Enough Blood Shed

Description

Enough Blood Shed confronts the reality of a world awash in weapons and the belief that war is inevitable, with people powerless to change the system. It provides an alternative perspective based on solutions known to be successful because they have been used already.

The first part of the book describes the culture of violence that has led the world to this precipice of hopelessness, and then points to signs of hope that a different future is possible. It outlines the steps being made to build a culture of peace, including the phenomenal power of civil society: the second superpower - or the conscience of society. Part Two then focuses on the solutions that are possible for all sectors of society:

• For individuals, including women, children and youth
• For schools, educators, activist groups and religious organizations
• For the media, professionals, business and labor
• For cities, nations and the global community

Focusing on the power of ordinary people to make a difference and packed with effective nonviolent success stories - often in a setting of hate and provocation - the book provides guidance, inspiration, hope and empowerment that peace is not only possible, but can be fun along the way.

Subjects

• Books
• Savoirs
• Humanities and social sciences

Informations

• Published by: New Society Publishers
• Published: 01 May 2006
• Reads: 0
• EAN13: 9781550923797
• Language: English
• Document size: 4 MB

Exrait

Advance Praise for

Enough Blood Shed

Practical, possible and necessary.Enough Blood Shedmust be in everyone’s quiver of inspiration, motivation, examples that work, and places to go for information so that we can leave this world a safer and saner place for our children and grandchildren. Send it to educators, activists, and your mother in law.

— Cora Weiss, President Hague Appeal for Peace and International Peace Bureau

So many of us bemoan global violence, but don’t know how to act to stop it. Ashford’s book offers a thoughtful diagnosis, inspiring global examples, and specific ways for us to act for change. It’s a antidote to helplessness, a powerful mix of realism and vision.

— Paul Loeb, author ofSoul of a Citizen

Enough Blood Shedis about war and putting an end to war by engendering a culture of peace and enforcing the rule of law. It describes the culture of violence that places humanity at the crossroads of global survival, where nuclear weapons threaten to end planetary life, where ordinary people, believing in the power of nonviolence and justice, can be moved to bring about peaceful change. MaryWynne Ashford and Guy Dauncey point out that war and preparations for war are premeditated and willful violence, that human problems lend themselves to human solutions, that rhetoric needs to be translated into action so that deadly conflict may be prevented and peace prevail.

— Dr. Ron McCoy, CoPresident of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War and member of the 1996 Canberra Commission on the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

Exciting. Creative. Concrete. It would be hard to overpraiseEnough Blood Shed; I have never seen a better format for the presentation of peace themes in such a vivid and compelling style. Ashford and Dauncey have scored a hit.

— Canadian Senator Emeritus Douglas Roche, O.C.

This book is for all of us who feel fear and despair about the future of our violent world, and who care deeply about what is ahead for the children and all the other cohabitant species of the planet. MaryWynne Ashford tells us scores of things we can get up and do. Her joy and faith in humanity illuminate each page.

— Joanna Santa Barbara, Centre for Peace Studies, McMaster University; pastpresident of Physicians for Global Survival, pastvicepresident of International Physicians for Prevention of Nuclear War

Enough Blood Shedis a timely and thoughtful reminder to us all that enough lives have been lost through senseless violence in our times. It provides a roadmap for peace advocates in diverse settings, exploring ways to address differences in less conflictive ways and identifying practical measures for those who aspire to build a future that is different from the past. It is must reading for policy makers and activists alike who wish to reframe the struggle against terrorism, and build a peace that is both just and durable.

— Prof. Ed Garcia, Senior Policy Advisor, International Alert, U.K. and author,A Journey of Hope

Foreword by ARUN GANDHI

N EW S OCIETY P UBLISHERS

Cataloging in Publication Data: A catalog record for this publication is available from the National Library of Canada.

Copyright © 2006 by MaryWynne Ashford and Guy Dauncey. All rights reserved.

Cover design by Diane McIntosh. Images: Melina Mara/Kitsap Sun; Getty Images, Brand X Pictures.

Printed in Canada. First printing May 2006.

New Society Publishers acknowledges the support of the Government of Canada through the Book Publishing Industry Development Program (BPIDP) for our publishing activities.

Paperback ISBN 13: 978 0865715271 Paperback ISBN 10: 0865715270

Inquiries regarding requests to reprint all or part ofEnough Blood Shedshould be addressed to New Society Publishers at the address below.

To order directly from the publishers, please call tollfree (North America) 18005676772, or order online at www.newsociety.com

Any other inquiries can be directed by mail to: New Society Publishers P.O. Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X0, Canada 18005676772

New Society Publishers’ mission is to publish books that contribute in fundamental ways to building an ecologically sustainable and just society, and to do so with the least possible impact on the envi ronment, in a manner that models this vision. We are committed to doing this not just through education, but through action. We are acting on our commitment to the world’s remaining ancient forests by phasing out our paper supply from ancient forests worldwide. This book is one step toward ending global deforestation and climate change. It is printed on acidfree paper that is100% old growth forestfree(100% postconsumer recycled), processed chlorine free, and printed with veg etablebased, lowVOC inks. For further information, or to browse our full list of books and purchase securely, visit our website at: www.newsociety.com

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Contents

Author’s Preface – Guy Dauncey..............vii Author’s Preface – MaryWynne Ashford...x Acknowledgments......................................xii Foreword by Arun Gandhi........................xiv

Introduction 1. Two Superpowers: The United States and World Public Opinion ........................2 2. Two Possible Futures .................................4 3. What Is at Stake? .......................................6 4. A World Awash in Armaments .................8 5. Thirty Thousand Nuclear Weapons ........10 6. The Roots of War ....................................12 7. War as a Disease ......................................14 8. Empires and War .....................................16 9. Corporations and War .............................18 10. Oil and War .............................................20 11. Addressing Terrorism ...............................22 12. A Culture of Violence ..............................24 13. The Legacy of Gandhi ............................26 14. The Power of Nonviolence .....................28 15. Small Signs of Hope ................................30 16. Big Signs of Hope ....................................32 17. The New Ground Rules ..........................34 18. The Women Have Come to Stay .............36 19. Getting the Word Past the Roadblocks ...38 20. Democracies Up, Dictators Down ...........40 21. The World We Want ................................42 22. Learning to Stand ....................................44 23. Transforming Our Thinking ....................46 24. Building a Global Movement ..................48

Ten Solutions for Individuals 1. Be the Change..........................................52 2. Stand Up. Speak Out. Join With Others ..54

3. Turn Up the Volume ................................56 4. Break Down Stereotypes — Meet the Other ........................................58 5. Speak for the Voiceless ...........................60 6. Resist War Propaganda ...........................62 7. Don’t Pay for War — Invest in Peace .........................................64 8. Resist the Oppressor.................................66 9. Raise Caring, Compassionate, Thoughtful Children ...............................68 10. Pray, Meditate, Reconcile, and Forgive ..............................................70

Ten Solutions for Women 11. Support Women’s Values ........................72 12. Join Activist Women ...............................74 13. Vote for Women/Run for Office .............76 14. Demand Action on Security Council Resolution 1325 .........................78 15. Resist Militarism and Foreign Bases ........80 16. Speak for the Children ...........................82 17. Learn Nonviolent Conflict Resolution ................................................84 18. Bear Witness to Atrocities .......................86 19. Reject the Glorification of War and Violence ...................................88 20. Speak Truth to Power ..............................90

Five Solutions for Children and Youth 21. Learn and Use Nonviolent Conflict Resolution ..................................92 22. Refuse To Be an Enemy ..........................94 23. Stand Up and Speak Out .........................96 24. Organize Student Action .........................98 25. Grab the Media ......................................100

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Five Solutions for Schools and Educators 26. Welcome Diversity .................................102 27. Establish Peaceful Schools .....................104 28. Teach History for Transformation .........106 29. Teach to Understand Each Other ..........108 30. Join the International Campaign to Ban Landmines .................................110

Ten Solutions for Activists 31. Catch Inspiration on the Net ................112 32. Support Heroes and Visionaries ...........114 33. Move the World — Build Successful International Campaigns ......................116 34. Reclaim Democracy ...............................118 35. Be the Wrench in the Works ................120 36. Walk the Talk .........................................122 37. Bring Enemies to the Table ...................124 38. Demonstrate the Possible — Intentional Communities .....................126 39. Aim for the Heart ..................................128 40. Learn to Attract Good Media ...............130

Five Solutions for Religious Organizations 41. Seek God in Every Person ......................132 42. Become a Track II Diplomat ..................134 43. Lead By Example ...................................136 44. Teach Nonviolent Resistance and Tolerance ........................................138 45. Meditate, Provide Sanctuary, Pray ........140

Five Solutions for Media in Conflict Zones 46. Teach Barefoot Journalism ....................142 47. Support Journalism for Change ............144 48. Learn and Teach Peace Journalism .......146

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49. Counter Hate Propaganda .....................148 50. Tell a New Story .....................................150

Five Solutions for Groups with Special Expertise 51. Meet Colleagues on the Other Side ......152 52. Get the Facts Out ..................................154 53. Support International Law — Hold Leaders Accountable ....................156 54. Say It with Music ..................................158 55. Give Peace a Dance ...............................160

Five Solutions for Business and Labor 56. Don’t Build the War Machine ...............162 57. Support Cooperatives ...........................164 58. Support Democracy Movements ..........166 59. Don’t Pay for War .................................168 60. Stop the Illegal Money Flow .................170

Five Solutions for Cities 61. Take a Stand ...........................................172 62. Become a City of Peace .........................174 63. Become a Partner City — Adopt a Town ..176 64. Try Something New ...............................178 65. Join the Mayors’ Campaign Against Nuclear Weapons .....................180

Ten Solutions for Nations 66. Reduce the Gap Between Rich and Poor ........................................182 67. Empower Women ..................................184 68. Reform the Democratic Process ............186 69. Disarm Civilians ...................................188 70. Reduce Military Spending and Get Out of the Arms Trade ....................190

71. Hold Leaders Accountable to International Law ..................................192 72. Claim a Great Vision .............................194 73. Support Independent Media and Public Access to Mainstream Production .........196 74. Establish a Ministry of Peace ................198 75. Give the Poor a Break ...........................200

Ten Solutions for Nations Acting Globally 76. Support International Law and the UN ............................................202 77. Reform the UN ......................................204 78. Join the International Criminal Court .....................................206 79. Work with Civil Society and the World Court ..........................................208 80. Eliminate Nuclear Weapons .................210 81. Eliminate Chemical Weapons ...............212 82. Strengthen the Biological Weapons Convention ...........................214 83. Oppose Ballistic Missile Defense ..........216 84. End the Paralysis of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva ..................218 85. Expand NuclearWeaponFree Zones ....220

Ten Solutions for Nations in Conflict 86. Act Early .................................................222 87. Prevent Terrorist Attacks .......................224

88. Take a New Approach to Terrorism ......226 89. Deal with the Grievances and Injustices ........................................228 90. End Bombing and Occupation .............230 91. Declare Zones of Peace .........................232 92. End Launch on Warning ......................234 93. End War on Public Health ....................236 94. Protect Children in WarAffected Areas ................................238 95. Comply with National and International Law Regarding Prisoners .......................240

Five Solutions for Nations Acting Together 96. Be a Bridge Across a Conflict ................242 97. Adopt theHague Agenda for Peace.........244 98. Implement Responsibility to Protect ....246 99. Remember Your Humanity ...................248 100. Establish a Global Emergency Response Force ......................................250

One Solution for All of Us 101. Join the Second Superpower ................252

Notes...............................................................254

Index..............................................................264

About the Authors.....................................271

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Author’s Preface

by Guy Dauncey

This is a book about war, and the end of war. For those who have been fortunate enough to avoid war, its horrors should be learnt by a careful reading of history. For those who have lived through war, or participated in one, its horrors are hard to describe. The fear, the explosions, the knives, the bul lets, the bombs. The limbs torn off; the bellies torn apart. The rapes; the babies smashed against walls for the perverted pleasure of the killers. The generals in their bunkers who give the orders. The cities that are obliterated. The soldiers in uniform who kill and die. The civil ians whose homes are destroyed, who may be massacred or taken into slavery. The guerillas, freedom fighters, terrorists, and suicide bombers who believe they are making the world a better place. The engineers who devote their careers to designing better weapons. The priests who bless them. It is all so crazy, and ours is the generation that can end it. Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind.John F. Kennedy Many animal species fight on Planet Earth. They fight for food, space, sex, power, and some times just because they are irritated or their hormones are raging. Fighting is one of the methods that many species use to survive. Successful fighting allows a species to pass on more of its genes, rewarding the habit of aggression. Unsuccessful fighting teaches the wisdom of withdrawal and submission. In this way, evolution rewards both aggression and

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submission. What ants, caribou, and flies lack in fangs, they make up in numbers. For humans, warfare has become established deep within our psyches. Boys play with guns and go “Bang! Bang!” We have often celebrated victories and glorified war, forgetting those who were maimed or who never came home to say what it was really like. But humans have a choice. However, if we imagine we have some biological imperative to fight, we are surrendering our free will. We can sit up and ask ourselves, “Is this an intelligent thing to do?” And here’s the interesting thing. We have fought for our clans, tribes, and nations, both defensively and aggressively. But we have also pursued a different dream: a quest to know what lay beyond the furthest horizon, what lay behind the mysteries of nature, what it would take to achieve a lasting peace or justice for all humanity. Who knows where this other dream comes from? One day, maybe, we will discover its source. As a result of this quest, however, we have gradually widened the boundaries of our consciousness. We used to think “I am a mem ber of the High Rock Clan; those other people are my enemies.” Then, after generations of con flict, trade, victory, defeat, and intermarriage, we thought “I am a member of the North Nation; those other nations are my enemies.” Generation by generation, we mustered our way towards unity. When the Prophet Mohammed became inspired with the insights that gave birth to the Muslim religion, he did so in order to create

unity among the warring chiefs and factions who all worshipped their own local gods. When he had achieved his victories, the peace, science, and wisdom of the Muslim civilization stretched from Cordoba in Spain to the frontiers of India. Today we stand on the threshold of one last step into a single global civilization that will bring peace to all. With a few minor exceptions, and one major one, the people of this planet increasingly think “I am a member of the Earth people; I have no enemies.” When we sing “Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me,” this is what we are saying: that we should contribute to peace in our personal lives, in our families, in our schools and communities, between the nations, and in the world. The exceptions are those who still think in limited terms, whose primary identity still rests with a limited clan, religion, or nation, and not with the whole of humankind, and who think “We are better than you, so we deserve to domi nate you.” This generates conflicts, but if we attempt to solve them with more conflict, in a world that contains 30,000 nuclear warheads, we risk global suicide. We must therefore learn how to act on the nonviolent belief that “peace is the way.” The solutions in this book are aimed at these exceptions, which represent the final hur dles to a world without war. This book is the work and inspiration of MaryWynne Ashford; I have been just a small voice of encouragement and support. The vision that underlies her book says “Enough blood has

been shed. Now is the time to engage in the peaceful, assertive, nonviolent resolution of our remaining conflicts.” This is a challenge that we cannot afford to refuse, and why should we refuse it, for the prize is the greatest of all: to put an end to war. In the words of folksinger Ed McCurdy:

Last night I had the strangest dream I’d ever dreamed before I dreamed the world had all agreed To put an end to war I dreamed I saw a mighty room Filled with women and men And the paper they were signing said They’d never fight again And when the paper was all signed And a million copies made They all joined hands and bowed their heads And grateful pray’rs were prayed And the people in the streets below Were dancing `round and `round While swords and guns and uniforms Were scattered on the ground Last night I had the strangest dream I’d never dreamed before I dreamed the world had all agreed To put an end to war.

— TRO ©1950,1951 & 1955 Almanac Music, Inc. New York, NY

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