Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Love Battling Space and Time

And love will simply have no choice
but to go into battle with space and
time and furthermore to win.

~James Baldwin

Of Note: I was shocked to find out the other day that the United States has an institute devoted to peace. It is called simply United States Institute of Peace and is located in Washington DC, soon right on the mall. According to their website, the USIP is an "independent, nonpartisan, national institution established and funded by Congress in 1984. Its goals are to help prevent and resolve violent international conflicts, promote post-conflict stability and democratic transformation, and increase peacemaking capacity, tools and intellectual capital worldwide." It does all this with only 142 employees. Reading further showed what appeared to be a marginalized "think tank" that is called in during international conflict when the government's hands are tied for one reason or another. Rep. David Kuchinich has suggested that a cabinet-level department be established called the Department of Peace. While that may not be possible at this point in our evolutionary history, using what we already have in the USIP and making its presence known, might be a good start.

Today's Weather Report: Rain overnight has made all the falling leaves soggy. This weather will continue at least for awhile--the lake will say "Thank you for filling me up." All the animals have come in wet and stinky. There is nothing worse than a wet dog to start the morning off right, and our two big bowsers are particularly odiferous. Last week I discovered the local salvage yard which takes recyclable junk and turns it into cash....at 2 to 4 cents a pound, we don't make much but that is not the point. Pickup truck load by pickup truck load, a 15-year old junk pile is being turned into coffee money. By the time this job is completed, only a small pile of refuse will be left for the trash men.