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CPNN Administrator
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Posted: Feb. 05 2003,09:23 |
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In her article Dee describes how MAU headquarters is a kitchen table in an old house in Boulder, Colorado, where five mothers meet weekly to guide the organization in the midst of laughter and muffins. It makes me think how ideas often begin at the kitchen table.
Here is an idea sent in to CPNN by Doug Woodward, who calls it Waging Peace. What do people think of it?
In a country so fixed on violence - in our movies, TV, video games, news media, sports, and more - can the U.S. find another path to solving conflict other than crushing the other side just because it can? At the risk of being overly simplistic, I would like to plant a seed for thought.
If, instead of registering (that word may soon change to "drafting") our youth to "fight" for their country, suppose we registered them to "make peace" for our country instead?
If every young person - sometime between age 18 and 25 were required to spend six months in a country that was considered "unfriendly", or "cool" toward the U.S., living, not isolated in a hotel or American enclave, but living with a family of ordinary means, sharing tasks of their daily life, eating meals with them, learning their language - being there primarily to understand rather than help - what would this mean? First, the countries visited would need to reciprocate by sending their own youth to the U.S. and other countries. Second, the youth involved would include everyone, particularly the sons and daughters of each country's highest leaders.
What about the cost? A small fraction of our military budget could pay for such a "friendship" program, with far more effect than all the weapons that now exist.
What dividends could such a "human investment" provide? Consider this. How easy would it be, if you were the one who called the shots, to unleash death and destruction on the people of any nation if your own children were living there? Then, in a more positive sense, can you imagine the change in feelings toward a formerly little known country by those returning with their new personal friendships? We are all neighbors now. It's time to know each other.
Edited by CPNN Administrator on Feb. 05 2003,09:27
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