afternoon, where our young children are present, were full of violence, sex and things that are far from values like the pursuit of EXCELLENCE. Today, taking it still to another LOW POINT to titillate perverse minds further and chalk up profits, one of the key magazines, featuring Britney Spears and Paris Hilton as teenage idols, reportedly has brought a new gross term to life, questioning if we are raising a new generation of young women, they labeled "prostatots". Who is to blame for this?

I'm not a prude, or raising any moral flags, but it saddens me --- and I hope it saddens you too --- to visibly stop, look and recognize just how low our society has stooped to seduce our desires for pleasure, power and dough. I suppose there are plenty people and corporations who bear part of the blame for this erosion of values and decency in our country and our world. What has happened to us? How did we allow this to happen?

LEADERS SET THE TONE

That is what I was taught as a leader. Certainly, there have been gross things happening since the beginning of time, but I believe our recent generations have taken violence, indecency and greed to a new lows as we've all witnessed. Violence, sex and greed have progressed further than one can imagine in the last 10 years. Since LEADERSHIP sets the tone, our self-proclaimed WAR PRESIDENT and the BILLIONS of our hard-earned dollars spent on killing, destruction and lining the pockets of the WAR PROFITEERS has been part of the VIOLENCE SEDUCTION we've all bought into as citizens.

If we are as Aristotle said, what we repeatedly DO, we, the American people, own part of this era of VIOLENCE and GREED. We have accepted less than the best in our politicians, for our military, in our leaders, in our policies, with our media and for our human family across the world.

John Perkins, famed author of the New York Times bestseller, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, wrote a compelling piece that will make you think.
READ IT and see what you think.

Any thoughts? I welcome your perspective.

Debbe

NEW BOOK: The Secret History of the American Empire by JOHN PERKINS 
Pre-Order at Amazon.com

Visit the John Perkins Collection at the Global Dialogue Center
Confessions of Economic Hit Man with new material in paperback

Debbe Kennedy
author and founder, President and CEO
Global Dialogue Center and Leadership Solutions Companies

2007: RISING UP IN A NEW YEAR

The new year always comes to me as a compelling invitation for RENEWAL, which requires the act of RISING UP once again. For many reasons this is more important than ever for each of us at this time in history. 2006 was a year of too much violence, war, destruction and tragedy, much of which might have been avoided or minimized, if we were more engaged and involved in the world around us, don't you think?

It takes conviction to step up and out, choosing to broaden our contributions to the world --- to try LIFE on, living differently --- to ponder anew --- to ask more of ourselves for the good of all --- to BE more. I actually have learned to love this great part of life --- the open invitation we have to discover a meaningful purpose --- to put our fingerprint on history. IMAGINE the power of all of us increasing our contributions even in a few simple ways.

You aren't so sure you have more to contribute?
All around us there are simple examples to encourage us, assuring us that we have the capacity to do more. Here is one example:

Recently, I had to have a large tree removed in my yard. It was in a dangerous place and for the safety of all, it had to be taken down. Watching it reminded me of an unexpected life lesson about rising up that came my way...

RISING UP
by Debbe Kennedy

A few years back, a large pine tree in my yard, beautifully wind-swept into a living sculpture from years of seaside gusts, was taken by a storm of beetles and died. For years, it was the tree that was in view out my window as I’ve worked every day. I won’t be maudlin and say I had a deep emotional attachment to the tree itself, but it had been a welcoming refuge countless times, when I found myself a prisoner of creative block and blank computer screen. To save the other trees, the majestic old pine had to go. Watching it be cut down and chopped up was sad. It left a gaping void in the soul of the neighborhood. Neighbors slowed as they passed in their cars, taking in the unexpected change and loss. Some even stopped by to question why? and what happened?

Six months passed. We planted a new cypress tree in its place. It was hardly a substitute. A short while later, I stopped, before going into the house one evening, to see how the new cypress tree was doing. The real miracle was in discovering that two new little pine trees had sprung up all on their own. They had made their way up through all the might of the rocky soil pressing heavy on them---responding to Life’s Calling to rise up! Today, they are standing two very proud feet high. They made the choice not to give up---to accept personal responsibility for their own destiny---to find their own way to contribute more. The same calling that comes to each of us when we stand at a crossroads that we didn't perhaps expect.*

As we enter the possibilities of a new year, may we all look for opportunities to RISE UP ... to use our voice, our actions, our behavior, our funds, our gifts to help create a more generous, welcoming, peaceful world than we know today.

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
author and founder, President and CEO
Global Dialogue Center and Leadership Solutions Companies

INSPIRATIONS FOR YOU:
Personal Responsibility: Your Role in Creating a Better World with John Perkins and BK Authors
Socially Responsible Investing Dialogue
Habitat Jam - Knowledge Gallery Exhibit at the Global Dialogue Center

ORGANIZATIONS NEEDING YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS:
IRAQ Body Count Project
IRAQ Coalition Casualty Count
Interfaith Encounter Association - Creating Middle East Peace Talks
Women's Global Green Action Network
Heifer International --- Ending Hunger, Caring for the Earth
Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary
Doctors Without Borders
World Vision

*Excerpt from After a Storm the Birds Sing by Debbe Kennedy

SADDAM to the GALLOWS: Will BUSH Miss His Opportunity for a BOLDER KIND OF LEADERSHIP?

RELATED AFTERTHOUGHTS TO PONDER from Robert Fisk,
described by the NY Times as...
"probably the most famous foreign correspondent in Britain"
A Dictator Created then Detroyed by America
Read NOW

Saddam Hussein, according to morning news reports, remains at the American military prison, where he is expected to stay until the day of his execution, at which point he is to be transferred to Iraqi authorities. [Associated Press].
I suppose one can look at this reality from several vantage points:

Last evening, I heard one view, which included describing the barbaric details of what Saddam's death-by-hanging will involve, moment-by-hideous moment---a full step-by-step documentation of how his body will be broken and crushed to complete the deed---an eye for an eye executed to perfection. Imagine that we, as a human society, have come to such a place that we would find satisfaction in a close public examination of the killing process of another human being, so much so, that it hit the news repeatedly in multiple segments yesterday. I know. I know. "Such lust for killing has been going on for centuries," you may be saying back to me. But this isn't about history. It is about us and an examination of conscience of OUR nation TODAY. It is about an examination of conscience for each of us as individuals in OUR time.

Our willingness and wantingness for revenge, whether it be portrayed in great detail on a public stage or be carried out in some secret way to hide and diminish our crimes, questions the state of our humanity. It is particularly stunning to the mind, when one considers the contrast of what the US government and President BUSH have banned here from the public's experience --- the censorship of the arrival home of our brave US military men and women in draped caskets, aimed at blocking the daily dose of truth about war from our consciousness ---- truth that comes as a direct result of an illegal war conceived on lies, deception and mounting profit and greed. We aren't allowed to see this truth, while no one seems to be bothered by our minds being filled with minute-by-minute coverage of Saddam's impending hanging.

Our want for revenge also contrasts our willingness to deny and ban any public accounting or even acknowledgement of civilian deaths caused by the Iraq War. "We don't do body counts." is how Tommy Franks put it, the chilling words burned in my mind. Are they burned in yours?  Our disregard and disrespect for human life, as "leaders of the free world" has set an example that serves as a catalyst for such nonsensical statements as this one today said about Saddam's hanging, "Our respect for human rights requires us to execute him...," Al-Maliki said. WHAT? This statement mirrors our leaders actions and behaviors ---- and our own indifference as citizens, doesn't it? What has happened to us?

WILL BUSH SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE HIS LEGACY?
A ray of hope still exists. Another view from a humanitarian vantage point, clearly shows the US stands before a fleeting window of hopeful opportunity that invites a bold demonstration of moral leadership.

As a nation, our leaders are still left with a decision to take the high road ---- one that could perhaps be the tipping point that would begin to reverse all that today is keeping us on a perpetual cycle of violence, killing and destruction in Iraq and other places throughout the world ---- one that could change the course of history. One that could change the legacy of George W. Bush, because it demands a bigger, bolder form of leadership that would speak to the world, reflecting the values upon which our nation was built. George Bush has an opportunity to use American influence to stop Saddam Hussein from going to the gallows, in exchange for life in prison, in a heroic stand for human life and justice, as well as perhaps what could be the beginning of a new era toward peace in the world.  Will he and his administration take advantage of it?

A CALL FOR A BOLDER KIND OF LEADERSHIP
In NOVEMBER, shortly after the elections, John Sloboda, executive director of the Oxford Research Group in the UK and co-founder of the Iraq Body Count Project, wrote a compelling call-for-leadership from the United States published by openDemocracy.net. He wrote, "...There is a window of opportunity to take a bold initiative, to signal to the world the values that the Democrats will bring back to an administration which many believe has lost its moral compass. ...what is most urgently needed first is a tangible, specific signal of a new approach which both draws on the best of American values, and communicates that fact around the world. READ THIS COMPELLING ARGUMENT.

John Sloboda's conclusion is particularly moving, serving as not only a call-to-action, but also a vision of beginning what could be new era of unity throughout the world:

...The US intervention in Iraq has been presented by George W Bush and his principal ally Tony Blair as about values: offering the Iraqi people, and the entire middle east, the opportunity to embrace the values that underpin democratic civilisations. Those values, for the vast majority of democratic countries, including Britain and all other members of the European Union, include a firm and absolute rejection of the death penalty. If America stands apart now, and allows Saddam to go to the gallows unchallenged, it sends a signal to the entire world that the US prefers to remain isolated from those who should be its closest allies and friends, and that the prevailing philosophy of its new "bipartisan" government is likely to continue as one of vengeance rather than justice and reconciliation.

If, however, America joins with its allies to petition for transmission of the sentence to one of life imprisonment, it would send the clearest possible signal to the world that a page in American history has been turned, and that an aberrant and damaging chapter may be drawing to a close." READ FULL TEXT of John Sloboda's essay.

In the words of wisdom left for us by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige, and even his life for the welfare of others."

Is George BUSH big enough and BOLD enough, to use his influence to take a decisive act of leadership on behalf of the welfare of others, tipping the scales of justice in a way that could lead to the improving peace on earth? 

I leave you HOPING in these final hours.

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
author and founder, President and CEO
Global Dialogue Center and Leadership Solutions Companies