Visualize Peace
Lori Keeling Campbell
The Light of Truth
Lisa Maxine Kjernisted
Circle Dance
Deborah Stafford
A Rainbow of Profiles
Leigh Althauser
Sharing Dreams of Peace Around the Communal Fire
Jennifer & Jean Chapin
Innerspace
Rachel Bowers
Peace Love
Julie St. John
Lord Buddha
Abjit Maharjan
Finding Peace
Dana Weir
World of Peace
Elisa Pritzker
The Peace House
Photo by Petrus Spronk
The Earth Is In Our Hands
Leigh Althauser
Universal Rainbow
Jan Poulsen
Mandalas
Grade 8 Art Class with the direction of Art Teacher, Rena Warren
Peace in Many Languages
Daniel Briliant
Vision for Hope and Peace
Katie Buntine
Angel
Ben Martin
Fly Away Home
Jim Brodie
World Peace
Mark Rutten
Quieten the Noise
Pam Gough
*All From 2006*
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
2 Samples of Criticism
Algerians Vote, Weighing Grief Against Peace
By: Michael Slackman
BLIDA, Algeria, Sept. 29 - This nation's referendum on Thursday was an emotional moment for many Algerians, who had to decide whether to accept their president's request to forget the violence of a civil war that left more than 100,000 people dead and to offer amnesty to many of those responsible.
It was nearly silent at the Martyr's Cemetery here Thursday morning, but for a few sobs and the shuffle of feet along the dirt paths, as about 30 men and women whose relatives were killed during the civil war visited their graves. For these survivors, it was a tearful protest and a forceful no to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation.
"We support peace based on certain requirements - justice, dignity and respect for those who were killed," said Cherifa Keddar, leader of an organization representing victims of the war, as she visited the graves of her brother and sister.
But many people were expected to accept the president's proposal, which amounts to trading a call for justice and accountability in return for a promise of peace and stability.
"This is a good thing, so the people can go back to the right path, so we can live in peace," said Rabaa Draai, 62, a father of 10 children, at his house in Rais, a community that suffered one of the worse atrocities of the war. On one night in 1997, more than 400 men, women and children were killed.
"Is there anybody who doesn't want peace?" said Mr. Draai, who said he had not lost any relatives in the massacre.
Algerian authorities predicted a large turnout among the country's 18 million voters, and they reported heavy voting throughout the day, although polling places in the capital and surrounding areas appeared to be largely empty much of the day. Mr. Bouteflika was hoping a commanding victory would empower him to move the country in a direction of his choosing. The results were not expected until Friday.
Since taking office with the support of the military in 1999, Mr. Bouteflika has managed to consolidate his authority while other institutions - like the judiciary and Parliament - remain relatively weak. Many of the generals to whom the president owed his job have since retired and have been replaced by those who now owe their positions to the president.
This referendum would continue Mr. Bouteflika's consolidation of power. It not only would grant amnesty to those who committed all but the most heinous crimes and effectively exonerate government security forces for killings, torture or kidnappings, but it also would grant the president broad authority in carrying out the proposed charter.
The document has been sharply criticized by opposition politicians, families of victims and human rights organizations for being vague, for not offering any process for exposing crimes of the past and for centering so much power in the president.
A group of mothers of Algerians who disappeared - suspected of being taken away by state security agents - have held protests in the center of Algiers almost every Wednesday for 11 years. They were there again this week, holding old, weathered placards with photographs of their missing family members. They said they were concerned that if the referendum passed, the issue of the missing would be considered resolved and their quest for answers about the fates of their family members would be ended.
"We are afraid after this we will be forgotten," said Fayza Ayash, whose three sons, Abdulkarim, Lakhdar and Muhammad, all disappeared years ago.
The government pressed hard to convince people to vote yes. Opposition voices were not allowed on television or radio, and opponents were depicted as being against peace. Polling places were plastered with pictures of the president and posters calling for the passage of the referendum.
While voters cast secret ballots, it was very easy for poll watchers to tell how people voted. Blue ballots, which meant yes, could easily be seen through the white envelopes they were tucked into before being dropped into a ballot box. The no ballots were white.
In Rais, the town of the massacre, many people stayed away from the polls. Three men sitting on a log around the corner from the polls had all lost relatives, and they were outspoken and angry. But they were afraid to give their names because to be against the referendum was perceived as dangerous. As they saw it, approval would mean that the killers would be allowed to return to their community - and they would be forced to accept it.
"I lost my brother and sister; I lost my mother and father," said one of the men. "Is it normal to accept someone who killed your father and mother and brother and sister to come live beside you?"
Since Mr. Bouteflika came to power, life in Algeria has begun to return to normal. The government estimates there are still about 1,000 armed militants, and it would like them to turn in their weapons, but the country is far safer today than it was just a few years ago. Where roads were once empty at night, they are clogged with traffic again. Even Western embassies are allowing their staff members to walk freely around certain areas.
To many people, that is what matters most.
"Nobody," said Arslan Chikhaoui, a business consultant in Algiers, "can say no to a peace process."
"We support peace based on certain requirements - justice, dignity and respect for those who were killed," said Cherifa Keddar, leader of an organization representing victims of the war, as she visited the graves of her brother and sister.
But many people were expected to accept the president's proposal, which amounts to trading a call for justice and accountability in return for a promise of peace and stability.
"This is a good thing, so the people can go back to the right path, so we can live in peace," said Rabaa Draai, 62, a father of 10 children, at his house in Rais, a community that suffered one of the worse atrocities of the war. On one night in 1997, more than 400 men, women and children were killed.
"Is there anybody who doesn't want peace?" said Mr. Draai, who said he had not lost any relatives in the massacre.
Algerian authorities predicted a large turnout among the country's 18 million voters, and they reported heavy voting throughout the day, although polling places in the capital and surrounding areas appeared to be largely empty much of the day. Mr. Bouteflika was hoping a commanding victory would empower him to move the country in a direction of his choosing. The results were not expected until Friday.
Since taking office with the support of the military in 1999, Mr. Bouteflika has managed to consolidate his authority while other institutions - like the judiciary and Parliament - remain relatively weak. Many of the generals to whom the president owed his job have since retired and have been replaced by those who now owe their positions to the president.
This referendum would continue Mr. Bouteflika's consolidation of power. It not only would grant amnesty to those who committed all but the most heinous crimes and effectively exonerate government security forces for killings, torture or kidnappings, but it also would grant the president broad authority in carrying out the proposed charter.
The document has been sharply criticized by opposition politicians, families of victims and human rights organizations for being vague, for not offering any process for exposing crimes of the past and for centering so much power in the president.
A group of mothers of Algerians who disappeared - suspected of being taken away by state security agents - have held protests in the center of Algiers almost every Wednesday for 11 years. They were there again this week, holding old, weathered placards with photographs of their missing family members. They said they were concerned that if the referendum passed, the issue of the missing would be considered resolved and their quest for answers about the fates of their family members would be ended.
"We are afraid after this we will be forgotten," said Fayza Ayash, whose three sons, Abdulkarim, Lakhdar and Muhammad, all disappeared years ago.
The government pressed hard to convince people to vote yes. Opposition voices were not allowed on television or radio, and opponents were depicted as being against peace. Polling places were plastered with pictures of the president and posters calling for the passage of the referendum.
While voters cast secret ballots, it was very easy for poll watchers to tell how people voted. Blue ballots, which meant yes, could easily be seen through the white envelopes they were tucked into before being dropped into a ballot box. The no ballots were white.
In Rais, the town of the massacre, many people stayed away from the polls. Three men sitting on a log around the corner from the polls had all lost relatives, and they were outspoken and angry. But they were afraid to give their names because to be against the referendum was perceived as dangerous. As they saw it, approval would mean that the killers would be allowed to return to their community - and they would be forced to accept it.
"I lost my brother and sister; I lost my mother and father," said one of the men. "Is it normal to accept someone who killed your father and mother and brother and sister to come live beside you?"
Since Mr. Bouteflika came to power, life in Algeria has begun to return to normal. The government estimates there are still about 1,000 armed militants, and it would like them to turn in their weapons, but the country is far safer today than it was just a few years ago. Where roads were once empty at night, they are clogged with traffic again. Even Western embassies are allowing their staff members to walk freely around certain areas.
To many people, that is what matters most.
"Nobody," said Arslan Chikhaoui, a business consultant in Algiers, "can say no to a peace process."
Peace Negotiator Who Advised Obama Campaign Strikes Back at Critics
By Nathan Guttman
Washington - One of the foreign-policy experts who has advised Barack Obama’s campaign on Middle East issues is striking out against critics who have used him to criticize the Illinois senator’s views on Israel.
Robert Malley, a former special assistant to President Bill Clinton on Arab-Israeli affairs, told the Forward that the attacks on him by some supporters of Israel have “crossed the line.”
Malley, who now heads the Middle East and North Africa program at the International Crisis Group, emphasized his strong support for Israel and explained his views on the need to engage in talks with Iran and Syria.
According to a statement from the Obama campaign, Malley is one of several experts who had offered advice to the campaign on Middle East policy. This role has taken center stage in recent weeks as right-wing groups and individuals have argued that Malley holds anti-Israeli views and that this indicates Obama himself has a problem with his Middle East policy.
Writing on the Web site American Thinker, Ed Lasky argued that Malley “represents the next generation of anti-Israel activism.”
Camera, the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America, published an article exploring Malley’s family roots. The article argues that “Malley’s parents were rabidly anti-Israel” and that Malley’s articles on Middle East issues “demonize Israel only slightly less than his father.”
Malley, in his first public response to the allegations, said that “it tends to cross the line when it becomes as personal and as un-based in facts as some of these have been.”
Malley’s father, journalist Simon Malley, was born to a Jewish family in Cairo in 1923 and was best known for his writings on third world independence movements.
Speaking of his father’s views, Malley said that while he loved and respected his father — who passed away in 2006 — he did not agree with him on everything.
“I found them to be an odd guilt by association,” Malley said, referring to the attacks on him based on his father’s views.
Malley recently received support from five Jewish former U.S. government officials who are known to be strong supporters of Israel. Former national security adviser Sandy Berger and former State Department officials Dennis Ross, Martin Indyk, Aaron David Miller and Daniel Kurtzer released their open letter defending Malley on February 12.
Responding to what they call “a series of vicious, personal attacks” against Malley, the former officials wrote: “These attacks are unfair, inappropriate and wrong.”
The letter is particularly noteworthy because, according to press reports, Berger and Indyk have been advising Obama’s opponent, Hillary Clinton, on Middle East policy.
The letter adds that while disagreements on policy exist, there is no disagreement regarding the special relationship between America and Israel: “We have worked with Rob closely over the years and have no doubt he shares this view and has acted consistent with it.”
Miller, who has advised six secretaries of state on Arab-Israeli negotiations and is currently a public policy scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center, told the Forward he does not believe this public show of support will stop the attacks against Malley.
“The degree of concern among some in the Jewish community is endless,” Miller said, adding that the criticism of Malley has proved to him that “Jews worry for a living.”
Malley drew criticism from the pro-Israel community after co-authoring an article in The New York Review of Books arguing that the blame for the failure of the 2000 Camp David peace talks should be divided between all three leaders who were present at the summit: Yasser Arafat, Ehud Barak and Bill Clinton.
This article was considered controversial, since mainstream policy analysts in Israel and America had pointed to Arafat as having sole responsibility for the failed talks. Later, however, other scholars and former officials voiced similar views to those of Malley.
Today, Malley still stands out for his calls to engage in negotiations with Syria and Iran and for finding “some kind of accommodation” with Hamas.
“If you want to have movement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority you’re going to have to find some way of neutralizing Hamas’s spoiling capacity and that means to some extent, to some extent, engaging with it,” Malley said, adding that he does not believe America should be the side dealing with Hamas.
In a roundtable discussion sponsored by the Israel Policy Forum two weeks ago, Malley said he does not believe Obama will talk to Hamas or Hezbollah if elected president. Malley attended Harvard Law School with Obama but is not considered a close friend of the candidate.
The Bush administration and the Israeli government strongly oppose dealing with Hamas or breaking the wall of isolation surrounding Iran. Olmert does not, however, oppose talks with Syria.
Robert Malley, a former special assistant to President Bill Clinton on Arab-Israeli affairs, told the Forward that the attacks on him by some supporters of Israel have “crossed the line.”
Malley, who now heads the Middle East and North Africa program at the International Crisis Group, emphasized his strong support for Israel and explained his views on the need to engage in talks with Iran and Syria.
According to a statement from the Obama campaign, Malley is one of several experts who had offered advice to the campaign on Middle East policy. This role has taken center stage in recent weeks as right-wing groups and individuals have argued that Malley holds anti-Israeli views and that this indicates Obama himself has a problem with his Middle East policy.
Writing on the Web site American Thinker, Ed Lasky argued that Malley “represents the next generation of anti-Israel activism.”
Camera, the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America, published an article exploring Malley’s family roots. The article argues that “Malley’s parents were rabidly anti-Israel” and that Malley’s articles on Middle East issues “demonize Israel only slightly less than his father.”
Malley, in his first public response to the allegations, said that “it tends to cross the line when it becomes as personal and as un-based in facts as some of these have been.”
Malley’s father, journalist Simon Malley, was born to a Jewish family in Cairo in 1923 and was best known for his writings on third world independence movements.
Speaking of his father’s views, Malley said that while he loved and respected his father — who passed away in 2006 — he did not agree with him on everything.
“I found them to be an odd guilt by association,” Malley said, referring to the attacks on him based on his father’s views.
Malley recently received support from five Jewish former U.S. government officials who are known to be strong supporters of Israel. Former national security adviser Sandy Berger and former State Department officials Dennis Ross, Martin Indyk, Aaron David Miller and Daniel Kurtzer released their open letter defending Malley on February 12.
Responding to what they call “a series of vicious, personal attacks” against Malley, the former officials wrote: “These attacks are unfair, inappropriate and wrong.”
The letter is particularly noteworthy because, according to press reports, Berger and Indyk have been advising Obama’s opponent, Hillary Clinton, on Middle East policy.
The letter adds that while disagreements on policy exist, there is no disagreement regarding the special relationship between America and Israel: “We have worked with Rob closely over the years and have no doubt he shares this view and has acted consistent with it.”
Miller, who has advised six secretaries of state on Arab-Israeli negotiations and is currently a public policy scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center, told the Forward he does not believe this public show of support will stop the attacks against Malley.
“The degree of concern among some in the Jewish community is endless,” Miller said, adding that the criticism of Malley has proved to him that “Jews worry for a living.”
Malley drew criticism from the pro-Israel community after co-authoring an article in The New York Review of Books arguing that the blame for the failure of the 2000 Camp David peace talks should be divided between all three leaders who were present at the summit: Yasser Arafat, Ehud Barak and Bill Clinton.
This article was considered controversial, since mainstream policy analysts in Israel and America had pointed to Arafat as having sole responsibility for the failed talks. Later, however, other scholars and former officials voiced similar views to those of Malley.
Today, Malley still stands out for his calls to engage in negotiations with Syria and Iran and for finding “some kind of accommodation” with Hamas.
“If you want to have movement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority you’re going to have to find some way of neutralizing Hamas’s spoiling capacity and that means to some extent, to some extent, engaging with it,” Malley said, adding that he does not believe America should be the side dealing with Hamas.
In a roundtable discussion sponsored by the Israel Policy Forum two weeks ago, Malley said he does not believe Obama will talk to Hamas or Hezbollah if elected president. Malley attended Harvard Law School with Obama but is not considered a close friend of the candidate.
The Bush administration and the Israeli government strongly oppose dealing with Hamas or breaking the wall of isolation surrounding Iran. Olmert does not, however, oppose talks with Syria.
Friday, May 23, 2008
List of Excerpts
Peace in Everyday Relationships: Resolving Conflicts in Your Personal and Work
By: Sheila Alson
Toward Wisdom: Finding Our Way to Inner Peace, Love and Happiness
By: Copthorne Macdonald
The Happiness Code : A Complete Book on the Art of Achieving Happiness
By: S. Mukhopadhyay
Happiness
By: Matthieu Ricard
Gasoline
By: Sheryl Crow
Love is Free
By: Sheryl Crow
Love, Peace and Happiness
By: Out of Eden
Come the Day
By: Bruce Woodley
A New Earth
By: Eckhart Tolle
Peace Magazine
By: Metta Spencer (Editor)
The Cry of Peace
By: P.R. Sarkar
Save the Forests, Save the Planet
By: Herbert Girardet
Peace For A Troubled World: Neo Humanist Education
By: Marcus Bussey
Does War Have A Future?
By: Sohail Inayatullah
Beyond Wars
By: Ivana Milojevic
Building Foundations For Cultures of Peace
By: Riane Eisler
Class Readings for Peace History
By: Michael Nagler
Climate Change Around The World
By: Angene Wilson
Service Learning - I Can Make A Difference!
By: Woody Snowden
Fighting Repression with Love: The Traumatic Effects on Women Who Speak Out
By: Women of Zimbawe Arise
excerpts
State Radio "People To People"
The women in the valley forge They go day to day Don't let them raid my home and My home and place But the men they can't see boyond So they war and war They don't remember What they came here for People to people are so unjust Carry yourself well so Carry yourself well Women in the valley forged her The once home of the brave Don't let them raid me home and My home and place But the men they can't see beyond So they become what they hate They don't see that the moon has just Yeah the moon is just getting its legs People to people are so unjust day Carry yourself well so Carry yourself well People to people are so unjust Carry yourself well so Carry yourself well And you don't even close the barn door After the horses have scattered And no one knows anymore Where all the souls have gathered Though they will keep an eye on what you do And when the people have spoken We won't cry mercy on Mercy on you Cause we will We will be alive just broken People to people are So unjust they say Carry yourself well Carry yourself well People to people are so unjust they say Carry yourself well so Carry yourself well
State Radio "Fight No More"
On behalf of the resistance, and all of our existence As the wanted man, the conquered man.We no not of your borders,But you push us to your corners.This is not your land,This isn't anybody's land.Some will live and some will last,Some will cry out for the past.But my oh my,The answers are falling fast.I will give if this pain won't last.So from where the sun now stands,I will fight no more forever.How you choose to meet your fate, For I will fight no more forever.Government agent arrivals, pale chief and his disciples. They crooked tongues, the acid lungs.We know not of your borders,But the world is getting colder.This is not your land,This isn't anybody's land.Some will live and some will last,Some will bleed like Looking Glass.But my oh my, The answers are falling fast.I will give if this pain won't last.So from where the sun now stands,I will fight no more forever.How you choose to meet your fate, For I will fight no more forever.From where the sun now stands,I will fight no more forever.How you choose to meet your fate, For I will fight no more forever.And the sun will set sad and sick, Break these chains I don't want them no more.And the sun will set sad and sick, Break these chains I don't want them no more.Break these chains I don't want them no more.Break these, break these chains.Said he died of a broken heart.Said he died of a broken heart.Died of a broken heart. Broken heart.
John Mayer "Waiting On The World To Change"
Me and all my friends We're all misunderstood They say we stand for nothing and There's no way we ever could Now we see everything that's going wrong With the world and those who lead it We just feel like we don't have the means To rise above and beat it So we keep waiting Waiting on the world to change We keep on waiting Waiting on the world to change It's hard to beat the system When we're standing at a distance So we keep waiting Waiting on the world to change Now if we had the power To bring our neighbors home from war They would have never missed a Christmas No more ribbons on their door And when you trust your television What you get is what you got Cause when they own the information, oh They can bend it all they want That's why we're waiting Waiting on the world to change We keep on waiting Waiting on the world to change It's not that we don't care, We just know that the fight ain't fair So we keep on waiting Waiting on the world to change And we're still waiting Waiting on the world to change We keep on waiting waiting on the world to change One day our generation Is gonna rule the population So we keep on waiting Waiting on the world to change We keep on waiting Waiting on the world to change.
Retold by Peninnah Schram "The Cycle"
King Solomon was noted, not only for his great wisdom and his skill as a judge, but also for his ability to understand the languages of the birds and the beasts of the fields. Thus, he would sometimes listen to the complaints of animals against each other and against humanity.
Once, a grief-stricken lioness came before Solomon with a bitter complaint. "Say what is in your heart," said Solomon, "I will hear you out."
And the lioness spoke. "Why must there be war? Why must we attack one another? Can there be no peace in the world? Is it right that the hunter comes to my den and robs me of my babies and then, before my own eyes, strips off their skin? Does he have no pity for the mother? No pity for the babies? That hunter must be punished, Your Honor, and be shown no mercy, for he is guilty of killing my babies."
And the lioness began to cry with great anguish.
When King Solomon heard this, he said, "Listen to my story and tell me who is to blame?" And Solomon told this story.
One day, the mongoose and the weasel were talking, and the weasel was complaining, "That snake has eaten up so many of my babies. He comes and attacks them when I run out for a few moments to get them some food." And the weasel moaned with grief.
"Well then," suggested the mongoose, "why not devise a scheme to get the snake out of his cave and then attack him? Let's see. The snake loves fish, so we'll put a trail of fish leading away from his cave right to where we can kill him."
"Good," replied the weasel. "That will be a just dessert for him, and a good dinner for you, my friend."
So the mongoose and the weasel caught some fish and dropped them in a row on the path to the snake's cave. When the snake smelled the fish, he left his cave and ate each of the fish. As he slithered past the scorpion, the scorpion sharpened its stinger to attack the snake and accidentally struck the hen nearby.
The hen ran to the rooster and alerted him that the scorpion was ready to make war. The rooster called out "cock-a-doodle-doo," which sounded the alarm and the wolf ran out of his dean.
As he ran by the weasel's home, the wolf saw that the weasel's babies had been left unguarded, so he ate them.
When the weasel returned home after having helped the mongoose kill the snake, she found her babies gone, and she knew that they had been killed.
Weasel ran to the Judge and cried, "The wolf has killed my children. Punish him, punish him!" The the Judge asked her just one question: "What did you bring for food for your children, Mother weasel?"
And when the weasel answered, "Birds, Your Honor," the Judge said, "You, yourself, are to blame for your children's death—and no one else."
Then Solomon looked at the lioness and waited. The lioness lowered her eyes and head in shame. And the lioness understood. Yes, the lioness understood.
The Talmud says: "What you do not want to have happen to you, do not do to another."
Jesume Sioco "Happiness"
Happiness is a good health and a bad memoryAnd tells every person’s wonderful storyMemories we hope to happen againCan never be move like a mountainHappiness does pass as time goes byBut we can make another if we give it a tryThose beautiful memories are really badWhen we think of it and makes are heart sadHappiness we all know lies aheadSo keep it don’t throw it insteadThen share it to everyone you loveIt will make you fly like a doveHappiness is a perpetual possessionTells about life in your intuitionThen positive thinking to achieve perfectionMake it as an expressive communication.
The women in the valley forge They go day to day Don't let them raid my home and My home and place But the men they can't see boyond So they war and war They don't remember What they came here for People to people are so unjust Carry yourself well so Carry yourself well Women in the valley forged her The once home of the brave Don't let them raid me home and My home and place But the men they can't see beyond So they become what they hate They don't see that the moon has just Yeah the moon is just getting its legs People to people are so unjust day Carry yourself well so Carry yourself well People to people are so unjust Carry yourself well so Carry yourself well And you don't even close the barn door After the horses have scattered And no one knows anymore Where all the souls have gathered Though they will keep an eye on what you do And when the people have spoken We won't cry mercy on Mercy on you Cause we will We will be alive just broken People to people are So unjust they say Carry yourself well Carry yourself well People to people are so unjust they say Carry yourself well so Carry yourself well
State Radio "Fight No More"
On behalf of the resistance, and all of our existence As the wanted man, the conquered man.We no not of your borders,But you push us to your corners.This is not your land,This isn't anybody's land.Some will live and some will last,Some will cry out for the past.But my oh my,The answers are falling fast.I will give if this pain won't last.So from where the sun now stands,I will fight no more forever.How you choose to meet your fate, For I will fight no more forever.Government agent arrivals, pale chief and his disciples. They crooked tongues, the acid lungs.We know not of your borders,But the world is getting colder.This is not your land,This isn't anybody's land.Some will live and some will last,Some will bleed like Looking Glass.But my oh my, The answers are falling fast.I will give if this pain won't last.So from where the sun now stands,I will fight no more forever.How you choose to meet your fate, For I will fight no more forever.From where the sun now stands,I will fight no more forever.How you choose to meet your fate, For I will fight no more forever.And the sun will set sad and sick, Break these chains I don't want them no more.And the sun will set sad and sick, Break these chains I don't want them no more.Break these chains I don't want them no more.Break these, break these chains.Said he died of a broken heart.Said he died of a broken heart.Died of a broken heart. Broken heart.
John Mayer "Waiting On The World To Change"
Me and all my friends We're all misunderstood They say we stand for nothing and There's no way we ever could Now we see everything that's going wrong With the world and those who lead it We just feel like we don't have the means To rise above and beat it So we keep waiting Waiting on the world to change We keep on waiting Waiting on the world to change It's hard to beat the system When we're standing at a distance So we keep waiting Waiting on the world to change Now if we had the power To bring our neighbors home from war They would have never missed a Christmas No more ribbons on their door And when you trust your television What you get is what you got Cause when they own the information, oh They can bend it all they want That's why we're waiting Waiting on the world to change We keep on waiting Waiting on the world to change It's not that we don't care, We just know that the fight ain't fair So we keep on waiting Waiting on the world to change And we're still waiting Waiting on the world to change We keep on waiting waiting on the world to change One day our generation Is gonna rule the population So we keep on waiting Waiting on the world to change We keep on waiting Waiting on the world to change.
Retold by Peninnah Schram "The Cycle"
King Solomon was noted, not only for his great wisdom and his skill as a judge, but also for his ability to understand the languages of the birds and the beasts of the fields. Thus, he would sometimes listen to the complaints of animals against each other and against humanity.
Once, a grief-stricken lioness came before Solomon with a bitter complaint. "Say what is in your heart," said Solomon, "I will hear you out."
And the lioness spoke. "Why must there be war? Why must we attack one another? Can there be no peace in the world? Is it right that the hunter comes to my den and robs me of my babies and then, before my own eyes, strips off their skin? Does he have no pity for the mother? No pity for the babies? That hunter must be punished, Your Honor, and be shown no mercy, for he is guilty of killing my babies."
And the lioness began to cry with great anguish.
When King Solomon heard this, he said, "Listen to my story and tell me who is to blame?" And Solomon told this story.
One day, the mongoose and the weasel were talking, and the weasel was complaining, "That snake has eaten up so many of my babies. He comes and attacks them when I run out for a few moments to get them some food." And the weasel moaned with grief.
"Well then," suggested the mongoose, "why not devise a scheme to get the snake out of his cave and then attack him? Let's see. The snake loves fish, so we'll put a trail of fish leading away from his cave right to where we can kill him."
"Good," replied the weasel. "That will be a just dessert for him, and a good dinner for you, my friend."
So the mongoose and the weasel caught some fish and dropped them in a row on the path to the snake's cave. When the snake smelled the fish, he left his cave and ate each of the fish. As he slithered past the scorpion, the scorpion sharpened its stinger to attack the snake and accidentally struck the hen nearby.
The hen ran to the rooster and alerted him that the scorpion was ready to make war. The rooster called out "cock-a-doodle-doo," which sounded the alarm and the wolf ran out of his dean.
As he ran by the weasel's home, the wolf saw that the weasel's babies had been left unguarded, so he ate them.
When the weasel returned home after having helped the mongoose kill the snake, she found her babies gone, and she knew that they had been killed.
Weasel ran to the Judge and cried, "The wolf has killed my children. Punish him, punish him!" The the Judge asked her just one question: "What did you bring for food for your children, Mother weasel?"
And when the weasel answered, "Birds, Your Honor," the Judge said, "You, yourself, are to blame for your children's death—and no one else."
Then Solomon looked at the lioness and waited. The lioness lowered her eyes and head in shame. And the lioness understood. Yes, the lioness understood.
The Talmud says: "What you do not want to have happen to you, do not do to another."
Jesume Sioco "Happiness"
Happiness is a good health and a bad memoryAnd tells every person’s wonderful storyMemories we hope to happen againCan never be move like a mountainHappiness does pass as time goes byBut we can make another if we give it a tryThose beautiful memories are really badWhen we think of it and makes are heart sadHappiness we all know lies aheadSo keep it don’t throw it insteadThen share it to everyone you loveIt will make you fly like a doveHappiness is a perpetual possessionTells about life in your intuitionThen positive thinking to achieve perfectionMake it as an expressive communication.
10 Websties
1. http://www.peacelovehappiness.com/
2. www.lovepeace.com/
3. http://earth911.org/
4. http://www.happiness.com/
5. http://www.strabanedc.com/council/community-services/
6. http://www.unitedforpeace.org/
7. http://www.thepeaceplan.com/
8. http://www.community.worldofgood.com/topic/Ways%20to%20Make%20a%20Difference
9. http://www.knox-earthfest.org/
10. http://www.freespiritart.com/dove-holding-peace.php
2. www.lovepeace.com/
3. http://earth911.org/
4. http://www.happiness.com/
5. http://www.strabanedc.com/council/community-services/
6. http://www.unitedforpeace.org/
7. http://www.thepeaceplan.com/
8. http://www.community.worldofgood.com/topic/Ways%20to%20Make%20a%20Difference
9. http://www.knox-earthfest.org/
10. http://www.freespiritart.com/dove-holding-peace.php
Monday, May 19, 2008
narrative 4
Haight Ashbury, the hippie capital of San Francisco, where everyone lived together in harmony. I was walking down the street, hearing music in the air, people all gathering around, expressing the same feelings as I, love. People conjugating all around from different backgrounds, it seemed as though this was the place to be. Whether it was on the front steps of an apartment complex, inside a local shop or the nearby park, everyone seemed to fit in without being excluded. There were no losers in the crowd or any outsiders. Everyone being treated equal and fair; anyone who came in was welcomed. The scene had a vibe of happiness, like everything was going to be alright. Could this be real? A society where everyone's neighbor is caring and respectful of one another? It seemed as though violence did not exist. This place, where the culture is so diverse, and no one cares who you are and what you look like. It seemed to all be just a dream, a moment away from reality with all its judgement and fast pace moving around. A glimmer and a glance at what this world could be. If everyone lived without fear and opened up to others.
Without a destination in mind... I continued on my adventure. It seemed as though no plans were needed for this journey for being in the scene was enough to bring joy and pass the time with pleasure. The people i came across and the stories told were amazing. Everyone from all over the United States had come to start their life fresh with hope of living free. It baffled me to find such unique individuals all around from all over, happy to be here and a part of the hippie epidemic. With all the different culture and person backgrounds, never once did the thought play a factor nor judgment upon others. It was as though we blended into form our own society with one single common characteristic in mind, peace.
I made my way down to a park with a meadow which was filled with colorful flowers. Every gust gave off a warm inviting breeze full of beauty from the fragrances. Here I took a rest from my travels and sat back beneath a Bradford Pear looking off into the distance. Gathered around were other groups of hippies all enjoying the relaxing environment and beautiful day. Along in the distance kites were flying free in the air and smiles drawn on everyone's faces. This was it, this was where to be. As if the only emotion allowed was peace, love and happiness flowing through the air like oxygen. This place is what an example of what the world should be. Where everyone wants to be but are afraid to show it.
last critique
This picture was taken in Central Park's Strawberry Fields . It is a dedication to the musical legend John Lennon build after his assassination. It is a replica of the famous mosaic in Pompeii which was a gift from Naples, Italy. The only change being the incursion within the center stating "Imagine". John Lennon, was a main activist in the public eye with his peace movement during the 60s and 70s as well as anti-war marches during Vietnam. He expressed love and equality for all through his movements and songs such as "Give Peace a Chance". Able to touch the hearts of every individual, John Lennon is and forever will be a legend.
The emphasis of the photo is focused around the motive "imagine", and a dream of everyone in life living in peace and harmony with each other. The pigment of the color added to the mosaic black and white with hue of a rainbow added from peoples dedications with flowers. It gives off a content of love with the acceptance and respect of everyone in life. It renders a mosaic with harmony added by peoples added flowers to the artwork. Also with a highlight directing the viewer towards the main image being displayed, the center piece, "imagine".
Walking through Central Park on a sunny spring afternoon i come across the location of Strawberry Fields. With birds chirping from branches above and peaceful rays of sunshine glimmering off the trees. Suddenly my attention is directed towards a mosaic emblem on the road. "Imagine" states within the center and covered with flowers shaping a peace sign from others passing by. It gives me a thought, a thought of peace and happiness. People living as one, without fighting. A world where everyone can get along and respect one another. After regaining my train of thought i continue walking, too bad it is only implied. But as i continued on my way the idea still was lingering on my mind. What if we could live in happiness; everyone as a whole? Why can't we give peace a chance? It could bring many wonders to the world. Our world.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
narritive 3
His hand, warm and soft, reached for mine. Under great big blue skies. Everything seemed so peaceful. Blue birds chirping blissful tunes. Roses, daffodils, daisies, all sorts of flowers blooming. Water crashing down into the harmonious lake. Walking towards the sunset, hand in hand. Together as one. I knew he would be happy when we were to be together on the other side. The side where it is peaceful, loving and happy. Being with this alluring man brought me this blithe world and I never want to get out of it.
My world used to be filled with a world of crime, hatred and melancholy. I had no family. Both of my parents passed away when I just started my senior year because my dad and mom were involved in the war. My dad was in the army and my mom was an army nurse. My grandmother always had to come over and watch me. I despised her. She would never let me do anything. But of course she always left me home alone to care for myself. I never had anyone around me. I was depressed as a ten year old and my parents never knew. My grandmother said she would lie and tell my parents that I was a dreadful girl if I told them the way she treated me. I had friends in school but I never got to hang out with them. I only had one true best friend that I told everything and he would try and help me feel better the best he could. The day I wanted to tell him I was in love with him, he told me he was moving. And the month after my parents passed away... he was gone. It was too hard to bear. Yeah we still kept in touch, until my grandmother found out and took the phone away and made sure no letters were written. There was no way of getting out. My senior year was abominable; I could not wait to get out because I knew I would be away from my grandmother for good. She finally left the summer that I turned 18. But it was too late… he was gone and there was no possible way of ever finding him again.
So I went off and began college. My grandmother did not know but my parents left an appreciable amount of money for my education. Also, the army ended up paying for college because they knew how I had no one left to help me. My first day of college was great! I was finally free from my retched grandmother. I decided to major in psychology. I figured, “there are many more people out there like me and I want to help them overcome it.” I walk into class and I see one seat open so I sat down. A boy I noticed staring at me screams my name! IT WAS HIM! I could not believe it! I knew it was fate when we found each other. Since it was our first class we decided to stay until it was over. I was so glad that we found each other. After class we held each other tight never wanting to let go. I told him all that happened with my grandmother and why I never wrote him back. He figured that was the reason why and confessed to me something I was shocked about:
“I have loved you for the longest time and I have not one day stopped thinking about you, I have always wanted to tell you but never had the guts too. I’m sorry.”
I apologized to him as well because I told him how I always wanted to tell him how I felt. We were together ever since!
Ever since that day my life had changed for the better. My world turned upside down and it was amazing! When we graduated college he proposed to me right on the spot and I accepted! Now that our lives are set we helped troubled people’s lives change, like ours have change. I love him.
Monday, April 14, 2008
COMMUNITY PROJECT!
For my community project I'm going to show myself recycling and picking up trash outside and showing how I'm trying to clean up the environment around me to make our world look like a better place! :)Paradox About Me
Soccer is my life, running is not
I laugh so hard, I start to cry
I come off happy even when I'm sad
I have a big heart even though I'm small
The more years I accomplish, the less I remember
Loud music soothes me
I work all the time and still don't have enough money
My friends are my family
I love to shop; I hate to spend
I procrastinate and I still get things done! :)
Thursday, April 10, 2008
outside reading
3. What is the central theme of the novel? What values and ideals does the novel promote?
Promise Not To Tell, a suspenseful novel by Jennifer McMahon shows the central theme of seeking the truth. It all starts when the protagonist, Kate Cypher, moves back up home where she has to take care of her mother who has Alzheimer’s. On the first day of her arrival she comes to find out that Opal’s (her niece) best friend Tori got murdered the night before. Not only was it that she got murdered but it was the way she got murdered. Kate’s past best friend, Del, got murdered the same exact way Tori did, and is still unsolved. Now that Kate’s past is rushing back into her life, she needs to find the truth of Del and Tori’s death, and stop all of it before it gets to Opal. Not only that, but her mother has been showing signs of Del being around which leads Kate to seek what is truly going on.
Back in 1971, Kate and Del were together all the time outside of school. The only time they were not together was when they were in school. Del was known as the “Potato Girl” because she smelled bad and always wore the same clothes (only because of her father not caring for her the correct way). Kate felt ashamed talking to her in front of the popular girls, so she would tell the girls all about Del. One day everyone was picking on Del and Kate did not do anything about it. Del escaped and Kate tried chasing after her to apologize but she had a rock in her hand and Del thought she was going to hurt her. That was the day Del got murdered. In the end, when Kate found out it was Zack (her mother’s past lover). Also, she found out Zack was the one who gave Del the sheriff’s star and that he loved her and that’s why he killed her. Even more, Del loved a boy her age named Mike, who gave her a tattoo of the letter M on her chest. After Zack had killed her he cut off the tattoo that she had and kept it with him all through the years and even took his sheriff’s star back. He wanted to save her from her squalid family life but since he found out about Mike he realized for her, it was not worth trying to win him back.
The reason for Tori’s murder was because at night, when Tori and Opal were hanging out, Tori was wearing Opal’s sweater. Zack wanted to kill Opal because she had taken the Sheriff’s star from him. Zack wanted it back because he knew it would be huge evidence towards Del’s murder. Another thing about Opal is not only is she Kate’s niece but, she is also Del’s half sister. Del’s father had raped Opal’s mother. Obviously, she kept the baby but did not want her daughter to know anything about her “family.” When Kate moved back home to take care of her mother, Opal was having weird dreams of Del and asked Kate about her. Opal’s mother found out and forbid Opal from seeing Kate. Opal went missing for a few hours and suddenly the ghost of Del went into Kate’s mother’s body and showed Kate the way to find the truth and save Opal. As an ending result, Kate found Opal and saved her before it was too late, and more importantly found the real truth of Del and Tori’s death by stopping the killer and found out why Opal was really involved in the murder.
Promise Not To Tell, a suspenseful novel by Jennifer McMahon shows the central theme of seeking the truth. It all starts when the protagonist, Kate Cypher, moves back up home where she has to take care of her mother who has Alzheimer’s. On the first day of her arrival she comes to find out that Opal’s (her niece) best friend Tori got murdered the night before. Not only was it that she got murdered but it was the way she got murdered. Kate’s past best friend, Del, got murdered the same exact way Tori did, and is still unsolved. Now that Kate’s past is rushing back into her life, she needs to find the truth of Del and Tori’s death, and stop all of it before it gets to Opal. Not only that, but her mother has been showing signs of Del being around which leads Kate to seek what is truly going on.
Back in 1971, Kate and Del were together all the time outside of school. The only time they were not together was when they were in school. Del was known as the “Potato Girl” because she smelled bad and always wore the same clothes (only because of her father not caring for her the correct way). Kate felt ashamed talking to her in front of the popular girls, so she would tell the girls all about Del. One day everyone was picking on Del and Kate did not do anything about it. Del escaped and Kate tried chasing after her to apologize but she had a rock in her hand and Del thought she was going to hurt her. That was the day Del got murdered. In the end, when Kate found out it was Zack (her mother’s past lover). Also, she found out Zack was the one who gave Del the sheriff’s star and that he loved her and that’s why he killed her. Even more, Del loved a boy her age named Mike, who gave her a tattoo of the letter M on her chest. After Zack had killed her he cut off the tattoo that she had and kept it with him all through the years and even took his sheriff’s star back. He wanted to save her from her squalid family life but since he found out about Mike he realized for her, it was not worth trying to win him back.
The reason for Tori’s murder was because at night, when Tori and Opal were hanging out, Tori was wearing Opal’s sweater. Zack wanted to kill Opal because she had taken the Sheriff’s star from him. Zack wanted it back because he knew it would be huge evidence towards Del’s murder. Another thing about Opal is not only is she Kate’s niece but, she is also Del’s half sister. Del’s father had raped Opal’s mother. Obviously, she kept the baby but did not want her daughter to know anything about her “family.” When Kate moved back home to take care of her mother, Opal was having weird dreams of Del and asked Kate about her. Opal’s mother found out and forbid Opal from seeing Kate. Opal went missing for a few hours and suddenly the ghost of Del went into Kate’s mother’s body and showed Kate the way to find the truth and save Opal. As an ending result, Kate found Opal and saved her before it was too late, and more importantly found the real truth of Del and Tori’s death by stopping the killer and found out why Opal was really involved in the murder.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Narrative
It's been raining all day today! This is so worth it. I'm in Orlando, Florida and there is a rally called the United for Peace and Justice Anti-War in Lake Eola. I love being here! Being surrounded by people who understand how you feel, who stick by you, wanting the same thing as you:
PEACE.LOVE.HAPPINESS.
The three main things that most people want. Who would not want that? Oh yeah...those so called "real-true Americans." They all themselves the "Gathering of Eagles;" pro-war protesters.
As our march began it started pouring, of course. But hey, it felt nice because it was really hot out! As we were moving through the streets, out of no where, a small group of the "Gathering of Eagles" show up. They started yelling loud and obnoxious profanities towards us. It was so rude but yet it's sad to see that these people feel happy to send innocent people out to war and get hurt. And yes they're doing it for our country which is great but it's the people who believe that fighting and wars solve everything. When in reality, it does not. It was funny though, to get the "Eagles" to go away, I yelled: "Go fly away!" Haha yeah, that got them to shut their mouths! If only they would see our point of view of the world and how it can be fixable if we do not make wars our number one priority. And yet they are saying the same things for us towards their own point of view.
In the end it all worked out and it ended with a big finish! =) Our conflict with the others ended up getting some of them to join us. This was a huge victory for us because that has not happened in years. It was even greater because the ratio of anti-war protesters to pro-war protesters was huge!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Critique
This photo was taken by New York Post’s photographer, Michael Norcia. The photo of this woman holding up the sign “Peace Love Happiness To All” puts major contributions because it’s at the concert Woodstock. This woman and many other people show their love and care for the world and by Norcia taking these pictures and showing others gains improvement in the world becoming a more peaceful place.
The hue of this photo appears to be black and white. Both the content and emphasis brought into this photograph is peace, love and happiness that this lady brings to everyone. And to interpret what is going on in this photograph, she is sharing as much love as she can with anyone and everyone; no matter who they are. The realism of this photograph is in the field of Woodstock where everyone shares all of their love and comfort, which is what everyone in the world should be doing. This graphic is a printed photo. It’s figurative because of the people that are in this image. The movement is shown with how the lady is holding her poster up high, for everyone to see. The sensory grabs your attention with both your sight and emotions.
“Today is the day of Woodstock, and I am so excited! I love being there with all people that share the same ideas and feel the same way as I do. And that’s peace, love and happiness. I know that all of us and even more people out there can make a difference in this world. Not just by fighting and having all these wars. They will see someday. And they will regret having ever to go to war. It’s a waste! As time goes on more and more people will realize how much war is ruining us and come together as one. It all just starts here, at Woodstock. Everyone making signs and showing love and care. That’s all this world really needs. And I know that someday… people will realize what they are missing out on… and join us all! It all just starts with one person and continues on and on, no matter what happens, there will be that one person standing up for peace, love and happiness. Today… I’m that person… and someday… I will make a difference. No matter whom you are and what race you are, I do not care; we all are the same in one way. We all want peace. We just show we do in different ways.”
The hue of this photo appears to be black and white. Both the content and emphasis brought into this photograph is peace, love and happiness that this lady brings to everyone. And to interpret what is going on in this photograph, she is sharing as much love as she can with anyone and everyone; no matter who they are. The realism of this photograph is in the field of Woodstock where everyone shares all of their love and comfort, which is what everyone in the world should be doing. This graphic is a printed photo. It’s figurative because of the people that are in this image. The movement is shown with how the lady is holding her poster up high, for everyone to see. The sensory grabs your attention with both your sight and emotions.
“Today is the day of Woodstock, and I am so excited! I love being there with all people that share the same ideas and feel the same way as I do. And that’s peace, love and happiness. I know that all of us and even more people out there can make a difference in this world. Not just by fighting and having all these wars. They will see someday. And they will regret having ever to go to war. It’s a waste! As time goes on more and more people will realize how much war is ruining us and come together as one. It all just starts here, at Woodstock. Everyone making signs and showing love and care. That’s all this world really needs. And I know that someday… people will realize what they are missing out on… and join us all! It all just starts with one person and continues on and on, no matter what happens, there will be that one person standing up for peace, love and happiness. Today… I’m that person… and someday… I will make a difference. No matter whom you are and what race you are, I do not care; we all are the same in one way. We all want peace. We just show we do in different ways.”
Monday, February 25, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
My First Critique
This painting is the first prize winner at Miramonte High School created by a senior named Jin Yu. It all started at The Peace Center and held its 10th Annual dinner. The contest was called "Peace Through Art and Writing Challenge." The topic was: Describe two acts of kindness you have seen or heard about that touched you deeply and created a feeling of compassion. How has this experience affected you and how have you incorporated it into your life? Jin Yu and his piece called "Agape" took over and won with awarded cash prizes contributed by the George Miller Youth Fun, Mountain Camp, Walnut Creek Police Officers Association and the Schmidt Family.
The realism of this art brings out the sensory of the hands reaching out to find someone who is there. Some of the shades are shown to look darker to show different kinds of races in the art. It creates harmony just by the way the hands come about the spaceous blocks. The juxtaposition of the hands creates movement of being as one. The figure of the hands is chiaroscuro and the shaping is perfect.
The realism of this art brings out the sensory of the hands reaching out to find someone who is there. Some of the shades are shown to look darker to show different kinds of races in the art. It creates harmony just by the way the hands come about the spaceous blocks. The juxtaposition of the hands creates movement of being as one. The figure of the hands is chiaroscuro and the shaping is perfect.
"Why can't we all just get along? Why do we all have to judge about who we are and where we come from? Why can't we just stand as one instead of being apart and let people discriminate and tell us where we belong? That's what starts wars and fights! If one person does one thing to change the world to peace, others will realize they want it too. Just reach out and show others you are there for them! Regardless of what race you are. Reach out and show them that you care and want this world to be a peaceful, loving place. And that no one should be afraid anymore. Peace is now making its stand and will not back down! More and more people each day realize they are sick of fighting over stupid things and want to make a change. The more kind and caring people there are, the more of a chance that there will be peace one day. And it will bring more love and happiness in the world! <3>
Monday, February 4, 2008
I changed my mind
Now I actually changed my mind! It still has to do with happiness BUT it's going to be PEACE.LOVE.HAPPINESS! :)
Happiness
I decided to do happiness because it seems like it would be a fun topic to deal with. There are many ways to show happiness. And I'm a very happy person so I think that will help me with this portfolio. :)
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