New Civilization News: Memorial For America    
 Memorial For America8 comments
31 May 2004 @ 00:13, by Mark Smollin

Well, I don't post here often, yet I always want to believe that this community has more on the ball than those social clones who go through the motions of living without considering the consequences of those actions that nurture corporate culture. Along with the negative energy expended chasing a blind path to money, there are efforts being made to form a healthy consciousness. I write this melancholy note memory of fundamental principles that use to guide us to make good social and political decisions.

It seems we should give thanks for those who fought and died for our nationhood, but the more important thing to ponder, is how we can get out of the cycle of killing to solve a problem.

I have witnessed a few things lately that all illuminate the fact that most all of our systems of economics and government are broken, now failing to produce results that seemed so promising in the beginning. The America I was born into had some corruption, don't know why - it wasn't necessary, yet the lack of ethics in this time is striking.

The 'Arts' are in trouble and artisans are struggling unless they have corporate clients. It is harder than ever for an individual to succeed as a sole proprietorship. The music industry is failing. I have friends that are going into teaching art because they can't survive as freelancers.

I am saddened that only three of the Presidents of the past fifty years made an effort to place us on a course of healthy social change, the most recent being Jimmy Carter. In this election year there is much talk about taking back America without saying how that will be accomplished, or how we will forge a new form of living that is sustainable and joyful. Our heads are not together, We are selfish and ignorant that we are living on borrowed investment without making any new commitments to the future.

I am a hostage to the oil companies every time a fill my car with gas. Gee, how come I can’t buy a car that runs on vegetable products, alcohol, or something renewable, something we don't have to fight for to sustain an unhealthy standard of living?

Diversity in general is vanishing. Large companies are forcing little guys out of business and we are helping them do it. We must make a world that provides grand diversity and supports all the gifts that all people have to offer.

I fear these are some signs of worse times to come, wondering how bad things will get before we get off a dime and do something for the right reasons, considering the rate of inflation we better get off the buck!

Namasté > > > Mark


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8 comments

26 Aug 2008 @ 12:26 by martha : Happy Birthday Mark
May your day be filled with love and joy on this beautiful 26th day of August. Gifts abound if you open to the energy of connection and spirit.

Peace, Martha  



26 Aug 2008 @ 17:34 by rishi : Never mind the nonsense about birthdays
This is an excellent and insightful post. It reflects the kind of real caring which is necessary to change this illin' world for the better.

People expect politicians to "somehow" legislate the needed solutions for the errors of modern civlization. But the solutions are not really legislatable, which means there is no political remedy, making political parties basically irrelevant.

The REAL solution to the ills of the modern lie with the people, now and forever. Since our votes count for nothing, and this is not a democracy, the only "vote" that counts for anything is how you and I and every other individual lives their daily life.

It is a healthy lifestyle that "votes" with any effectiveness, due to the simple law of supply and demand. Healthy lives promote clean and progressive practices and industries.  



26 Aug 2008 @ 19:21 by martha : What do you know rishi
You have NO idea what my message means to Mark. It is never nonsense to celebrate one's arrival on earth. I do want to thank you rishi though for a fine example of old style thinking.
I'm sorry Mark that rishi feels it is necessary to attack me and denegrate my warm wishes to you on your birthday.

The reason Mark left NCN was because of such comments like Rishi makes. There is never a good reason to ridicule someone who wishes another well.  



26 Aug 2008 @ 21:32 by istvan : Martha, back only a few days ago and
already squabbling.
Do birthdays really matter in a world like this?

Home > Headlines
Published on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 by Reuters
UN Says Has Evidence Air Strikes Killed 90 Afghans, Including 60 Children

by Sayed Salahuddin

KABUL - The United Nations said on Tuesday it had found convincing evidence that 90 Afghan civilians, most of them children, were killed in air strikes by U.S.-led coalition forces in western Afghanistan last week.

[An Afghan woman who lost family members weeps after air strikes on Friday in Azizabad district of Shindand August 23, 2008. An UN investigation suggested that 60 children were killed in the airstrike.(REUTERS/Mohammad Shoiab)]An Afghan woman who lost family members weeps after air strikes on Friday in Azizabad district of Shindand August 23, 2008. An UN investigation suggested that 60 children were killed in the airstrike.(REUTERS/Mohammad Shoiab)
The issue of civilian casualties has driven a rift between the Afghan government and its NATO backers, with President Hamid Karzai saying earlier this month that air strikes had achieved nothing and had only succeeded in killing ordinary Afghans.

"Investigations by UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) found convincing evidence, based on the testimony of eyewitnesses, and others, that some 90 civilians were killed, including 60 children, 15 women and 15 men," U.N. Special Envoy to Afghanistan Kai Eide said in a statement.

The U.S. military has launched an investigation into the incident, after first saying it was unaware of any civilian casualties in what it said was an air strike on a known Taliban commander that killed 30 militants.

The Afghan government on Monday ordered the review of operations by foreign forces amid mounting discontent over civilian casualties nearly seven years after U.S.-led forces toppled the Taliban, the presidential spokesman said.

The order foresees a set of laws to be drafted in consultation with foreign forces and then approved by the Afghan parliament, Humayun Hamidzada told a regular press briefing.

"STATUS OF FORCE AGREEMENT"

It says the presence of the international community in Afghanistan must be reviewed through mutual agreement and reiterates previous government demands on banning air strikes on civilian targets, un-coordinated house searches and the illegal detention of Afghan civilians.

"The authorities and responsibilities of the international forces in Afghanistan must be regulated through a 'status of force agreement' consistent with both international and Afghan laws," the order says.

Hamidzada did not have a figure for civilian killed in foreign military operations. But he said: "The patience of the Afghan people has ran out. We no longer can afford to see the killing of our children."

UNAMA said it sent its human rights team to the Shindand area to investigate the latest incident, meeting local officials, elders and villagers.

Afghan and foreign soldiers entered the village of Nawabad in Shindand around midnight on August 21. Operations lasted several hours and air strikes were called in, the villagers told UNAMA.

"The destruction from aerial bombardment was clearly evident with some 7-8 houses having been totally destroyed and serious damage to many others," the U.N. statement said.

"Local residents were able to confirm the number of casualties, including names, age and gender of the victims.

"This is matter of grave concern to the United Nations, I have repeatedly made clear that the safety and welfare of civilians must be considered above all else during the planning and conduct of all military operations," Eide said.

Writing by Jon Hemming; Editing by Alex Richardson


© 2008 Reuters

 



26 Aug 2008 @ 21:58 by ursula : Yes
Every occasion to bring and celebrate joy and love into our lives matters more than you know. Happy birthday, Mark.

To quote from NCN's front page -
Great spirits often encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds. (Einstein)  



26 Aug 2008 @ 22:53 by martha : Love's connection is never broken
26 Aug 2008 @ 21:32 by istvan : Martha, back only a few days ago and
already squabbling.

26 Aug 2008 @ 17:34 by rishi : Never mind the nonsense about birthdays

It confuses me and I don't really understand. I wish only love and light to a man I love and yet both of you accuse me of nonsense and squabbling. I feel great sorrow and empathy for both of you.

I also find it interesting that Mark posted the above two years ago and all of a sudden both of you choose to comment.

I'm truly sorry Mark that this is happening on your log. I will say no more on the matter.  



27 Aug 2008 @ 17:31 by rishi : Posturing vs relevance
Martha...

Are you "too confused" to understand the simple fact that the author of the post that started this thread has something important to say, which you totally ignored?

I don't like to see subjects of sweeping relevance, stated in an intelligent fashion with obvious focus upon change for the better, brought down, yet again, to the level of crass sentimentality which means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

Why don't you try really answering the post with intelligent commentary, something that actually contributes to the subject matter...or is that too "confusing" to understand?  



27 Aug 2008 @ 18:08 by a-d : Here is one
person's opinion and indeed efforts in healing the wounds of (continued) War/ring
[http://www.yesmagazine.org/article.asp?id=2662]  



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24 Dec 2008 @ 23:52: Christmas Greetings
29 May 2008 @ 14:56: Cosmic Glue Part 3
20 Mar 2008 @ 10:13: Barack Obama: Rock Church, Rock
20 Oct 2007 @ 19:44: ANOTHER KIND OF EPIDEMIC... as dangerous as any!
21 Jul 2006 @ 01:52: All that Glitters is not of Gold
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17 Apr 2006 @ 13:03: Time Travelor John Titor
25 Feb 2006 @ 14:14: GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOOD



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