Friends–
Last winter, I discovered the work of independent military analyst & columnist Gwynne Dyer.
A Canadian based in London, his pieces have been consistently several cuts above almost everything else I have read since then about matters of war and peace.
Continue reading Uncommon Insight Into the Horror at Fort Hood
Originally posted in July, 2009
In the current health-care melee, we hear much alarmist talk and Canada-bashing, aimed at their single-payer health system.
A few days back, I had an unexpected chance to observe the Canadian system up close. What I saw was very instructive.
Here’s what happened: on the last evening of a Toronto visit, I was invited to dinner by a young couple – let’s call them Hank and Sue, for privacy.
Continue reading Dog Days Flashback: Enlightenment In A Canadian Emergency Room
At Thursday morning’s program (Jan. 15, 2009), attendance was down significantly from yesterday. Is it just me, or could the smiling positive pietism be wearing on the patience of many?
The morning’s panel, entitled “Speak Truth to Power,” was another “surprise” lineup, not identified until we showed up. Yet in fact it was utterly predictable, made up of church lobbyists, all based in Washington.
Continue reading Conference, Day Three: A Rule of Thumb & The Invisible Epistle
The conference speaker Wednesday night was a welcome improvement. Alexie Torres Fleming’s story is easy to summarize: born and raised poor in the south Bronx, she escaped from a collapsing neighborhood into middle class respectability, but then was drawn back to live and work in her home turf. She now operates a youth program.
Continue reading Peace Conference Update-Wednesday: “I Don’t Know”
Folks, I don’t get it.
I’m here in Philadelphia, at a conference entitled “Heeding God’s Call” . It started on Tuesday Jan. 13, 2009 and will extend into Saturday the 17th.
It’s supposed to be about strengthening the peace witness of churches and other faith groups, but especially that of the so-called “Historic peace Churches,” namely Quakers, Mennonites & Brethren. These three groups, especially the first, made up the large majority of the 270 or so persons I counted present in the opening session.