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Showing posts from January, 2009

Google harnesses the world's ideas for good.

Helping the World. Google has used its access to a World Audience to generate ideas for making the world a better place. That can't be bad. Google's Project 10tothe100 ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Non-Violence for all, from now until forever. Is it possible?

“People try nonviolence for a week, and when it ‘doesn’t work,’ they go back to violence, which hasn’t worked for centuries.” —Theodore Roszak The quote listed above is starkly tragic. Tragic in its truth. Our mimetic desire - our rivalry - or desire for more and more and more and that which the other possesses ultimately dispossesses us of our own lives and our own peace. Violence comes so naturally to us. But, it so naturally consumes us, as well. Early in the narrative of stories in the Bible, Cain acts in violence to dispossess Abel. When I teach from the text (in Genesis 4), I express to my students that at some level this is the “first story” of “life in the real world.” Whatever or wherever “Eden” “was” in Genesis 1-3, it is presented as a protected place. In the first story of life separated from Eden, Cain’s destruction of his brother – fratricide – demonstrates that the earliest persons in this tradition – the earliest humans in the “real world” of life – choose violenc

The Death Penalty still brings death . . .

Death Penalty Abolition An execution vigil is planned to pray for the life of Darwin Demond Brown and his victims on January 22 at 5:30 pm in front of the Oklahoma Governor's Mansion (820 NE 23rd). The gathering is a peaceful protest to acknowledge that every life is valuable and that capital punishment is not a healthy alternative in our society. ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

The NEW YORKER and International Justice Mission

The New Yorker has just published an excellent piece on Gary Haugen and the International Justice Mission . And here : And here : And here : More justice for more people brings eupan . ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

National Geographic commissioned Universal Declaration

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In the December 2008 issue of National Geographic I viewed an intriguing presentation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - which just turned "60." Certainly something every person committed to eupan should review. Links to the National Geographic commissioned presentation, by Oliver Uberti, can be found in below. The image I am presenting is Oliver Uberti's orginal that has been edited by a person who highlighted portions for their own purposes. I am certain all images are copyright Oliver Uberti and/or National Geographic . Check it out here : And here : It would be nice if the Declaration could find fulfillment in our world soon. Eupan is committed to working toward its fulfillment - for eupan . ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d

This blog is not a tree . . .

On my immediate "reading" list is the following title: Cradle to Cradle . The book looks and feels like a book - but it is not a traditional book, since, for example, you can freely read it in the rain! It reinvents the idea of books in a different way than the Kindle Wireless Reader or other e-platforms for book-reading. Pages 5 and 6 of the book offer this: "This book is not a tree." "It is printed on a synthetic "paper" and bound into a book format developed by innovative book packager Charles Melcher of Melcher Media. Unlike the paper with which we are familiar, it does not use any wood pulp or cotton fiber but is made from plastic resins and inorganic fillers. This material is not only waterproof, extremely durable, and (in many localities) recyclable by conventional means; it is also a prototype for the book as a "technical nutrient," that is, as a product that can be broken down and circulated infinitely in industrial cycles— made

Are we system(at)ically imprisoned to violence?

I had intended to spend a few moments today commenting on the forthcoming inauguration of our new U.S. President, Barack Obama. While I am excited for his leadership, I am leery of power brokers in politics, because the proverb of history seems true. "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely." Further, promises do not guarantee actions. And, even President Obama's best hopes and intentions will be framed within a political system of persons and power and nations that will undoubtedly frustrate any goals he may have. But I digress . . . . I had intended to blog about "Gitmo" or Guantanamo Bay and the President's reported intentions to close it quickly after his inauguration. (I realize sometime soon I need to learn how to include links in these blog posts - I will learn.) I had intended to offer some reflection on the "system" of incarceration generally, prisons, "correctional facilities." I had intended to take some time

Possible Logos / Images for Eupan . . . in development

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In no particular order/rank: (1) (2) (3) (4) Thanks to L.V. for the great thoughts and contributions! ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

My daily reading

My daily reading includes the blog of "Bikehiker" the Reverend John Hay, Jr. I've requested permission to share his words here. Gil Bailie has done work with the ideas of Rene Girard, which have been central in my formative thought in dissertation work. But, I can not match the clarity of poetic skill that John Hay, Jr. demonstrates. Here, with permission, Bikehiker . Friday, January 09, 2009 THE CORNER WE'VE TURNED Once again, "justifiable" retaliatory violence vainly imposes its deathly will NEW SITUATION, OLD STORY. Last January, Kenya erupted in a convulsion of ethnic violence. This January, Israel attempts to quash--"once and for all"--rocket attacks launched by Hamas from Gaza. Never mind that hundreds of innocents have perished. And the wars and suicide bombings in Afghanistan and Iraq continue with no end in sight. Each snuffed-out life cries out in testimony. I share the following reflection out of my appreciation Gil Baillie's book

Starting small . . . .

I was sharing with a new student the "vision" behind the Eupan Global Initiative . Admittedly, like most agencies, consortiums, or groups, we have started small. We may never grow into anything "big." I talked to the student about two (of several) websites I frequent often. Those websites are associated with Sojourners and the Israel-Palestine Center for Research and Information . Sojourners developed from student conversations in the early 1970s and IPCRI emerged with the late 1980s Intifada. Both are now "large" "agencies" that advocate in significant ways. Will the Eupan Global Initiative ever grow "as big" as Sojourners or IPCRI? Well, quite frankly, I have no idea. But, I don't really care. If we can effect "good" for even a few - and inspire "good" for all - we will have done something. Ghandi once said: “We are constantly being astonished at the amazing discoveries in the field of violence. But

Psychology of Peace

I've been asked to sit in on a special seminar this Spring semester, including readings on the Psychology of Peace. This is being coordinated by a fellow faculty member at SNU who is a Ph.D. in psychology. The professor has has been working with others in our local community (OKC area) to allow for conversation among various faith traditions - our local Interfaith Alliance. I look forward to learning more about this area of study! I wish I could apply the psychology of peace to the current outburst of violence in Israel/Gaza! Having spent many weeks in this area of the world, I long for and pray for their peace - may good be extended for all! So much to learn, so many books to read, and so few hours in the day! =) ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

2009 Progress

As we move into 2009, I am happy to announce that the Eupan Global Initiative is making progress! We have a scheduled meeting of the current Board of Advisors today, January 2nd, 2009. LV has been working on creating a logo for Eupan - cool ideas already working with guns and their violence being transformed to olive branches of peace! Plans for the immediate New Year will include an Open Meeting for any persons in the Oklahoma City Area to participate with us in viewing and responding to the Laura Waters Hinson Film "as we forgive." Dates, Times, and Location to be announced though it is expected that the event will be hosted in coordination with the Southern Nazarene University School of Theology and Ministry, likely in the S.T. Ludwig Religion Building located on campus. Peace ~ ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.