Middle East in Another Transition--to What?

Just some brief thoughts here, as there are certainly more informed people trying to guide and shape the chaos in the Middle East. Is there any more troubled area on Earth? Possibly some areas of Africa, but it seems that the suffering never ends in the Middle East.

So we have another conflagration between the Palestinians and Israel. But in my humble and limited opinion, this one seems particularly lopsided. Yes, Hamas was firing rockets at Israel. If I were living in one of those targeted towns Israeli towns, that would disturb me. But did any Israelis die? If so, I can't find any info on that. Despite the low (or nonexistent) death toll, Israel responds with force out of proportion to the crime. For 10 or so days now, they have bombarded Gaza--killing more than 500 people by some counts.

More than 500 people and many of those civilians! And how many Israelis have died? 4--that's all I can find. This makes no sense. Sure, Israelis have a right to defend themselves. But the Palestinians have a right to live. And will killing 500 Palestinians bring an end to this neverending conflict? Come on--it's only going to make the Palestinians more bitter against Israel and strengthen the position of its enemies. There's blame to go around on all sides, but this tactic by Israel isn't going to stop the killing. It might enter a new phase, perhaps. We might see new developments in a situation that seems to have been stuck--but an end? Not even close.

On a bit brighter note, the U.S. occupation of Iraq is slowly coming to end. On January 1, the U.S. began transferring security of the 4-square-mile area to the Iraqis. The U.S. flag was also lowered from Saddam Hussein's former palace and replaced with the Iraqi flag for the first time since 2003. As 2009 progresses, more buildings within the Green Zone will transfer to Iraqi control and use as U.S. personnel move elsewhere.

I maintain that our occupation of Iraq was a huge mistake and completely unnecessary. But at least things are coming to an end of sorts. All foreign troops are supposed to exit Iraq by 2011, with some remaining in an advisory role (whatever that means). So Iraq is in a transition, one that I hope will usher in some form of peace for this country and the wider region.

Call me crazy and deluded, but I keep hoping for peace.

Middle East in Another Transition--to What?

Just some brief thoughts here, as there are certainly more informed people trying to guide and shape the chaos in the Middle East. Is there any more troubled area on Earth? Possibly some areas of Africa, but it seems that the suffering never ends in the Middle East.

So we have another conflagration between the Palestinians and Israel. But in my humble and limited opinion, this one seems particularly lopsided. Yes, Hamas was firing rockets at Israel. If I were living in one of those targeted towns Israeli towns, that would disturb me. But did any Israelis die? If so, I can't find any info on that. Despite the low (or nonexistent) death toll, Israel responds with force out of proportion to the crime. For 10 or so days now, they have bombarded Gaza--killing more than 500 people by some counts.

More than 500 people and many of those civilians! And how many Israelis have died? 4--that's all I can find. This makes no sense. Sure, Israelis have a right to defend themselves. But the Palestinians have a right to live. And will killing 500 Palestinians bring an end to this neverending conflict? Come on--it's only going to make the Palestinians more bitter against Israel and strengthen the position of its enemies. There's blame to go around on all sides, but this tactic by Israel isn't going to stop the killing. It might enter a new phase, perhaps. We might see new developments in a situation that seems to have been stuck--but an end? Not even close.

On a bit brighter note, the U.S. occupation of Iraq is slowly coming to end. On January 1, the U.S. began transferring security of the 4-square-mile area to the Iraqis. The U.S. flag was also lowered from Saddam Hussein's former palace and replaced with the Iraqi flag for the first time since 2003. As 2009 progresses, more buildings within the Green Zone will transfer to Iraqi control and use as U.S. personnel move elsewhere.

I maintain that our occupation of Iraq was a huge mistake and completely unnecessary. But at least things are coming to an end of sorts. All foreign troops are supposed to exit Iraq by 2011, with some remaining in an advisory role (whatever that means). So Iraq is in a transition, one that I hope will usher in some form of peace for this country and the wider region.

Call me crazy and deluded, but I keep hoping for peace.

Want to Change the World? Join the Global Orgasm!

Some have a theory that we can change the world in one relatively simple way. If enough people experience an orgasm within the same time frame while projecting a conscious intention for peace and harmony, a surge of physical and spiritual positivity will infuse our planet's energy field and bring about positive change.

Check out the Global Orgasm site here.

Someone's even taking measurements of our global consciousness to see if it works!

So, come on, do your part!

Want to Change the World? Join the Global Orgasm!

Some have a theory that we can change the world in one relatively simple way. If enough people experience an orgasm within the same time frame while projecting a conscious intention for peace and harmony, a surge of physical and spiritual positivity will infuse our planet's energy field and bring about positive change.

Check out the Global Orgasm site here.

Someone's even taking measurements of our global consciousness to see if it works!

So, come on, do your part!

Merry Yule, Y'all!

I particularly enjoy this holiday (Yule, winter solstice or, my preference, Alban Arthan, which is Welsh for "light of winter"). Maybe it's the themes of light and darkness or maybe just the seasonal extreme from summer.

Since my partner and I are headed out of town today (the actual solstice), we had a simple ritual last night. That's right--"we"--he actually joined in again! I'm finding more and more that if I don't get defensive about his perceptions or worry too much about what he thinks, we both still enjoy the moment and connect.

Which ties into the theme of Alban Arthan: renewal.

We began by turning off all the lights in the house except for one lit candle on a table. I said a few words about renewal and the promise of the returning light. Then I honored the 4 directions "that power and radiance might enter our lives for the good of all beings." I like that phrase.

I asked for peace in each direction, lit one candle each and placed a quartz crystal next to each candle. Don't know why, it just felt right. Then I asked for peace across our entire world. We had a moment of silence and then I read this short piece I found online, which touched on renewal:

"Snow and ice have cooled our minds,
Cold winds have blown away our fertile thoughts,
Silent nights have stilled our tongues.
Like the bear, the fox and the toad,
Our creativity hibernates without the warmth of the sun.
Come to us now, inspiration, as the sun returns!
As the sun grows in strength,
So may the fire in our hearts!"

Next, we each talked about areas of our lives where we'd like to see some renewal or where we looked forward to a promise. My partner was concerned for his mother's health and his job situation. Me, I wished for renewed motivation in general. I also mentioned that I hoped for continued renewal in our relationship with one another.

Next I read something called the "Hymn of Promise," which I found in an old church bulletin. We took turns reading verses. It's a bit long for here, but essentially it describes things like winter, silence and death as opportunities for hidden things to emerge. And the last line goes:

"...unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see."

We had one last moment of silence and, in a nod to the returning sunlight, we went around the house turning on all the lights, the Christmas tree and other decorations, and the Christmas music.

Then we had some egg nog!

Merry Yule, Y'all!

I particularly enjoy this holiday (Yule, winter solstice or, my preference, Alban Arthan, which is Welsh for "light of winter"). Maybe it's the themes of light and darkness or maybe just the seasonal extreme from summer.

Since my partner and I are headed out of town today (the actual solstice), we had a simple ritual last night. That's right--"we"--he actually joined in again! I'm finding more and more that if I don't get defensive about his perceptions or worry too much about what he thinks, we both still enjoy the moment and connect.

Which ties into the theme of Alban Arthan: renewal.

We began by turning off all the lights in the house except for one lit candle on a table. I said a few words about renewal and the promise of the returning light. Then I honored the 4 directions "that power and radiance might enter our lives for the good of all beings." I like that phrase.

I asked for peace in each direction, lit one candle each and placed a quartz crystal next to each candle. Don't know why, it just felt right. Then I asked for peace across our entire world. We had a moment of silence and then I read this short piece I found online, which touched on renewal:

"Snow and ice have cooled our minds,
Cold winds have blown away our fertile thoughts,
Silent nights have stilled our tongues.
Like the bear, the fox and the toad,
Our creativity hibernates without the warmth of the sun.
Come to us now, inspiration, as the sun returns!
As the sun grows in strength,
So may the fire in our hearts!"

Next, we each talked about areas of our lives where we'd like to see some renewal or where we looked forward to a promise. My partner was concerned for his mother's health and his job situation. Me, I wished for renewed motivation in general. I also mentioned that I hoped for continued renewal in our relationship with one another.

Next I read something called the "Hymn of Promise," which I found in an old church bulletin. We took turns reading verses. It's a bit long for here, but essentially it describes things like winter, silence and death as opportunities for hidden things to emerge. And the last line goes:

"...unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see."

We had one last moment of silence and, in a nod to the returning sunlight, we went around the house turning on all the lights, the Christmas tree and other decorations, and the Christmas music.

Then we had some egg nog!