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TURNING TRAGEDY INTO
TRIUMPH
December 22, 2001
provides the opportunity to turn the World Trade Center Tragedy into a new
beginning in the whole human adventure.
Pearl Harbor Day (December 7) reminds us of the terrible tragedy that occurred
to most of the world when modern weapons were used to settle differences between
powerful nations.
On December 7, (the beginning of the Christmas season!), we usually are shown
vivid horrible images on TV depicting what happened. But today we know that
"Hatred does not cease by hatred. Hatred ceases only by love."
Gandhi, and others, have demonstrated non-violent methods of opposing what was
wrong.
Martin Luther King described the power of love in his book "Strength To
Love" -- and gave his life to prove it. Now, strength to
"kill" is being advocated as a necessity. Hundreds of
billions are being spent on armaments. If half as much money were spent on
education to eliminate the causes of war, there would be no more wars.
Let's reverse Pearl
Harbor.
Actions good or bad
begin in the mind. Here is a way to reverse the damage done to our thinking by
what happened at Pearl Harbor. December not only marks Peal Harbor Day, it is
also the month we celebrate Christmas. With our entrance into the new
millennium, Christmas is of increasing importance, with its message of
"Peace and Good Will."
There was a global Minute for Peace Day on December, 22, 1963. That was when we
ended the period of mourning for President Kennedy with a global minute of
silent prayer for peace on our planet. Announced by major newspapers it
was then broadcast on radio throughout the world (1 p.m. in Dallas, 1900 GMT).
This one minute broadcast carried the words Kennedy had spoken at the United
Nations before he was killed:
"Never have the nations of the world had so much to gain, or so much to
lose. Together, we can save our planet...."
This affected people globally and resulted in many cases of peaceful resolution
of conflict. It inspired efforts that later resulted in Earth Day with its
emphasis on peace, justice and the care of Earth.
Let's turn the tables on Pearl Harbor by joining worldwide in a Minute for Peace
-- at 1900 GMT, December 22 -- just three days before Christmas with its theme
of Peace and Good Will. Christmas can then be a turning toward peace, with
our neighbor and our world.
A call by Pope John Paul II and heads of government could persuade TV networks
and others to promote the December 22 Minute for Peace and obtain global
participation. Minute for Peace Day can then be a prelude and launch pad
for the Great Day of Earth -- the March 20, 2002 Earth Day.
Earth Trustees
A new idea that came
from Minute for Peace and Earth Day, was the idea that we can now all think of
ourselves as Trustees of Earth. In this age of Space exploration we know -- more
than former generations -- that we are one human family and have only one Earth.
With care and use of new technology we can now eliminate poverty, pollution and
violence. All we need is a clear vision of our goal and reports on Internet of
every successful effort to think and act as Trustees of Earth -- in ecology,
economics and ethics. This course of action can appeal to the most people on our
planet and do the most good.
Then a new spirit of cooperation will engulf the world. With the money we
formerly spent on wars we can make our planet a Garden of Eden. We will
ask all governments to reduce armaments 10 % each year. This money will be
spent on Peace Education -- the proven methods of peaceful resolution of
conflict and elimination of its causes.
As we honestly work together we will see all around us the waste of wealth and
its unfair monopolization by those in power. The best solution is not to oppose
those in positions of power, but instead, to demonstrate solutions and win
their support -- not by the power of money or military might -- but by the power
of truth, of good ideas and good will.
Then with the power of the words "Love one another" we will reverse
Pearl Harbor and welcome the beginning of an era of peaceful progress in the new
millennium.
We ask the Pope, the leaders of all countries, corporations, and religions to
back this initiative with their words and actions.
The role of press and all public media is essential. They must report
Earth Trustee actions and their results. We will then rapidly see more
good news than bad news in the media. They will feature the Earth Trustee
efforts of individuals, churches, service club, and businesses.
The daily Minute for Peace on radio and TV programs will foster peaceful
thoughts and actions with appropriate music and images.
HOW TO BE A TRUSTEE
OF PLANET EARTH
"The Power of
Earth Care Thinking and Doing."
All that is needed to provide a healthy, prosperous future for our planet and
its people is for all to act as Trustees of Earth-- to do those things that will
nurture and improve Earth's amazing web of life, seeking fair benefits for each
person who works for this goal.
After such a sweeping generalization, is their any practical way to bring this
about?
Following is a simple formula which anyone can use. One person's action
will seem to accomplish little -- other than a good feeling they are doing their
part. But confident, enthusiastic efforts can bring a contagious spread of
Earth Trustees and actions that will cover the Earth and rejuvenate our planet.
EARTH TRUSTEE FORMULA
1. An inner commitment -- through prayer, meditation or reflection -- to
be a Trustee of Planet Earth, seeking each day to combine love of God, Love of
Neighbor and love or Earth; joining each year on Earth Day, March 20-21, in
global dedication to this task.
2. Protect and nurture Earth's life and natural resources by Earth Care
choices in buying, selling and giving, choices that diminish pollution and
increase Earth's natural equilibrium and bounty.
3. Support efforts to provide the disinherited poor a stake in their
planet -- a secure homestead in city or country. Seek stable money and
fair credit for everyone.
4. Join some group with a project for the care of Earth that meets some
part of the above criteria. Be a connecting link between two or more
groups pursuing these purposes.
5. Tell your friends what you are doing and invite them to do the same.
Most people know we have a global crisis and want to do the right thing -
something that will help.
Here is the way.
Together we can turn the World Trade Center tragedy into a new beginning in the
human adventure and assure a peaceful prosperous future for the whole human
family.
John McConnell
http://www.earthsite.org
1933 Woodbine St.
Ridgewood, New York 11385
Ph: 718/366-6963 |