http://www.epharmony.com/blog Epharmonic correspondence with an altered planet... en-us Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:50:15 -0500 Main Page Blogware Nancy Pace http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2010/2/7/4449403.html http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2010/2/7/4449403.html Sun, 07 Feb 2010 03:55:00 -0500 2/10/10 – We can help others best by recognizing that we don’t know how to—but God does. We can be fully present, accepting and loving. We can ask to see clearly, allow God to work through us appreciatively, encouragingly and forgivingly, and not interfere. 2/9/10 – When we limit the number of times we turn to our guiding spirit for insight, inspiration and help, we limit the number of daily problems, large and small, that we can resolve. 2/8/10 – Our happiness and strength arise from our undivided efforts to see, accept and lift ourselves and all others as God’s one perfect, unconditionally-beloved, eternal creation, to whom he has given everything, and with whom he is well-pleased. 2/7/10 - All apparent angry attacks and defensiveness conceal fearful pleas for healing and help. When we ask for God’s grace and vision, he lifts every imagined illusion and barrier to the love that sees only goodness and unity, and sets all things right. 2/6/10 – We get angry at others because we feel guilty about what we’ve done to them, not the other way around. And so we try to make ourselves feel better by dumping our guilt feelings on them, imagining we can rid ourselves of our guilt that way. We can’t. 2/5/10 – Human culture projects its fearful interpretation upon everyone’s actions, while spiritual guidance leads us to a more peaceful, loving vision. Thus, we can reactively interpret behavior as aggressive, or we can ask to see it as offering—or requesting—love. 2/4/10 – When we notice someone who frightens us—someone apparently sick or sad or desperate or angry—we can ask our guiding spirit for another way of seeing that person, not let our fear interfere, surrender the encounter to peace and inspiration, and relax. 2/3/10 – When we ask for clarity and guidance, we find out that what we need and want the most, but may have temporarily lost sight of, is exactly what God wills for us too. We are wholly supported in accomplishing this shared will—surely, safely, serenely, joyfully. 2/2/10 – We don’t understand our own needs. Our guiding spirit does, and will supply them, when we let go of our own ideas of what they are, and stop hurrying to fulfill them. Instead, we can be willing to ask, and receive. 2/1/10 - Gifts given resentfully, guiltily and fearfully, without loving thoughts, are unwelcome sacrifices, angry attacks, tradeoffs, payments for something. We imagine someone is demanding sacrifices of us, but we’re demanding them of ourselves. Main Page religion epharmony compassion peace catastrophe commentary opinion meaning injustice analysis spirituality culture insight acceptance anger christian ethics education God philosophy kindness giving priorities "higher power" sacrifice relationships poetry prayer work loneliness comparison past marriage surrender ideals power chaos confusion answers differences fear safety nonviolence Jesus songs guilt choices peacemakers perspective faith parenting values diversity competition childhood leadership golden rule politics enlightenment enemies prejudice dialogue creativity Christianity gratitude appreciation forgiveness vengeance defensiveness meditation morals goals ideologies blame theories problems conflict humanitarian attacks idealism judgment division oneness solutions predictions hope quandaries choice rivals scarcities 2009 Entries bigotry interfaith neutrality friendship inspiration zealots zealotry xenophobia writer wounds work women wives wishes wisdom wholeness wholeheartedness welcome weariness warmth visionary vision viewpoints values utopian us unselfishness unknown universe universal unity uniqueness unfamiliar understanding uncertainties truth transparency transformation transcendence tragedy tomorrow tolerance threats threat thoughts thanksgiving sympathy survival surrender support superiority suffering stress strengths strategies stewardship standards stability spirituality spirit Source souls sorrow sons solutions solidarity smallness sisters sisterhood sins sincerity similarities separation sensibility selfless security secrets secrecy search scriptures scripture sanctity saints safety sacrifice rules rudeness romance rivalry risk respect resolutions resistance resiliance resentments resentment rescue repression remembrance religion relativism relationships regret redemption reconciliation reality readers racist racism race purpose purity progress profile productivity problems proactive pride prevention prejudice praying practices practice power posts posterity possibilities positivity poor poetry play piety philosophy perspective persona perseverence persecution perfection peacemaking peacemakers peacebuilding peace patience paths passion paradigms pain overwork overreaction optimism oppression opposition opportunity opportunities opinion openness oneness numbness nightmares neurosis neighbors neighborliness negativity nature mysteries Muslims musings multicultural muddling motherhood mother money mistakes mission misery minorities minds mind military militarism memory meditations meditation mediation meaning meandering me materialism marriage loyalty loyalties love losses loss lonely loneliness listening limitations likeability lifestyle life lies lessons legacy leadership kindness key justice judgment international interests intentions integrity inspire inspiration insanity innocence information inequality indifference inadequacy implications imperfection impatience immorality image illusion identity ideals idealism husband hunger humility humanity humanitarian humane hubris horrors hopes hope honesty home holy holiness higherpower helplessness help hearts heartaches healing heal happiness grievances greed gratitude gore goodwill goldenrule golden goals glorification global giving gentleness generosity futility frustration friendship freedom forgiveness forgive forbearance flexibility fighting feelings fear father family fallibility faithlessness faith expectations excellence evil ethics eternity eternal equitability equanimity envy empowerment empathy emotion ecumenical earthlings dying drugs divorce divisiveness divisions diversity discontent discipline disaster differences dialogue devout devotion desperation despair defensiveness defense decisions death cynicism current culture conflict condemnation conclusions compromise complexity compassion companionship communications communication commonalities commitment commentary comfort clarity civilization christian choices choice children childhood chaos change challenges cause caring Buddha brothers bravery blessings blame bitterness bigotry biblical Bible beauty barriers balance awareness avenge attitude attention attack assessment artist art arrogance approval appreciation apologies anxiety answers annihilation angst anger analysis ambition ambiguity alternatives alone alienation alcoholism aggression adversity adversaries admiration activism action achievement acceptance Nancy Pace http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2010/1/6/4422137.html http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2010/1/6/4422137.html Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:00:00 -0500 Excerpt: Before we expose huge populations to catastrophic risks with BSL 3 & 4 labs, we need to ask why. If someone does attack the U.S. with biologicals, what is the likelihood that we’ll have the right vaccine, in enough quantities, available when it is needed? Wouldn’t we have to vaccinate people before the threat reaches them? Perhaps an antidote, not a vaccine, will be needed. And how much vaccine, and when, would be considered a good solution? And who would be vaccinated? Only the government? The military? The medical community? Who might our solution actually save? And finally, has anyone examined the probability that these risky efforts can even be successful? We’re considering exposing huge populations to catastrophic risks. For what? If someone does attack the U.S. with biologicals, what is the likelihood that we’ll have the right vaccine, in enough quantities, available when it’s needed? Excerpt: I was almost raped as a young mother. A very caring policeman later sternly warned me, “Don’t be so stupid as to leave your window-shade up! You’re attracting every pervert in the county. Eventually, they’ll all make a beeline to your window!” These labs leave the window-shades in Frederick up. Their very existence in Frederick asks, perhaps begs, for trouble, and that trouble will make its dangerous beeline straight to our area. Excerpt: Scientists in these labs will be genetically-engineering (from diseases with no cures), completely new, highly lethal and contagious life forms, life, life so new that no one yet understands how it works. What if a newly-mutated strain somehow finds a way to attach itself to a lab worker in some unpredictable way, some way that defeats the protections put on it, so that the lab workers carry it outside unknowingly? I plead for humility in the face of nature’s chaotic, awesome genetic power. Excerpt: The record shows that research lab workers, even those with the highest security clearances and the best available training, are still fallible human beings who can and do become victims of blackmail, fall in love unwisely, get into desperate financial situations, hide growing prescription and other drug problems, and develop volatile feelings about co-workers. Lab workers sometimes become blind to their own religious and political biases and bigotry, and are thus susceptible to involvement in illicit covert operations, conspiracies and cover-ups. Sometimes they get in a hurry and make professionally embarrassing mistakes and bad decisions. Sometimes they hide evidence, fudge records and fake procedures in order to save their jobs and livelihoods, and then rationalize the risks they’re taking—escalating and exponentially complicating situations already perilous. Also sadly, no one yet has been able to explain to me why it wouldn’t be easy, temptingly easy, to kamikaze an airplane flown from the Frederick Airport into a targeted Ft. Detrick building, or lob a well-placed rocket over the Ft. Detrick fence. Either of these unpreventable actions would very legitimately throw chaos and panic into the post, city and metropolitan area, creating unforeseen, complicated, dangerous situations. Main Page politics war peace terrorism catastrophe legislation military commentary opinion punditry policy government injustice current news analysis culture insight economy ethics security bioterrorism nuclear priorities relationships scapegoat image comparison protest nationalism border violence power chaos confusion answers defense fear 9/11 WMDs safety nonviolence choices perspective secrecy democracy values diplomacy diversity competition international leadership golden rule politics crimes against humanity enemies prejudice blowback defensiveness right foreign policy morals goals ideologies theories problems xenophobia extremism conflict heroes history humanitarian biowarfare Middle East Obama attacks divisions weapons judgment division solutions predictions quandaries choice 2009 Entries bigotry friendship biocontainment unity uniqueness unilateral unfamiliar uncertainties transparency transcendence tolerance threats threat terrorizing terrorist terrorism terror tension technology taxpayers taxes talents talent sustainability survival support superiority suffering subsidies stress strengths strategy strategies story stockpiles stewardship standards stability sorrow solutions smallness slippery service security secrets secrecy scientific science rules rulers risk rights retribution retaliation respect resentments religion relationships regret reconciliation realpolitik reality rationales rape race purpose punditry pundit public protest protection prosperity propaganda proliferation program prognostications profiteers productivity problems proactive pride prevention preemptive prediction power posts politics politician policy perspective peacemaking peacebuilding peace patience party partisans parochialism paradigms opportunity opinion omniscience Obama nutcases nuclear nuance nonviolence nightmares news neighborliness nationalism nation naivete naive Muslims multilateral muddling money mistakes mission misery military militaristic militarism militants militancy megalomaniacs manipulation loyalties losses loss local limitations lies liberals lessons legitimacy legislation left leadership leaders lawlessness law judgment investigations international interests intentions insanity injustice initiatives information inadequacy implications imperialism biocontainment USAMRIID BW costs biolab kamikaze safety genetic Frederick hazard cycle level precautions credible livelihoods suicide vaccine assessment engineering MD conspiracies WMDs wisdom West weapons weaponry warriors warmongers war visionary vision virtue violence vigilance viewpoints victims values unknown universal imperfection impatience immorality illusion ignorance ideologues ideals humility humanrights humanity humanitarian hubris horrors homeland healthcare health healing guilt grievances greed government goodwill goals global futility FtDetrick friendship friends freedom Fort foreign force forbearance fighting feelings fear fallibility faithlessness faith fairness extremists extremism exploitation explanation experts expertise expenditures expectations ethics espionage escalation equitability enemies emotion emergencies education ecumenical economy economics ecology earthlings divisiveness diversity disease disaster disarmament diplomacy differences develop destruction desperation denial democracy delusions defensiveness defense decisions deception death cynicism cycles current culture criticism credentials courage conquest conquerors Congress confusion conflict conditions conclusions complexity compassion communications communication commonalities commentary clarity civilization civilians citizens choices choice chaos change challenges cause caring bullies brothers botanical borderlines border bombs blowback blame bioterrorism binLaden bases Barack balance awareness attack arsenals arrogance arms anxiety answers annihilation analysis anachronisms American ambiguity alternatives alqaeda aggression agendas advocacy adversity adversaries adventuring activism accountability Nancy Pace http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/10/4401684.html http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/10/4401684.html Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:01:00 -0500 Dear readers: Please keep checking back to this site? I don't want to lose any of my beloved co-respondents from sheer neglect and busyness.... :) I've had some family stuff come up to distract me (but helping them makes me happy too, so it's I see it as a spiritual challenge/exercise/opportunity for joy....) I'm nvertheless making great (if slow and steady) progress on my memoir (about my difficult transition from war hero's army brat daughter to peace worker...) and can't wait to share all that with you all... About all the military life's impacts upon my parents, their relationship, our upbringing, the world too, and other brats and military families today.... Much good, much sad and hard, much universal, very peaceful and grateful, a lot of funny and surprising stuff about me too.... I'm looking forward to re-igniting this blog in 2010 too, so please remember www.epharmony.com. until then.... Happy holidays and a wonderful 2010 to all. By the way, if anyone can recommend a good publisher or agent, will you please let me know at njcpace@gmail.com? Thanks. Nancy Pace :) Main Page Nancy Pace http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2009/11/7/4374728.html http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2009/11/7/4374728.html Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:03:00 -0500 Excerpt: “Schizophrenic behavior” is defined as behavior which is motivated by contradictory or conflicting principles, or which results from the co-existence of disparate or antagonistic activities. In other words, when your ideals frequently conflict with each other, and when your actions feel equally conflicted, it can drive you nuts. Fallible human attempts to live up to one’s ethics, values, standards and goals can make even the best soldiers feel schizophrenic. Excerpt: When soldiers from any nation come home from their wars, of course they have trouble rectifying all they've participated in, with their peacetime ethical, spiritual and religious beliefs about what it means to be humane, caring, good—all the many understandings parents and teachers carefully taught them about what makes relationships work, and what make life worth living. Many returning war veterans basically go insane for years. Others are unstable or crazy for the rest of their lives. Main Page politics religion epharmony compassion war peace terrorism justice catastrophe military fairness commentary opinion freedom punditry meaning government injustice bias belief current news analysis spirituality culture insight acceptance anger ethics security God kindness giving priorities relationships assassination patriotism work loneliness comparison past nationalism violence law ideals power chaos rights soldiers confusion answers defense differences fear 9/11 safety nonviolence guilt choices peacemakers perspective faith secrecy democracy values victims racism diversity bullies international leadership crimes against humanity enemies prejudice dialogue media blowback forgiveness vengeance defensiveness massacres guns morals fighting goals ideologies blame theories Iraq Islam problems xenophobia extremism conflict history Middle East attacks divisions idealism weapons judgment division solutions hope quandaries choice 2009 Entries bigotry interfaith neutrality friendship Hasan Nidal Nidal Hassan Nidal Hasan xenophobia wrong writer wounds work withdrawal wisdom weapons weaponry warmongers war violence violations vigilance viewpoints victims vengeance values uncertainties transformation transcendence tragedy tragedies torture tolerance thugs thuggery threats threat terrorizing terrorist terrorism terror tension sustainability survival support suffering stress strengths strategy strategies solutions sins shyness shootings service marginalization manipulation maim loyalty loyalties love losses lonely loneliness limitations lifestyle liberals lessons left leadership lawlessness law kindness justice jihad Islam Iraq Iran invasion invaders international interests intentions insanity innuendo innocence injustice initiatives information inequality indifference inadequacy implications imperialism impatience immorality immigration immigrant image illusion ignorance ignominy ideology ideologues identity ideals idealism humility humanrights humanity humanitarian humane hubris horrors hope honesty holocaust helplessness heartaches healing heal hatred guns guilt grievances grief gore goodwill goldenrule goals global giving futility fundamentalism frustration freedom forgiveness forgive foreign force forbearance fitness firearms fighting feelings fear family faithlessness faith fairness fail extremists extremism exploitation explanation expectations evil ethics energy enemies empowerment empathy emotion emergencies education ecumenical dying drama domination divisiveness divisions diversity disrespect discrimiination discontent disaster differences dialogue devout desperation despair denial demonize democracy demagogues delusions dehumanize dehumanization defense defeatism decisions deception death dead cynicism current culture cruelty criticism criminal crime control conquest confusion conflict conditions conditioning condemnation conclusions complexity compassion communication commentary civilization choices choice chaos change challenges cause caring bureaucracy bullies brother bravery brainwash bombs blowback bloody blame bitterness binLaden bigotry bias belief battlefields bases barriers balance awareness avenge attitude attention attack assassination assassinate assassin arrogance arms apathy anxiety answers annihilation angst anger analysis American America ambiguity alternatives alqaeda alone alienation aggression Afghanistan adversity adversaries action achievement accountability acceptance abandonment separation security secrets secrecy risk rightwing rights right retributive retribution retaliation respite resistance resiliance repression redemption reconciliation realpolitik reality rationales racist racism race punditry pundit protest propaganda proliferation progress profile problems proactive prisons pride prevention prejudice praying prayer power posterity politics policy piety philosophy perspective persecution peacemaking peacemakers peacebuilding peace patriotism patriotic patience paths passion partisans parochialism paradigms pain overwork overreaction outsiders oppression opposition opinion oil occupiers nutcases numbness nonviolence nightmares neurosis nationalism nation Muslims murder multicultural mosques mistakes mission misery minorities minds mind military militaristic militarism militants militancy media meaning massacres marginalize abuse abilities schizophrenia Nidal Hood Hasan Fort Nancy Pace http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2009/10/24/4360686.html http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2009/10/24/4360686.html Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:39:00 -0400 Excerpt: Will some brilliant programmer please step up and design a google-type software program that can linguistically analyze and determine a speaker/writer’s cooperative tone and intent? Your new program could identify and distinguish among those writers/speakers whose communications promote a sense of division, partisanship, negativity, polarization, blame, attack, incivility, rudeness, destructiveness, unfriendly competition, bickering and hate—and those promoting a sense of positivity, creativity, life-affirmation, support, harmony, acceptance, forgiveness, productivity, civility, courtesy, equality of opportunity, caring, cooperation and unity. Excerpt: Your software would have endless useful and profitable applications. For immediate profitability, please consider using your product for security purposes, to helpfully ward off unfriendly attacks and attackers (of whatever kind) upon individuals and enterprises (of whatever kind.) Excerpt: Your software will stimulate lively dialogue; increase the impact and number of creative, thought-provoking, and controversial-but-civil exchanges; reduce (by virtue of indifference and neglect) the quantity and influence of divisive communications arising anywhere in the world; universally improve facility in verbal and mental processing of complexities, innuendo and nuances; and inspire us all to pull together cooperatively to resolve our common personal, local and global problems. Main Page politics religion ecology epharmony compassion war peace terrorism justice catastrophe legislation military Democrats fairness commentary opinion freedom punditry humor satire policy meaning government injustice bias belief Republicans current news analysis art spirituality culture insight acceptance anger christian economy resistance ethics education security nutrition God philosophy bioterrorism conservatism nuclear kindness giving priorities "higher power" sacrifice relationships assassination poetry prayer patriotism Katrina Hurricane scapegoat image work loneliness comparison past protest traditon patriot nationalism border violence marriage surrender law abortion movies reviews ideals power chaos rights soldiers confusion answers defense differences fiction fear 9/11 WMDs safety nonviolence seasons sexuality Jesus songs guilt gardening choices peacemakers political cartoons comics perspective faith parenting secrecy democracy Japan values demagogues victims diplomacy witness immigration racism diversity competition childhood negotiation bullies international leadership Department of Peace golden rule politics :turnabout as fair play" enlightenment crimes against humanity Qana enemies prejudice dialogue media military brats creativity blowback Christianity sex education scum police state coups gratitude appreciation veterans forgiveness vengeance defensiveness police meditation right unborn battlefields massacres hospitality foreign policy guns memoir oil morals fighting goals ideologies blame theories Iraq Islam problems xenophobia extremism conflict heroes history humanitarian biowarfare Middle East Obama schools charisma attacks Hillary revolution empathy law hope consensus sin liberal Moqtada al-Sadr divisions idealism feminism China Chinese Russia pacifist weapons endorsements judgment letters-to-the-editor division candidates oneness speeches solutions predictions hope Palin quandaries market choice journalism cabinet rivals scarcities 2009 Entries bigotry obsolescence torture interfaith neutrality friendship software program develop software zealots zealotry xenophobia wrong writer wounds work women WMDs wives witness unknown universe universal unity uniqueness unilateral unfamiliar understanding uncertainties unborn ultimate tyranny twins truth triumph tribe travel transportation transparency transformation transcendence tragedy tragedies tradition trade torture tomorrow tolerance tiredness time thugs thuggery threats threat thepresent theocracy them thanksgiving testosterone testorterite terrorizing terrorist terrorism terror term tension technology taxpayers taxes taxation talents talent symptoms sympathy sweat sustainability survival surrender Supreme support superiority Superdelegates suffering Sudan subsidies stress strengths strategy strategies story stockpiles stewardship standards stability spring sports spirituality spirit sovereignty Source souls Sotomayor sorrow Sonya sons Sonia son solutions solidarity smarmy smallness slippery sisters sisterhood sins sincerity simpllism similarities siblings shyness shootings Shiva sexuality sexism sex service servant separation sensibility selfless selfishness self selection security secrets secrecy secession search scriptures scripture scientific science scholarship scholarly scarcity scarcities satisfaction satire Sarah Santa sanctity saints sadism sacrifice Rumsfeld rules rulers rule rudeness Rove romance robotics rivalry risk rightwing rights right revolutionary reviews revelation retributive retribution retaliation respite respect resources resolutions resistance resiliance resettlement resentments resentment rescue reputation Republicans repression representative representation remembrance religion relativism relationships regret regimechange refugees redemption reconciliation recidivism realpolitik reality readers rationales rape racist racism race purpose purity punishment punditry pundit PuertoRico public provincialism protest protection prostitution prosperity prophets propaganda proliferation progress prognostications profiteers profile productivity problems proactive prisons pride prevention Presidential President prejudice pregnancy preemptive loyalty loyalties love losses loss lonely loneliness logic local listening limitations Limbaugh likeability lifestyle life lies liberty liberation liberals letters lessons legitimacy legislation legacy left Lebanon leadership leaders lawlessness law Latino Latina Koran kindness key Katrina justice judiciary judgment Judaism journalism jobs jihad Jews Jew Jesus Japan Israeli Israel isms Islam irritations Iraq Iran investigations invasion invaders intimacy internet international interests intentions integrity insurgencies institutions instinct insanity innuendo innocence injustice initiatives information inequality indoctrination indigenous indifference India Independents indebtedness inclusiveness incarceration inadequacy improvement imprisonment implications imperialism imperfection impatience immorality immigration immigrant image illusion ignorance ignominy ideology ideologues identity ideals idealism husband Hurricane hunger Humpty humour humor humility humanrights humanity humanitarian humane Huckabee hubris housing hospitality horrors hopes hope honesty homophobia homelands homeland home holy holocaust holiness hobbies Hitler history Hispanic Hiroshima hippies Hindu higherpower Hezbollah heroes hero helplessness help hegemony hearts heartaches healthcare health healing heal hatred happiness handguns Hamas hallowed Haditha guns guilt Guantanamo grievances grief greed gravesites gratitude grassroots government gore withdrawal wishes wisdom WIB wholeness wholeheartedness who West welcome webmaster weather weariness weapons weaponry warriors Warner warmth warmongers war VP voting vote vocabulary visionary vision virtue violence violations vigilance viewpoints victims vice veterans versions veracity vengeance VEEP values uviverse utopian us unselfishness goodwill goldenrule golden goals glorification global giving Ghandi German geopolitical gentleness generosity generalizations gender gardening garden gangs gambling futility fundamentalism FtDetrick frustration friendship friends freedom framework fortune forgiveness forgive foreign force forbearance flowers flexibility fitness firearms finality film fighting feminism feminine feelings fear FDR father fantasy family fallibility faithlessness faith fairytales fairness failrness fail facism extremists extremism exploitation explanation experts expertise expenditures expectations exotic excellence evil Europe ethnophobia ethnocentrism ethnicity ethics eternity eternal essay espionage escalation equitability equanimity eppyharmon eppy epharmony envy energy enemies endorsements empowerment empathy emotion emergencies eloquence electorate elections election eharmony ego education educated editorials ecumenical economy economics ecology East earthlings dying Dumpty drugs dreams dream drama domination domestic dogs documentaries divorce divisiveness divisions diversity diversions disrespect disobedience disengagement disease discrimiination discourse discount discontent discipline disaster disarmament diplomats diplomacy differences dialogue dialect devout devotion detente destruction despots despotic desperation despair desire deprivation depots denial demonize Democrats democracy demagogues delusions dehumanize dehumanization definition defensiveness defense defeatism decisions deception debt death dead daughters Darfur DalaiLama cynicism cycles current culture Crusades cruelty crooked criticism criminals criminal crime credentials cowboys Court courage corruption corporatocracy corporations corporate control contributions contribution contraception contentment constitutional constitution conspiracies conservatives conservatism conservation consensus conquest conquerors Congress confusion Confucius conflict confidence Confederacy conditions conditioning condemnation conclusions compromise complexity compassion companionship communications communication commonalities prediction praying prayer power posts posterity possibilities positivity porn poor polluters politics politician policy poetry plays play pioneers piety photos philosophy pets perspective persona perseverence persecution permutations perfection peculiarity peacemarchers peacemaking peacemakers peacebuilding peace patriotism patriotic patriot patience paths passion party partisans parochialism paradigms Palin Palestinians pain overwork overreaction outsiders outdoors optimism oppression opposition opportunity opportunities opportunists opportunism opinion openness oneness omniscience omnipotence Olympics oil occupiers occupation Obama nutcases numbness nuclear nuance novels nonviolence nonpartison nominee nomination nightmares NGOs news neurosis neighbors neighborliness negotiation negativity nature native nationalism nation Nasrallah name naivete naive nagging mysteries Muslims music murder multilateral multicultural muddling movies movements motherhood mother mosques MoqtadaalSadr monuments money MLKJr mistakes mission misery minorities minds mind military militaristic militarism militants militancy milbrats migration Miers messianic men memory memorials memoir megalomaniacs meditation mediation media meaning meandering me materialism massacres masculine Mary marriage marginalize marginalization manipulation maim machine commitment commentary comic comfort colonization colleges classy classics class clarity civilization civilians citizens CIA christian choices choice Chinese China children childhood childbearing Cheney chaos change challenges chairman cause cartoon caring careers capitalism candidates candidate Canada campaign cabinet Bush bureaucracy bullies Buddha brothers brother brilliance bravery brainwash botanical borderlines border bombs blowback bloody blogging bloggers bloat blessings blame bitterness bioterrorism biography binLaden bigotry bickering biblical Bible bias betting belligerance belief Beijing beauty battlefields bases barriers Barack bandwidth balance awareness avocations avenge attitude attention attack athletics atheist assimilation assassination assassinate assassin artwork artist art arsenals arrogance arms approval appreciation apologies apathy anxiety answers annihilation angst Anglo anger ancestors analysis anachronisms ammo American America ambition ambiguity alternatives alqaeda alone alienation alcoholism alcohol AIPAC Ahmadinejad aggression agendas Afghanistan advocacy adversity adversaries adventuring admiration addiction activists activism action acting achievement accountability acceptance accent academy abuse about abortion abolition abilities abandonment Nancy Pace http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2009/7/26/4267927.html http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2009/7/26/4267927.html Sun, 26 Jul 2009 13:37:00 -0400 (Excerpt): I do hope the current media frenzy results in a national dialogue which teaches America how scary, emotional and risky it is to be a minority member in America, unpredictably facing powerful, fallible, human, and sometimes consciously or unconsciously prejudiced law enforcement individuals and organizations which always circle the wagons to protect themselves; and also, how scary, emotional and risky it is to be a conscientious police officer trying daily to do a thankless job, by selflessly and repeatedly putting him or herself into deadly, confusing, volatile—and often, degrading, no-win—situations. (Excerpt): Why don’t police officers all wear video recording devices at all times? This requirement would protect both the police and all citizens, by encouraging all participants to always be on their best behavior. Think how much money it would save in court costs and legal fees! (Excerpt): I recently humbly “donated” money to my community for having been caught red-handed by a camera showing me running a red light I would have sworn before a judge I never ran. That camera saved both me and the court system a lot of money. Memories are faulty, but cameras and recorders are less so…. (Except): Everybody plays the fool sometimes…. There’s no exceptions to the rule…. Main Page politics religion compassion peace justice legislation Democrats fairness commentary opinion punditry policy meaning government injustice bias Republicans current news analysis culture insight acceptance anger ethics education security philosophy conservatism kindness giving priorities sacrifice relationships patriotism scapegoat work loneliness comparison protest violence law ideals power chaos rights confusion answers differences fear safety guilt choices peacemakers perspective demagogues victims immigration racism diversity bullies leadership golden rule politics enlightenment enemies prejudice dialogue media blowback police state gratitude appreciation forgiveness vengeance defensiveness police guns morals fighting blame problems xenophobia extremism conflict heroes history humanitarian Obama attacks sin liberal divisions judgment choice journalism 2009 Entries bigotry torture neutrality friendship minorities documentaries zealots zealotry xenophobia wrong wisdom vision virtue violence violations viewpoints victims values universal unity understanding uncertainties transformation transcendence tragedy torture tomorrow tolerance tiredness thugs thuggery threats threat sympathy survival support suffering stress strategy strategies solutions sincerity rulers rudeness risk rightwing right respect repression relationships regret reconciliation rationales racist racism race punditry pundit problems proactive prisons pride prevention Presidential President prejudice power possibilities positivity poor politics policy perspective peacemaking peacemakers peacebuilding peace patience passion pain overreaction opinion openness news multicultural mistakes loyalty loyalties lies liberty liberals lessons legislation left leadership leaders lawlessness law justice judgment journalism integrity institutions innocence injustice imperfection illusion ignorance ignominy humility hubris heroes heartaches healing heal gratitude goodwill goldenrule gentleness generosity generalizations frustration friendship friends forgiveness forgive forbearance flexibility fighting feelings fear fallibility fairness expertise expectations excellence ethnophobia ethnocentrism ethnicity ethics escalation enemies empowerment empathy emotion ego divisiveness diversity disrespect disobedience discrimiination discourse diplomacy differences dialogue demagogues delusions dehumanize dehumanization defensiveness defense decisions death current culture cruelty crooked criticism criminals criminal crime credentials courage corruption confusion conflict compromise complexity compassion commentary citizens choices choice change challenges caring bureaucracy bullies brothers brother brilliance bravery blowback blame bitterness bigotry bickering belligerance barriers Barack bandwidth balance awareness attitude attention attack arrogance appreciation analysis American America ambition ambiguity alternatives aggression advocacy adversity achievement accountability acceptance Nancy Pace http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2009/6/22/4230778.html http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2009/6/22/4230778.html Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:26:00 -0400 Excerpts: Angry media xenophobes and demagogues try to scare us into believing that the world is divided into a tiny deserving few of “us” vs. a vast faceless, threatening, undeserving “them,” urging us to abandon the goal of peace and justice for all, and to put power and wealth in the hands of a few self-interested fear-mongers who guilefully “guarantee” safety through militarism. Offering the opposite message are the great leaders of our past and present, urging us to love and help one another, to give and forgive, to risk peace instead of war, and to work together for respectful, supportive conditions valuing the sanctity of human life everywhere. Truly, we cannot avoid all injustice, but we can avoid adding to its sum. Justice implies neutrality and fairness, but no judges are completely unbiased. We all see the world uniquely, based on our different backgrounds. In the face of the same legal arguments, natural, unavoidable bias is evident in the many disagreements among even our rigorously-selected highest justices. Our current justices’ life experiences are for the most part grounded in privilege and wealth. A more balanced Supreme Court would include justices whose lives reflect struggles against prejudice, poverty or disadvantage, since, in common law legal systems like our own, justices at times “make the law” by overturning precedents, regulations and legislation, with immense implications for future generations. Main Page politics compassion war peace terrorism justice catastrophe legislation military Democrats fairness commentary opinion freedom punditry policy meaning government injustice bias belief Republicans current news analysis culture insight acceptance christian economy resistance ethics education security God philosophy conservatism kindness priorities relationships patriotism comparison traditon patriot violence marriage law abortion ideals power chaos rights soldiers confusion answers defense differences fear safety nonviolence guilt choices perspective faith parenting democracy values demagogues victims diplomacy racism diversity childhood negotiation bullies international leadership golden rule politics enlightenment prejudice dialogue media blowback gratitude appreciation vengeance defensiveness right morals goals blame theories problems xenophobia extremism conflict history humanitarian Obama schools charisma attacks empathy law hope consensus liberal divisions idealism feminism judgment division candidates oneness quandaries market choice journalism 2009 Entries bigotry neutrality Sotomayor Sonya Latina Sonia Latino xenophobia writer work women wishes wholeness wholeheartedness warmth war voting vote vocabulary visionary vision virtue violations vigilance viewpoints victims unselfishness universal unity uniqueness understanding uncertainties truth transformation transcendence tradition tomorrow tolerance talents talent sympathy Supreme support superiority strengths strategy strategies stewardship stability spirit sorrow solutions sexism separation sensibility selfless security science scholarship scholarly sanctity sacrifice rules rulers rivalry risk rightwing rights right respect resources resiliance reputation Republicans repression representation relationships regimechange refugees reconciliation realpolitik reality rationales racist racism race purpose punditry pundit progress prognostications profile problems proactive pride Presidential President preemptive prediction power posterity possibilities positivity poor politics policy philosophy persona perseverence peacemakers peacebuilding peace patriotism patriotic patriot patience paths passion partisans parochialism paradigms pain outsiders optimism oppression opportunity opportunities opinion openness oneness Obama nuance nonviolence nonpartison nominee nomination news Muslims motherhood money meaning loyalties love listening Limbaugh likeability liberals legitimacy legislation legacy leadership leaders lawlessness law kindness justice judgment interests institutions insanity injustice inequality indifference inclusiveness imperfection immorality ideology ideals idealism humility humanrights humanity humanitarian humane hopes hope honesty home history heartaches healthcare health healing heal hatred grievances greed grassroots government goodwill goldenrule goals giving gentleness generosity gender freedom framework forbearance flexibility fitness feminism feminine feelings fear fallibility faith fairness extremists extremism exploitation explanation experts expertise expectations excellence ethnophobia ethnicity ethics essay equitability equanimity endorsements empowerment empathy emotion emergencies eloquence elections education educated economics dying divorce divisiveness divisions diversity diversions disrespect diplomats diplomacy differences dialogue despotic desperation despair desire demonize demagogues delusions dehumanize decisions daughters cynicism cycles current culture Court courage control contributions contentment conservatives conservatism compromise classy clarity civilization civilians citizens children childhood chaos change challenges cause caring bullies Buddha brothers brother brilliance borderlines border bombs blowback bloody blogging blessings blame bigotry belligerance belief Beijing beauty battlefields barriers Barack balance awareness avenge attitude attention attack art arrogance arms approval appreciation apologies anxiety answers annihilation Anglo ancestors analysis American America alternatives agendas advocacy adversity admiration activists activism achievement acceptance abuse Nancy Pace http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2009/5/13/4185056.html http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2009/5/13/4185056.html Wed, 13 May 2009 16:02:00 -0400 (excerpt): In reference to your February 18th editorial, “Terrifying Reminder," war harms millions more innocents than terrorism does, so can we save some of our righteous indignation for war, too? (excerpt): To all war’s victims on all sides—dead soldiers and their broken-hearted families, the maimed and their caretakers, all whose love, energy, money and talents are wasted on destruction—war is as senseless and cruel as terrorism. (excerpt): We cannot prevent all injustices, but we can avoid adding to their sum. Main Page politics compassion war peace terrorism justice catastrophe military Bush fairness government bias belief Republicans current news spirituality culture insight ethics violence ideals power rights soldiers confusion defense differences fear safety nonviolence choices peacemakers perspective values demagogues victims diplomacy bullies international leadership enemies prejudice dialogue blowback foreign policy morals fighting goals blame theories Iraq Islam problems xenophobia extremism conflict history humanitarian Middle East Obama attacks divisions idealism judgment division quandaries choice journalism rivals 2009 Entries bigotry interfaith wrong wisdom weariness warmongers war vote visionary vision violence viewpoints values uncertainties tyranny transformation transcendence tragedy tomorrow tolerance thugs thuggery threats terrorizing terrorist terror tension technology survival superiority suffering stress strengths strategy strategies stockpiles standards stability sorrow solutions smarmy smallness simpllism similarities rivalry rightwing rights right retribution retaliation respect resources resistance reputation reconciliation realpolitik reality rationales purpose punditry pundit public protest prosperity propaganda progress profiteers problems pride prevention Presidential President prejudice preemptive prediction power posterity possibilities poor politics politician policy perspective peacemaking peacemakers peacebuilding peace patriotism patriotic patience paths parochialism paradigms pain oppression opportunists opportunism opinion oil occupiers occupation Obama nuclear nonviolence nightmares news neighborliness Muslims multilateral multicultural muddling mistakes mission misery military militaristic militarism militants militancy megalomaniacs marginalize marginalization manipulation maim loyalty loyalties losses loss lies letters lessons leadership leaders justice judgment Israel Islam Iraq invasion invaders international interests integrity insanity innocence injustice inequality inadequacy improvement implications imperialism immorality illusion ignorance ideals idealism humility humanrights humanity humanitarian humane hubris horrors hopes hegemony heartaches healing heal hatred guilt grievances grief greed government gore goodwill goldenrule goals global geopolitical futility frustration friendship friends freedom foreign forbearance fighting feelings fear fairness extremists extremism ethics essay escalation equitability enemies empathy emotion eloquence elections domination divisiveness divisions disaster diplomats diplomacy differences dialogue destruction demonize demagogues delusions dehumanize dehumanization defense decisions death cynicism current culture cruelty criticism conservatism confusion compromise complexity compassion commonalities commentary citizens choices choice chaos caring Bush bullies borderlines blowback bloody bigotry bias belligerance belief Barack balance awareness attitude arrogance apathy answers analysis anachronisms America alternatives alqaeda adversaries Nancy Pace http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2009/5/13/4185014.html http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2009/5/13/4185014.html Wed, 13 May 2009 15:08:00 -0400 (Excerpt): For instance, thanks to our current civic dialogue on torture, we now realize that the decision to torture, like the decision to go to war, only seems “simple” when we see “others” as “not-us,” “different,” and in terms of “us/them;” the decision to torture is infinitely more complicated when we view all people as valuable, “us,” “ours,” one community. We’ve also learned that torture undermines founding American principles of respect and support for human life, is often counterproductive, ineffective, unreliable, and misleading, endangers our own imprisoned soldiers, weakens our alliances, and creates endless new enemies. Main Page compassion war peace terrorism justice fairness commentary opinion freedom policy government injustice bias belief current news analysis spirituality culture insight acceptance christian ethics education security giving priorities relationships patriotism nationalism violence ideals power chaos rights soldiers confusion answers defense differences fear safety nonviolence guilt choices peacemakers faith values demagogues victims diplomacy racism diversity competition negotiation media vengeance Islam attacks letters-to-the-editor solutions choice rivals 2009 Entries bigotry torture simpllism nuance transparency xenophobia wisdom war virtue violations viewpoints victims values understanding uncertainties torture tolerance thuggery threats terrorist terrorism terror suffering stress strengths strategy strategies standards secrets secrecy sadism rights right retribution respect relationships reconciliation pundit protest protection problems proactive prisons President prejudice power poor politics politician philosophy perspective persecution peacemaking peacemakers peacebuilding peace patriotism patriot patience passion paradigms pain outsiders oppression opposition opinion occupiers occupation Obama nonviolence news negotiation negativity nationalism nation naivete naive Muslims murder multilateral multicultural muddling mistakes mission misery minds military militarism militants megalomaniacs manipulation maim lessons leadership leaders law kindness justice judgment Israel Islam Iraq invaders international intentions insurgencies insanity innocence injustice information indoctrination incarceration imprisonment imperialism immorality illusion ignorance ignominy ideologues ideals idealism humility humanrights humanity humanitarian humane hubris horrors helplessness hegemony healing heal hatred Haditha guilt Guantanamo grievances grief government goodwill goldenrule goals global geopolitical futility friends freedom foreign force forbearance fighting feelings fear faithlessness faith fairness extremists extremism ethnophobia ethnocentrism ethics essay empathy education ecumenical divisiveness diversity disrespect discourse diplomacy differences dialogue detente desperation denial demonize demagogues dehumanization defensiveness defense defeatism decisions deception death cynicism current culture cruelty criticism criminal crime confusion conflict compassion commonalities commentary clarity citizens CIA choices choice Cheney brainwash borderlines blowback bloody blame bigotry bias Barack awareness avenge attitude attack arrogance anxiety answers analysis anachronisms America ambiguity alternatives aggression advocacy adversity adversaries acceptance Nancy Pace http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2009/5/13/4184994.html http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2009/5/13/4184994.html Wed, 13 May 2009 14:34:00 -0400 Regarding the op-ed Obama’s China Card of 4/8/09: John Wohlstetter’s sinful offer to China of a poisoned diplomatic apple would serve only to heighten geostrategic tensions. Why aggravate our banker China, our most influential ally in negotiating with North Korea, when China could well be the very country most-motivated to partner with Obama’s smart-power, win-win efforts to find peaceful and mutually-advantageous solutions to the global problems shared-in-common by China and her trading partners, neighbors and debtors? Immense U.S. profits already accrued from China’s WTO membership will only grow during China’s historic rise—if unresolved energy shortages, climate change, nuclear proliferation, war, terrorism, trade wars, worldwide crime and disease and other such global conundrums don’t make future international trade moot. Increased enmity with China could even lead to war, which never prevents catastrophe, being itself a catastrophe. Our closest allies have with impunity violated far more UN Security Council resolutions than has North Korea. Let’s retire our lingering sentimental attachments to obsolescent strategies like sword-rattling and stick-shaking, along with defunct foreign policies that bully, threaten, and subsidize massive war-profiteering, approaches which have only moved our tiny blue planet steadily closer to nuclear nightmare. Main Page politics compassion war peace catastrophe military fairness commentary opinion punditry policy government injustice bias belief current news analysis culture insight acceptance christian economy resistance ethics education security philosophy conservatism nuclear kindness giving priorities relationships patriotism nationalism violence ideals power chaos soldiers confusion answers defense differences fear safety nonviolence guilt choices peacemakers perspective faith democracy values demagogues victims diplomacy racism diversity competition negotiation bullies international leadership enlightenment enemies prejudice dialogue media blowback gratitude defensiveness foreign policy morals fighting goals theories problems xenophobia extremism conflict history humanitarian Obama attacks divisions China Chinese judgment letters-to-the-editor division hope quandaries choice journalism rivals 2009 Entries bigotry obsolescence visionary vision virtue violence viewpoints victims values unselfishness universal unity uniqueness understanding truth transparency transformation transcendence tradition trade tomorrow tolerance thugs thuggery threats threat tension talents talent sustainability survival support superiority suffering stress strengths strategy stockpiles stewardship stability solutions solidarity smallness separation sensibility selfless selfishness security rulers rule rudeness rivalry rightwing right respect resiliance remembrance relationships regret reconciliation realpolitik reality racist racism race purpose punditry pundit public provincialism protest prosperity propaganda proliferation progress productivity problems proactive prevention Presidential President prejudice preemptive prediction power posterity possibilities positivity politics policy perspective peacemaking peacemakers peacebuilding peace patriotism patriotic patriot patience paths passion party partisans parochialism paradigms pain outsiders optimism opposition opportunities opportunists opportunism opinion openness oneness nuclear news neighbors neighborliness negotiation negativity nationalism nation naivete naive multilateral multicultural muddling money mistakes mission misery minds mind military militaristic militarism militants militancy loyalties listening lifestyle life lies lessons leadership leaders kindness key justice judgment international interests inten