Israel VS Iran: It IS Your Business!

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman

Yesterday, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman dismissed warnings by the United States government not to attack Iran, saying "[It] is not their business."

Well, he's 100% wrong! And here's why:

It is the business of the United States whether Israel attacks Iran or not. Israel wouldn't exist if it weren't for the United States. The United States has consistently protected Israel through its position on the UN Security Council. The United States has given billions, if not trillions, in foreign aid, training and weaponry to the country of Israel. The very weapons Israel would use to start a conflict were provided by the United States and paid for by American citizens.

Ultimately, whether Israel attacks Iran is the business of not just the United States but every person on this planet. Because everyone is affected by these wars. A war against Iran is potentially so destabilizing to the region, it contains the possibility of plunging the entire globe into a new World War. It wouldn't stop at being a conflict between Israel and Iran. It would immediately and automatically involve the United States. Our business. Russian and China would undoubtedly come to the defense of Iran, as would the entire Arab World. Their business.

The U.S. doesn't have the wherewithal to successfully undertake a war in ONE country. How would we defend ourselves against invasion by China and Russia? How would we defend Israel against concerted attacks by multiple Arab countries?

It's impossible...and to talk of it is irresponsible.

Thankfully, it's all hot air. No sane human leader would truly undertake such an unwinnable endeavor. Plus, our offworld friends have indicated they won't allow it.

What's my point? Well, other than to suggest you not allow yourself to become afraid at this possiblity, I'd encourage you to examine the relationship between the United States and Israel and ask yourself if it's worth our while as a country to continue such unconditional support for a nation whose government is filled with blathering idiots like Lieberman and Netanyahu.

I think we could send a clear message that the United States is interested in peace by publicly excoriating the Israelis for their saber-rattling language. But then, our own politicians engage in it as well.

This is where everyday Americans can band together and speak out. Occupy the message.

Why Fighting for Peace is Impossible

Peace and prosperity can never be achieved by fighting and wars that crush and dispossess, because even the winners live in fear – fear that the defeated will eventually rise against them. Consequently, they spend both their time and their resources on strengthening their defenses, and joy and happiness totally elude them.

~Saul

To someone like me, the message above is an undeniable truth.  But when I posted the quote on my Facebook wall it garnered a couple detractors, to my surprise.  I initially attempted to respond using my mobile, but even with a qwerty I just can't type fast enough.  So I decided I would wait until I could use an actual keyboard and determined I had enough to say to warrant a blog post.  And now that I've had a chance to really ponder my response, I've decided to do so in two separate posts.  Part I will cover why I believe natural and universal laws make fighting for peace impossible.  In Part II I'll examine what I believe is a misperception about human nature. 

The first argument against Saul's position was as follows:

I have a beef here. It's actually a recurring theme of discussion in my house. Does peace not sometimes have to be created by force? At what point do we have a moral obligation to enforce peace? Flowers don't stop genocides.

The next friend to comment didn't dispute the quote by Saul, but expressed a pessimism about humanity's ability to achieve real peace:

Peace cannot be enforced, that defeats the purpose.
Unfortunately, I believe we're inherently selfish, selfishness breeds greed, which is in its very nature evil...

I agree with my second friend; peace cannot be enforced. We cannot fight for peace. Peace is the only path there is to peace. All other paths are doomed to fail eventually. 

Let's look again at Friend 1's question, "Does peace not sometimes have to be created by force?" The answer is no. Friend 2 is correct, peace cannot be enforced. It's not truly peace.  Peace must be chosen. Now, we could assist others in fighting for freedom and might successfully stop a genocide, but it will not result in lasting peace.

Newton's Third Law
Why is this?  Because of natural law.  Specifically, Newton's Third Law.  Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.  Like begets like.  Hatred inspires hatred.  Violence leads to more violence.  Therefor, a violent action undertaken for the purpose of creating peace will fail.  It may end violence temporarily, but it will instill a desire for retaliation that will simmer and smolder until it is expressed.  In the mean time, that smoldering might ignite an even deadlier fire if it comes into contact with the right sort of fuel.

Some might argue that this is a law of physics and doesn't apply to anything other than a direct materially physical situation.  I disagree.  As above, so below.  This isn't some quaint Hermetic platitude, it's a key to understanding the true fractal and holographic nature of all reality, not just the relatively minuscule portion of the spectrum we humans can perceive through our limited senses.  Extrapolated to our hypothetical use of violence to quash violence, we realize that while we may successfully stop Entity A from victimizing Entity B, we inspire Entity A to inflict future violence upon ourselves (Entity C?).  If you don't align with the term karma, perhaps you'll prefer "blow back".  Either way, it's a ticking time bomb that will find expression in physical reality.


The Law of One
All is One.  The Law is One.  I AM One.

As above, so below.

The Law of One, simply stated, is that all things are one.  All things are connected; separation is an illusion.  All perceivable individual "things" are microcosms of the macrocosm; fractals.  As above, so below!  All true natural laws are nothing more than expressions of the Law of One.  Newton's Third Law above is no exception.  Every action has an equal and opposite reaction because it's pushing on itself - or more accurately, within itself.

Ultimately, this means there is no true separation between you and anyone else.  You're simply fractals of the One interacting.  Now, because You are One and because there is no true separation, when you commit a violent act upon another - any other - you're actually just harming yourself.

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

~Jesus, Matthew 25:40

The quote above is but one biblical example where Yeshua expressed the Law of One . Growing up a "Christian", I was taught that this passage meant whatever you do to another, you do to Jesus...or God. Well, if Jesus can be accessed and acted upon through interaction with anyone...you get where I'm going. This was a thinly-veiled explanation of the Law of One. Incidentally, Jesus expressed the Law of One in other instances (Do you not know that ye are gods? That which I do, you can do; and greater things you will do)- but don't let an evangelical find out I told you there's no difference between you and God. The impossibility of God being separate from God or condemning Godself kinda turns the hellfire and damnation thing on its head for them. And they do not like that; it's hard to control folks unless you can scare them. But I digress...

So hopefully now you have a basic comprehension of why use of force to achieve any goal is ill-advised and counterproductive. In all instances. Logic then leads us to realize Free Will is paramount and must be allowed at all times. Outcomes must be chosen, not forced.

The Solution!
And in Free Will lies the solution to our conundrum.  We cannot force an end to genocide.  We cannot enforce peace.  It must be chosen.  And choosing peace is what our hypothetical despot will invariably do once he is convinced of the underlying truth behind the Law of One.  That is our work.  We cannot force him to be peaceful, but we can patiently and gently convince him he's only harming himself.  Thusly persuaded, he will choose peace of his own free will.

And then, my friends, there will be peace.  True peace.  Lasting peace.  No vendetta.  No unfinished business.  No score to settle.  Just peace, and a world leader working toward not just the good of their own populace but the good of all.

Once upon a time there was a man named Malcolm Little.  Malcolm didn't have a very pleasant early life.  He belonged to a race of people who held a minority power position in their home country and were treated horribly by the majority race.  This made Malcolm angry.  He changed his name to Malcolm X and began to preach a need for violent uprising to force change for his people.  That's the Malcolm X most people remember.  That's the hateful man kids are taught about in school to this day.  But that's not the man Malcolm Little was when he was brutally assassinated.

I'm for truth, no matter who tells it.  I'm for justice, no matter who it's for or against.  I'm a human being first and foremost, and as such I am for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole."

Do those sound like the words of a hate-filled killer?  No.  Why?  Well, if you read his autobiography you'll learn not just the experiences that brought him to voice the things he's best remembered for saying, you'll also learn about his spiritual haj to Mecca and how it changed him to the very core of his being.  By the time he left Saudi Arabia, he loved all races and "humanity as a whole."  He understood the Law of One.  It was the danger of him helping other Americans to understand this Truth that actually got him murdered.

This is our next evolution. The human species on Earth will eventually grasp this truth and change their actions accordingly.  This is my firm belief, and I think we're slowly witnessing this evolution in our own lifetimes.  Humanity is turning away from war.  I believe our children will see the day when there's not a single armed conflict upon the Earth.  Incidentally, I believe we'll see it ourselves.  Swords into plowshares, my sisters and brothers.  Whatever benefits humanity as a whole...benefits you most of all.

Fighting for peace is impossible, because We are One.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.

~MLK

Charlie Chaplin has words for you

Israel's Losing Gambit

Ol' Bibi is on the ropes, and I'm betting it surprises the HELL out of him!  The U.S., unable to keep its own economy running, might start cutting aid to Israeli militant groups.  Israel really screwed up recently by killing three Egyptian border guards.  Egypt is pissed.  I don't think you want to piss off the NEW Egypt, Mr. NetanYahoo!  We, the world, LOVE the new Egypt.  They're our symbol of the Earthling Spring (coming soon to a country near you).  It's kinda like going on children's television and shooting Barney in the head. 

While thousands of Israelis protest their own government 24/7, it looks like Israel is blowing new "conflict" with Gaza out of proportion to distract the public and give them an excuse to get young people off the street - possibly by going to war.  But that gambit isn't working.  If you ask regular humans across the planet, Gaza has good reason to fight Israel, considering their years-long illegal blockade keeping food, medicine, and construction materials out of the hands of the suffering masses there.  Israel has made any sort of economy in Gaza virtually impossible.  What do you THINK is going to happen? 

Meanwhile, Hamas is publicly abandoning war with Israel. Even as Israel steps up their policy of tearing down Palestinian homes and building Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory.  Now, Hamas chooses peace while Israel tries as hard as ever to foment a war so they can force their own protesting youth to fight.  Looks like one side finally grew up and figured out you can never win a war.  Any war.  You can only have peace by choosing peace.  I'm not surprised it wasn't Israel.  Without a militant Palestinian state, what excuse will they have to continue their holocaust against Palestine and permit them to have their own country?  Here's hoping Hamas upholds that peace even in the face of continued murder and humiliation by Israel. 

If they can, let me tell you how this ends:  With Israel looking like the bad guys they are, and a peaceful Palestine finally freed from Israel's grip - free to live a dignified life and contribute peacefully to the planet. 

The Peace Daily

Planet Earth is in a bad mood, with good reason. There's quite a bit to feel negatively about, if you would choose to do so. Wars, hunger, thirst, disease, corruption, poverty, etc.

But I believe there's another way to look at the world. There is hope for humanity, and it comes in the form of choosing a new way of being, together.

I will endeavor to keep all news in this paper positive. You're already inundated with the need for peace. So here's the other side of that. Here's peace itself.

Namaste, sisters and brothers. A new day dawns. Believe it.

American Spring

The term Arab Spring has been applied to the popular uprisings in the Middle East and northern Africa. Many of us believe these revolutions are only the beginning of what will eventually be a planet-wide phenomenon. Already, similar revolts have surfaced in Greece and Spain.

Peaceful protestor Adam Kokesh forcibly
arrested for silently dancing in the
Jefferson Memorial

It's only a matter of time before The People start demonstrating in droves in the good ol' U.S. of A.

We want electoral reform that allows The People to choose from real candidates, not just the ones corporations have paid to place on the ballot.

We want real individual liberty of every kind that doesn't infringe on or harm another. Yes, this includes legalizing drugs and gay marriage! 

We want real peace, and because we realize we can't fight for peace we want an end to all military actions everywhere by the United States military industrial complex. No more will we allow them to kill our sisters and brothers using our tax money. We will remind them that it is OUR money, and they serve US.  It's been the other way around for far too long, and we will not stand for it any longer! 

We want real financial reform, a currency backed by more than thin air, and an end to the predatory practices of banks and corporations.

These are only a handful of the changes We, The People will be demanding soon.  This isn't about right vs. left.  This isn't about rich vs. poor.  This isn't about us vs. them.  It's not about separation in any form.  Indeed, we will come to recognize the power we have in collecting ourselves into a unity of purpose.  We won't need or desire violence to get our point across.  The numbers in solidarity will say what we need to say.  Join us for the American Spring!

I've started an online paper for The American Spring.  Click below to follow or make contributions.

Jerrold Nadler: Hero of the Day

It's not often a politician is willing to say anything that doesn't toe the party line, regardless of party.  I just ready the following quote from New York Democrat Jerrold Nadler on The Raw Story:

When you’re dealing with war and peace you can’t think of it in those terms. People are dying. The security of our country, the honor of our country, the lives of our men and women, the lives of foreign men and women – are at stake. And that’s a lot more important, frankly, than partisan advantage.

Anyone in government willing to speak the truth they feel in their heart and soul, especially when it comes to peace, is a rare individual.  Traitor to party?  How about compatriot to all of humanity?!  Bless you, Mr. Nadler.  Bless you.

Read full story

Survival of the Kindest

I often and repeatedly have debates over the essence of human nature with one or two close friends who (in my less-than-humble view) always err on the side of pessimism.  To be fair, I probably always err on the idealistic and overly optimistic side. 

Their view:  Humanity suffers the inherent flaw of selfishness.  Therefor, world peace will NEVER EVER IN A HUNDRED MILLION GAZILLION QUADRILLION YEARS be a reality.  My view?  Humanity can overcome it's selfish nature by realizing collectively the fundamental and spiritual truth that we aren't truly separate entities but are rather all little pieces of the same intelligence known to speakers of English as God. 

"Hi, I'm God."
"Hi, so am I."
"Yay!  Let's party!"

Want to find supporting material for my friends' world view?  Look...anywhere.  Pull up any news site.  Any.  Read headlines about corporations, entities designed to take from "them" to enhance the lives of "us".  Wars, where we kill "them" to secure security for "us".  At least in theory, although it could be argued that wars are undertaken so corporations could make money.  See corporations above. 

Basically, it all boils down to this:  If we could All just recognize this One Single Truth, that All IS One, then we would realize (REAL-IZE) that there is NO separation.  You cannot harm another without harming Self because there is NO "other".  There is only "I Am That I Am."  You cannot take from someone else because there is no one else to take from.  Conversely, it is impossible to help another without helping Self.  Jesus said, "Whatsoever you do unto the lest of these..." and "Do unto others as you would have done unto yourself." 

All this is just an incredibly unnecessarily long set up to the reason I started this blog entry in the first place.  There's a new book by author Dacher Keltner entitled "Born to Be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life".  It explains how my friends' view that, according to a review on feministing.com, "we are wired to pursue self-interest, to compete, and to be vigilant to the bad. Those tendencies make evolutionary sense, they are built into our genes and nervous systems. They are part of human nature, " while perceptibly true, is only half the story. 

The other half?  "Survival of the kindest". 

The proof?  "...Everything from our Cro-Magnum ancestors--who prove deeply dedicated to caretaking and collaboration--to contemporary physiology--so many health problems are associated with being isolated, indicating that close bonds are a foundation of basic human survival. Frans de Waal observed that our closest animal cousins--chimpanzees--become deeply distressed when they see other apes suffering. In Keltner's research of status hierarchies, which emerge shockingly fast even among children as young as two-year-old, it is those with emotional intelligence and empathy that inevitably become head honchos: 'Power goes to those who are socially engaged.'"

So there you have it.  Not only is it clear that Living as One is possible and beneficial to the whole, it's beneficial to the individual.  Also, it's just as much a part of our make up as a species as selfishness and competition.  One is based in fear of the other, the other is based in love of self. 

Humanity does sometimes choose the latter.  We do sometimes choose to act on our better nature.  And so, idealistic and optimistic as it is, it IS possible.

Ergo, so is world peace.

Feeling Oneness

Feeling oneness . . . is essential to make this world a better place. I believe that unless we have that sense of solidarity among the peoples of the world, all our efforts of peace and security will go nowhere.

Anwarul K. Chowdhury
U.N. Culture of Peace emissary
Former undersecretary-general and high representative of the United Nations
On receiving Oneness Day petition at U.N. headquarters May 20, 2010
Petition, delivered by Humanity's Team, was signed by more than 50,000 people from 168 countries


http://tinyurl.com/onenessdaypetition

Biraq Obama, One-Term President

I'm pretty sure Barack Obama has just ensured that he'll be a one-termer. Apparently he's forgotten that the groundswell of popular support that put him in office was largely because he promised a withdrawal from Iraq. Now, not only is the slow withdrawal he's actually undertaken a far cry from what The Candidate promised - but he's going to slow or halt that withdrawal.

I find myself eagerly awaiting 2011. It will be interesting to see the Democratic Party primary process. Will someone, a REAL progressive, a REAL peace candidate, stand up? Or will they bank it all on Barry?

Doesn't matter. Pretty sure I'll end up supporting as loudly as possible the candidate for the Green Party or any Independent who has the balls to stand up for peace and an end to corporatism.

Working on Blogger Theme

If you're one of the quadrillion people following my blog anonymously (prove me wrong), or the 3 who have the cajones to follow me publicly, you may have noticed some changes to the look of "Confessions...". You may also have noticed new elements, elements that don't work, etc.

Never fear, I'm on it. Or will be eventually. In the meantime, happy readings!

Peace,
TB

Bye, bye, Barack.

I was a huge supporter of Barack Obama once upon a time. I remember a February snow storm where we thousands crammed into schools and churches across Kansas to stand up and caucus for Hope and Change. I remember the rock concerts that were the acceptance speech and inauguration. Oprah wasn't the only one who cried tears of relief and joy. I was right there with her.

Then came the expansion of the war in Afghanistan - and by extension the expansion of the lie that is the War on Terror.

And then came Obama's practically nonexistent leadership on healthcare reform. Maybe he thought he was "leading" by allowing Congress to figure it out. The process got drawn out. Concession after capitulation was made to Republicans because for whatever reason Barack wanted this thing to be bipartisan, which it never would be. And even after all the gimme's, every last Republican said NO. So now we've got what we're getting, which isn't what the people wanted. Sure isn't even in the ballpark regarding what I personally want for this country's healthcare system. First big test: FAILED.

And ultimately, last week came the announcement from the Obama Administration that we'll be expanding oil drilling in coastal areas.

What. The. Fuck.

Can you say regression? George W. Obama? There is NOTHING more important than fighting climate change. For any country. We are all on one planet. We all breath the same atmosphere. America is the worst polluter by far, and it behooves us to turn back the dial yesterday on this thing...not perpetuate the system that brought us to the brink!

So, Barack Obama - I will support you insofar as you are President of the United States. I will support you insofar as you stand for anything I stand for. And when the next election comes around, I will vote for someone else. Someone who stands no chance of winning. But someone who reflects my ideals better than you, sir.

Furthermore, I cannot drive around with your name on my car. It clung on stubbornly, but yesterday I scratched and scraped the Obama bumper sticker with the peace sign for an 'O' right the fuck off my car! And replaced it with a fantastical campaign sticker for a team that will never happen except in my idealistic dreams.

Because that's the message I want to send people. My ideals. And the name of Barack Obama no longer reflects them.

BEFORE


AFTER

2010: Direct Action is Necessary for Change

"You may well ask: “Why direct action? Why sit-ins, marches and so forth?
Isn’t negotiation a better path?” You are quite right in calling, for negotiation. Indeed, this is the very purpose of direct action. Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue. It seeks so to dramatize the issue that it can no longer be ignored. My citing the creation of tension as part of the work of the nonviolent-resister may sound rather shocking. But I must confess that I am not afraid of the word “tension.” I have earnestly opposed violent tension, but there is a type of constructive, nonviolent tension which is necessary for growth. Just as Socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind so that individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half-truths to the unfettered realm of creative analysis and objective appraisal, we must we see the need for nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society that will help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to the majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood….I must make two honest confessions to you, my Christian and Jewish brothers. First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action”; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a “more convenient season.” Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection."

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

These words from King apply to all change; all quests for human justice. In the search for an end to war and lasting peace. In the hunt for truth and transparency from our government. In the crusade to provide all our brothers and sisters with the basic right of health care. In the mission to preserve the natural ecology of this planet for future generations. In the race to end industry's exploitation of the environment, government, and every man, woman and child for the purpose of squeezing every last cent possible for the benefit of the ridiculously few.

Simply replace the word "negro" in King's letter from jail in Birmingham with your name or the name of the person you love most in this world. Replace "Ku Klux Klanner" with the name of your favorite boogey man, be it Osama or Obama. Because ultimately, your boogey man is given the power to do the things you believe they are doing because so-called "moderates", perhaps yourself among them, are just sitting around.

Because you're more concerned about who will win this year's American Idol. Because things aren't great for you, but you're not uncomfortable enough to do anything to change them. That'd be too hard.

But if you're like me...if you're on the cusp of being just uncomfortable enough to actually speak out; actually organize with your brothers and sisters and publicly demonstrate; actually get out and vote for people who represent your wishes and actually call them to demand they do so. If you're like me, join me. I challenge you to quit your bitching and actually take to the streets. Rally, but do so nonviolently.

I can pretty much guarantee 2010 will find me holding a sign on a street corner. At least once.

So here's my one resolution for the year: Take DIRECT action to change the world for the better. For EVERYONE. Not one group of people. Not one country. All humans.

Who's with me? Anyone?

Conservative Values

While I'm serious about spending more time focusing on positive messages (because I believe we give power to anything we focus on, including things we're against), I couldn't resist a quick blog on something about modern conservatism that seems fairly obvious to me but is seemingly becoming apparent to conservatives themselves.

Without further ado, I give you Ed Brayton's reaction to a post by the conservative National Review. Please take care to notice the implied conclusion about conservative principles at the end.

(Thanks to my friend Scott Bradley who brings so many cool tidbits to my attention.)

Star Trek is Liberal Propaganda!
Posted on: December 28, 2009 9:16 AM, by Ed Brayton
This could easily also be a dumbass quote of the day, but since I already have several of those saved up we'll give it its own title. From a post by Mike Potemra at National Review Online:
Coincidentally, I have over the past couple of months been watching DVDs of Star Trek: The Next Generation, a show I missed completely in its run of 1987 to 1994; and I confess myself amazed that so many conservatives are fond of it. Its messages are unabashedly liberal ones of the early post-Cold War era - peace, tolerance, due process, progress (as opposed to skepticism about human perfectibility).
Wow, how....liberal those messages are. But if this conservative admits that peace, tolerance, due process and progress are "liberal messages" then doesn't that also mean that war, intolerance, arbitrary authoritarianism and regression are conservative messages? Nice to see that admitted to so openly.