Let's face it; the name of the civilization game - played among nation states - is not inherently supportive of life but rather exploitative of its "natural and human resources," while coveting those of other so-called "civilized" states.

This makes the conciliation of civilizations all the more essential in this day and age of global greed and hegemony. And the way to do it is by changing individual hearts and minds, but not forgetting that compassion and vigilance are both necessary to keep the dogs of civilization from each others' throats (sorry doggies for the metaphor). This video says it like it is.

See the post:
World Understanding in the "00s: A Conciliation of Civilizations at:
http://humanebeing.blogspot.com

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...I actually welled up.

:)

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mention of the sucessful political changes in the 'islamic' world. Odd. It shows Spain 'defeating' the government post-Madrid bombings. It shows the almost whole-sale defeat of the Republicans ('Bush's party'). Yet, when the video shows the 'support' for change by the moslems there is no actual facts given. I wonder why?

Other than those facts the video has a good message that people everywhere, basically, want to be left alone to live, work, and raise families without interference from other countries, crazy priests or clerics, or from authoritarian governments. Having said that though why hasn't there been more 'change' in the Islamic world? The West has been intervening, yes, but the Islamic world has a culture far older and thusly why haven't they developed? They have had centuries of a head-start......

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religions in all countries should be completely separated from the state (and eventually either done away with or replaced with something less harmful), that's one of the problems with Islamic states, religion and government are completely intertwined; until that separation happens religion will always be a huge barrier for change.

Robert Lightfoot

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until we speak up, and think for ourselves.

Western ways, and Muslim traditions, are rather at odds culturally, but we are still fellow human beings. It is time we we all act like human beings.

The Iraq war has been killing innocent Iraqi civilians for too long. It has been doing no good for Americans or Iraqis. It only is good for Dick Cheney, Halliburton, Blackwater, and their friends. It only is good for Bin Laden and his friends. It is killing the rest of us, and those who in their self-delusion believe they are gaining do not care about us. We are only tools, or pawns, in their game.

I have known all kinds of people in my life, and about nine years ago I had the opportunity to befriend some women who taught me alot about the Muslim culture, and the faith of Islam. They were some of the most trustworthy, kind, and beautiful people I have ever known in my life. We are all human beings at the end of the day. Whatever our differences we have much in common.

War is the last possible resort, and Cheney/Bush led us into a war without the facts, the truth, or a reasonable attempt at diplomacy. No one has the right to steal another person's blessings or another person's life. We must live in peace, and take care of the vulnerable people and the children. We must not let greedy, evil, men and women spoil this world for the rest of us. Wake up, take a stand, think. As my mother used to tell me, "Where there is life, there is hope."

The world made great strides in securing human rights by signing "the Magna Carta in 1215, the Habeas Corpus Act in 1679, the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, the Geneva Conventions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Convention Against Torture." (Michael Ratner, Guantanamo, What the World Should Know)

Can't we try to build on our strengths, our great strides and achievements? Can't we try diplomacy, communication, and negotiation? Can't we try to live together in peace while we still can?

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