PEACE?

(Britain's Campaign For Nuclear Disarmament 1958)

• "It is indeed a dark day for South Africa when the ideals for which Nelson Mandela and so many others fought are sold to the highest bidder." Dalai Lama Refused Visa  It is unbelievable to me that the current South African National Government has once again refused to grant a visa to His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, to attend the 14th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates. According to some reports, this was done in deference to the Chinese government. Instead of celebrating 20 years of democracy in South Africa, they should hang their heads in shame. Many Peace Laureates have already announced their disapproval, and stated they would not attend if he were not allowed, and "will make a powerful symbolic protest of the Dalai Lama's treatment."

• "Georgia law allows legal gun owners to openly carry a firearm into stores like Kroger. The supermarket chain, the nation's largest, is complying with state law." Shame on Kroger. And shame on Georgia for passing such a law. Many states need to be condemned for similar "open carry" laws, Texas among them. A gun-control group, Moms Demand Action, has taken out full-page newspaper ads demanding Kroger change its policy. The photos they use illustrate the ridiculous differences between what Kroger does not allow (shirtless men or boys, children eating ice cream cones, etc.) and a gun-toting customer. Bravo for Moms Demand Action.

  

  (Maybe if the guy weren't so "flabby", he would be allowed as well. You think?)

There is also an article that would be funny if it were not so scary, about a professor in an Idaho State University classroom who shot himself in the foot. This happened shortly after a bill was signed into effect by Republican Governor Otter allowing those with a concealed weapon permit to carry weapons onto university campuses. The professor was carrying a loaded gun in his pants pocket, apparently without the safety on. He's lucky it didn't hit another part of his anatomy or one of his students. Idaho is one of seven states that allow concealed weapons on college campuses. Prof Shoots Self in Foot 

• September 11.. USA Today: "Officials say a Utah teacher is in good condition after accidentally shooting herself in the leg with a concealed firearm in a faculty bathroom at the elementary school where she works."...Teacher Shoots Self

How long before we hear a teacher has "accidentally" shot a student in the classroom?

We all were horrified at the news a 9-year-old girl shot and killed her instructor while using an Uzi. What were her parents thinking to give a child a machine gun? This story pointed out how many young children in the U.S. are being taught to shoot. Kids as young as 5 learn to shoot..

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Today, September 11th, will forever remain in our memory as a day of infamy. We blame - and rightly so - a world terrorist organization for that fateful event in New York City thirteen years ago. 

We claim to be a nation desiring peace, yet push our leaders into making declarations that are anything but peaceful. Maybe those "out there" are to blame. But I believe the actions of our country have also contributed to a world where chaos and violence appear to be reigning. Consider the rise of gun owners in the U.S. Consider the "open carry" laws being passed in many states. Consider the "stand your ground laws" being passed as well. Consider the militarization of our local law enforcement agencies across the land.

Like the ripples in a pond when a stone is tossed in, the energies of fear that these warlike conditions represent spread outward into the world. How can we hold everyone but ourselves responsible? 

This happens to be the Unity World Day of Prayer. Let us pray for the families and loved ones who were lost on this day. And let us all pray for peace on earth.

Let peace begin with me,

Marilyn