Stalemate toward the next fighting - or toward a new peace?

For now, no more missiles fly from Gaza to Israel - nor from Israel to Gaza.

The last several days of mutual-retaliation is now at its end.

I will not re-post here what can be read widely in the news:

• Both sides are announcing victories.  
• Both sides are proclaiming their military superiority in offensive & defensive measures.  
• Both sides are celebrating in some way.

Egypt - in the past few years has itself been reshaped politically - played a key role in working toward brokering the current situation of cease fire.  But, the text of the brokered agreement does nothing more than stop current acts of violence.  (Read it here.)

I fear no sustaining peace has been won!

• Both sides agreeing to cease current hostilities in active campaigns of violence, brings no peace - only the cessation of current conflict.
• Both sides are burying the dead in their midst, with the high probability that the loss of life will only fuel future fighters and future hostility.

NOW!

• NOW is the time for new conversations to emerge.
• NOW is the time for abiding hostilities from combatants and enemies to seek out the possibilities of abundant hospitality from communities seeking equity.
• NOW is the time for nations and powers - not just on both sides - but from every region of the world - to use their means to provide support for vibrant life toward thriving cities - not toward escalating armaments for the next conflict.

As an American, my sense is that this current contest will quickly fade into the background - as just "one more time" when "those people" "over there" didn't get along.

It is Thanksgiving as I write.  Americans are concerned about Football, Turkey and Shopping.  The next weeks will focus on the trivial issues of the latest technology "needed" under the Christmas tree and whether or not we've stock-piled enough Hostess Twinkies before their bankruptcy.

It's too bad.

It's tragic.

People emboldened now by the current ceasefire could invest differently - in the world now - and in politics and peacemaking - and in efforts at genuine conversation such that - the ideologies of war could be reshaped from Jerusalem in the near future.  This could include Egypt, America, the Arab League and nations the world over!

• If only people would find a way to talk genuinely and realize practically - the need to turn our swords into plowshares and our spears into pruning-hooks!  If we could stop building weapons and instead increase our fruitfulness!
• If only people would find ways to build cities where old women and aged men could sit near the streets and watch as young girls & young boys play together in city parks.
• If only we had the possibility the announcement, that today, in the region of Gaza-Israel - a message of good news for all people has come - to those currently wrapped in the cloth of war in some hospital room.
• If only we believed that vibrant life is possible for all people in a world that could be saved.

Now is not the time to stalemate toward the next, inevitable future conflict.

Now is the time to strategize toward and implement a vibrant, life-giving, fruitful peace.


Toward eupan ~

~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Coal Conversion to Solar Power

An optimistic review of transition & change.  In nearly every century, major shifts have *had* to take place.

Let's shift in ways that most advantage people - and all living things!

This article - linked below - includes these notes:

People were skeptical when the idea was first floated about a year ago, says Nick Getzen, spokesman for The Jobs Project, which is trying to create renewable energy job opportunities in West Virginia and Kentucky. In the southern coalfields, he says, people have only ever gotten electricity one way – from coal-fired power plants.

"This is the first sign for a lot of folks that this is real, and that it's real technology, and they can have it in their communities," Getzen says. "In no way are we against coal or trying to replace coal. There's still going to be coal mining here. This is just something else to help the economy."

Article is from 2011 - but still can motivate us for new ideas!  The Jobs Project: Unemployed Coal Miners Install Solar Panels In West Virginia  

Toward eupan ~

~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Justice Conference

It's good to know there are people encouraging, motivating, and empowering young people to transform our world!

 

The Justice Conference is one such opportunity!


Toward eupan ~

~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Airport Security & Peace

Passing through Airport security at Israel's Ben-Gurion airport . . .  and a lovely and gracious Hebrew University female Security employee helped me negotiate some curious shaped items I had packed.

She treated me with grace, kindness and a smile.  And I hope to have treated her with as much grace and kindness.

I'm reminded that peace starts in our daily conversations - with affirmations of care - with faces that demonstrate kindness and smiles.

She spoke excellent English - but even if we had not used words at all, I am certain I would have sensed her kindness.

Simple interactions remind me about the possibilities of a more peace-able world!

Thanks, M***r, for your assistance with my Torah Scroll items!

Toward eupan ~

~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.