Shaping Our Nation's Conscience

A Collection of voices of those who long to see our nations great destiny fulfilled as a lightbearer to the rest of the world, leading us away from the darkness of greed, deception, abuse of power and exploitation of the weak and into the light that illumines respect for the sacredness of life and of all human and sentient beings, respect of the planet and all forms of life.
In their own words we shall learn the responsibility that is attached to the greatness of our nation.                      

From Hitler to Bush - Reply from the editor of La República del Uruguay to the US ambassador there, Martin Silverstein, who complained about the comparisons the newspaper had drawn between Hitler and Bush
The Torturer-in-Chief  By Marjorie Cohn  - a  t r u t h o u t | Perspective

Two Worlds  by Richard South - a truly challenging, soul-searching invitation for the whole nation.

Statement By United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society : Jim Winkler, secretary of the general board says amongst other things, “President Bush and Vice President Chaney are members of our denomination. Our silence now could be interpreted as a tacit approval of war….” “The path upon the presidency to embark is counter to the teachings of Jesus, inconsistent with the position of the UMC, and is one that threatens the rule of law as a fundamental principle of democracy….”   A very courageous and clear-minded statement
A New Vision for America   by Carol Bragg - a reminder of where the true strength of America lies; an outspoken strong message but full of hope and inspiration.
Letter to the President from Nobel Prize Winner, Rigoberta Menchu Tum  Ms. Tum tells President Bush that he has no right to take away the freedom of people to dissent and place them as targets if they don't agree with his policy.
Letter from Eight Nobel Prize Winners - A call for justice not vengeance.
The Theater of Good and Evil by Eduardo Galeano, a well-documented review of foreign policy issues leading to the present crisis.
The Deeper Wound by Deepak Chopra  candid sharing of his personal experience invites us to face the root cause of all this shared suffering.
As Long As There is Poverty  response of James Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank, in which he sums up the above perspectives and backs them up with sound statistical information
What is Terrorism by Victor (Vyasa) Landa - A question we should all try to answer.  is it being used as a scare tool to foster more violence and innocent children bombed by powerful nations living in terror?  
Terrorism - The Cure   by Leonard Orr  spiritual and psychological overtones in search for a solution.
Terrorism and Non-Violence by Arun Gandhi  an objective approach to our responsibility as a nation.
Response of Pope John Paul II  Highlights urgent ethical issues raised by the division between those who benefit from the globalization of the world economy and those who are excluded from these benefits.
The Statement of US Representative Barbara Lee  opposing the war.
When Diplomacy Was First by Victor (Vyasa) Landa  contrasting peace and abundance with war and destruction.
What Should We do Now by John Robbins A very human analysis on how to respond
Letter to the School of Life Members  by Victor (Vyasa) Landa  using our hearts and minds to respond as human beings

Mahatma Gandhi

Lord, help me to say the truth in front of the strong and not to say lies to win the applause of the weak.

If you give me fortune don’t take away my reason.  If you give me success, don’t take away from me humility.  If you give me humility don’t take dignity away from me

Help me to always see the other side of the coin.  Don’t allow me to accuse others of treason because they don’t think the same way I do

Teach me to love people as I love myself and not to judge myself as I judge others.  Don’t let me be proud of myself if I am successful, nor despair if I fail.

Rather remind me that failure is the experience that leads to success.  Teach me that forgiving is a sign of greatness and that revenge is a sign of lowliness

I f you take away success from me give me strength to learn from failure.  Should I offend people give me courage to ask for forgiveness.  And if people offend me give me the courage to forgive.  

Lord, if I forget thee never forget me. 

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