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Nothing new in thhe sust-mar queue today. So, here's some "food for thought" on the Prime Minister's recent suggestion that the West may be at least partially responsible for the events of 11 September 2001. ~paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- A Word to the Spiritual Seekers From: Don Murray Truth is stranger than fiction. Who would believe that a politician, one highly skilled in the fine art of saying nothing, would actually tell the truth? And not just any old truth. But a clear -- or as clear as Jean Chretien can be -- statement of the responsibility of western culture for the state of the world. There was nothing particularly new or startling in what he said. Many thinking people, especially in reflecting upon Sept. 11, have made us more aware of the acquisitive greed, the arrogance of power (and Chretien knows a lot about the arrogance of power), the focus on me-me-me, and the nationalism that is blind to the rest of the world, that defines our society. "They are people too" said Chretien, showing a remarkable sensitivity to the oppression and poverty which is the lot of so much of the world. His words seem quite out of character. He has never been noted for making bold statements or presenting great visions. His style has been to rock the boat as little as possible, try to keep the majority happy (at which he has been very successful), and muddle through. If he had presented that kind of vision at the beginning of his mandate and pursued it with passion and integrity, we would be more impressed. That would have put him right up there with Trudeau and the "just society." But better late than never. Perhaps it was Peter Mansbridge's quiet but commanding presence that elicited his reflections. More likely it was his awareness that his time is up and he wants to be remembered for something -- to leave a legacy. Then there is the freedom of not having to get elected again! Sine he has repeated the same message to the UN we know it was not a passing fancy. Whatever his motives, he is taking terrible flack for daring to utter the truth. Some say it was very inappropriate timing. The anniversary of 9/11 would reawaken the raw wound of that terrible day. The Americans, and the rest of the western world, would be in no mood for deeper reflection on "why do they hate us so?" Yet what better time? Our thoughts did return to the anguish of that moment. We were again aware that we are world citizens, vulnerable to the hatreds and jealousies that are directed at us. Perhaps, as Chretien was, we are more ready to look at our responsibilities as members of a world family. The "hawks" are, of course, accusing Chretien of being soft on terrorism. They apparently believe that it is impossible to both police the world and take a longer look at root causes. It is much easier to think in black and white. "They" are evil and must be eradicated. "We" are good and need not change. But even within the Bush administration there are those who are taking a longer look. They may not prevail in the short term. But over the long haul their voices will be heard. I said a couple of weeks ago that the commandment is to love our neighbours as ourselves and that we have discovered that bin Laden is our neighbour. Sometimes love requires that the neighbour be held accountable for dastardly deeds. Society must be protected from the radical fringe. Love also requires us to do what we can to build a world of justice and peace where the swirling emotions of generations of the narrow self-righteousness of all sides can be drained away and healed. Micah's (and Isaiah's) vision still holds. "They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears in pruning hooks; nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid." (Micah 4:3-4) Hats off to Chretien for affirming that "they are people too." Now if he could just apply that same insight to his own party and his own country! -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- SUST-MAR TIP: copyright material cannot be posted to the list CBC enviro news-briefs follow: -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- BLASTING BYLAW TOPIC OF EXPLOSIVE DEBATE Halifax Regional Council will consider major changes to its blasting bylaw because of complaints over activity at a new development in Halifax. FULL STORY http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_bylaw021002 BARRINGTON HIGH STUDENTS STILL GETTING SICK Students at Barrington High School are getting sick again, according to Nova Scotia's NDP education critic. Bill Estabrooks wants Education Minister, Jane Purves, to meet with parents and teachers. FULL STORY http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_barrington021002 FEDERAL REGULATIONS WOULD PROTECT SABLE GULLY The federal government's fisheries department is putting forward suggestions to protect an offshore area known as the Sable Gully. It's considered one of the country's most unique and fragile marine ecosystems. FULL STORY http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_gully021002 DEMOLITION RELEASES THICK DUST OVER SYDNEY A white, dusty mineral known as perlite blew off the demolition site at Sydney Steel so thickly Tuesday that it stopped traffic, twice. FULL STORY http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_dust021002 WATCH OUT FOR MOOSE IN CAPE BRETON The RCMP in Cape Breton are warning motorists to watch out for moose. Early Monday police say a woman driving along the Cabot trail, near Middle River, hit a moose. FULL STORY http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_moose021001 EXPECT HIGHER OIL PRICES IF IRAQ ATTACKED Homeowners who heat with oil could face a 25 per cent increase in heating costs this winter. An oil industry analyst says the possibility of a war between the United States and Iraq will cause a big jump in the price of crude oil. FULL STORY http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_oil021002 © Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
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