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Mike
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Future Without Terrorism
December 11, 2002 - 11:05 AM
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Tomorrow’s leaders opposed to war
Decisions made today will effect the decisions we will need to make tomorrow.
Today, global leaders are faced with a decision of whether they should declare war as a mechanism for eradicating the imminent threat of terrorism, which is at the forefront of global concern at this present time.
In our increasingly globalised society, it is imperative that decisions facilitate peace between global neighbours, and it is crucial that these decisions are in the best interests of all of humanity.
War will inevitably result in the death of innocent people around the world, from all regions, religions, socio-economic backgrounds, and political ideologies. War has always resulted in a deepening of resentment long after the conflict is over, and it will not be any different this time. Like the pain of a memory a mother has of a child long buried, a nations collective consciousness does not mend over time.
Our concern is that we, the next generation, will be faced with a September 11, 2051, and that war will inhibit our ability to fulfil our vision for a more peaceful future. A vision where, not long from now, discrimination, hatred, and war, exists only in history books.
Wealthy countries have the intellectual, economic, and political resources to choose a more peaceful option for combating terrorism.
We demand that, as young people and as inhabitants of this planet, our leaders act in a manner that reflects a respect for the right of people to live. We demand that violence is not once again used as a tool for political change. We have all seen the cost of such methods. A cost measured in blood and tears, reflected in the pain and the suffering of people who have experienced first-hand the brutality of war.
We demand that violence and war come to an end in this 21st Century. We acknowledge that terrorism is a problem, but like any problem it has its origins. We recognise that the root of this problem is imbued with complexity, and demand that governments adopt management options that reflect integrity, understanding and non-violence, to set an example through benchmarking sustainable strategies for dealing with conflicts affecting international security. The dire circumstances of many people in this world fuels the fear that has driven fundamentalism. It is true that in this, the 21st century, too many people in the world live in circumstances where fear is an integral part of every day life.
We demand that instead of violence and war and suppression and murder, that the leaders of the world address the root causes of Terrorism by addressing such issues as the alleviation of the fears of those who live in circumstances hardly ideal. We demand that governments of wealthier countries undertake actions to acquire comprehensive understanding as to what fuels the manifestation of terrorist networks, with the aim to use this understanding in developing strategies for addressing the root causes of terrorist actions. Recognising that a more proactive response to terrorism is less likely to fuel further terrorist attacks in the future.
We the young people, in loud voice, ask for hatred and fear to be suppressed rather than manifestd through the policy of governments throughout the world.
We can no longer ignore the condition of people in other places in the world. We insist that non-violence becomes the weapon of our leaders, that utopia becomes the goal of all, and that a war as unsustainable as any which preceded never eventuates.
Peace is not an option. It is the destiny of the planet, so long as we learn to live as one world, and as one humankind.
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What are your thoughts on this?
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Pred & Cara Holcombe.
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Simon Moss
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Re: Future Without Terrorism
December 12, 2002 - 03:15 AM
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Nice guys, I think you've just about got it right. Only concern I'd have is that people in my experience like petition declarations to be concise; they may want to sign, but want to read everything carefully first. Perhaps you guys could cut it down a little; it might get more people signing.
You'd have my signature
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Mike
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fair enough . . .
December 12, 2002 - 03:25 AM
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Thanks Mossy. Cara and I really want to hear everyones thoughts on this.
Would it be different if the petition was done over the internet (since ours will be) - do you think people would be reading into it more in their own time on their computer?
Thanks for letting us know your thoughts.
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Pred.
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Lewis Best
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I agree...
December 12, 2002 - 04:16 AM
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Hey Pred,
I agree with mossy, it needs to be cut down a bit. Even though it will be done over the internet, people like to be quick and fast. But it's great. You have my signature as well.
Besty
PS Any way I can help?
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Mike
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Bono . . .
December 12, 2002 - 07:43 AM
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Well, you could always help me cut it down!
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Paulinenjoy
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Petitions work
December 12, 2002 - 08:26 AM
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The best way to get the word out about an issue is word of mouth.... and making people sign, makes them accountable.
It's like having a moment for people who wish to change their lives to see how to begin, and what areas they are lacking.
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Martin Kuplens-Ewart
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Don't cut it down.
December 12, 2002 - 10:10 AM
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Don't cut it down.
What you have there is an excellent summary of the situation, and an excellent summary of a recommendation for change.
Let me look at the text a bit more, perhaps it can flow/swing better, but it really does:
a) look great
b) summarise what i feel on the issue. 
-m
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Mike
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Re: Future Without Terrorism
December 13, 2002 - 06:42 AM
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Martin -
I remember now that you wrote that update a while ago on sending a message to world leaders (particularly President Shrub). I'd just like to say it'd be great to have your input. My part of the idea for the petition came from that post directly.
I think Cara got her idea out of just being sheerly frustrated and concerned.
Does anyone else think it should stay the same length?
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Pred.
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Simon Moss
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pred - here's my edit
December 13, 2002 - 07:51 AM
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Today, global leaders are faced with the decision of whether they should declare war as a mechanism for eradicating the imminent threat of terrorism, which is at the forefront of global concern at this present time.
In our increasingly globalised society, it is imperative that decisions facilitate peace and understanding between global neighbours, and it is crucial that these decisions are in the best interests of all of humanity.
War will inevitably result in the death and suffering of innocent people around the world, from all regions, religions, socio-economic backgrounds, and political ideologies. As a mother’s painful memories of burying her child do not diminish with time, neither do the resentment and mistrust that scar a nation’s consciousness following war.
Our concern is that war now could leave us, the next generation, with the prospect of September 11, 2051.
We instead envisage a more peaceful future. A vision where, not long from now, discrimination, hatred, and war, exists only in history books. We have the intellectual, economic, and political resources to choose a more peaceful option for combating terrorism, and we, as young people and as inhabitants of this planet, demand that our leaders take the path of peace.
We acknowledge that terrorism is a problem, but like any problem it has its origins. We recognise that the root of this problem is imbued with complexity, and we demand that our leaders battle terrorism with integrity, understanding and non-violence.
We demand that instead of resorting to violence, war, oppression and murder, the leaders of the world must address the root causes of Terrorism by alleviating the poverty, ignorance and fear driving fundamentalisms of all sorts. Only with such proactive responses can the possibility of further terrorist attacks truly be diminished.
We the young people, in loud voice, ask for hatred and fear to be suppressed rather than manifested through the policy of governments throughout the world. We demand that violence is not once again used as a tool for political gain.
Peace is not an option. It is the destiny of the planet, so long as we learn to live as one world, and as one humankind.
The decisions made today will effect the decisions we will need to make tomorrow
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Paulinenjoy
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Terrorism - a future?
December 17, 2002 - 05:56 AM
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The action that happened on September 11, were undeniably evil-intended. But, there are a lot of post-trauma issues that are going to be preventable in suttle ways. There are lies perpetuated through hatred and through the stereotypes that glorify people who have cause these atrocities. They are not aware that the truth shall be undeniable, and their empires are individualistic constructions of disgust, destruction, and pure killing for the sake of killing.
People who are downplaying this issue and saying that the real cause of it doesn't lie in the hate for our country, but something that they personally want to achieve as born-to-be killers is impossible to address. Those people need to really step back from their everyday struggle and thinking that we aren't born in North America with a back pack of privelage, and realize the root causes that we sit back and watch from our balcony's, and think nothing of. The power lies within our money, our army, our government, and that's going to anger a lof of people.
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Mike
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Well . . .
December 17, 2002 - 09:57 AM
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Well Id sure like to hear what the Center for Strategic International Studies has to say on that . . .
I totally disagree that putting our foot down against a Despot like Saddam or against irrational psychopaths (not that there are ever rational ones) can ever really solve the problem if it calls for us to rid the world of them through violence.
Getting rid of Saddam is easy. Kill him. Getting rid of Bin Laden is moderately easy - find him and kill him.
But do you really think that solves anything? Think hard, dont you think with Saddam removed there will still be other despots in the world?
My mother tried to convince me that in this world there are those who are pure evil. But I couldn't accept that idea, since it would imply there are people who are purely good. Each of us, whether tyrant or pacifist, have imperfections in ourselves as much as our beliefs are imperfect. Im not claiming to believe Hussein or Bin Laden is going to see the good in the world and suddenly stop murdering people - it is too late for them now, but i do believe we can stop the future Saddam's and the future Bin Laden's from every consolidating their ideas into movements against humanity. all we need to do, is show the Saddams and Bin Laden's of today our strength in peace instead of our ability to destroy whole cities.
We must be careful what we step on, since when the blood washes away from our feet we dont want it drying on the dust for future generations to see.
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Pred.
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j
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and this is how it goes.....
December 18, 2002 - 07:12 AM
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"....I don't give a shit about the ethics of it,...." interesting yet revealing sentiment - I wonder if the issue here is about giving exactly that and acting accordingly? But assume for a moment that we don't offer our faeces to the morality fairy but rather take another path....
Anti Terror 101:
UNIT 1
How to get rid of perpertrators of acts of 'terror'. (formerly known as "Mates in Bali Safety Process"
1. Kill all the psychopaths in each society, start with the jailed ones and give police/militia the right to finish the others off in the field, then
2. In case it's genetic, knock off their children as well.
3. To be on the safe side lock up all associates or folks deemed likely to be sympathetic to the above mentioned group, eventually get rid of them too. 4. Establish which minority groups pose a threat by their association or past history with all aforementioned groups (begin with likely racial or political sectors) and eliminate them via the jail then .... process
5. Just for good measure (well we are 'cleansing the human race') disallow anyone with servere genetic disorders or known mental illness to breed
6. Introduce methodical euthenasia for those deemed mentally ill and........
Hmmmmm I've heard a process like this before....
Goering wasn't it? The propaganda machine working overtime regards threats from within - processes starting and the agenda far more complex than the general public was able to understand, all well before any war broke out... and initially the efforts of the 'new' German leadership was applauded internally and from outside...
They say evil begets evil....
Trace back in history the brutality is form within and without - it has always been there! Don't even go far afield.... There have been bombs in Russell St (Melbourne) and at CHOGM in the 70s and 80s... assassinations and lone gunmen proving some obscure point. Oh.... and a certain Rainbow Warrior was sunk in the NZ harbour *by France* a while back, killing a personal acquaintance - a photogapher. This was an act of terror....
The capacity for cruelty, malice, revenge, and murder is built in to the human race - we are after all the most successful and aggressive species the planet has ever seen. Changing this may be an impossible task but demonstrating another way to a solution by education may be a tiny step in the right direction - even if it only gives a sense satisfaction to the demonstrators.
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Michael Newton-McLaughlin
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Responding to Mikef
December 18, 2002 - 10:12 AM
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I'd be more than happy to debate your ideas on these boards...as 'war and peace' is one of my majors and I've done quite a bit of research, lectures, protests and contemplating on the subject... but first I'd like to throw three quotes in your direction and have you analyze them. Then tell the global community that we should just 'kill the bastards.'
"I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become reality. I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word."
"Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. It is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all. It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding; it seeks to annihilate rather than to convert. Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love."
"One cannot shake hands with a closed fist."
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Mike
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yet another post on MikeF
December 19, 2002 - 03:00 AM
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The irony is, many of us *bleeding hearts* are filled with hate. Our minds have been tortured with images of suffering and despair. So much so that in the last century there developed an entire movement of young and old people alike who felt it was their calling to overthrow the establishment. An establishment where, through ignorance and inhumanity, thousands of people around the world suffered. Their movement is making way for a new one, one where we embrace our neighbour instead of giving them another reason to be wary of our influence and for us to be wary of theirs.
Some of you may remember sitting in front of your television in the hours following the attack (because thats what it was) on September 11 and wondering whether things will ever be the same.
I sure hope they wont be.
Why cant we utilise our own hatred and sadness and channel it for good? Why cant we forge a new world out of the ruins of the twin towers? Why do we have to answer the threat of this decade with the solution for last century? Why do we have to make our brothers and sisters cry out in despair to feel safe working in skyscrapers and when we go to public monuments?
I can give you a real sense of 'peace of mind'. All you need to do is give me your hand.
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Pred.
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Mike
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Re: Future Without Terrorism
January 10, 2003 - 09:47 AM
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I think the logistical requirements of making it an offline petition would be quite the challenge, and giving it to leaders of more than one country would require photocopying peoples signatures. So long as we take safeguards against people signing it twice, it will be as legitimate as any other.
I dont believe this petition alone will stop war. But I do believe that it can add weight to the cause of non-violence.
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Pred.
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