Peace In 2005?

I can only observe that we are genuinely unprepared for peace. The imposed ignorance of fundamentalism, regardless of religious leaning, creates power without conscience and invites violence against those who are demonized as unbelievers. And, those who would lead us exhibit a selfishness that looks more to the misguided security of military action than the development of national strength through the realization of genuine public good. Before considering a reflexive support of out military we all should consider these words of a patriot who knew true evil:

• "Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, represents, in the final analysis, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children."

I honor these words from Dwight Eisenhower in 1963 who, I believe, understood where the true strength of nations lie. He saw what a nation may accomplish when it mobilizes its civilian base of men, manufacturing and natural resources. Why do I mention this? Because a nation, strong in peace, possesses that ability to effectively mobilize its civilian base. When it loses that, several things occur. One is a fearful population willing to give up its liberties for false security. The other is an impulse to unwisely lash out against perceived enemies. History is rife with examples of states grown strong only to decline in vigor as they lose the ability to command resources when stressed. Are we at that state yet? I think so and can see no development of public strength in our near future that may command a confident peace.