I have been on this site for but a short time but have already been blessed by meeting engaged, wonderfully committed people, with and diversity of opinions both, veterans and civilians. These meetings have resulted in a variety of conversations. As I have shared with some of you, I believe it is vital that we treat each other with respect and dignity, though our opinions and positions, and even strategies might differ. I also think it is helpful for us to know a bit about who we are, and some of you have shared your truths with me. Here are mine: 1. I was born shortly after WWII to a Sicilian Mom and a NH farmer Dad, who worked for the State Highway Department. 2. We never had any extra money, cared for a large garden, and ate our meals together. 3. My families on both sides were Patriotic, loved America, and served in the military going back to the Revolutionary War. 4. I was raised to love my country, but to speak out when I thought it could be better. My parents actively lobbied their elected officials and it was common to have a governor, senator or legislator at our kitchen table. 5. I believe in God and prayer. 6. I began marching and lobbying for civil rights in the 1960s, and have marched with Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Veterans for Peace, the SOAW, and with various groups protesting inequalities of rights, freedoms, justice and economics. 7. I enlisted in the Air Force in 1965, did two tours, and demonstrated against the Vietnam War while in service. I am proud of my service. 8. I have attended several colleges and universities, have a B.S. in Journalism, and did graduate work in both education and Theology. 9. I have worked as a journalist, an author and free-lance writer, an editor, a communications manager, a grassroots organizer and a lobbyist. 10. As an activist, I have worked for social justice with the Archdiocese of Seattle, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, and the School of the Americas Watch. 11. As a demonstrator, I have served as a Peacekeeper. Been detained and arrested on several occasions. 12. My beliefs in working for Peace begin with me behaving and thinking in a peaceful manner. I practice nonviolent civil disobedience and have instructed others in its principles. 13. I believe that peace begets peace, but that peace cannot be achieved without each individual committing to a broad strategy and specific goals that include effective tactics. 14. For me, the goal of marching and demonstrating is to change minds through messaging. It is a tactic, not a strategy. It requires that we identify and understand the audience. Poor messaging results in poor results. Through marching and demonstrating we should be able to grow our numbers and to begin to effect change. 15. My strategy also includes signing and getting others to sign petitions and to write letters to their elected officials and to government agencies. 16. Finally, I believe it is key to align ourselves with the powerful, although it can at first seem distasteful and frustrating, without changing the hearts and minds of those with influence and power to make those changes, we have little chance of success. Therefore, I have worked with ministerial groups, government agencies and elected officials, using lobbying and communications skills to help them understand why they should support a cause. Thank you brothers and sisters in Peace for bearing with this discourse, if you have, and for your commitment to peace.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 13:45:38 +0000
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