[CPEO-MEF] War and the Environment

[kc2th@aol.com]

I have enjoyed reading the recent posts regarding acts of the military, 
long-term impacts, necessity of war, etc.  While people naturally have 
different opinions on everything from perspective on an issue to writing 
style, there are some observations to be made regarding common ground that 
certainly exists.

First, this country was founded on fighting for freedom and such fighting 
generally has kept this country free and strong since it was born. With this 
history, in turn, those who have served or do serve in the U.S. military
have 
reason and right to be proud of that service to the country they love. 

Unfortunately, there are certain times where horrific acts of defending 
freedom, acts of war, political agression or whatever you want to call a 
specific event are unavoidable.  It is hard to argue that the history of Man 
does not prove this point.
>
On the other hand, there is pure and straightforward logic in the belief
that 
killing innocent people home or abroad, whether it be through acute weaponry 
or chronic environmental contamination, is wrong and we have a duty to our 
fellow man and this planet to avoid it whenever possible. Again, this is 
something that I believe is a point of common agreement for most I have met 
and worked with during my efforts over the years.
>
So, is there some understanding and common ground to be found between the
two 
observations?
Of course.

Are these different perspectives mutually exclusive? 
For this country and this planet, we must not let them be.

Is compromise a necessity? 
Certainly.

Is accountability an integral part of compromise? 
Absolutely.
>
I believe we must not get lost in a segmented focus on one technology or one 
policy issue or pontificating on how we differ. Certainly such discussion is 
necessary to explore an issue and show a view point, but we must regularly 
and consistently pull it back to the larger picture, the bigger goals and 
what we want and need to 
accomplish for ourselves and future generations.
>
>I believe those who participate here and in other similar forums are most 
capable of making the greatest strides in solid environmental policy 
development, communication building and public participation. Together, we 
have the knowledge and passion to do so. 

Nuturally, with the energy that comes with 
the passion, it is easy to get lost, easy to carve out a little niche and 
miss the goal, and certainly easier to disagree and walk away than to 
disagree and find some compromise to build from.  I hope the latter and 
harder path can become a consistent theme to work from on this board and in 
our efforts in the coming year.

I wrote a poem for everyone for the New Year regarding communication and
this 
observation, but it was considered off-topic for this board.  If you would 
like to see it people can always e-mail me and I will send it along, but the 
message is this:

Lets always work to be humble and open enough to look for ways to actually 
hear and understand these differing words and perspectives and have the time 
and effort spent here lead us to somewhere constructive. Have it lead us
down 
an organized and admirable path where we can look back and see concrete 
accomplishments. I believe it can be done. 

Steps may be small and we may need to help each other by pointing out 
accomplishments when they happen, as it is hard to see the forest for the 
trees, but steps have been and will continue to be made.

If this is cryptic or a point is confusing or you think I miss the boat, I 
would be happy to hear back from you and/or provide more specificity to 
anyone interested or the board as a whole. But, I will stop for now as this 
one is getting too long.

Keep up the effort and the drive to learn.

Peace

Ted


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