perspectives

IRAQ: The WAKE-UP CALL for All of US

HEADLINES AS I WRITE:
14 troops killed in IRAQ today; 71 in last 21 days; 978 Iraqi security and civilians in last 21 days; millions displaced from their homes by BUSH's continuing war; war profits at an all time high.

I would not classify myself as an activist ,as I've mentioned before. I am a humanitarian. However, these times we live in certainly come with a call-to-action for all of us to THINK, QUESTION, EXPLORE NEW IDEAS and GET INFORMED enough to be the shapers of our future. We must be willing to let go of our party loyalties and do some fresh thinking "outside the box" of politics for the good of all people --- for the survival of our world. There is time, but it is ticking away. In futurist and filmmaker, Joel Barker's pioneering work on the Five Regions of the Future, he again reminds us of a very important TRUTH:

"We can and should shape your own future, because if you don't, someone else surely will." --- Joel Barker, futurist

Every day we are watching our futures be shaped by government officials that have lied, cheated and worked as terrorists in their own right. This shames me to admit it. I grew up with pride in my country and belief in its leaders. HOWEVER, the situation in IRAQ and other miseries we have caused or ignored in recent years, has fostered a wake-up call for my consciousness. How about you? Current affairs have been a catalyst for seeing how much of our current system of government is deeply broken and how much each of us plays into it through our desires for more and more, our consumerism, our indifference, our inattention ---- perhaps, most of all, how much we take it for granted, never thinking about what impact how much of what we have has had on others in the world or that in an instant, we could lose what most of us treasure. It makes me ache, knowing I too am a contributing part of our brokenness.

I have to ask again, WHAT HAVE WE BECOME?
There are many to blame, but lets acknowledge the role of the most powerful leader in the world. We have a President that wants to defend a "human embryo" for reasons that defy science, but doesn't mind having his own hands dripping in the blood of tens of thousands of civilians and soldiers of his ill-conceived war without conscience. He apparently has no care about the countries he destroys and the millions that are displaced by his pig-headed right to power. ...and what about us? Why do we turn a blind eye? I heard President Bush talk in the last couple days, wagging his finger at the extremists, while seemingly describing his own actions too, never acknowledging how the terrorists have gotten so desperate in our escalating use of military might and force at his command. Is it not extreme to go to war on false pretenses, recognize the flaw, defy all sound military counsel, ignore the will of the people in our democratic country and insist failed policies must continue not with sacrifice from your family, but with the sacrifice of other people's children, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters. Isn't this extreme? Isn't it extreme that no one questions or holds him accountability for any of his failings? He gets way too much credit for the few times he rhetorically takes responsibility --- but there are no consequences. How does our system allow this kind of incompetence and the array of public blunders in nearly every aspect of foreign and domestic policy with out consequences. In business, he would have been removed immediately --- in the military justice, wouldn't he been removed from his command? In domestic justice --- the kind you and I receive --- he would be locked up for eternity or sentenced to death. It is clear that all of us and the future of our children is being not only mortgaged by the ongoing saga of failed policies with no end in sight ----- our future is also being shaped by the actions, inattention and inaction.

WAKE-UP Everyone! The KEY INGREDIENT
The last of man's freedoms as Viktor Frankl told us in his classic, Man's Search for Meaning is to choice our attitude...to choice our way. It is time, my friends, to wake-up! How do we get started waking-up --- get informed. Look at your own span of influence. Look at what you can do right where you are. Here are is a valuable resource you may find helpful in your own personal awakening:

Moments of Insight at the Global Dialogue Center...
(Free to the world - no charge)
OUR GEO-POLITICAL CRISIS and YOU with John Perkins, New York Times Bestselling Author, The Secret History of the American Empire (Buy the book) and Confessions of an Economic Hit Man (Buy the book). John's new book hit the NY Times its first week out. This 6- episode mini-podcast series is a primer to world affairs, highlighting "pearls and gems" from The Secret History... It is informative and also hopeful with lots of ideas about what you can do no matter where you are in the world. He talks of about lessons from ASIA, LATIN AMERICA, MIDDLE EAST and AFRICA and helps us think through how we can change the dream of our future and change our world. It is designed for "instant one-touch play" or you can download it as an MP3 to share with family and friends.

Today, as I write, I grieve with the world for 12 more US soldiers lives gone and the millions of civilians that are dead, maimed or displaced from their homes. How scared the women and children must be, yes?

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
www.globaldialoguecenter.com

BIG QUESTIONS: MORE SIGNS - US Soldiers' Memorial Ceremonies Cut; Halliburton-War Profiteering Hit $20 BILLION

We have to be asking some BIG QUESTIONS of ourselves and our government.
What have we become?

Every day we continue to see signs of a widening MESS --- of injustices --- greed --- poor judgment --- killing and maiming --- failed policies --- war profiteering --- build-up of arms --- ravishing what belongs to others --- lies and propaganda filling our airwaves --- American citizens abused --- hatred building around the world for anything U.S. and more. I know in my lifetime, and I'm sure yours, we have never witnessed an Presidential administration in the White House that has more disgraced, dismantled, denigrated the values upon which our country was built than this one ---- nor have we watched top officials lead one debacle after another, right before our eyes, without any serious accountability for such failed leadership and a warring nature way out of control. There are those that contend this is not new. Okay, I agree, but thanks to the Internet, it is at least more and more visible --- exposed --- to us all, if we care to become part of the citizens who are responsible for turning the tide.

MORE SIGNS; BIG QUESTIONS:
Fort Lewis Announces a New Policy to Trim Number of Soldier Memorial Ceremonies; Halliburton, Leading US War Profiteer Hits $20 Billion in US Government Contracts

You might think it odd to capture these two seemingly unrelated current events, but they do have a relationship --- a relationship to where we put our values and where our government is investing US Taxpayer dollars.

In a shameless proclamation, the Fort Lewis acting commanding general, Brig. Gen. William Troy, in a memo to commanders and staff last week, announced a new policy. Fort Lewis, which this month has suffered its worst losses of the war, will no longer conduct individual memorial ceremonies for soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Source: The Olympian - May 30, 2007). A copy of the General Troy's memorandum was obtained and posted on the United for Peace of Pierce County website.

"As much as we would like to think otherwise, I am afraid that with the number of Soldiers we now have in harm's way, our losses will preclude us from continuing to do individual memorial ceremonies.

I see this as a way of sharing the heavy burdens our spouses and Rear Detachments bear, while giving our fallen warriors the respect they deserve. It will also give the families of the fallen the opportunity to bond with one another, as they see others who share their grief."

In his memo dated May 22, Troy apparently said he asked the post’s senior chaplain, Col. Jack Van Dyken, to work out the details of the new policy. The Olympian reported: “This is not an intent to streamline the process or in any way detract from honoring the soldiers,” Van Dyken said. “It’s just being cognizant of the fact that when you have this many, the time involved in doing each one individually is just prohibitive.” Can you believe what you just read, knowing the time investment, sacrifice and anguish that our soldiers and military families bear every day?

In the same report, it is also noted that  "other Army posts already consolidate soldier memorials into one or two ceremonies per month," as if it justifies this shameless cost cutting, time saving, disrespectful, inhuman decision.


THE BOTTOMLINE:
So, if we are to get the full message here, our government will take every soldier they can get. Use them. Ask for the ultimate sacrifice from them and their families. Put them in harm's way, but because too many are dying, our government is unwilling to invest time, money and resources to honor each of those that fall in service to our country. This is immoral.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, we discover that our government, choosing its investments, has now lined the pockets of Halliburton (VP, Cheney's former employer) with $20 Billion in contracts that have been less than exemplary. CorporateWatch Hall of Shame reported May 16, 2007:

"...Houston-based Halliburton was chosen for allegedly being "the nation's leading war profiteer, for grossly under-delivering -- and shortchanging our troops -- on more than $20 billion in lucrative government contracts and for planning to move its headquarters to Dubai, enabling them to shirk paying their full share of United States taxes."

I ask again, and I hope you will too, what have we become?

In response, as I was finishing writing this piece, I heard Barak Obama speaking. He said, "We all have the opportunity to shape history." We need to wake up. Pay attention. See there are some BIG QUESTIONS to ask. We need to connect the dots and watch for the seemingly unrelated stories that serve as symbols of all that is wrong --- we have to share them with others, so they too can see the truth. We have to join together to stop the war, honor and care for those who served and recognize that the urgency and significance of the need for change in our country.

Together, we the people, can change things. The future is ours to create.

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
www.globaldialoguecenter.com

GET EDUCATED:
The Secret History of the American Empire by John Perkins 
releases June 5, 2007 
Learn more about the new book
Pre-Order at Amazon.com

Visit the John Perkins Collection at the Global Dialogue Center

IRAQ: Losing the War; Saving America?

In the first 29 days of MAY:
122 Coalition Forces DEAD in 29 days of May
(117 US, 3 UK, 2 Other)
1721 Iraqi Security Forces and Civilians DEAD 29 days of MAY
3468 US Military DEATHS reported by DOD
Source: Iraq Casualty Count

A couple weeks ago a friend sent me a link to an article about the Iraq War. Like a lot of emails you probably receive, I didn't read it. I was too busy at the time. However, I did print it out and over the weekend, I finally sat down to give it my undivided attention and I'm glad I did. It is an article WORTH THE READ...one that will make you think and question the Iraq War from a new vantage point. I hope you will find the time.

The Moral Obligation to Lose The War
by Robert Shetterly
Published on Thursday, May 10, 2007 by CommonDreams.org

Every act has moral and immoral potential. The girl scout who helps an unsteady old man across the street could also have pushed him aside. The aftermath of each action engenders a new range of moral possibilities. Having pushed him aside, she might then regret her act and return to help him. Even when we’ve made bad choices, acted out of indifference or greed rather than compassion and generosity, another choice awaits us: how to compound or rectify the immoral act, stay the course or imagine how to salvage some measure of moral standing. Since even a racist like George Wallace can have a Road to Damascus experience, anything is possible.

The immense immorality of the choice to attack Iraq, and base that choice in lies, propaganda, and fear is hardly news now. But the fact that, above all else, it was a moral choice means that another moral choice is possible. And only one choice would atone for the original.

This war will not end until the funding is cut off. Anyone who would continue the funding to “support the troops,” should also tell you that once you make a moral mistake, keep making it, and that those who pay with their blood for your mistake are grateful for the support. The logic of this position would also maintain that policy is made by soldiers and officers, not by the people, the Congress and the President.

None of the offered plans now before us to de-escalate the war disavow what we all know to be its original goals — control of Iraq’s oil and the building of large, permanent US military bases in Iraq. Nor do any of these bills address the central issue of accountability, the fact that this war is a war crime, a crime against our democracy, our Constitution, the Iraqi people, international law, and our own soldiers. Without accountability, our democracy is meaningless. Without moral action, our claim to integrity and respect are meaningless.

Our obligation as citizens is not to play political games with the Democrats or Republicans to help them position themselves for the next election. Our obligation is to demand that the laws and ideals of this country be upheld. The problem with the Iraq War is not that we are losing it and that we need a better strategy. The problem is that we have no moral right to win it. As bad as the colossal mismanagement, greed and corruption are, they are not the true issue. Betrayal of the public trust is the issue. Pre-meditated murder is the issue.

It is my deepest belief that the only good that may come from this disgraceful time in our history, will be the honest acknowledgement of how and why the country was mislead, followed by punishment for those responsible. Without that justice, we will learn nothing and be easy prey for the next abuse of power.

It is horrible to think that our soldiers have died and been injured in vain. However, if we demand accountability, demand impeachment, something honest will have been redeemed. All that blood and those blasted bodies of beloved people may form the bulwark against future abuse. In a sense freedom will have been won, democracy will be affirmed, justice will be established — here.

No one can tell you what will happen when the US withdraws the troops. Although, many did predict the chaos of insurgency and sectarianism that resulted from the attack. But whatever happens after our withdrawal, it will be made easier if we involve international peacekeepers, remove our bases, forego any claim to the oil, and pay reparations. The war is a moral and legal catastrophe and will continue to be. But since we precipitated it, we can’t pretend also to want to protect the Iraqis from it. We can’t. We’re the cause of it.

This administration has acted from a position that denigrates human rights, legal rights, moral rights, the rights of decency, inalienable rights, privacy rights, civil rights, women’s rights, environmental rights, worker’s rights, and children’s rights. The only right they have respected is the right of entitlement. Their own. Our only hope is to demand our rights, our rights as citizens, our rights to our ideals, our rights to a sense of morality.

The destruction of a small village in Vietnam was once explained away by our military as a village that had to be destroyed in order to save it. That perversity became symbolic of the entire war. Accurately. The War on Iraq should now be described as a war that must be lost in order to save America. That is our moral obligation.

Robert Shetterly is a writer and artist who lives in Brooksville, Maine. He is the author of Americans Who Tell the Truth. See his website.

Applause to Robert Shetterly for his contribution to make us think! Now what do we do as Americans? Everyday I wake up wondering why we are not more outraged at how the current administration has disgraced our country in so many ways --- how our inaction continues to allow noble men and women serve in a war by order of the President for a cause that has proven to be far less than noble with decades of implications ahead. I'm not thinking politics here, folks! Our problems are so far beyond political alliances. We're all guilty for allowing and keeping such incompetence, poor judgment and lack of leadership to be at the helm of our country. Plato was right when he said: One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors..."

How can we join together to do what Shetterley suggests: Our only hope is to demand our rights, our rights as citizens, our rights to our ideals, our rights to a sense of morality.

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
www.globaldialoguecenter.com

REFLECTIONS on MEMORIAL DAY

IN COMMEMORATION: 106 soldiers (101 US, 3 UK, 2 other) and over 1536 Iraqi Security Forces and Civilian deaths this month so far.

How many deaths will it take before we stop a war that should never have been started?  Supporting our troops doesn't mean leaving them there ill-equipped amidst a civil war for a cause that is founded on lies, greed, profiteering and poor leadership judgment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tomorrow is Memorial Day here in the US. My dad was a "war hero". Funny, it wasn't something he ever bragged about---in fact, my knowledge of his two Bronze Stars didn't come from him. They came from reading clippings in a box he left behind and a glimpse here and there from members of the family.

Now that I am older and have had a time to think and question WAR, I know why he didn't mention it. He didn't believe in it either. I doubt that he could reconcile its value and rightness with what he witnessed and experienced---bombings, death and destruction. You see, he was a Chaplain. What he brought to this entrusted role was that he made a conscious decision to stay with the men on the frontlines and in the process, he was called upon to do some heroic acts in the line of duty that saved lives. However, I am quite certain, he too must have questioned how war and rumors of war were aligned with loving one's neighbor.

I don't like to remember him as WAR HERO...I like to remember him as my dad and somehow I am certain that out there in the distance are many daughters and sons, who feel the same today. So instead of talking about WAR, I wanted to share a story of one of my favorite early memories of dad in commemoration for his love, his bravery, his courage to serve and for being my HERO:

MY DAD and ME
Interestingly, most of my early memories start just as I was turning five. It was a year of great change. Just before this time, I have one memory I cherish. I was three, maybe close to four.

My father was a prominent minister in the East in a small church.
He was called to a larger church in California.
The family moved across country.

I remember walking out of the new house with him,
all dressed up in a fancy dress with my best shoes.
The house was right next door to the new church.
The walkway was lined with yellow rose trees.
He held my hand and warmly coaxed me to come along with him.
He had a warm presence that drew people to him.
I was one. I adored him.
He called me Honeybear.

He led me to the church steps.
Long and steep from my perspective,
reaching up and up and up to the big doors.
His encouragement made all things possible.
I climbed step-by-step alone---about halfway
I sat down, fixing my skirt,
then posing with with a smile meant for him.
He took my picture.

Epilogue...

After he died some years back,
I found this picture among his cherished things.
It confirmed my sacred memory of that day,
When he captured the picture of the two great loves in his life into permanence.

When I was five he went away.
It would be years before I understood why.
...and years more until I knew it wasn't about me.

IN COMMEMORATION of all the brave dads. May we find our way to PEACE for all the people. May we find the courage and care inside to SPEAK-UP! STAND-UP! and SHOUT-OUT! to until we, the people, turn the tide on this ill-conceived war of greed and profiteering and bring our toops safely home.

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
www.globaldialoguecenter.com

IRAQ RAGES ON: Our leaders debate, demand and veto

NEWS FLASH! AS I WRITE:  9 More US Soldiers Dead in Iraq

For weeks, our airwaves have been full of governmental rhetoric about resolutions to end the war in Iraq. The Senate and Congress have debated, demanded, declared and postured, belting their opposing party positions over and over again on the IRAQ WAR. The media has followed their every move, sound-byted their every claim and brought in the pundits to argue their respective party points of view over and over again. The President too has contributed to the empty words as he has blustered out his threats and conviction to veto any resolution that requires accountability or results, helping us once again affirm that under his leadership, there is no openness for new ideas or earnest attempts for a course correction called for by the American people. While all this impotent talk has been going on, in just the last 28 days of April with no resolution in sight, 90 US and 11 UK military and a reported 1423 Iraqi security forces and civilians have died. Lives lost while our leaders are still talking.

Where is the conscience of the world's most powerful leaders???

You would think that our President and every leader in Washington would be working night and day, lots of overtime, all leaves cancelled, no vacations, no entertaining basketball teams or baseball teams at the White House, no trips to their ranches and resort homes, until a detailed, benchmarked plan was ironed out to stop this war.

Why are strategic benchmarks to measure effectiveness questioned?

If you've ever run a business, it is unimaginable that any entity would continue to execute a failed plan without tough measurements. A business would never continue to pour its assets and billions of dollars into a violent strategy that has been inefficient and ineffective in "achieving results." A reputable, value-based business would never agree to continue to send more and more of it's human treasure to be wasted because of a strategy peaking at the top of the diaster scale, such as BUSH's proven ill-conceived, self-initiated Iraq death trap without a clear mission, a concrete plan for resolution with high emphasis on diplomacy and full accountability. In any businesss, he would have been fired long, long ago. Instead, in a much more dangerously powerful assignment, we sit helpless six years into it.

It is also hard to imagine how the most powerful leaders in the world do not practice or realize the sweeping influence of setting the example for others as a means of bringing peace at home and abroad. The obsession of violent, hateful approaches has proven ineffective. Doesn't BUSH see the erosion of the world's view of the US since he began his reign? Is he so blinded by his ego that he doesn't feel any responsibility to find the best answers to resolve the fatal mistakes that have been made? I ask these questions, knowing the unfortunate answers and recognizing that he continues for one reason ----
BECAUSE HE CAN.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. found himself at the same crossroads of conscience like many of us do at this time in history, while he looked at the reality of violence in our neighborhoods and in the Viet Nam War. His message rings out in parallel to our time as we face the realities of growing violence today at home and in IRAQ and other hotspots of injustice throughout the world. He said:

"...it grows out of my experience in the ghettos of the North... As I have walked among the desperate, rejected, angry young men, I have told them that Molotov cocktails and rifles would not solve their problems. I have tried to offer them my deepest compassion, while maintaining my conviction that social change comes most meaningfully through non-violent action. But they asked, and rightly so... if our own nation wasn't using massive doses of violence to solve its problems, to bring about the changes it wanted.

Their questions hit home, and I knew that I could never again raise my voice against the violence of the oppressed in the ghettos without having first spoken clearly to the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today: my own government." For the sake of those boys, for the sake of this government, for the sake of hundreds of thousands under our violence, I cannot be silent." --- Trumpet of Conscience

I don't know how to change things, but I know it has to do with our collective will. I read once, "The biggest engineering feat is that of human will."

How and why do we remain silent and indifferent to the injustices we see?

Stand up! Speak up in any way you can!

Debbe

EARTH DAY: GREEN not GREED

RELATED EXHIBIT and PODCAST:
Five Regions of the Future
with futurists, Joel Barker and Scott Erickson

EARTH DAY has a new significance this year. Perhaps, it is the heartbreaking realization of just how far we have gone as humans in allowing our beautiful our earth to become an wide open stage for GREED instead of GREEN. Although I get the importance of all the deeply crucial conservation measures required to arrest the catastrophic implications of man's deeds on global warming --- shower less, turn off lights, get off the grid et al --- I find myself deeply concerned about how we raise consciousness on these critical actions, when we are so consumed and addicted to our VIOLENT PASTIMES and GREEDY, POWER-DRIVEN INTENTIONS that we easily sell out our families, our jobs, our trade agreements, our young people, our old people, our hard working people, our neighbors, our animals, our environment, our corporations, our politics --- even our churches and our integrity for the want of POWER and the almighty DOLLAR.

How do we expect the same humans, capable of sending our young people to war on lies and then leaving them there, long after we know the whole war is seen clearly as profiteering sham, to be the people who care about honoring the EARTH by turning out their lights?

How do we expect the same humans, capable of leaving people starving in places like Darfur and would rob and rape the land and steal natural resources in places like Nigeria, exploiting and displacing millions from their own countries, to be same people who are to care enough to stop for the good of all?

How do we expect the same humans, capable of creating movies, video games, TV and an Internet that are filled with levels of incomprehensible VIOLENCE, which is poisoning our children's minds and all our own minds to the point, we don't even recognize the sweeping influence on our neighborhoods, our communities, our children, our schools, our workplaces, to be the same people willing to step and speak out for the good of our society and our world?

"Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed."
Mahatma Gandhi

On this EARTH DAY, we must be willing to look in the mirror at ourselves on many levels and ask, WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO US?

It is not my intent to sound like Debbie Downer. I'm a person known to have great optimism, but the biggest part of fixing a problem is admitting it exists. On this EARTH DAY, we have much to admit to ourselves.

A RAY OF HOPE
It seems the good that appears to be emerging from ongoing tragedy in the world, such as the rising casualties in IRAQ (nearly 350 "coalition forces" dead in 90 days), in the conversation that IMUS sparked with his disregard and disrespect, the Virginia TECH Massacre and events like the shooting at NASA workplace, is that perhaps, we are beginning to wake-up---wake-up enough to realize we can contribute to being the the catalyst --- the tipping point of human consciousness and action that will begin to change our course. Perhaps, if we can stop filling our minds and lives with our addictions to this VIOLENT existence we have allowed to take us over, we will have room to concern ourselves with shepherding and guarding the EARTH which we hold in our hands. Future generations are counting on us.

People before us have tried to enlighten us with their wisdom:

"Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realize we cannot eat money."
Indian Proverb

Signed, HOPEFUL and PRAYING for our success!

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center

HOPE for PEACE: Replacing Our Need to be RIGHT

Our country and our world is in bad need of a revival of creative thinking and bold, innovative leadership in many directions. I don't know about you, but at least the polls, for what good they do, demonstrate a majority of us are tired of the senselessness, greed and tragedy of war. Currently, it seems we are in a fierce battle of egos, ideology and power ---- little of it having to do with what is in the best interest of the people throughout the world.

A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right.
--- Thomas Paine

I know. I know. I am an idealist. Perhaps!  When I wrote previously my heart was filled with HOPE, seeing a few leaders across the world giving us the impression they were sincerely reaching out beyond the wrongs, faulty methods and failed strategies that have not worked, to find a common ground upon which to build diplomacy and perhaps a genuine bridge to new HOPE for PEACE.

Unfortunately, no sooner had new possibilities begun to sprout through Tony Blair, Ahmadinejad, Nancy Pelosi and the released British soldiers, than the war of "killing the messengers and the victims" began with enraged criticism and hate talk for everyone who did anything --- from those who stood by and did nothing. The pundits, government officials in countries unwilling to give-an-inch and the media tore anything good all down with harsh words for everyone's motives and actions. Even the brave leaders who dared, seemed to back track, shrinking behind their words and actions --- degrading their own leadership --- to show what we witnessed was no more than business as usual. Politics, ego and a need to be RIGHT continuing its fierce grasp, holding the world's peoples and their resources captive.

How can we change the world, when we are so very closed to new ideas?

How can we stop the warring, killing and maiming, hunger, injustice, greed, threatening issues like global warming, if we are so set on having to be RIGHT?

It is difficult to innovative if all new ideas are squelched, squashed and the messengers discredited. It is hard to find creative solutions to the problems we face when we are unwilling to change course or recognize the failures and risks of continuing down the same path. More of the same with greater risks makes no logical sense. Six years of failed policy seems ripe for new thinking, new approaches and leadership from anyone willing and able to step forward and lead in their own right to build bridges, making resolution an open, earnest and mutually respectful solution. I come to this conclusion not from a political point of view, but from a pragmatic leadership perspective and as a humanitarian.

General Omar N. Bradley's earned wisdom speaks to our closed minds:

"Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing than we know about living. We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount."

How do we ask others to disarm, when we belittle them with our words, threaten them with our might and refuse to talk with them? When has this approach worked effectively for enduring peace? How do we ask people to do what we are are unwilling to do? How do we lead without setting an example ourselves? Have you checked out how the cards are stacked country to country recently?

Wisdom long before General Bradley, credited to Hierocles, spoke of how eye-for-an-eye works: "We ought always to deal justly, not only with those who are just to us, but likewise to those who endeavor to injure us; and this, for fear lest by rendering them evil for evil, we should fall into the same vice."

As our leaders, and perhaps many of us, stubbornly keep our heels dug into the ground so sure about the importance of being RIGHT at all costs, the headlines read, 10 US troops die in Iraq; 6 on Sunday. The account of the violence, executions and demand for us to leave as "occupiers" takes one's breath away.

There must be a better way.

As I write, I hear Maya Angelou whispering in my ear with a recipe for us to consider, "We cannot change the past, but we can change our attitude toward it. Uproot guilt and plant forgiveness. Tear out arrogance and seed humility. Exchange love for hate --- thereby, making the present comfortable and the future promising."

Debbe

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

UK - IRAN: The Power of Saying SORRY

 A Tribute to LEADERSHIP

Today is a day of hope. How refreshing it has been to see how differently people respond when we talk with one another vs. bomb, maim, and destroy. When has violence built trust and mutual respect? When has the policy of the powerful outwardly, publicly, working to humiliate, degrade and isolate others brought about enduring peace for all people?

Who knows what went on behind the scenes to free the British soldiers in Iran, but I must say it was hopeful and refreshing to watch diplomacy in action from Great Britain in recent days ---- a peace-generating method that we've seen so infrequently in the last six years. This pending diplomatic resolve and result was perhaps a poignant moment of human redemption for Tony Blair symbolized by his remarks of reconciliation with IRAN---- thanking the Iranian people, making a sincere statement of respect for the Iranian culture and its people, and more importantly, communicating with the Iranian people that "any disagreement we have with your government, we wish to resolve peacefully through dialogue."

Even Iran's Ahmadinejad, also in a diplomatic stance spoke, "Under the influence of the Muslim Prophet forgives these 15 people and gives their freedom to the British people as a gift."

How have we forgotten the powerful tool of calm, respectful dialogue?

As I've watched the situation unfold, I flashed on Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Desmond Tutu's council to both Bush and Blair in 2004, challenging them to "Apologize for the 'Immoral' War" in Iraq (Independent/UK by Nigel Morris), which has a stunning parallel in what has transpired with the release of the British soldiers:

"Delivering the Longford Lecture, sponsored by The Independent, the emeritus Archbishop of Cape Town will argue that the turmoil after the war proved it is an illusion to believe that "force and brutality" leads to greater security.

How wonderful if politicians could bring themselves to admit they are only fallible human creatures and not God and thus by definition can make mistakes. Unfortunately, they seem to think that such an admission is a sign of weakness. Weak and insecure people hardly ever say 'sorry'.

It is large-hearted and courageous people who are not diminished by saying: 'I made a mistake'. President Bush and Prime Minister Blair would recover considerable credibility and respect if they were able to say: 'Yes, we made a mistake'."

Sparking a New Beginning?
Could this be a sign of HOPE for the world that we are reaching the tipping point, where we redeem ourselves, recognizing that we are designed to live together in peace not war? Oh, many will argue otherwise. "It has always been that way! "War has a purpose," I am often told. I agree! It does indeed! It kills and maims and destroys --- and it robs the many, filling the pockets of the few. The more difficult realization is that it is only through US --- yes, you and me --- that peace has a chance. It will be our collectively change in consciousness and our voices, actions and determination that will stop the madness we are paying for in human treasure, hard-earned dollars and quality of life for all people.

Another hopeful sign comes in Speaker Nancy Pelosi bold act of BIG LEADERSHIP this week, opening perhaps a pathway for communication and a new peace process. It is curious how this progress comes with White House rebukes, stating that such diplomacy is undermining the BUSH strategy to isolate Syria. President BUSH's isolation and war techniques so far has not produced results or peace. Although, Nancy Pelosi's "results achieved" may seem measurable small, it is through the cracks in the darkness that new light can come in to begin paving a new pathway of possibility. All acts of responsible leadership should be applauded.

As we move through this time of rebirth around the world, there are lessons to take with us. Last night, at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, the globally known house of prayer for all people --- the one that opened its doors to all faiths as a place of dialogue --- held a Stations of the Cross service during Holy Week. It was a moving experience. I was particularly struck by Jesus words to us about our acts of violence, spoken in his final journey, "Put your sword back in its place...for all who draw the sword will die by the sword."

Dialogue as an Alternative to War
Dialogue as an alternative to war builds understanding, acceptance and ownership for new possibilities of peace. If you don't believe it, see the shining example of the Interfaith Encounter Association (IEA) in Jerusalem in articles I wrote some time back, MIDDLE EAST PEACE TALKS and PEACE TALKS IN JERUSALEM. They demonstrate what people can do when we are freed from governments to be together. The example teaches us what Gandhi spoke about: "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 to another."

King Hussein of Jordon also affirmed what we have witnessed with the gatherings in Jerusalem. In his life's work, we can learn from his leadership and powerful experience of dialogue vs. war. "We decided on a dialogue between our people... I often witnessed the wonderful discovery that occurs when people suddenly realize that they are the same, that their problems are the same, that their fears are the same, that their hopes are the same, that their aspirations are the same."

As we finish this week, it seems we have an opportunity to celebrate the power of dialogue in bring us to a place of mutual respect, forgiveness, redemption and HOPE for a better more equitable and peaceful world for all people.

Debbe

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

IRAQ: War is still a racket!

For several days, I've been contemplating what to write as still another year unfolds for the War in Iraq, which by all standards of sane measurements appears to be raging out of control from just about every aspect you consider. It seems the American people appear to be watching a very different movie than President BUSH. Today, he boasted of "signs of progress of the security crackdown" in Baghdad. Look at the military death toll YTD through the first 19 days of March and compare the same period year-to-year and PROGRESS isn't selling.

JAN 2007- MARCH 19
  217 American military lives LOST
     8 Other coalition forces
4197 Iraq Security Forces and Civilian Deaths (based only on confirmed news reports; actual is higher)

In 2006, for this same period the same totals were 2880 
2007 totals are up by 150% year-to-year

President BUSH's comments apparently demonstrated still another change in his rhetoric from speeches he made in past anniversaries of the war. As we enter the 5th year, he not talkin' victory anymore, just resolve. NPR reflected on previous years promises today. In 2005, Bush said,  "The victory of freedom in Iraq is strengthening a new ally in the war on terror, and inspiring democratic reformers from Beirut to Tehran." It is hard to credit him or his wars for "inspiring" anything but violence, killing and destruction and weakening our country --- no embarrassing our country and shaming it with a long list of lies, waste, mismanagement of our assets and other countries assets...oh, it is easy to go on.

In 2006, Bush said, "We are implementing a strategy that will lead to victory in Iraq… and victory in Iraq will make this country more secure." This year, after destroying neighborhoods, leading the charge that has killed and maimed thousands and displaced an estimated 2 million people, driven our military readiness in the ground, under-paid and shamefully mistreats our returning soldiers, it is clear that this goal was not achieved either. This  year, he has changed his tone:

"Until Baghdad's citizens feel secure in their own homes and neighborhoods, it will be difficult for Iraqis to make further progress toward political reconciliation or economic rebuilding, steps necessary for Iraq to build a democratic society."

The words sound hollow. I wish for our country, soldiers and citizens and for all of Iraq we had more to offer than the emptiness of words.

JUDGE NOT...
However, I recognize that I am really not in a position to judge from experience when it comes to war. So, again, instead of pointing fingers, I pulled a highly credible book from my bookshelf today --- one that seems to cut across our all our differences, asking us to take pause from our unique vantage points in the world --- to consider the point of view from veteran of another war with the medals and honors that earned him the right to ask for our willingness to listen, think and question at least for a moment the realities of WAR:

"War is a racket. It always has been. It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. ...It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and losses in lives.

A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of people. Only a small "inside" group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few at the expense of the very many. Out of war a few people make huge fortunes (current day example).

...It would have been far cheaper (not to say saver) for the average American who pays the bills to stay out of foreign entanglements. For a very few this racket, brings fancy profits, but the cost of operations is always transferred to the people --- who do not profit.

I spent 33 years in the Marines, most of my time being a high-class muscle-man for big business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer for Capitalism"

--- Brigadier General Smedley D. Butler
Author, War is a Racket Read it FREE
written by America's Most Decorated Soldier, 1935

So how do you feel about the war at this moment in time?

Debbe

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

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

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