welcometothefuture

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

One Degree is what it is about

About Action. One Degree is what it takes.

So you already KNOW about Global Warming. And you THINK you know everything you need to know.

I accept that.
But sometimes what we THINK we know is not always enough. Do your believe your sources?

Did you learn enough "science" in school(or after) to understand the multitude of issues and possible effects on our home planet? Maybe.

What does it have to do with PEACE? Think a little.
I shall return to that question on another day.

Meanwhile do think about what YOU can do to reduce global warming today.
The fellow who wrote the article about 1 degree has some good ideas that go well beyond wearing buttons or t-shirts to proclaim your dedication or conviction.

Sure, he has his site to promote too, but beneath that lies some clever ideas worth taking the time to consider.

You might even decide to take some action and THAT would be a good thing for all peace-makers to do!

Tell your friends and colleagues too.
Send them a postcard from you.
Ask me how.

Friday, January 26, 2007

Soaring Eagles

Benjamin Franklin may have had something good going on when he recommended the wild turkey as our American symbol instead of the eagle. Certainly sightings of turkeys in the eastern woodland are more common than sightings of eagles.

But seeing an adult eagle soar overhead and then "crashdive" to the surface of a lake to catch a fish with its feet. . . now that is inspiration. I say "crashdive" because that is somewhat descriptive, it is neither but both.

This is the season for wintering eagles in northern Alabama. I observed this meal in process at Lake Guntersville State Park.
Today. Nice.

There is an easy trail that also offers good eagle viewing possibilities- Cutchen Mine Trail. It is mostly level with orange blazes. Winter is the best time to hike here. With the leaves down the views of the lake(and birds) are really fine.
Summertime is too hot and humid for me to enjoy hiking in this part of the country.

That is nice, but why tell you here at a PEACE PLACE?
Well, I felt peaceful and serene in that place and the eagles were such symbols of freedom that I just connected them together. Peace. Freedom. Soaring. Eagles.

Yes, even Eagles eat. Watching the capture of its meal was more than enough to delight this observer. I was grateful it flew into the marshy grass area to eat it out of sight.

Friday, January 19, 2007

Give Peace

It is nearly Saturday again.

Where does the week go?

Today I simply want to share another Peace site with you.

I was searching for something to celebrate a friend's birthday.

And ran across the codepink4peace site.

A good visit. Perhaps you will like it too.

Monday, January 15, 2007

A Great Man of Peace and Justice - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

Today take some time to Remember and Honor

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major.
Say that I was a drum major for justice.
Say that I was a drum major for peace.
Say that I was a drum major for righteousness.
And all of the other shallow things will not matter.
I won't have any money to leave behind.
I won't have the fine and luxurious things in life to leave behind.
But I just want to leave a committed life behind.
And that's all I want to say.
If I can help somebody as I pass along,
if I can cheer somebody with a word or song,
if I can show somebody he is traveling wrong,
then my living will not be in vain."


Excerpted from "The Drum Major Instinct", a sermon by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1968. Available on CD and print in A Knock At Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

Indeed it is our lives and actions today that continue to MAKE a Difference.


Let Peace Begin On Earth
And Let it Begin with Me.

I first heard this song in Wilmington Delaware in 1970 at Gray Elementary School and it touched my heart and changed my life.

It was this experience with inner-city schools that planted the seeds of non-violence firmly in my heart.





Friday, January 12, 2007

NO More Troops Rally

THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN, NOW CONGRESS MUST ACT.

United for Peace and Justice has produced bold, attention-getting stickers that highlight the Bush Administration's lies about Iraq and the vast toll those lies have taken in human lives.

With more than 6000 civilians and over 240 U.S. soldiers killed in this illegal and unjustified war, it's time to raise the volume of protest.

They are making these eye-catching stickers available at cost: $25 per 500 (the minimum order) plus $5 for shipping and handling. At this price, you can spread the message far and wide.

To order, send a check made payable to "United for Peace and Justice" at: United for Peace and Justice P.O. Box 607 Times Square Station New York, NY 10108 Be sure to include your shipping address and the number of stickers you're ordering.

* ** * * * ** * * * * * * *

What's Bush's "new course" in Iraq?

Thousands more troops, billions more dollars -- a massive increase in the waste of lives and money in a war that can't be won and never should have happened.

It is past time to say NO.

The overwhelming majority of people in this country want this war to end now.

It is time to bring the troops -- all the troops -- home.

This Saturday, all across the country, people will voice their outrage at Bush's plans to escalate the war.

The Next Step - Saturday, January 27th More than ever, we need Congress to follow the will of the voters, take bold action, and cut off the funds for this war! We urgently need your help in spreading the word about the massive, politically crucial peace march in Washington, D.C., being planned for Saturday, January 27.

Go through your email address book today and forward this message to everyone you know who might possibly come to Washington on January 27 .

  • Post information about the January 27 mobilization on every email list, website, and blog.
  • Write a letter to your local newspaper about the protest.
  • Call a local radio program.
  • Spread the word today about January 27 and help
  • Create a peace march so massive and so powerful that it cannot be ignored.

Visit http://www.unitedforpeace.org/ for up-to-the-minute details on the January 27 antiwar march and January 29 Grassroots Lobby Day.
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Huntsville, Alabama

Weekly Peace Rally 11:00 AM Each Saturday

North Alabama Peace Network (NAPN) holds a Peace Rally every Saturday at 11AM, at the intersection of Airport Road and Whitesburg Drive in Huntsville. We start gathering at 10:45AM, and usually meet for lunch afterwards. Bring a sign, a friend and a peaceful spirit. For more information, contact the NAPN coordinators: NAPN@knology.net.


Mobile, Alabama

Out of Iraq! Saturday, January 27th 2007 Noon

We will line the streets with signs to protest the Iraq War.

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Monday, January 08, 2007

peace place

peace place

hello friends. it is a chilly but beautiful day in North Alabama.

for a few brief moments on the hillside overlooking the farm,
it feels like peace is possible.

life is rich with surprises and some are more joyful than others.

perspective is so essential.

look at the headlines
Saddam. Sudan. Saban.
And they all seem to have equal importance.

Although it appears that Saban is most important right now.

perspective.

I saw the movie pursuit of happyness yesterday.

Well done Will Smith.
Well done to the people whose lives were integral to the story.
Thanks for sharing a powerful yet pain filled true story.

peace, perhaps it is pursued just as happyness is.