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Peace




Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

- John Lennon

I don't know why people insist that there is an answer in violence. I just don't know. I remember when General Schwarzkopf visited the University of Utah after 9/11, he was asked what we could do to people who were willing to die for their beliefs. His answer was that we should accommodate them.

I don't know what makes him the arbiter of peace, when he's a military general. But his sentiment seems to resonate with many, particularly in light of events like Paris and San Bernardino. In this way of thinking, one death is a tragedy, while millions of deaths is a statistic. That was a quote from Joseph Stalin.

There are many things that I do not know. But there is one thing that I am growing more and more sure of - that is that violence does not solve problems. It only leads to anger, hatred, fear, and more violence. When, in the light of these kinds of events, you get Mr. Trump saying things like we should not allow any more Muslims into our Country (obviously for political gain, rather than out of any real conviction... at least, I hope not), it tells me exactly what these kinds of terrorists have accomplished.

Nothing.


It's difficult to know exactly what motivates people. It really is. How can one plumb the depths of another's soul and read what is there? I believe it is possible, but that it takes a very long time. And it takes love.

Because (and I know I'm quite naive when it comes to this kind of thing) love is what makes people change. It's what opens up their hearts and makes them softer. Violence and anger only closes people off, and makes them not want to discuss, change, or love in return.

I believe that the ability and power to love is the strongest force in the world. And I believe that it has to start with someone being willing to stop the violence. To learn to say enough is probably too much. To look at everyone as a fellow sojourner here on this planet. And to love. Just love.

I am not naive enough to think that love will solve all of the problems for all of the people. But I strongly believe that it will solve most. Upwards of 99%. And the rest of the problems can be solved much more simply and easily and justly.

Sigh.

I know. I'm asking a lot.

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

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