I'm tired of the militarization of our police force, the
glorification of the military and the humanization of war at the expense of
peace, altruism and social cooperation ~ which also happen to be the driving
tenets of evolution. It's time for a dramatic chance and millions, including
myself, are now rightfully saying give peace a chance: Allen L Roland
'A
small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their
mission can alter the course of history.' Mohandas K. Gandhi
We are beyond talk, it's time for action
for there is no change without action and action changes knowledge into wisdom. When people sign the declaration of peace at http://www.worldbeyondwar.org/individual/
they will have the opportunity
to type in a brief statement in their own words. Thousands have done so, including
myself as well as the 32 posted below.
“I support this proposal and
agree with this great and important initiative to abolish militarism and
war. I will continue to speak out for an end to the institution of
militarism and war and for institutions built on international law and human
rights and nonviolent conflict resolution.” ~ Mairead Maguire, Nobel Peace Laureate
“As a 29 year veteran of the
US Army/Army Reserves, retiring as a Colonel and having served as a U.S.
diplomat for 16 years and resigning in 2003 in opposition to the Iraq war, I
firmly believe war does not resolve political issues. We must work diligently
to force the governments of our nations to use diplomacy, not weapons.” ~ Ann Wright
“It is so inspiring to see a
new group coming together not to focus on a particular war or weapons system,
but on all war–everywhere. And it’s great to have such beautifully crafted
arguments about why war is not inevitable and how war contributes to so many
other global ills. This coalition is worthy of Martin Luther King’s call to end
violence and instead put our energies and resources into ‘life-affirming
activities.’ Bravo!” ~ Medea Benjamin
“We must work to end all war
because: 1. In war there are no winners, only losers. 2. To thrive, humans need
peace, which cannot be created by war. 3. We need all our ingenuity,
creativity, technology and will to find a solution to runaway climate change.
We cannot afford the military-industrial complex.” ~
Sally Reynolds, Abingdon Peace Group
“The abolition of war is an
idea whose time has come. We are at a transformative moment in history. Our
Mother Earth is under siege from destructive global warming and
industrialization. It is essential that we mobilize to save our planet. War is
a cruel and untenable distraction, draining trillions of dollars and
incalculable losses of intellectual firepower away from the essential work that
needs to be done to create a livable future for humanity.” ~ Alice Slater,
Global Council of Abolition 2000
“War is a crime against
humanity. When 90% of the casualties of war are civilians including children,
its time to End ALL WARS! The world badly needs the resources to meet human and
environmental needs. Wars are not making us more secure, but creating more
enemies. There are more effective means of achieving security than war and
killing other people’s children. As former President Eisenhower said, ‘I like
to believe that the people of the world will want peace so much that governments
will have to get out of the way and let them have it.’ When the people of the
world decide to end war, we can end it. At least 99% of the world’s people do
not benefit at all from all the wars our governments are waging. The time is
NOW. Please join us.” ~ David Hartsough
“History has shown us that
the institution of war created by humans is not only morally reprehensible, but
utterly ineffective in resolving any kind of disputes. The human, social,
environmental and economic costs of war are too high. We now know more about
the reality of a global peace system built upon global collaboration, social
change and constructive conflict transformation. It is time for a re-energized
effort to build a world beyond war by challenging the war system and supporting
the infrastructure of peace.” ~ Patrick Hiller, Peace Scientist and Director of War
Prevention Initiative by the Jubitz Family Foundation
“War is a great destroyer.
And human history has arrived at a pivotal moment. We can choose a path built
on cooperation, where our caring and sharing side uplifts us, or we can
continue to embrace a worldview where domination using violence imprisons us in
cycles of killing and destruction. I’m a biologist, and war is not genetically
fixed. War is a cultural invention. It’s time to end this abomination, and this
World Beyond War movement is uniquely focused on unifying the human community
to create one of the biggest revolutions in history. I’m in. Join us!” ~ Judith Hand,
Founder: A Future Without War.org
“Change will not come from a
President Gandhi. Rather, the initiate for change will come from the
bottom up as citizens force politicians to act. We just need to put our
voices together and get sufficiently organized. Ultimately change will
come from the ingenuity, compassion and ability of the American people to
self-correct and chart a more secure and sustainable course for the future.” ~ Russell Faure-Brac,
author of Transition to Peace
“We must work to end all war
because the health, welfare, and safety of the children is the most important
element of a society. The children can be the focus for mobilizing, conflict
resolution, and uniting for the future of humanity. The children allow the
people of the world to show kindness, generosity, and compassion.” ~ Andre Sheldon,
Director of Global Strategy of Nonviolence
“We must end war because war
is an abrogation of the inviolable bonds of connection between all people, all
living things and the planet. To participate in it is a denial of the trust in
continuity deeded to us by our forebears and expected of us by future
generations. Every act of war and aggression diminishes the humanity of the
individuals involved, destabilizes communities and nations; and scars the
entire human family. We are committed not to ending wars but to ending war
itself, and to addressing the fear, greed, misunderstanding and drive for power
that lead to violent conflict and war.” ~ Rena Guay, Executive Director, Center for Conscience in Action
“Richard Wendell Fogg,
Center for the Study of Conflict, years ago said rather than saying we need to
abolish war, we should talk of REPLACING war. In the field of conflict analysis
and transformation, there are creative strategies we can apply to solutions
that can solve problems and make war unnecessary. With increasing lethality of
weapons, evolving technology and communications, war is obsolete. It is a
solution worse than any problem it presumes to solve. We can address conflicts
constructively. Beyond diplomacy, we can use mediation, negotiation and
problem-solving strategies to transcend war.” ~ Diane Perlman
“There is enough for
everyone to have what they need without exploitation. Adequate distribution of
resources, including education, without violence can lead to a sustainable
system that doesn’t stress the ecosphere. Alternately, continued violence feeds
population surges and hoarding the products of exploitative extraction, which
endanger the survival of our species. In short, if we want a future with humans
on Earth, we’ve got to stop war.” ~ Vernon Huffman
“War is the worst act of
terrorism and among the greatest causes of human suffering and death and
ecological degradation. Wars are declared by the rich and fought by the poor.
There will be no real justice and protection of human rights and the rights of
nature until a sustainable global peace has been achieved.” ~ Brian J.
Trautman
“I know from my lengthy
experience as a journalist, researcher, and human being working in various
war-torn or recently war-battered countries that all wars inflict terrible,
long-lasting damage on all the residents of the war-zone– with the weakest
members of society always suffering the most. There is no such thing as a
‘humanitarian’ war. In cases of conflict or bitter oppression, the very best
way to mend broken relationships while building a solid basis for a better
situation going forward is to use all nonviolent means possible to de-escalate
tensions and work for a better life going forward on the basis of the equality
and equal worth of all human persons.” ~ Helena Cobban
“Creating a world beyond war
may be the noblest endeavor we can work on. Can you imagine what future
generations will think if we succeed? We will leave them a world where
trillions of dollars are not wasted annually on weapons and war, where tens of
thousands or hundreds of thousands are no longer slaughtered in unnecessary
wars. Surely we can imagine solving conflicts between nations in a more mature
way; we can imagine the human race evolving to a higher consciousness that no
longer requires war. We can imagine a world without war, now we have to work
toward such a world. It will be a global challenge, uniting the world to
accomplish this great new reality.” ~ Kevin Zeese, PopularResistance.org
“War causes pain, suffering,
and gross violations to human needs and rights. War causes a violent domino
effect for years to come. Humans have no business being involved in war. We are
an evolved species that needs to focus on peace and justice in our world. We
must honor and show respect for our planet and all living and nonliving
entities. We need to shift away from violence and focus on the beauty of
nonviolence. War and destructive violence are not solutions to any problem. War
must be ended. When that happens we will lift the pain and suffering of our
world and allow humanity to begin to heal. It is time we wake up and raise our
thoughts to a higher consciousness. If we do not end war now, it will end us.
Call on me. I am ready to help end all war!” ~ Joy Henry
“The future existence of our
planet depends upon ending war. War and violence are not a solution to
conflict. They contribute to more violence, more death, more poverty, more
suffering physically and psychologically, more patriotism, more borders, more
ignorance, and more stupidity. How tragic is all of that. The ecology of our
planet is in jeopardy and the pollution of the war machine world wide is a huge
contributor to climate change.” ~ Ann Tiffany
“I applaud the establishment
of a global movement to end all war, but note that citizens of the United
States have a special responsibility to make this happen. Since the end of
World War II, the U.S. has bombed more than 25 countries. In those 68 years, no
other nation has killed and injured more people living outside of its borders.
Most Americans remain silent while we spend more on war, and have more soldiers
in other countries, than all other nations combined. War and soldiers are
glorified in the U.S. Please recognize and honor those who have had the courage
to take a public stand against one or more U.S. wars www.uspeacememorial.org/Registry.htm.
We celebrate these role models in hopes of inspiring other Americans to speak
out against war and for peace.” ~ Michael D. Knox, US Peace Memorial Foundation
“War, and preparation for
war is draining resources that are life giving from countries, statesnd cities.
The world we help create is the world we leave for those who come after us. I
am committed to living non-violently in response to the violence in my
neighborhood, my city, my state, my country, my hemisphere and my world because
non-violent love in action is the most powerful force for change that exists.” ~ Joyce Ellwanger
“We need to solve some of
the world’s problems like climate change, world hunger, homelessness, income
disparity, the influence of money ine lections, destruction of the environment,
etc. and stop wasting our resources on killing people and destroying the
environment.” ~ Jean Gordon
“The U.S. has become the
most egregious war-monger and terrorist nation in the world, as well as the
long-time leading purveyor of weapons of war throughout the world, and because
here at home, we have 50 million of our citizens living in poverty, one in four
children surviving on Food Stamps, a collapsing education system, poor health
care, and many other disasters, none of which can be addressed as long as the
country keeps pouring trillions of dollars into war and militarism. This
madness and criminality must end!” ~ Dave Lindorff
“We’re destroying life on
earth in all its forms. By supporting war we are creating poverty that includes
fear and anxiety about the future which leads to depression, poor health, food
insecurity, and homelessnes. People all over the world are experiencing the
destructive effects of investing most of our country’s resources in war
resulting in the failure to create a healthy, well-educated and secure
environment for humanity around the world.” ~ Nancy Schoerke
“The myth that war creates
justice, solves problems, improves security and enables peace is absurd. If we
weren’t so bombarded with propaganda to the contrary, everyone would know that.
We need to insist on a new story, the true story. We must forbid the few to
profit from war so that we may all begin to profit from peace.” —Robert Shetterly
“To the extent that today’s
world is civilized at all, it’s largely thanks to yesterday’s opponents of war
and misery: the soldiers who refused to fight, the civilians who refused to
accept war and occupation, and all those who worked for a global order based on
peace and equity. Yet the institutions and forces that produce war have not
been eradicated. Today we must build an international movement that will not
only prevent future wars but transform the very structures on which war,
militarism, and imperial domination are based. This struggle will not be won
quickly, but in the process even small acts and partial victories can help save
numerous lives.” ~ Kevin
Young
“As a very young man I
signed a declaration ~ ‘I renounce war and will never support another’. That
was in 1939 and I have maintained this stand throughout the whole period,
including WW2, as a Conscientious Objector.Worked to achieve Peace since. It is
necessary for individuals to take this stand and maintain it. War never solves
anything – it accentuates any problem, whatever it is, and makes matters worse.
There is no moral or humanitarian justification for it.” ~ Donald Saunders
“We still carry ancient
beliefs from thousands and thousands of years ago when war was the only thing
known. We have options now. This organization will help shift the collective
consciousness toward greater humanity and peace. War has indoctrinated the U.S.
government as well as other countries. There is no integral intention that
exists behind war. It is a contradiction and therefor useless. Its time to
evolve greatly. ‘Love precious humanity’” ~ Leslie
Naugle
“I want a world without war.
War never works it just kills. I want my children to never have to have a close
contact with war. I want my children and future generations to grow up free and
in a peaceful world. War is not freedom it is a malignant force imposed by men
in power. We must change the views of people in power now and let them know
that in a diplomatic and peaceful way issues can be solved.” ~ Ana Martins
“I am working with the
higher education system in Afghanistan. My work in this world is teaching and
serving as a role model for peace, particularly in this environment that has
been devastated by the ravages of 30+ years of horrific conflict. I have a
number of close Afghan friends and they, probably more than any people I have
ever met, want peace for themselves, their families and their country. I am
privileged to know them and am inspired by their endurance and resilience.
Endless war serves only to enrich those who champion it and it is long past
time that it be stopped.” ~ James Stapp
“Why must we work to end all
war? War keeps us from progressing as a race. We can’t reach a point of
sustainability with war taking up so much of our time. It attributes to the
division of wealth providing greater conflict between classes and it hands over
authority to the wealthy class. It makes them richer while the working class is
left to die. War need to end because it’s a tool used to control the masses
with fear. It distracts us from the problems within the social hierarchical
systems that have been established. We must end all war because we’ll never
have peace without it. War is expensive and destroys makes the economy
unstable. War is a tool of capital gain, it’s marketable and from youth we are
encouraged to take and defend our ruling authority without question. There are
other ways to solve conflicts. Civilians are the ones who suffer the most
damage. War and violence is terrible for you Psyche due to the traumatizing
events. And Finally the main reason we should end all war is because it will
kill us if we don’t.” ~ Jessica Gartner
“While I was always aware
that there was a sickness that pervades every social institution I just could
not make the connection to myself and this ‘sickness’ until my beautiful child
was murdered in the ‘theater’ of ‘War’. This experience was eviscerating. I was
disgorged of this ‘sickness’. I could see that ‘war’ is just goddamn MEAN. It
bears no resemblance to what lives in my heart and mind so why was I able to
accept it as a way of life? Why was I able to accept my son being part of a
force for death…for entropy? I see it all clearly now, though. There is a deep
sickness that pervades all social institutions and these sicknesses have made
us mentally ‘disturbed’ – working out of balance with the gift of life. My
granddaughter, Eva, is now four and has no father. She has no protector in this
mean world where men prey upon life with a sense of entitlement that desires
are to be quenched at all costs. Who will protect my granddaughter now? Through
the physical death of my beloved son I have learned that misogyny is the root
of warring behavior – and this thought process, this behavior is just goddamn
mean.” ~ Jamie
Santos
“War takes people’s lives
and destroys property, but it does not resolve the world’s problems. If
anything is achieved through war, it is to plant the seeds for the next violent
conflict as the vanquished and their children will usually not accept the
outcome.” ~ Bruce
Van Voorhis
“It’s time, at this 100-year
anniversary of the start of World War I, for us all to join together to fight
only war itself.” ~ Marie
Reinsdorf
"We've given war its
chance and it failed us miserably leaving us morally hollow, financially
destitute and rightfully mistrusted and hated throughout the world. There is
only one evolutionalry choice now which can lead to universal peace and harmony ~ let's give peace a chance: Allen L Roland
Allen L Roland
Freelance
Alternative Press Online columnist and
transformational counselor Allen L Roland is available for comments,
interviews, speaking engagements and private
Skype consultations allen@allenroland.com
Allen
L Roland is also a lecturer who also shares a daily
political and social commentary on his web log and
website allenroland.com He also
guest hosts a monthly national radio show TRUTHTALK on www.conscioustalk.net
