http://www.epharmony.com/blog Epharmonic correspondence with an altered planet... en-us Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:03:28 -0400 Main Page Blogware 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 14:26:27 -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 16:02:49 -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 15:08:18 -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 14:34:58 -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 intentions integrity insanity innuendo innocence injustice initiatives information inequality indoctrination indifference indebtedness inclusiveness improvement implications imperialism imperfection impatience immorality illusion ignorance ignominy ideology ideologues ideals idealism humility humanity humanitarian humane hubris hospitality horrors hopes hope honesty xenophobia wisdom war history hegemony heartaches healing heal hatred happiness guns guilt grief greed gratitude government goodwill goldenrule golden goals global giving geopolitical gentleness generosity frustration friendship friends freedom forgiveness foreign force forbearance flexibility fighting feelings fear faithlessness faith fairness extremists extremism exploitation explanation experts expertise expenditures expectations excellence ethnophobia ethnocentrism ethnicity ethics essay escalation equitability enemies endorsements empathy eloquence education editorials ecumenical economy drama domination divisiveness divisions diversity disrespect disengagement disarmament diplomats diplomacy differences dialogue detente desperation despair denial demonize democracy demagogues delusions dehumanize dehumanization defensiveness defense defeatism decisions deception cynicism current culture criticism control contributions contribution conspiracies confusion conflict condemnation conclusions compromise complexity compassion companionship communications communication commonalities commentary citizens Chinese China chaos change cause caring brainwash border blowback blessings blame bitterness bigotry bickering bias belligerance belief Beijing balance attitude attack arrogance appreciation anxiety answers anger analysis anachronisms American America aggression agendas advocacy adversaries admiration acceptance Nancy Pace http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2009/3/7/4115454.html http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2009/3/7/4115454.html Sun, 03 May 2009 10:48:23 -0400 I originally titled this piece, "Rush Limbaugh is a Dangerous Destructive Simplistic Fear-Based Hateful Ignorant Terrifying Lying Demagogic Blowhard." But I like Rush Limbaugh, if not what he says, so I changed the title. Some of the things I like best about Rush Limbaugh are: his work ethic, his perseverence, his vulnerability, his gentleness, his good mind and his facility with words and ideas, his patriotism, and his loving spirit. Despite overwhelming evidence that his narrow worldview is way too confining for his large heart and fine intelligence, he seems fiercely determined so far to force unruly facts into his too-small mental paradigms, in order that he may continue to be safely "right" about whatever he's said up until now. Rush Limbaugh is afraid (as are we all) of being "wrong," and also of not-knowing, when the truth is, the more one knows, the more one knows one doesn't know. What I do know about Rush is that he means well, and that he wants very much to believe that what he's doing will work for him and for America and Americans. Certainly his past approaches have made him rich. They've also left him feeling very much alone in an angry, frightened, adoring, clueless crowd. Main Page politics compassion war terrorism justice fairness commentary opinion freedom punditry government Republicans culture acceptance economy resistance conservatism nuclear patriotism patriot nationalism ideals power chaos rights soldiers confusion answers defense differences fear 9/11 WMDs safety nonviolence choices perspective faith democracy victims immigration racism bullies international enemies prejudice dialogue blowback foreign policy goals ideologies blame theories xenophobia extremism history Middle East Obama schools attacks divisions idealism speeches solutions choice 2009 Entries bigotry Limbaugh xenophobia wrong WMDs warmongers war vote vision virtue violence violations vigilance viewpoints victims values understanding uncertainties tolerance threats terrorist terrorism strengths smallness sincerity rulers rightwing rights Republicans racism punditry pundit propaganda problems President prejudice politics peacebuilding peace patriotism patriotic patriot partisans parochialism opposition opinion nutcases nuclear nonpartison nightmares nationalism nation media meaning marginalization manipulation lies leadership leaders insanity innuendo indoctrination implications immigration ignorance ideals idealism hubris history healing government goals frustration freedom fighting feelings fear faithlessness faith enemies empowerment empathy emotion eloquence electorate elections ego education educated divisiveness divisions differences dialogue destruction denial demonize democracy demagogues deception current criticism courage constitution conservatives conservatism confusion conflict complexity communication commonalities commentary citizens Bush blowback blame bitterness bigotry bias belief bandwidth balance awareness attitude attention arrogance answers anger analysis American America ambiguity alternatives adversaries action accountability Nancy Pace http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2009/1/27/4072136.html http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2009/1/27/4072136.html Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:19:11 -0500 I'm working on a memoir of my years spent as the military brat daughter of a highly-decorated war hero and career officer--about the implications of those experiences for me, my family, other military families, my country and the world in general, and about my difficult transition to peace activism. I will return to full-time blogging as soon as ever I can, and until then, I know I will keep blogging sporadically because sometimes I simply cannot not write about reactions I have to things I read in the newspaper, like the above commentary.... I love blogging, and will post again soon.... Thank you to all my readers for your patience.... :) Main Page Nancy Pace http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2009/1/27/4072124.html http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2009/1/27/4072124.html Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:13:51 -0500 From the looks of the many recent letters to newspapers, U.S. right-wing extremists plan to win back the presidency in 2012 by politiely offering voters a false dichotomy: we citizens will "be forced" to choose between safety and good government—i.e., “Since Bush protected us from terrorist attacks, if there is an attack on Obama’s watch, it will be Obama’s fault, so we'll have to fire him—regardless of his achievements for the people.” The truth is, terrorist attacks are quite likely nowadays, being relatively cheap, easy to carry out, and hard to prevent; examples of such atrocities are 9/11 (which occurred on Bush’s watch), the London train bombings, and the Mumbai attacks. Obama will defend our borders, go after terrorists, and work with all nations to confront and ameliorate the conditions which produce terrorism—lawlessness, violent cultures, lack of opportunity, political oppression and repression, poverty, inequality, easily-available weapons, and ongoing conflicts. But Obama’s job has not been made easier by Bush's disastrous economic legacy, nor by his ill-advised Iraq war, Guantanamo, and his record of torture, all of which have left Obama with an Al Qaeda far bigger, stronger, richer, and more dedicated than Bush ever inherited from Clinton. None of these facts matter, however, to faithless demagogues like Rush Limbaugh, who trust in lies, fear—and a timely terrorist attack—to rescue themselves and their ilk from present ignominy. I welcome your comments! Please send them to njcpace@gmail.com . Thank you! Nancy Pace :) Ps. I am working on a memoir of my years as the military brat daughter of a highly-decorated war hero (and career officer)--about the implications of those experiences for me, my family, other military families, my country and the world in general, and about my difficult transition to peace activism. I will return to full-time blogging as soon as ever I can, and until then, I know I will keep blogging sporadically because sometimes I simply cannot not write about reactions I have to things I read in the newspaper, like the above commentary.... I love blogging, and will post again soon.... Thank you for your patience to all my readers! :) Main Page politics compassion war peace terrorism justice catastrophe military Democrats Bush fairness commentary opinion punditry policy government injustice bias Republicans current news analysis culture insight economy resistance ethics security conservatism nuclear kindness giving priorities relationships patriotism patriot nationalism border violence law ideals power chaos rights soldiers confusion answers defense differences fear 9/11 WMDs safety nonviolence choices peacemakers perspective faith democracy values demagogues victims diplomacy negotiation bullies international leadership golden rule politics enlightenment crimes against humanity enemies prejudice dialogue military brats blowback veterans vengeance battlefields massacres foreign policy memoir morals fighting goals ideologies blame theories Iraq Islam problems xenophobia extremism conflict heroes history humanitarian Middle East Obama attacks Hillary liberal divisions idealism weapons judgment division solutions hope 2009 Entries work WMDs withdrawal wishes wisdom weaponry warriors warmongers war visionary vision virtue violence vigilance viewpoints victims versions vengeance values unselfishness unity understanding uncertainties tyranny truth transparency transformation transcendence tragedy tragedies torture tomorrow tolerance tiredness time thugs thuggery threats threat terrorizing terrorist terrorism terror technology taxpayers talent sympathy survival support superiority suffering stress strengths strategy strategies standards stability sorrow solutions selfishness security rivalry risk rightwing rights retribution retaliation respect resources resistance resiliance resentment Republicans repression religion relationships regret refugees reconciliation realpolitik reality punditry pundit protection prosperity progress problems pride Presidential President prejudice power posterity possibilities positivity poor politics politician policy perspective persecution peacemaking peacemakers peacebuilding peace patriotism patriotic patriot patience paths passion party partisans parochialism paradigms Palestinians pain outsiders optimism oppression opposition opportunities opinion openness oneness oil occupiers occupation Obama nutcases nuclear nightmares news neighborliness negotiation nationalism nation Muslims movements mistakes misery military militaristic militarism militants militancy milbrats memoir megalomaniacs massacres love losses loss lies liberty liberals lessons legacy leadership leaders lawlessness law kindness justice judgment jihad Israel Islam irritations Iraq Iran international interests intentions integrity insanity injustice initiatives information inequality improvement implications immorality illusion ignorance ignominy ideals idealism hunger humility humanrights humanity humanitarian hubris horrors hope honesty home holocaust history hegemony heartaches health healing heal hatred guns Guantanamo grievances grief greed grassroots government gore goodwill goldenrule goals global geopolitical frustration friendship friends freedom foreign force forbearance flexibility fighting fear fallibility faithlessness faith fairness facism extremists extremism exploitation explanation experts expertise expenditures excellence evil Europe ethnophobia ethnocentrism ethnicity ethics essay escalation enemies empowerment empathy economy economics divisiveness divisions diversity disrespect disaster diplomacy differences dialogue destruction desperation despair deprivation denial Democrats democracy demagogues delusions dehumanization defense decisions deception debt death cynicism current culture criticism courage confusion conflict conditions complexity compassion communications commonalities commentary class clarity choices choice chaos change challenges cause caring Bush bullies brothers brilliance bravery borderlines border bombs blowback bloody binLaden bigotry battlefields Barack bandwidth balance awareness attitude attack arrogance arms approval appreciation answers analysis American America alternatives alqaeda aggression agendas advocacy adversity adversaries adventuring admiration activism abuse Nancy Pace http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2008/11/16/3981242.html http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2008/11/16/3981242.html Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:37:15 -0500 (Excerpt): I went to see Quantum of Solace because I liked Daniel Craig as James Bond in Casino Royale, and because I always take my husband to opening weekends of all good new action movies. I’d already heard reviewers complain that this new Craig/Bond was insufficiently Bondish—i.e., not enough jokes, too much heavy emotion, too many similarities to other, un-Bond-like traditionally-vengeful action heroes, not enough Bond-techy gimmicks and vehicles, too few glam locales. And what to make of the movie’s weird politics? And of Bond’s lack-of-sex with his sexy new love interest? I went to see for myself.... Main Page 2008 Entries politics compassion war peace terrorism justice catastrophe military fairness commentary opinion freedom punditry humor satire policy meaning government injustice bias belief current news analysis art spirituality culture insight acceptance economy resistance ethics education security philosophy nuclear kindness giving priorities sacrifice relationships loneliness violence movies reviews power chaos soldiers confusion answers differences fiction fear safety nonviolence choices perspective values victims diversity competition bullies international enlightenment enemies media creativity blowback appreciation forgiveness vengeance foreign policy guns oil morals fighting goals ideologies theories problems conflict heroes history humanitarian charisma attacks divisions idealism weapons division oneness solutions predictions hope quandaries choice journalism scarcities wisdom wholeness wholeheartedness welcome weariness weapons weaponry virtue violence viewpoints victims vice veracity vengeance values unselfishness unity uniqueness unfamiliar understanding uncertainties tyranny truth travel transformation transcendence tomorrow thugs thuggery threats threat terrorizing terrorism talents talent sympathy sustainability survival suffering stress strengths strategy strategies standards stability spirituality sincerity similarities shootings sexuality sex service selfless selfishness scarcity scarcities romance risk rights reviews retributive retribution retaliation respect resources resistance resiliance rescue relativism relationships regret redemption reconciliation realpolitik reality purpose punishment pundit prosperity propaganda profiteers profile problems pride power possibilities positivity poor politics policy philosophy perspective persona perseverence peace patriotism patience paths passion paradigms pain opinion nightmares news nationalism mysteries murder multicultural muddling movies mistakes misery meaning loyalty loyalties love losses loss loneliness limitations likeability lifestyle lessons left leadership leaders kindness justice judgment journalism international interests intentions integrity insanity injustice imperfection ideals humility humanrights humanity humanitarian humane horrors hope honesty heroes hero helplessness help heartaches healing happiness guns guilt grievances grief greed government gore goodwill global giving gentleness generosity forgiveness forgive foreign force flexibility fitness firearms film fighting feelings fear fallibility exotic excellence ethics essay espionage equitability equanimity enemies emotion economy divisiveness divisions diversity disrespect disobedience disease discrimiination discontent discipline disaster disarmament diplomats diplomacy differences destruction despots despotic desperation despair desire deprivation democracy decisions deception death cynicism current culture criticism criminals criminal crime courage corruption control contributions contribution contentment confusion conflict confidence condemnation complexity compassion communication commonalities commentary classy class civilization choices choice chaos change challenges cause caring bullies brothers brilliance bravery bombs blowback bloody bitterness bias belligerance belief bandwidth balance awareness avenge attitude attack artwork artist art approval appreciation apathy anxiety answers angst analysis American America ambition alternatives alone aggression agendas advocacy adversity adversaries adventuring admiration activists activism action acting acceptance abilities Nancy Pace http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2008/11/16/3981009.html http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2008/11/16/3981009.html Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:29:17 -0500 (Excerpt): During those pre-Civil War days, politicians gained national political stature through public speaking—that is: by composing speeches and then publishing them in the nation’s newspapers. These thoughtfully-wrought, persuasive intellectual arguments concerning the issues of the day included valuable original personal perspectives and prescriptions for appropriate responses to breaking conflicts and topics. Barack Obama himself has certainly fulfilled all such requirement for visionary intellectual leadership, having personally written two best-selling books during his relative youth, and having personally planned and executed an unparalleled national campaign that bent and shaped the ideas of the world through the sheer force of his intellect. (Excerpt): But Secretary of State? We definitely do not need a parochial street fighter in that role. What we need is a global visionary who will approach the world non-adversarially—not as a defensive women up against a world of men, not as an advocate of the interests of the United States against the interests of “the rest,” but as one with all others. (Excerpt): Actually, I had Al Gore in mind for Obama's Secretary of State, because of his green, global, cooperative vision and personality, and his demonstrated intellectual leadership through speaking, writing, and other political venues. But if Obama does offer State to Clinton, then I hope she will consider his offer with a real humility about her motives and abilities gained from her recent hubris. And if she accepts, I hope she now comes from that intellectual bandwidth which alone will determine whether both their decisions will look good to posterity. Unfortunately, Clinton’s previous particular strengths have not been in this department—with the exception of her global work for women and children. Main Page 2008 Entries politics compassion war peace terrorism justice catastrophe Democrats fairness commentary opinion freedom punditry policy meaning government injustice bias belief current news analysis culture insight economy ethics education security philosophy kindness giving priorities relationships patriotism comparison past patriot nationalism ideals power chaos rights soldiers confusion answers defense differences fear safety choices peacemakers perspective democracy values victims diplomacy witness immigration racism diversity competition childhood international leadership golden rule politics enemies prejudice dialogue appreciation defensiveness foreign policy morals fighting goals ideologies theories Iraq Islam problems extremism conflict heroes history humanitarian Middle East Obama attacks Hillary liberal divisions idealism China Russia weapons judgment division candidates oneness speeches solutions predictions hope quandaries choice cabinet rivals work women wisdom wholeheartedness war visionary vision virtue violence values unity understanding uncertainties transformation transcendence tomorrow tolerance thugs thuggery threats terrorizing terrorism tension talents talent stress strengths strategy strategies standards stability solutions solidarity sincerity similarities service selfless selection security rulers rivalry risk resources representative religion relationships regimechange redemption reconciliation realpolitik reality purpose punditry pundit public progress problems pride Presidential President prediction power posterity possibilities positivity poor politics politician policy pioneers philosophy perspective persona perseverence perfection peacemaking peacemakers peacebuilding peace patriotism patriotic patriot patience paths passion party partisans parochialism paradigms overreaction outsiders opposition opportunity opportunities opportunists opinion openness oneness oil occupiers occupation nightmares news neurosis negativity nationalism nation mistakes mission meaning loyalty loyalties love losses limitations liberty liberals legislation left leadership leaders law kindness justice judgment Jews Japan Israel Islam Iraq Iran invasion invaders international interests intentions integrity injustice initiatives implications imperialism imperfection impatience immigration ideals idealism humility humanrights humanity humanitarian humane hubris hopes hope honesty history healing grievances grief government goodwill goldenrule goals global giving geopolitical generosity friendship friends freedom framework forgiveness forgive foreign force forbearance flexibility fitness fighting fear fallibility faith fairness facism extremism explanation experts expertise expectations excellence ethics essay equitability equanimity envy enemies empowerment empathy emotion eloquence electorate elections election ego education educated dreams divisiveness divisions disarmament diplomats diplomacy differences dialogue Democrats democracy defensiveness decisions death current culture criticism credentials courage control contributions contribution consensus conquest conquerors confusion conflict conclusions compromise complexity compassion communications communication commonalities commitment commentary class civilization citizens choices choice China children childhood chaos change challenges cause caring candidates candidate campaign cabinet bullies brothers brilliance bravery blame bitterness bickering bias belief barriers Barack bandwidth balance awareness attitude attack appreciation answers analysis anachronisms American America ambition alternatives aggression agendas advocacy adversaries admiration activists activism action achievement abilities Nancy Pace http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2008/11/8/3967981.html http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2008/11/8/3967981.html Sat, 08 Nov 2008 09:45:32 -0500 (Excerpt): Barack’s victory was a victory of hope, love, and faith over cynicism, despair, and vengeance. Journalists telling his election story just exactly as it unfolded were right to tell the truth that for a brief shining moment, America once again welcomed the possibility of a promising new king ready and eager to reign wisely and well from a diverse, compassionate and representative roundtable. Main Page 2008 Entries politics compassion war peace terrorism justice catastrophe legislation military Democrats Bush fairness commentary opinion freedom punditry policy meaning government injustice bias current news economy ethics education security philosophy conservatism kindness giving priorities sacrifice relationships patriotism image work comparison protest patriot violence ideals power chaos rights soldiers confusion answers defense differences fear 9/11 WMDs safety nonviolence choices peacemakers perspective faith democracy values demagogues victims diplomacy diversity competition bullies international leadership enemies prejudice dialogue media blowback appreciation veterans vengeance defensiveness right battlefields foreign policy morals fighting goals ideologies blame theories Iraq problems xenophobia extremism conflict heroes history humanitarian Middle East Obama schools charisma attacks liberal divisions idealism weapons endorsements judgment division candidates oneness solutions hope quandaries choice journalism xenophobia wrong witness withdrawal wishes wisdom wholeheartedness welcome warriors warmongers war voting vote visionary vision virtue violence vigilance viewpoints victims versions veracity vengeance values unity uniqueness understanding truth triumph transformation transcendence tomorrow tolerance threats terror term tension talents talent support superiority suffering stress strengths strategy strategies story stewardship standards stability spirit sorrow solutions sincerity similarities service servant separation sensibility selfless selfishness selection security Rumsfeld rulers Rove rivalry risk rights retribution respect Republicans representative realpolitik reality race purpose punditry pundit public protest protection prosperity propaganda profiteers profile productivity problems proactive pride Presidential President prejudice power posts posterity possibilities positivity politics politician policy philosophy perspective persona persecution perfection peacemaking peacemakers peacebuilding peace patriotism patriotic patriot patience paths passion party partisans paradigms pain overreaction opposition opportunists opportunism opinion openness oneness occupiers occupation Obama nonviolence nightmares news negativity nation naivete naive multicultural movements mistakes mission misery minds mind military militaristic militarism militants militancy megalomaniacs media meaning manipulation machine loyalty loyalties love losses loss likeability liberty liberals lessons legitimacy legislation left leadership leaders law kindness justice judgment journalism Iraq international interests intentions integrity institutions instinct insanity injustice implications imperfection immorality image illusion ignorance ideology ideologues identity ideals idealism humility humanrights humanity humanitarian humane hope honesty history heroes hero hegemony heartaches healing heal hatred happiness guilt grievances grief greed gratitude grassroots government gore goodwill goldenrule goals glorification global giving gentleness generosity foreign force forbearance flexibility fitness finality fighting fear fallibility faith fairness exploitation explanation experts expertise expectations excellence evil ethics essay equitability equanimity envy energy enemies endorsements empowerment empathy emotion eloquence electorate elections election editorials economy ecology domination divisiveness divisions diversity disrespect discourse disaster disarmament diplomats diplomacy differences dialogue devout devotion destruction desperation despair demonize Democrats democracy demagogues delusions defense decisions cynicism current culture crooked criticism credentials courage corruption corporatocracy contributions contribution conservatives conservatism conservation consensus conquest conquerors confusion conflict confidence conclusions compromise complexity compassion communications communication commonalities commitment commentary classy class clarity citizens choices choice Cheney chaos change challenges cause caring candidates candidate campaign Bush bullies brother brilliance bravery blowback blogging bloggers blessings blame bitterness bigotry bickering bias belief battlefields Barack bandwidth balance awareness attitude attention attack arrogance arms approval appreciation anxiety answers analysis American America ambiguity alternatives aggression agendas advocacy adversity admiration activists activism achievement accountability abilities Nancy Pace http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2008/10/22/3941837.html http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2008/10/22/3941837.html Wed, 22 Oct 2008 07:10:44 -0400 Americans of faith, whether liberals or conservatives, have always wanted to elect leaders who will put in place caring governmental policies supportive of human life, from beginning to end—policies such as people-friendly health care, education, jobs, housing, transportation, and energy; equitability and opportunity; a small-business and worker-friendly economy; environmental stewardship; generosity toward the most vulnerable; representative, transparent politics, government, and taxation; and a peaceable foreign policy. Unfortunately, Republican partisan hacks continually manipulate our natural emotions and sympathies to galvanize us around single values-issues like abortion, and thus distract and divide us into voting against our own (and everyone else’s) best interests, against the very life-supporting and compassionate values we care so much about, values which the Democratic Party has always stood up for. The Democratic Party party is pledged to make abortion more rare, not more dangerous, and to promote healthy childbearing, family planning, contraceptive research, and comprehensive family life education. Look at Republican Party results and you will see that, once in power, they consistently put in place policies that move the bulk of the nation’s money away from the broad middle class and toward a small group of very wealthy people. The Republican Party isn’t what it used to be. This time, I hope Americans of faith will vote Democratic—for a change. Main Page 2008 Entries politics religion compassion war peace justice catastrophe military Democrats fairness commentary opinion punditry policy meaning government injustice bias belief Republicans current news analysis spirituality culture insight christian economy ethics education God philosophy conservatism kindness giving priorities relationships comparison past protest abortion ideals power rights confusion answers differences sexuality choices perspective faith parenting values demagogues victims leadership Christianity sex education appreciation unborn morals goals ideologies blame theories problems conflict Obama divisions idealism judgment hope choice life taxation stewardship contraception transportation energy opportunity jobs housing equitability childbearing generosity transparency representation economy manipulation zealots zealotry wrong women wives wishes wisdom wholeness wholeheartedness warmth warmongers war voting vote visionary vision virtue violations vigilance viewpoints victims values us unselfishness unknown universal unity understanding uncertainties unborn truth transformation transcendence tragedy tragedies torture tolerance sympathy support suffering strategy strategies standards spirituality spirit Source souls sorrow solutions solidarity smallness sisters sisterhood sins sincerity sexuality sex service selfishness scriptures scripture sanctity risk respect rescue Republicans repression religion relationships regret reconciliation reality punditry pundit protest protection prevention pregnancy possibilities positivity poor politics politician policy perspective peacemaking peacemakers peacebuilding peace paths party partisans oppression opposition opinion openness oneness Obama nonviolence nonpartison nightmares news neurosis neighborliness negativity mysteries murder movements motherhood mother mistakes misery meaning love losses liberals left leadership leaders kindness justice judgment interests integrity innocence injustice indifference immorality illusion ignorance ideology ideals humanity humanitarian humane horrors hopes hope honesty history helplessness help hearts heartaches healthcare health healing heal grievances gratitude grassroots government gore goodwill goldenrule goals forbearance flexibility feminine feelings fear father family faith fairness extremists extremism exploitation explanation ethics empathy emotion electorate elections election divisiveness divisions diversions differences dialogue devout devotion demagogues decisions cycles current culture cruelty criticism conservatives conservatism confusion conflict conclusions compromise complexity compassion commentary clarity citizens christian choices choice children change challenges cause caring brothers blessings blame bigotry bias belief Barack balance answers analysis alternatives advocacy adversity abortion Nancy Pace http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2008/9/30/3908071.html http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2008/9/30/3908071.html Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:13:22 -0400 (Excerpt): It’s too late to stabilize markets using taxpayer money. The world has legitimately rejected as unreliable our current corrupt economic system and currency (read Paul Craig Roberts, among others.) No amount of taxpayer money spent by crooked politicians picking ultimate winners and losers in this crash can restore international confidence. (Excerpt): Prices won’t fall indefinitely; in today’s small world, international buyers quickly snap up values. Self-serving government bailouts complicate and postpone the day markets correct and we begin our arduous climb back to national recovery. (Excerpt): We’ll need all the FDIC and charitable money government must print to pay its bills, insure citizen trust in local banks, and prevent daily suffering—unemployment, starvation, freezing, homelessness—when the inevitably ensuing inflation has shrunk to pennies the hard-won dollars of middle and lower-class wage-earners and savers. (Excerpt): When this crash finally hits its natural bottom, we will begin again, sadder and wiser, to build a better, more stable, caring market system. Hopefully, Barack Obama, with his characteristic thoughtfulness, pragmatism and vision, will lead us capably through this terrible time, and back to greatness. Main Page 2008 Entries politics compassion war peace catastrophe legislation military Democrats Bush fairness commentary opinion freedom punditry policy meaning government injustice bias belief Republicans current news analysis culture insight economy resistance ethics security conservatism kindness giving priorities sacrifice relationships patriotism work protest patriot law ideals power chaos rights confusion answers fear safety guilt choices peacemakers perspective democracy values victims international leadership blowback morals goals ideologies blame theories Iraq problems conflict heroes history humanitarian Middle East Obama idealism judgment oneness solutions hope market crooked corruption wrong wounds work wisdom warmongers war voting vote visionary vision vigilance viewpoints victims values understanding uncertainties transformation transcendence tragedy tomorrow threats tension taxpayers taxes talents survival support suffering stress strengths strategy strategies stability solutions solidarity security scarcity scarcities sacrifice rulers risk rights respect resources resolutions regret reconciliation reality purpose punditry pundit public progress problems power posterity poor politics politician policy perspective peacebuilding peace patriot paths passion pain oppression opposition opinion openness oneness Obama nonpartison nightmares news neighborliness nation muddling movements money mistakes misery meaning love losses loss logic local listening limitations likeability lifestyle lessons leadership leaders law kindness justice judgment Iraq internet international interests intentions integrity insanity innocence injustice indebtedness inadequacy implications immorality illusion ignorance ideology ideals idealism hunger humility hubris horrors hope heartaches healing heal greed grassroots government goodwill goldenrule goals global fear FDR faith fairness ethics essay escalation enemies empathy emotion emergencies electorate elections election education editorials economy drama discontent dialogue desperation denial Democrats democracy demagogues delusions defense decisions deception debt cycles current culture criticism courage conservatives Congress confusion conflict confidence complexity compassion commentary comfort class clarity citizens choices choice chaos change challenges cause caring capitalism candidates candidate Bush bureaucracy brilliance blowback blame bias Barack bandwidth balance appreciation anxiety answers analysis American America ambiguity alternatives agendas advocacy adversity adventuring activism action accountability abilities Nancy Pace http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2008/9/29/3906337.html http://www.epharmony.com/blog/_archives/2008/9/29/3906337.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:41:54 -0400 (excerpt): After all, I wasn't getting as much done these days as at some other times in my life, probably because I’m currently feeling bogged down and overwhelmed and uninspired and unsure how to juggle my already-competing priorities. Probably an exciting new involvement, by its nature, will synergistically fill in important blanks, open new mental doors, create missing links, help me integrate, energize and prioritize all my beloved activities--inform all of them, support all of them. Because, just as army brats must (eventually...somehow...) learn excellence, loyalty, perseverence, and FINISHING STUFF, we musn't forget meanwhile that we also simply thrive on jumping into new opportunities, taking risks, enjoying novelty, adventure, new learning, new friends, excitement, expanding our spidery souls by ceaselessly venturing, seeking connection, tirelessly unreeling our threads out of ourselves, casting filament after filament out into the universe, 'til they catch somewhere, O my soul*.... Main Page 2008 Entries politics religion compassion war peace terrorism justice military Democrats Bush commentary opinion freedom punditry policy meaning government injustice bias belief Republicans current news analysis spirituality culture insight acceptance economy ethics education security nutrition God philosophy kindness giving priorities "higher power" sacrifice relationships prayer patriotism work past patriot violence marriage surrender ideals soldiers confusion answers fear nonviolence guilt gardening choices peacemakers perspective faith parenting democracy values victims diplomacy witness immigration racism diversity childhood international leadership Department of Peace golden rule politics dialogue military brats creativity Christianity gratitude appreciation veterans forgiveness meditation right hospitality foreign policy memoir morals goals blame theories Iraq conflict heroes history humanitarian Middle East Obama liberal idealism letters-to-the-editor candidates oneness solutions hope quandaries writer wounds work women wives withdrawal wishes wisdom WIB wholeheartedness warriors warmth warmongers war vote vision violence viewpoints values universal unity uniqueness understanding uncertainties truth triumph transparency transformation transcendence tomorrow tolerance tiredness time threats thepresent thanksgiving terror tension talents sympathy sweat sustainability survival surrender support suffering stress strengths strategy strategies standards stability spirituality spirit solutions solidarity sisters sisterhood sincerity siblings service search satisfaction romance risk right revelation