Welcome to the James George Peterson Library

Sections On This Page

    Introducing the James George Peterson Library
at The v. U.S. Peace Academy (vUSPA)
    Suggested Courses, Locally Available
    Some Publications to Begin With
    A Broad Overview of Political Healing and Related References

    Links for Awareness in Conscientious Objection
    Video via BeforeYouEnlist.Org and Related Resources for Military, Veteran,
& (high level) Diplomatic Organizations For Peace / Against the Iraq War

    Suggested Studies & Activities for vUSPA enrollees;
Including 3 Easy Steps for *documenting intentions* in Conscientious Objection to Military Vocations

Introducing the James George Peterson Library at The v. U.S. Peace Academy (vUSPA) The James George Peterson Library is named for a young Mississippi soldier who served in the Army Medical Corps in France during World War I. When he came back, his young bride said he was never the same again. Her father had come home disabled, from the Spanish American War. He took his own life, leaving his wife and young family. James George & Cecil Peterson were the mother and father of Margaret McCluskey, the wife of O'Kelly McCluskey. Cecil lived with O'Kelly's family until her 97th year. She helped to hand raise O'Kelly's grandsons, Cam & Tris, to be men of peace. If you like what you find here, please help spread the word about the v. U.S. Peace Academy with your friends, fellow students, and associates. Over the entrance of the James George Peterson library, hangs this sign   Suggested Course Offerings      Peace Academy of Virtual Education (PAVE)     The Peace Academy of Virtual Education in Canada (Box 99, Spirit River, AB, T0H 3G0) "provides a meaningful and personalized learning experience through a distance education format." The School Boards of Peace Wapiti, High Prairie Northlands and Peace River believe in the provision of choice within their educational systems. They believe that alternate educational programming is best offered through a joint cooperative process. These boards have created the Peace Academy of Virtual Education (PAVE) in order to offer students the opportunity of receiving all or part of their educational programming using modern technology.             Suggested Course List excerpted From the Course List at Peace Academy of Virtual Education (PAVE): Jr High School Text List: http://www.pwsb33.ab.ca/pave/new_page_10.htm Sr High School Text List: http://www.pwsb33.ab.ca/pave/new_page_11.htm Social Studies Grade 7    ·      The Master Puppeteer by Katherine Paterson    ·      Japan - Its' People and Culture    ·      The Issues Collection – Multiculturalism  (McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited)    ·      Cultures In Canada - Strength in Diversity Social Studies Grade 8    ·      Brazil  Land of Contrasts    ·      Paddle To The Amazon, The Ultimate 12,000 mile Canoe Adventure by Don Starkell (McClelland & Stewart Inc.) ISBN 0-7710-8256-8 (Coles Bookstore)    ·      Canada Revisited    ·      A Geography of Canada and the United States    ·      A Proper Acadian, Mary Alice Downie and George Rawlyk (Kids Can Press) ISBN 0-919964-29-X (Coles Bookstore) Social Studies Grade 9    ·      The United States - An Economic Perspective    ·      Russia  Then and Now    ·      Canada Responding To Change    ·      Wild Children (novel)    ·      Lyddie (novel) Social Studies Grade 10    ·     Canada Today    ·     Twentieth Century Canada Social Studies Grade 11    ·     World Prospects    ·     One World    ·     World History Patterns of Civilization    ·     Pageant of World History    ·     World Issues    ·     World Prospects Social Studies Grade 12    ·     Ideologies    ·     Twentieth Century Viewpoints    ·     Global Forces of the Twentieth Century    ·     A Changing World    ·     History of the Twentieth Century             Local Trainings       Announcing Our First Class at v. U.S. Peace Academy November 18, 2007 at Daybreak Star on Puget Sound, Seattle For Details email: O'Kelly McCluskey, Director, vUSPA For Location & Directions Click Here Click Here for Google Map          Beyond War - Nine Week Study Series: This new series is available by calling the Beyond War office at 541-485-0911. This series is designed so that participants have an opportunity to meaningfully internalize the Foundational Ideas of Beyond War, explore four categories of what people and nations can do instead of war, and think through in a supportive environment how each participant wants to respond to the new information presented in the series. Facilitators understand that some people will choose to participate in the Beyond War organization directly (and the series will equip them to do this in a knowledgeable way) and that others will take the information and use it in other settings and organizations. If you are interested in participating in the Study Series or if you would like to facilitate a study series group, please contact the Beyond War office. "Our mission is to explore, develop, and promote effective ideas, methods and actions that will build a world in which conflicts are resolved nonviolently a world beyond war." O'Kelly: "Thanks to Kurt Kutay, the PA now has its first formal course."          Lectures on David Korten's "The Great Turning:" How will future generations remember out time? As the time when the climate chaos, peak oil, and an unstable global economy unraveled society? Or as the time of a Great Turning? Also see Korten's many publications listed/linked further below. We consider these among the most indespensible resources for finding solutions to today's world challenges.          Lectures on 'The Fourth Way' - An Indigenous Contribution for Building Sustainable and Harmonious Prosperity in the Americas, hopefully by Phil Lane himself. The document's beginnings trace back to October 2001, when Lane started consulting with indigenous leaders and communities worldwide in a search for solutions to "ending escalating cycles of poverty and violence" that afflict marginalized populations. "All our tribes and nations talked about dialogue, about creating a future," Lane said. Lane also earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Washington and a Master’s in Curriculum Instruction in Education from National University in San Diego. Additionally, he was awarded an International Fellowship from the Harvard University Business School’s International Institute for the Arts. An incredibly industrious mover-and-shaker, he is CEO of United Indians of All Tribes Foundation (UIATF). He is also the winner of the same awards (Windstar, International Award for Freedom and Human Rights) as such luminaries as 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, oceanographer Yacques-Yves Cousteau, the Dali Lama of Tibet and former U.N. Secretary General Boutros Boutros Ghali. Along the way, Lane is an award-winning author and film producer, with credits including the National Public Television series “Images of Indians” with Will Sampson, “Walking With Grandfather,” “The Honor of All: The Story of Alkali Lake” and “Healing the Hurts.” See related study files and articles for *The Fourth Way* in the publications section further below.             PTSD: Integrating Approaches & Paradigms, Mediating Politics -- Suggested Class and/or Topic for Discussion:           Voices in Wartime Education Project via Mentor The Soul .Com. Soldier’s Heart, a project of International Humanities Center, is dedicated to our veterans’ successful return. Dr. Edward Tick, author of the groundbreaking book War and the Soul and founder of Soldier’s Heart, is a practicing psychotherapist specializing in veterans with PTSD. Soldier’s Heart promotes and guides community-based efforts to heal the effects of war on those who served, their families and communities.           A Voices in Wartime Education Project program has been created at Bellevue Community College. Available via Tools for Learning Page: using Voices of Wartime Education Project materials, including their documentary film on DVD; Newsletters. See related publications on Sanctuary/*Mentoring the Soul* below           Soldier’s Heart is a grass-roots healing project for at-risk veterans and their families based on War and the Soul. The term Soldier’s Heart was coined in the time of the Civil War to describe Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Our goal is to prepare families and communities to support troops returning from Iraq and also continue support for all other vets. Specifically, Soldier’s Heart focuses on creating a national network of community-based services for a healthier and more successful reintegration of our nation’s veterans when they return home. Dr. Tick will be conducting seminars for training professionals and clergy on the unique needs of soldiers who have experienced combat. Our staff will be available to educate communities on how to start support services for veterans and families in their own hometowns. Soldier’s Heart also sponsors a mentor program for seasoned veterans to mentor new returnees. "Please contact us for a complete list of services available for returning veterans or to start a support group in your area: info@mentorthesoul.com           Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) are available to speak to youth groups, classrooms, etc. To schedule, please contact Michael Cuzzort at 504-427-0938, michaelcuzzort@hotmail.com. See blog at www.ivawdeployed.org. They arrived at Fort Lewis on the bus January 4 2007, camping outside the base gates at "Camp Resistance", to support Lt. Watada at his court-martial for refusing to fight in the illegal war in Iraq.           The Peace and Justice Studies Association (PJSA)           The University For Personal And Global Peace To TOP  of PAGE        Some Publications to Begin With      Periodicals From Peace Organizations                  The U.S. Institute of Peace is an independent, nonpartisan, federal institution created by Congress to promote the prevention, management, and peaceful resolution of international conflict.             To subscribe to the USIP Newsletter, E-mail to: pingme-feed@list.usip.org             Send administrative queries to pingme-request@list.usip.org Some Suggested Books and Articles --- Re-Thinking America's Role in History --- [Book Titles are noted by the asterisk (*)]                       *The Great Turning - From Empire to Earth Community,* *When Corporations Rule the World,* and *The Post-Corporate World: Life After capitalism,* by David Korten (www.davidkorten.org). Presentations by Korten drawn from these published books include a paper titled "Renewing the American Experiment." This and other papers, including "What to Do Now That the War Has Started" are available at www.developmentforum.net, as well as the Linkset for 'Making War Obsolete: "From Empire to Community" at Yes Magazine. Korten is President of the People-Centered Development Forum, board chair of the Positive Futures Network (http://www.fourthfreedom.org/), and publisher of YES! magazine (www.yesmagazine.org). You might also enjoy the transcript of Korten's keynote address at the 2002 EARTH CHARTER COMMUNITY SUMMIT                      *SHARING ARMS* by Al Drinkwine -- About the Book: Is violence an addiction? Al shares insights into his family, military and work experiences, and life in general, as a way to illustrate the potential for violence. Sharing Arms provides insights into various aspects of society which need addressing, as Drinkwine provides a Twelve Steps program to address them as a pathway out of violent life styles. The workbook is designed for educational use in group settings. The *SHARING ARMS TWELVE STEP WORKBOOK* is also intended for use in youth and adult detention facilities as a means to withdraw from violent life styles. BIO: Al Drinkwine is married and has raised three children. During his military experiences he observed how the U.S. military was converting itself from a defensive to an offensive force. Following his resignation from the Department of Defense he obtained a position involved in the behavioral modification of potentially violent youth. Combining all these experiences, he chose to address the violence he experienced and provide an alternative life style for those who choose nonviolence.                       'The Fourth Way' - An Indigenous Contribution for Building Sustainable and Harmonious Prosperity in the Americas: In the January 2007 COVER STORY for Colors NW Magazine, The Fourth Way Phil Lane Jr’s vision for harmony, prosperity, Alex Valdes writes, "For nearly four decades, Phil Lane Jr. has traveled along a spiritual path, one that now leads him to undertake the most challenging and ambitious endeavor of his life, and one that might just help save the human race, and the planet, from near-certain destruction. 'The Fourth Way' draws upon the Reunion of the Condor and the Eagle – the Indigenous peoples of South and North America and the Caribbean – to end war, environmental destruction and socioeconomic injustice, and give us a greater defense against terrorism than Homeland Security could ever hope to accomplish. ...With all that’s unfolded since 9/11, a growing concern by many people on Mother Earth is, ‘how are we going to secure ourselves from terrorism and violence?’” asked Lane at his offices overlooking the Puget Sound. “We have to address those socioeconomic conditions that greatly contribute to terrorism. But arrogance and not understanding the incredible strength, spiritual wisdom, power and potentiality of what‘s unfolding in Latin America because of concerns in other places in the world, is leading us to one of the greatest security crises that we could ever experience." The PDF "Stage 1" document is available via United Indians of All Tribes. Related articles include "The Fourth Way: An Indigenous Contribution To The War On Terrorism" (word doc), and the following from Rick Levine: "'The Fourth Way' (Part I) by Daybreak Star's Phil Lane delivers international document outlining new world path" and "'The Fourth Way' (Part II) - Men With a Vision and a Plan". See related info in LOCAL TRAININGS above                       Books at Orion Online (referring to the next four books listed)       *Patriotism and the American Land* by Richard Nelson, Barry Lopez, and Terry Tempest Williams       *On Discourse, Dissent, Patriotism* by Wendell Berry       *In the Presence of Fear: Three Essays for a Changed World* by Wendell Berry       *The Idea of a Local Economy* by Wendell Berry       "The Failure of War," is a Related article by Wendell Berry, An essay first published in YES Magazine.                       Modern Day Exemplar for Peace Activism Please read the statement on the murder of Rachel Corrie - killed by an Israeli bulldozer on March 16, 2003, as she was attempting to stop the destruction of a Palestinian home in Rafah - at Veterans For Peace .Org. She is honored at the Great Hall Of The Peacemakers of the v. U.S. Peace Academy (just one of many memorials and dedications to this modern day heroine).                       *Addicted To War - Why The U.S. Can't Kick Militarism* by Joel Andreas at www.addictedtowar.com. The San Francisco Board of Education has voted unanimously to make ADDICTED To WAR a supplemental text book to be used by history teachers in the district. Someone has complained about this happening. This is the reason for this segment on the show. Please forward this email to friends and consider calling or emailing Fox in support of ADDICTED To WAR being used in high schools across the United States. To order send $9 (which includes postage) to Frank Dorrel, P.O. Box 3261 Culver City, Calif. 90231-3261, email: Frank Dorrel or call 310-838-8131                      The Western Tradition - History of the Western World by Eugene Weber - This absorbing survey of more than 2,000 years of Western civilization will give students an educational foundation that will serve them though college and beyond. In this encyclopedic series, illustrated with over 2,700 images from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, historian Eugene Weber guides your class through centuries of politics, literature, economics, industry, agriculture, art philosophy, and the daily lives of ordinary people. From ancient Egypt through the cold war, The Western Tradition will give students a deep and abiding understanding of Western history. Grade Levels: 9-12; Length: 52/30-Minute Programs. At PBS, Education: a) Web Resources - A video instructional series on Western civilization for college and high school classrooms and adult learners; 52 half-hour video programs and coordinated books, ISBN: 1-55946-006-7; b) Instructional Resources Home: [PBS is only one source of many on the web; simply put Eugene Weber Western Tradition in the search engine!]                       Kids Make History: A New Look at America's Story by Susan Buckley, Elspeth Leacock, and Randy Jones (Hardcover - Oct 30, 2006), Publisher: Houghton Mifflin; $11.56 Used & new from $7.56 (Amazon)                       Journeys for Freedom: A New Look at America's Story by Susan Buckley, Elspeth Leacock, and Rodica Prato (Hardcover - Nov 4, 2006); $11.56 Used & new from $7.56 (Amazon)                      Places in Time: A New Atlas of American History by Susan Buckley, Elspeth Leacock, and Randy Jones (Hardcover - Mar 26, 2001); new: $15.00; Used & new from $2.86                      Journeys in Time: A New Atlas of American History by Susan Buckley, Elspeth Leacock, and Rodica Prato (Paperback - Jun 23, 2003); new: $6.95 Used & new from $1.94; Other Editions: Hardcover, School & Library Binding                       Books Written by Members of Veterans For Peace include *Full Spectrum Disorder- the Military in the New Century* by Stan Goff (a 25 year veteran of the Special Forces), and *Medic* by Ben Sherman, our own VFP92 member from Mercer Island, WA.       Stan Goff addresses the situation in Haiti (as related to Feb-March 2004, at http://www.haitiaction.org/.                      General Smedley D. Butler who rose through the ranks to become a Major General in the United States Marine Core, and who was twice awarded with the Medal of Honor, gave a famous speech in 1933 wherein he states, "I suspected I was just part of a racket at the time. Now I am sure of it. Like all the members of the military profession, I never had a thought of my own until I left the service. My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of higher-ups. This is typical with everyone in the military service." He details many beneficiaries of war and other aspects in his book, *War is a Racket* [ISBN 0-9640119-3-X] by Crises Press, 1995, available through Veterans For Peace .Org. General Butler's distinguished 33-year career included numerous medals, frequently cited for outstanding "personal bravery" and said to be "forever accomplishing the impossible," and became known as "one of the most popular officers in the corps." But his career was also marked by controversy. As a patriot and nationalist, he "fervently opposed actions which might lead to American military involvement abroad."                      "Because of Iraq" by Gen. Wesley Clark: " Because of Iraq Osama bin Laden is still a threat. Because of Iraq our military is spread too thin. Because of Iraq there are more terrorists in the world. Because of Iraq America is less secure. So if you see commercials telling you to be afraid of terrorism Remember, It's because of Iraq. Vote Vets - http://www.votevets.org/" Fall '06                       A Veteran Remembers, By Howard Zinn, 11/12/06 at Information Clearing House --- "Let's go back to the beginning of Veterans Day. It used to be Armistice Day, because at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, World War I came to an end."                       America 101 - Bill Moyers on education and economics - Bill Moyers is president of the Schumann Center for Media and Democracy and a veteran journalist. He delivered these remarks in San Diego on October 27 to the Council of Great City Schools , an organization of the nation’s largest urban public school systems. November 1, 2006 by [TomPaine.com]                         War and the Soul by Edward Tick via Mentor The Soul .Com: The New England Journal of Medicine reports that 16 percent (one in eight) of returning Iraq veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Such vets typically can’t hold jobs. They are incapable of intimacy, creative work, and self-realization. Some can’t leave the house because they are afraid they will kill or be killed.           The key to healing, says psychotherapist Ed Tick, is in how we understand PTSD. In war’s overwhelming violence the true self flees and can become lost for life. He redefines PTSD as an identity disorder with radical implications for therapy. First, Tick establishes the traditional context of war in mythology and religion. Then he describes PTSD as an identity issue and a soul wound. Finally, he presents ways to nurture a positive identity based in compassion and forgiveness.           War and the Soul will change the way we think about war, for veterans and for all those who love and want to help them. It shows how to make the wounded soul whole again. When this work is achieved, PTSD vanishes and the veteran can truly return home. Sanctuary/Soldier’s Heart, PO Box 8564, Albany, NY 12208                       The Voices in Wartime Anthology via Mentor The Soul .Com's Education Project comprises poetry, essays inspired by the feature-length documentary film, Voices in Wartime, and narratives based on interviews conducted for the film. The 240 pages of this anthology feature active-duty soldiers, veterans, torture victims, war correspondents, families of the disappeared and the dead, poets, peace activists—the compelling responses of unique, individual human beings to the experience of war. Writers include Iraq vets Brian Turner and Jose Diaz, veteran war correspondent Chris Hedges, psychologist Jonathan Shay, Colombian poet Antonietta Villamil, West Point Superintendent General William Lennox, Seattle poet Emily Warn.           Beyond Wartime also part of the Voices in Wartime Education Project and via Mentor The Soul .Com is a 20-minute documentary film about people who are working to heal the wounds of war in Iraq, Israel/Palestine, and the US. The film can be used to engage people from across the political spectrum in thoughtful discussion about theconsequences of war and how to heal war’s trauma.           More Links for beginning an understanding of and approaches to PTSD on many levels (personal, professional, vocational, etc) are available via Mentor The Soul .Com's Links and Recommended Reading. "Please contact us for a complete list of services available for returning veterans or to start a support group in your area: info@mentorthesoul.com"           See related info in LOCAL TRAININGS above -->        American History Related References:                 AlterNet: History Lessons and Lesions            Article at Global Research. Is this an accurate representation of the events following WWII? Says O'Kelly McCluskey: "I.F. STONE told us the truth about Korea !"                       "THE COURTS ALLOW CORPORATIONS TO STEAL: Before 1886, most states had laws that prevented corporations from meddling in politics... And, they teach in law school [that] in 1886 the U.S. Supreme Court changed all that ... [however] the Supreme Court ruled no such thing [as] "corporations are persons" [since the supposed ruling] was a fiction created by the Court's reporter. He simply wrote it into the headnote of the decision. In fact, it contradicts what the Court itself said. And we've found in the National Archives a note in the hand of the Supreme Court Chief Justice of the time to the court's reporter saying, explicitly, that the Court had not ruled on corporate personhood in the Santa Clara case. Nonetheless, corporations have claimed the human rights the Founders fought and often died to bequeath to living, breathing humans. And, using those rights, [corporations have] usurped our government to the point where our domestic policies are now based on what's best for the corporations with the largest campaign contributions, and our foreign policy has become a necessary extension of that..." --Thom Hartmann in "The Dinosaur War - To Protect Corporate Profits" Published on Friday, October 11, 2002 by CommonDreams.org.                       *We The People - A Call to Take Back America* For a "jolt of illumination" on the current realities and how they came about, [ISBN 1-882109-38-4] is illustrated in easy-to-grasp comic book form by Neil Cohn, and gives much of the history of how corporations have been able to take over the political process in America. Says David Korten (ref'd below), "Clear and compelling. Democracy is at risk. Hartmann tells us why We the People can reclaim democracy... tells us how..." Says actress Janeane Garofalo, "Thom Hartmann's message for everyone (especially the overstressed and uninformed)... Read this book for a jolt of illumination!" Thom Hartmann: "America faces its greatest threat since the Civil War. The worst fears of the Founders are being realized, as powerful corporate interests have taken over our culture and representative government. We the People now face a fundamental choice: take back our country ... or do nothing, and become victims of tyranny and empire." Available via Coreway .Com. More details also through Google Search                       Reclaim Democracy .Org is dedicated to restoring democratic authority over corporations, reviving grassroots democracy, and establishing appropriate limits to the realm of corporate influence. 'We strive to work pro-actively for systemic change, rather than react to the agendas of corporate and moneyed interests.' See Their "About Us" page.           NOTE: A Seattle Chapter of Reclaim Democracy is in formation at the time of this editing (early Sept. '04). In the meantime you may email O'Kelly McCluskey or Jacqui Brown-Miller, Attorney at Law, at for more information.                       *The Elite Consensus - When Corporations Wield the Constitution* is by George Draffan of Program on (POCLAD). POCLAD's work provides a framework and historical analysis of the Constitution and the role it has played in the political struggle between "We the People" and corporations. The Elite Consensus is the latest addition to the POCLAD body of publications. POCLAD's "Rethinking the Corporation/Rethinking Democracy" retreats are incubating nation-wide citizen efforts to curb the “corporate usurpation of citizen rights”. Pete Seeger says, “The first step in solving a problem is learning more about the problem, and how and why it grew. POCLAD is giving us U.S. history like it’s not usually taught in schools. Hooray!”             Publication(s) are available via The Apex Press, PO Box 337, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520. Judi Rizzi - 1-800-316-APEX [2739], 914-271-6500 ••• POCLAD, PO Box 246, South Yarmouth, MA 02664-0246. Tel: 508.398.1145. POCLAD Contacts: Mary Zepernick – S. Yarmouth [above] Mike Ferner – Toldeo: tel. 419-729-3205 and Carolyn Toll Oppenheim-MA: Tel. 413-540-0145.             A Related article by Thom Hartmann, "The Dinosaur War - To Protect Corporate Profits" is at http://www.commondreams.org/views02/1011-05.htm                       *The Greatest Sedition is Silence* by Scott Ritter, the ex-marine who led 14 inspection missions in Iraq. Related article at http://www.truthout.org/docs_03/122903B.shtml                       *The Power Elite* by Charles W. Mills - A psycho-social map and history of power in the U.S. (related ref's at Christopher's Political Page)                       *Before and After US Foreign Policy...* and *Calling the Shots, How Washington Dominates the UN* by Phyllis Bennis, Institute for Policy Studies                       *Secrets, a Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers* by Daniel Ellsberg. At www.ellsberg.net there is a link to a chapter from this book.                       *There's Nothing in the Middle of the Road but Yellow Stripes and Dead Armadillos* by Jim Hightower, radio commentator and organizer of Rolling Thunder .Org                       *Stupid White Men* by Michael Moore, creator of the box-office hit, "Fareignheit 911" To TOP  of PAGE        A broad overview:      Current Relationships Between War, Greed, And Economic Manipulation - And Hope for Our Healing             Many scholars dedicated to peace consider war as an addiction or disease. The means to healing addictions are available, although their application may not be simple or easy. Addictions are extremely tenacious HABITS created to fill a PERCEIVED NEED that has been experienced as OTHERWISE UN-MET due to one or more elements of a bad start in life. These elements usually include ignorance and faulty perception regarding THE HEALTHY WAYS TO MEET THE NEED, either of which is often enforced by pain, manipulation, and/or faulty role modeling. Conditions leading to lack of access to resources commonly contribute to, or "feed," the addiction. Part of that ignorance includes the knowledge of the amount of money that the governments of the world SPENT ON MILITARY ARMAMENTS -$900+ billion/year, half of that is by the US, while the AMOUNT OF MONEY NEEDED TO PROVIDE FOR EVERY PERSON ON THE PLANET including food, clothing, housing, education, health, basic and social infrastructure, etc - $40 billion/year [both in 2000] !!!           The questions may thus arise: "What are we actually fighting about? Why don't we just share and trade? Are we insane?" "Addiction" may be a mild descriptor, indeed.             As regards origins of the war-addiction, one of the most commonly held causes of the disease is simple greed and selfishness, thence blindness from too much power and beauracracy, to the point of willingness to kill for the materials or resources sought. Heads of state getting citizens to go along with them might be another story. In modern times, our "more civilized" world society has developed incredibly sophisticated means of manipulation. These means have served the more "successfully greedy" people -thence politically powerful by influence of money lobbying. This has been done sufficiently enough, that they don't create actual war - at least for a time. And yet THE ECONOMIC MANIPULATION OF THE THIRD WORLD IN PARTICULAR, AS WELL AS OF CERTAIN OF OUR OWN POPULATIONS, IS A SLOW-KILLING WAR IN ITSELF.             Hence the suggested reading materials here that have to do with corporate abuse and related healing, including the healing of our society which has benefited from, and thereby has become a large contributor to, this deadly, even genocidal addiction. These references help us to understand how the addiction was formed, how preventative measures against such abuses were stripped from our laws. *The Fourth Way* studies help us understand the origins of poverty. These most valuable resources teach us how we may heal this addiction so that we stop not only the economic warfare, but the military warfare that stems from it. After all, THE WORLDS RESOURCES ARE MORE THAN PLENTIFUL ENOUGH TO PROVIDE FOR HEALTHY WAYS TO MEET ALL OUR NEEDS, and we know there are workable means to share, trade, and otherwise distribute them where and as needed.             As for the other causes of war-addiction disease, currently the most prevalent in the West would seem to be the lust for (more) power. The Project for a New American Century brandishes it's manifesto with apparent pride - in it's self acknowledged rationale of the ends ("Armageddon/Rapture" or just world domination - in order to protect the righteous [reichteous?], of course) justifying *whatever* means (references below).             Related (and more specific) References:             "The Fraudulent War": This pdf book by Richard W. Behan of Lopez Island provides a great summary of how we got into the Iraq War as well as Afghanistan, and includes some of the more recently revealed Iraq Oil shenanigans. Is possibly a little slow (for some) to substantiate the facts of the story, but an intriguing, illustrated presentation keeps it interesting in the meantime. "This presentation is deliberately not copyrighted: it may be reproduced and circulated without restriction." The detailed pdf file with illustrated slideshow presentation, is available via *http* (opens file in your browser), or by ftp (downloads the 5.5 mb file). A smaller digested article (150kb Word Doc) by Behan is "The So-Called War On Terror" (downloads by ftp).                 The blueprint for the creation of a 'global Pax Americana,' uncovered by the Sunday Herald (details next paragraph), was drawn up for Dick Cheney (now vice-president), Donald Rumsfeld (former defence secretary), Paul Wolfowitz (Rumsfeld's deputy), George W Bush's younger brother Jeb and Lewis Libby (Cheney's chief of staff), among others. The document, put out in September 2000 by the neo-conservative think-tank Project for the New American Century (PNAC), and entitled "Rebuilding America's Defenses: Strategies, Forces And Resources For A New Century," was a grand re-write of a 46-page document, "Draft Defense Planning Guidance," conceived in 1992, during the first Bush Administration. The 90 page 2000 version was apparently available at New American Century .Org (http://www.newamericancentury.org/iraqmiddleeast.htm) but is reported no longer available there. It was downloaded before it's disappearance however, and IS available (at various sites including here) via pdf for the browser or by ftp (downloads the .85 mb file)                 The orchestrated call for empire was "out of the closet," according to conservative columnist Charles Krauthamer: "It's Empire Versus Democracy."                 Of special interest here might be a comparative analysis between four different groups that arose within the US government and had the purpose of influencing foreign policy in this country, incl. Committee on the Present Danger (CPD) and Project for a New American Century (PNAC): "History Repeats Itself Clear and Present Danger, Analysis of CPD and PNAC" by Cyndi Crizer.             Poly-Psy & Citizen Health - Problems & Solutions for Discussion: Introducing a Chart-illustrated Study in "Poly-Psy" - including re: what brought us to this critical crossroads, socially and psychologically, and a look at current citizen roles, beliefs, coping styles, and choices - for society’s waking up, healing itself, and recovering Democracy. Mental & emotional re-education for long-term solutions to national & international troubles, as well as implications for short-term problem-solving applications.             "Messages" is a look at the basic communications going back and forth between the Bush Administration and the citizens. By message, I mean that which is actually communicated, regardless of the words or language used - on whatever level(s), directly and indirectly, consciously and unconsciously.             Questions For Disillusionment has Selected Questions for Consideration regarding how effectively we use the democratic process, or let totalitarian forces rise to destroy it. Includes Questions for Consideration specific to Political Activism, Apathy, & Healing, as well as       "The Four Governments":   A short essay on political beliefs, invested fantasies, & current realities - working & not       Guidelines and a class format for "Overcoming Burnout for Activists": for YOUR community?       "The Development of One Questioning Mind": one pre-sentencing statement at the trial of the "Seattle 12"       "Questions for Personal Empowerment":   The Use of Personally Applied Invocative Questions (Invoc-Q's) designed specifically for affirming self-worth, self-determination, capabilities for personal values redefinition, etc with text placed over colorful tapistry background.

"Political Activism, Apathy, & Healing" Cause and effect patterns related to conscious choices for change toward sustainable living on the planet (a long term project)

"Poly-Psy & Citizen Health     Discussions & Charts on Political Participation, Apathy, & Healing" Introduces a study in current “Poly-Psy” with three graphic flow charts and discussion points    Overview Chart for Introducing a Study in “Poly-Psy” What brought us to the *current crossroads* Socially and Psychologically; Citizen Roles and Choices

"Beliefs, Paths, & Service" Visually relates various philosophical origins, coping styles, roles in active citizenry...

The essay, "Healing the Citizenry" - guides pragmatic discussion for recognition of our current situation, examination of related cause-effect patterns, transitioning out of political apathy, and making conscious choices for change toward sustainable living on the planet (a long term project). Why these "Poly-Psy" charts and essays?                Because our government has been greatly influenced by the 60-80% of the citizens NOT participating.          We (speaking of Americans over the last five centuries or so) have allowed/created our current condition -- in terms of various attitudes, beliefs, and values - and some interesting times wherein we re-defined certain values. And this implies, therapeutically speaking, we can therefore can *heal* our socio-political condition by changing those attitudes and re-clarifying some values over more time. That implies potential for a form of continuing *preventative health maintenance* curriculum at schools and colleges. Paradigm shift tension, anyone? How much are we ready for? But doesn't every writer asks that question - or just those who want us to "bridge" - to encourage exploration of our potentials and what we perceive as our limitations?           Many writers note the incredible degree of short memory and denial that is going on in America. Perhaps that is because we want so strongly, even tenaciously, to believe in our "good guy" image of ourselves - certainly more than we want to acknowledge our attachment to our standard of living. "Our national denial" happens apparently because of that. Well, I believe it essential to the planet, considering the power of the United States, that the citizenry wake up, suffer the inevitable heartbreak, get a hold of ourselves and heal that, get real AND learn to use our anger constructively, and get in charge of what we can be proud of, and create much more of same. An elaboration on "Trends, Memory, Tracking, Trust, and Forgiveness" can be found here.          All in all, the Poly-Psy charts page provides a good introductory, if not prerequisite, to the "OverComing Political Disillusionment" outline/study page (see next Link).

             "Overcoming Political Disillusionment" - The In-depth Outline. How do we approach the condition of disempowerment, political burnout, apathy, or worse? How do we spot it where it may lurk as something else? (Not just talking about you or me on a bad day, but when only 30-40% of the people vote, when and where whole segments of society seem to pretend everything’s fine when it isn’t, and worse, when it continues to support the situation.) With an honest look at ourselves, and asking some hard questions, we may begin the process of true (lasting) change. A follow-up to "Poly-Psy & Citizen Health - Problems & Solutions for Discussion" (or "Political Activism, Apathy, & Healing"), this outlined perspective on the political ramifications of Disillusionment is not light study, but food for deliberate thought - for creating a society that will also allow our grand children to have happy, healthy children on this planet. Written for would-be voters, burnt-out idealists, and potential activists, and takes a thorough look at the elements of basic (and applicable) psychology as related to democratic participation, & Healing.

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Video via BeforeYouEnlist.Org

Due to Heavy Demand, vUSPA is reprinting below the introduction and credits and donation request information from BeforeYouEnlist.Org [all links in this section other than the video itself will take you to the BeforeYouEnlist.Org web site]: The Video, "Before You Enlist!" provides a rational voice to counter the seductive and often deceptive recruiting practices of the U.S. military. The message is not "don't enlist" but rather to provide young people and their families a more complete picture of the life-altering consequences of joining the military -- especially in wartime. Release date: September 2006. Length: 14:30.

UPDATE (9/20/06): The program is now complete ... watch it below. The program is freely available for Internet viewing/download and for minimal cost on DVD (free if donations are sufficient). Watch this space for details. Feel free to contact BeforeYouEnlist.Org to request a DVD.

The video provides a brief introduction to the subject of military enlistment. For in-depth information, visit AFSC's Youth & Militarism site Youth4Peace.org -- and the other Truth in Recruiting links listed on this page.

Click on the image at left to watch the small-screen YouTube version. For a larger image, try the Google Video version, where you may also download the video.

The American Friends Service Committee, Veterans For Peace (VFP), Iraq Veterans Against the War, Gold Star Families for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, the Coalition for Peace Action and other groups worked with the producers to develop the program and are helping to distribute it.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Let BeforeYouEnlist.Org know of Iraq and Afghan War vets and families who may want to tell their stories in updates of this program and future projects.
Alert BeforeYouEnlist.Org to recruiter activities in your communities at schools and other public locations.
Give tax-deductible donations to help distribute this program – and make others like it possible.

Related Resources

    Inspired by 29-year-old Seaman Jonathan Hutto, the Appeal for Redress movement inside the U.S. military has been called "the most significant movement of organized and dissident GIs seen in America since 1969, when 1,366 active-duty service members signed a full-page ad in the *New York Times* calling for an end to the Vietnam War," in an article in the January 8, 2007 issue of the *Nation.* Two works played a role in inspiring the Appeal for Redress movement: *Soldiers in Revolt* by David Cortright (Anchor, 1975; Haymarket paperback reprint, 2005), and "Sir! No Sir!" a 2005 documentary film by David Zeiger.

    Published on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 by the Agence France Presse (http://www.afp.com/) Hundreds of US Soldiers Call for Iraq Withdrawal in Petition

    Service Academy Graduates Against the War has been added to the ranks of the military against the war in Iraq (October 25, 2006). The overwhelming response by alumni of United States service academies to the anti-war efforts of *West Point Graduates Against the War* has resulted in a combined arms organization of former and current land, sea, and air officers united against the war in Iraq. SAGAW was established by three West Pointers, William Cross, James Ryan, and Joseph Wojcik, all 1962 USMA graduates and cofounders of the former organization. They were joined in the new endeavor by Dud Hendrick, a 1963 United States Naval Academy graduate and Terry Symens-Bucher, an alumnus of the United States Air Force Academy, class of 1975. SAGAW calls on graduates of all service academies to speak out against the destruction of the honor of the United States and the dissipation of its military caused by the deceitful policies of the present administration. It also calls for the impeachment of the president of the United States for high crimes and misdemeanors.

    Iraq Veterans Against the War* Speak Out, VIDEOs (Google Src Results -LOTS)

    Military/War/Anti-War/Sexual VIDEOs (Google Src Results)(Nov'06)
     Probably one of the most powerful of these is of April Fitzimmons, Intelligence Analyst, USAF
     Note: a Comment at UTube: Thank you for posting this. It is truely amazing. She has real courage. "My biggest enemy was my own company", just what Suzanne Swift said. This is something that anyone even considering joining the military needs to see, especially women. It is tragic for anyone join the U.S. military. Stop recruitment, stop the lies. Sexual harassment and assault is rampant.

    Lt. Ehren Watada
Lt. Ehren Watada became the first commissioned officer to publicly refuse deployment to the unlawful war and occupation in Iraq (with the Fort Lewis-based 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division). While doing this on June 22, 2006, Watada said, "As the order to take part in an illegal act is ultimately unlawful as well, I must refuse that order." Watada’s commander added a seventh count to the six he already faced for remarks Watada made in a speech Aug. 12 at the Veterans for Peace national convention in Seattle. see Watada Speech at Veterans for Peace convention August 2006 and related articles (including "Iraq combat vets explain support for Lt. Watada," "GI resistance is a growing trend," and "We were conditioned to hate them") at the 'Thank You Lt. Watada web site'

    Revolt of the Generals by RICHARD J. WHALEN, The Nation, October 16, 2006: A revolt is brewing among our retired Army and Marine generals. This rebellion--quiet and nonconfrontational, but remarkable nonetheless--comes not because their beloved forces are bearing the brunt of ground combat in Iraq but because the retirees see the US adventure in Mesopotamia as another Vietnam-like, strategically failed war, and they blame the errant, arrogant civilian leadership at the Pentagon. The dissenters include two generals who led combat troops in Iraq: Maj. Gen. Charles Swannack Jr., who commanded the 82nd Airborne Division, and Maj. Gen. John Batiste, who led the First Infantry Division (the "Big Red One"). These men recently sacrificed their careers by retiring and joining the public protest. [10/19/2006]

    The Veterans for Peace (VFP), who have called for Impeachment of George W. Bush and others, have a link to Iraq War Casualty counts at the top of the Iraq Special Section Page. More statistics - including Iraqi civilian deaths - are kept at a few sites, including at AntiWar .Com, Iraq Body Count, HRW .Org, and The Iraqometer. Also there is a count for US Military Personnel Wounded in Iraq & Afghanistan. The KIA's apparently do NOT include those who die in US hospitals, and definitely don't include mercenary KIA's.
      The VFP keep close track of the DEPLETED URANIUM situation (radioactive weaponry) - what US citizens don't know about what has been messing up our kids in Iraq. See the below ref/links on DU as well as a more complete section on DU at the Political Ref's Page and please write your congress persons.

    Navy Public Affairs Officer Who Worked in Iraq Condemns President Bush & The U.S. Invasion: A year ago Navy Lt. John Oliveira was appearing daily before television cameras defending the U.S. invasion. He was the top public affairs officer aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt. In a Democracy Now! exclusive he spoke on a national program for the first time criticizing the invasion he was once paid to defend. (Friday, March 26th, 2004)

    Diplomats and Military Commanders for Change (DMCC) Press for Peace in the Middle East- Breaking with the Administration over the war in Iraq! This most wonderful breath of fresh air into the mix is a group of retired ambassadors, generals and admirals calls for regime change in Washington. Their Mission Statement: "...On the basis of foreign and defense policy experience spanning half a century, members desire, through their participation in public forums, to share their expertise and express their deep concern over the current state of this country's diplomatic and security challenges. Never in recent years, in the view of the group, have those challenges been as serious as they are today."

    Citizen Soldier .Org - A GI rights group, website of TOD ENSIGN, who is also author of the forthcoming "America's Military Today" published by the New Press. "Important reading for all Americans, this book outlines what exactly they are paying for with their hard-earned taxes, and how discriminatory and dangerous the American military machine has become," says Helen Caldicott, MD, author, and president of the Nuclear Policy Research Institute. Includes "Depleted Uranium: Wonder Weapon or Toxic Hazard?" There's also access to the book, *Metal of Dishonor - How the Pentagon Radiates Soldier and Civilians with Depleted Uranium Weapons.*

    You thought they came home safely from the war. They didn’t. - Poison DUst tells the story of three young men from New York who could not get answers for their mysterious ailments after their National Guard unit’s 2003 tour of duty in Iraq. A mother reveals her fears about the extent of her child’s birth defects and the growing disability of her young husband – a vet. Their frustrations in dealing with the Veterans Administration’s silence becomes outrage as they realize that thousands of other GI's have the same symptoms. Today more than 1/3 of all 1991 Gulf war vets are on VA Disability Benefits. Meanwhile U.S. use of radioactive DU weapons has increased six-fold from 1991 to Gulf War II! Scientists expose the Pentagon Cover-Up! The U.S. military now admits that it deliberately radiated its own soldiers, known as the “Atomic Veterans,” during the Cold War. This documentary exposes U.S. use of radioactive weapons on peoples in not only Iraq, but the Marshall Islands; Vieques, Puerto Rico; Meihyang-Ri, South Korea; and Yugoslavia. Poison DUst mixes interviews with soldiers with experts such as Dr. Helen Caldicott, Dr. Michio Kaku, and Dr. Rosalie Bertell explaining how DU contamination spreads and how residue from exploded DU shells radiates people. Poison DUst tells of the growing global resistance ...a powerful indictment of past U.S. use of radioactive weapons. Poison DUst is an important educational tool in building the movement to stop this horror. Help get the word out--this important film is already being shown in schools, churches, community centers, and in a Coffee House set up for GIs outside of Fort Drum.

    Not All Wounds Are Visible - PTSD Alliance -- You should know that MORE VietNam Vets have committed suicide SINCE that war than were killed IN that war, due to PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome). The experts still debate whether the greatly increased factors for Iraq War related PTSD will be countered by the increased expertise in dealing with it. And then there's the Bush Administration's - C U T S ! - in the VA Health Benefits budget. [Yes, that 'brilliant crew' could use a letter from you!]

    Message To West Point by Bill Moyers - This is an excerpt from the Sol Feinstone Lecture on The Meaning of Freedom delivered by Bill Moyers at the United States Military Academy on November 15, 2006. I pull this quote out only because it supports very nicely some of my most previous commentaries with the posts. But Moyer's talk on "The Meaning of Freedom" is quite long. But it shows incredible courage- more than summarizing exactly why soldiers should not obey orders blindly, as he recites the history of war and peace in America for West Point Graduates this last November, many of whom may be ordered to Iraq very soon:
"...In the October issue of the magazine of the California Nurses Association, you can read a long report on “The Battle at Home.” In veterans’ hospitals across the country—and in a growing number of ill-prepared, under-funded psych and primary care clinics as well—the report says that nurses “have witnessed the guilt, rage, emotional numbness, and tormented flashbacks of GIs just back from Iraq.” Yet “a returning vet must wait an average of 165 days for a VA decision on initial disability benefits,” and an appeal can take up to three years. Just in the first quarter of this year, the VA treated 20,638 Iraq veterans for post-traumatic stress disorder, and faces a backlog of 400,000 cases. This is reprehensible. ..."