Friends from Mancos Promote FCNL at a local fair
The following are just a few of the many ideas of how FCNL supporters have answered common reactions to War Is Not the Answer materials, such as:
“If War Is Not the Answer, what's the question?” and “If War Is Not the Answer, What is?”
If War Is Not the Answer, What is?
Susi Fowler
It's complex, and that that's partly why we rush to war: it's "easier." We tend - as a national culture - to be uncomfortable with waiting, with listening.
Making sure we know what's really driving the momentum toward war.
Developing trust in other nations so that we really have a functioning United Nations and can share concerns and evaluations of threats to ascertain more clearly what the actual threats are and what the impact of various responses would be.
Learning to trust in the intelligence and good will of others. Being willing to share what we have and to respect what is different.
Listening. Waiting.
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Betsy Martin
Would you attempt to reduce the incidence of fires simply by buying more extinguishers, or or would you take steps to prevent the fires from even starting?
In response to the rapidly growing number of fires, in New York City, the city's Fire Department promoted and enforced strict building codes that included sprinkler systems, clearly marked exits, electrical load limits, etc. The NYFD promoted and funded public education from pre-school to high school about proper storage of rags, gasoline cans, keeping heating systems clean and well maintained, etc. Inspections of buildings are conducted regularly and fines imposed for failure to comply.
The number of fires that NYFD fights has dropped dramatically because of their prevention of fires, the same way we can reduce war by the peaceful prevention of deadly violence. We have to eliminate the causes for war, like the NYFD did for fire...
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Dr. Bob Johnson
Recognize that fear, induced by real or imaginary threats to our existence, is the ultimate cause of violence, and teach the thoughtful management of fear to control the instinctual move toward violence.
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Sue Axtell
Human rights, dignity, and unending dialogue.
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Larry Spears
Consider the potential benefits of the following steps:
- Provide the infrastructure for war prevention
- Address failing states, which are those not meeting UN standards.
- Develop a permanent, standing, international military service of the UN to provide stability in failed states.
- Deactivate functionality in weapons provided by the US in military aid.
- Facilitate the transparency of all arms transactions, public and private.
- Create unique, non-removable identifiers for all weapons.
- Help the UN to provide outsourced shadow governmental infrastructure for failing states.
- Support UN peacekeeping interventions
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Bill Rogers
Meaningful dialogue, diplomacy, international engagement on the economic, political, social issues that are at stake.
Developing seasoned, knowledgeable, emissaries, fluent in the languages of the area, to maintain long term relationships enabling them to anticipate contentious issues and social dilemmas that can be addressed before they become volatile - backed up by responsible regional or international groups, including the UN.
Use of technological, economic, administrative assistance.
Use of the international court at the Hague for perpetrators of illegal activities or crimes against citizens in the country.
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Paul Diamond
The U.S. has the largest, best equipped, best trained and most dedicated military force the world has ever seen. More guns aren’t necessary.
The president must declare to the world that he is willing to go anywhere and sit down with anyone, unconditionally, with respect and equanimity to peacefully resolve any differences. We must be willing to come to an equitable solution to whatever problems may separate us. Whenever possible, we should look to the United Nations as the forum for discussion and resolution of differences. However, our efforts should not be limited to any specific venue.
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If War Is Not the Answer, What is the Question?
Welling Hall
War Is Not the Answer to the following Questions:
a) How should the United States settle its political disputes with other countries?
b) How should the United States respond to criminal acts by non-state actors?
c) How should the international community respond to criminal acts by non-state actors?
d) How should the United States meet the basic security of its citizens?
e) How should the United States defend its citizens from threatened attack?"
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Susi Fowler
How can we build a more just and tolerant world?
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C. Baird Brown
How do we make the world safer and more rewarding for all?
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Bill Rogers
How can people deepen their genuine understanding of groups and nations quite different from themselves?
How can we adjudicate issues between/among sovereign states that threaten to evolve into angry, contentious, violent hostility - in a way that allows all parties to be heard, appreciated, understood?
How can this be done in a timely way so alternative remedies or solutions can be explored and mutually acceptable solutions found?
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Reviewed:
04/03/2008
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