12/2/2002

There's no better place to emphasize the unity of people in the world than flying to space. It goes the same for any country, Arab country, whatever -- we are all the same people, we are all human beings and I believe that most of us, almost all of us, are good people. Astronaut Ilan Ramon (Israel) 04, January 2003.

Last weeks newsletter you may remember, right at the bottom when signing off. I mentioned I had heard about a march against the War in Iraq, to be held on Thursday Island.

I didn't know the person organising it, just a little birdie told me it was happening, well I am please to report I received this email.

Dear Kerry,

Thanks for the mention in your newsletter! Our little walk for peace was very successful. About 70 people turned up (which is very significant from a small and generally laid back community) including a choice selection of island leaders and respected community members. My fear of being the solitary white woman walking down the street has been dissolved. Now if only I could dissolve my fear of Iraq turning into a living hell....
Keep up the good work.
Cheers
Jo Risk

This maybe just a small protest, that wouldn't rate too much of a media mention. I doubt if the police on TI had much to do. Maybe if Jo had gone naked the locals may have not been so laid back, and the local police officer may have had to arrest her! Maybe not the same impact as 750 women naked spelling out "No War" inside the shape of a heart made of bodies.

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/0208-06.htm
or
12 women spelt out "No Bush" in Central Park, New York

http://www.wnbc.com/news/1963576/detail.html
As an artpiece this one rates as one of the best, for it's stark beauty.

But the truth is it has nothing to do with how many people attend each march, how they go about it, if they are naked or not. It is about the how many people are protesting - each in their own way. These are ordinary people from all walks of life, backgrounds, ages and cultures.

While I feel Bush, Blair and Howard are still not listening, others like Belgium, France and Germany have been. Then again Monsieur Jacques Chirac has thought that way for awhile, who could forget, this email to us just after One Mind One Voice started. http://www.onemindonevoice.org/ow/presidentsandnobelprizewinners.html

Better still voices are being heard in Bagdad, Korea, Palestine, Indonesia, these nations are getting the right message that people around the world don't hate Muslims. As IIan Ramon said "we are all human beings and I believe that most of us, almost all of us, are good people".

I think the time of the USA telling the world how to behave is coming to an end, maybe that is what they are worried about. Their own people will finally see that American's way of life may not be what the rest of the world wants to be. They remind me of religious fanatics trying to spread the word -their words, salvation can only come from their way.

Read this quote somewhere a long time ago, don't know who wrote it, but I put it away as I felt it might have a time to be - now I think is that time.

Men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all the other alternatives.

That time has come. The people are acting wisely -
It is what we do with this energy and power after the marches have finished is the important bit for our Family of Humanity.
What will we do?
That's what I have been working on, you have known how Caitlin Jean and myself were added to the list of participants at the peace for peacetime conference in Puerto Rico. http://www.onemindonevoice.org/ow/participants.html

I have been brainstorming with Peter Okilo who is part of the IT working committee of the Global Strategic Alliance for the new humanities which is evolving out of the Peace in Peacetime conference.

I have been on a journey of my inner self,( lots of lying on the bed and letting the creative mind do it's work)

Well I am pleased to say I have been asked to help set up and run the children's section of the Alliance.

One Mind One Voice and Caitlin being the catalyst for this.

From little things big things grow http://www.onemindonevoice.org/vision/christmastree.html

We wouldn't have been able to do it without all you wonderful people, who have helped us evolve.

One of my roles will be to get parents, grandparents and children together from all around the world to start thinking as One Mind One Voice.

How easy is that!

Tell you more next week, until then keep marching, even if you have to in your own home, do it your way. I'm going to tear Howard's silly - Anti Terrorist fridge magnet off the fridge and put a sticker on my mailbox saying

Have a nice day, I will as get Caitlin down off the tree and tuck her into bed and let her dream of another day without war! Her work is done. It is now up to us.

Kerry Bowden
Global Children's Alliance
A Family of Humanity
One Mind One Voice
One Mind One Voice.
A Famility of Humanity
PS: Caitlin say