Ricohp's blog

Absolutely powerful - from US Army Colonel Andrew J. Bacevich.  Why the war is not working and the dishonesty being portrayed to the American public.  "The war in Afghanistan is not a war as people conceive of as war".  He states the sensible need of citizen activists to accomplish what is really needed.

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/04092010/watch.html

Rotterdam to Amsterdam - and the beautiful Middle Eastern woman wakes up from her nap and stares at me from a while and then queries - are you coming from Paris?  I'm surprised at her direct question - in English - to someone with his nose in the book.  Uh no, I say, looking up - I got on in Belgium.  She waits. 

I had a meeting about a poetry peace project.  They gave me this book. 

I hand it to her.

She gazes at its beautiful purple and red cover then peers inside.  Oh, I'm not such a romantic.

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What do you think is a key or an obstacle to world peace? I query a co-worker-

"Wealth. To me that's the #1 issue.  There needs to be a better distribution of it.  Eradicating povery - maybe creating a flat tax, anything to generate less greed and thus create less desperation for others."

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Discussing the latest threats from N. Korea's Kim Jong II at work led to a discussion on how to handle dictators. A co-worker opined on Kim Jong - “Take him out to dinner! Book a table at the best restaurant in Paris . . find out his favorite foods – find one that matches yours. Call him – Hey . . I got a table for two – you and me – Paris. We have a lot in common– we'll have a ton to talk about. I also love [favorite food here]. Come on – – we'll have some wine – you and me – an evening stroll after dessert. What's on your mind these days??”

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Sitting at a late night cafe/bar in Amsterdam

So - I'm working on a campaign for Peace in Five Years.  Now, tell me - what do you think will bring about peace in five years.

(long pause)

Dutch date (as I live in Amsterdam): Well, I think the number one reason for war is economic disparity - economic injustice.  I also read somewhere which resonated with me - that especially in the Middle East there are many restless boys.  Unemployed restless young men are easy fodder for dogma and becoming young soldiers.

So what do you suggest?    more >>

Queen Rania on NPR this week:

One of the "greatest enemies" that plagues the peace process: cynicism.

She says that the world cannot to afford to be cynical, because then it would be "writing off the futures of hundreds and thousands, if not millions of people, condemning their lives to hardship and really saying that there's no future for them."

Gathering a few co-workers - I pulled out my notebook and just asked point blank - What do you think it would take to create peace in five years?

I work at an international organization and was joined by my three co-workers - one originally from India, one Dutch, and one originally from Australia. Sophia, Anneke and Pipasa respectively.

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Poland Pillow Fight

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?cl=12819343

[This is from Nathan and Amber's idea of eight statements for eight days of What I can do for Peace]

1.  I can make it a daily practice - check in each day - what did I do today for Peace?  In my relationships? In my communication? In my body? In my generosity? In my words?

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