ROTARIANS DISCUSS WAR AND PEACE NOVEMBER 2003
Gary Dent,
Crescent
War and peace seem to be
outcomes of behaviors, motivations and personalities that need more in-depth
examination and understanding. It is not difficult to be against war and for
peace. But there are many people who profess being peace loving while thinking
and doing things that contribute to pain and suffering and disenfranchisement
and not doing and not thinking about the things they could be doing to make
life more tolerable for others. Lives lived more simply might be a starting
point. Reducing material consumption in developed nations might be a step
towards peace. We Rotarians seem to be good at increasing the distribution of
goods and services to those less
fortunate. Building good will and friendships is certainly the Rotary way.
Controlling population growth is a subject we Rotarians have discussed for
several years. But where can we find peace advocates in the political arena.
Apparently, peace doesn't play well in politics. In fact, it seems to me
that peace advocates are often perceived and portrayed as weak and
out-of-touch with reality. Another thing that seems obvious is that most
people who advocate peace are old people who are not active in the mainstream
of their careers or lives so are not highly visible peace advocates or role
models. Finally, it seems proponents of peace are cast as unpatriotic and
non-supportive of men and women in the armed forces - past and present. We
glorify our military with ribbons and rank, give great ceremony to the burial
of our fallen soldiers, and speak of honor and courage for those that are
willing to fight upon the command of the commander-in-chief.
Except for the Nobel Peace Award, what honor do we give those who seek
peace and who do the things that take away the occasion for war. I think we
Rotarians need to identify means and methods of removing the occasion for war,
encouraging viable political candidates to run for office and spokesmen and for
building goodwill and better friendships.
Robert Stewart, Rotary Club of
http://www.peace.ca
ANNUAL PEACE EDUCATION CONFERENCE IN
http://www.peace.ca/CanadianAgenda2003.htm
"The world is dangerous not because of those who do harm, but because
of
those who look at it without doing anything." - Albert Einstein
WHAT FUTURE WILL YOU CREATE?
"War and peace ...
need more in-depth examination and understanding."
Rotary needs to support this - for Rotarians first, then future generations
(i.e. children and youth).
"Apparently, peace doesn't play well in politics." War is big
business -
for those in doubt, I suggest you get a copy of Bill Moyers'
program NOW
dated August 1, 2003 from http://www.pbs.com
- it is inexpensive (around
$20) and an excellent expose of the military/industrial/congressional
complex by a former Pentagon analyst that will shock you with what is
happening to huge amounts of taxpayers' (i.e. your) money. While it is
based on the
other countries to a lesser extent. I believe you will be sick with what is
happening to your money that is being taken from education, health, welfare,
etc. in the name of fear-mongering and "cost grow".
"peace advocates are often perceived and
portrayed as weak and out-of-touch
with reality." - character assassination is a
major tactic used to attempt
to destroy the credibility of opponents of war and violence. It is ironic
that country leaders and Nobel Prize Winners can talk about peace with
authority but general peace advocates are put down. Also keep in mind that
most peace advocates do not have the advertising and promotion budgets that
war advocates do, to defend themselves and to win hearts and minds. (Having
said that, some peace advocates, like some war advocates, are a bit
"weird"
but peace advocates in general should not be stereotyped with that.)
"most people who advocate peace are old
people who are not active in the
mainstream of their careers or lives so are not highly visible peace
advocates or role models." - This has to do with a couple of reasons:
- maturity - as people mature in their lives they go from being
self-centered, to family centered, to community aware, to world awareness.
- survival - it is often said that a person spends
the first half of their
life trying to be a success in their personal lives (career, family), and
the second half of their lives making a difference. Most young people and
career minded people are struggling for survival and have little time for
advocating peace.
- independence - some people find it difficult to
be peace advocates when
their employers may take offence. Older people are more unencumbered and
free to pursue their ideals. For example, some entertainers have tried to
advocate for peace at the risk of losing lucrative contracts (eg. Madonna,
who actually succumbed to fears of lost money).
Retirees and the independently wealthy are an important "market"
for peace
advocacy for these reasons. When they are elevated to be more highly
visible peace advocates and role models then it will spread to others.
"it seems proponents of peace are cast as
unpatriotic and non-supportive of
men and women in the armed forces - past and present." This is
character
assassination at work again. Fact is, peace
advocates are most patriotic
and supportive of men and women in the armed forces: peace advocates are
trying to save lives, avoid costly mistakes and build a better world for
all. Men, women and children should not die or suffer catastrophic mental
and physical wounds (not to mention environmental and other effects) for
matters that can be resolved through conflict transformation, education and
international law.
"Except for the Nobel Peace Award, what honor do we give those who
seek
peace and who do the things that take away the occasion for war." I
think
this is a perfect example of where society's true values are at the moment
-
i.e. we only pay lip service to peace. When politicians, governments and
other organizations say they support peace, I say "Show me the
money". Fact
is, governments et al put very little money into peace advocacy and
education compared to "national security" (defence;
the war machine). And
speaking of the Nobel Peace Award, Rotary has never won it and yet, with
1.2
million members around the world with a mission (Object) to advance peace,
surely Rotary must be one of the peace organizations with the most
resources
and potential - has Rotary even been nominated? Not that one gets into
peace advocacy for the awards, but it is a bit of a "reality
check" - "Show
me the results". Organizations, and individuals, a lot smaller than
Rotary
are more recognized for their peace work. I suspect most people in the
general public (and potential Rotarians) have no idea Rotary is supposed to
be a peace advocate.
"I think we Rotarians need to identify means and methods of removing
the
occasion for war, encouraging viable political candidates to run for office
and spokesman and for building goodwill and better friendships." I
agree
that it is time for Rotary to come out of the closet, and be known as a
peace builder.
Don Murphy, PHF
Charter Member & President
The Rotary Club of
I
thought I would share the thoughts of two Rotarians of note:
"Unfortunately there are some folks in the world who actually cherish
ancient and hereditary animosities, fanning the flame of century-old
hatreds
as matters of religious or racial duty. They habitually speak evil of
representatives of countries other than their own, and in fact, seldom
speak
a kindly word of anyone even of those who are supposed to be their
friends."
The quote, of course, is from Paul P. Harris, Page 59 from "This
Rotarian
Age", 1935, which is complete and online at
http://www.historynewsletter.org/library/rotarianage/rotarianage.htm
Also, I came across this today from PRIP Cliff Dochterman:
"Occasionally there is a temptation to criticize the laws, customs and
traditions of another country that may seem strange or contrary to our own.
In some instances illegal practices or customs of one nation are completely
lawful and acceptable in another.
As members of an international organization dedicated to world
understanding
and peace, it behooves Rotarians to exercise restraint in judging our
Rotary
friends and citizens from other countries when their behavior seems unusual
to us. A Rotary policy has existed for more than half a century relating to
this dilemma of international relationships.
The statement, adopted in 1933, says that because it is recognized that
some
activities and local customs may be legal and customary in some countries
and not in others, Rotarians should be guided by this admonition of
tolerance:
'Rotarians in all countries should recognize these facts and there should
be
a thoughtful avoidance of criticism of the laws and customs of one country
by the Rotarians of another country.' The policy also cautions against 'any
effort on the part of Rotarians of one country to interfere with the laws
or
customs of another country.'
As we strive to strengthen the bonds of understanding, goodwill and
friendship, these policies still provide good advice and guidance."
You can find this section labeled "Tolerance of Differences" in
the widely
read ABC's of Rotary, Page 12, by Cliff Dochterman.
I think there is a balance that can be struck here, also. There may be
conditions in other lands that you find too abhorrent to tolerate. That
needn't mean that you feel free to attack the practitioners, but rather
that
you might try to influence them to an alternative course. Instead of
criticizing their practice, ignore it while holding the alternative up for
praise. I think we've all seen this be highly successful. I recall a
business leader who would come through our business operations and stand
with his back to our worst mess while praising the view in front of him. It
was never lost on us that we were being encouraged to do equally well on
our
deficient area. We've also seen the parent break up a children's scuffle
and
instead of lambasting the children for doing wrong, simply redirected them
to alternative and more satisfactory endeavors.
I am one who believes that Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation
are shining lights in a quest for peace. I don't think that there is a
specific need for a Peace Fellowship, as it already permeates the larger
operation. If it came to be that such a separate fellowship was formed, I
could take no interest in it if those in the lead were as strident and
militaristic as the militaries they oppose. I would support instead,
leaders
who encouraged us to set good examples and be good examples by bringing
education, humanitarian relief, and encouragement to those in circumstances
we'd like to draw closer to our own.
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