Follow examples of great men of peace
For the most part, I’ve ceased staying abreast of the news, quite simply because I’m sick and tired of reading about idiots who commit wanton acts of murder, and then attempt to lay blame for their actions on everyone except themselves.
The recent coverage of the Virginia Tech murders is every bit as sickening as any in recent history.
If people who engage in these cowardly acts were to direct their energy and efforts toward peacefully addressing their grievances, this world would be a much better place.
They could take a few lessons from men such as Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. Each of them brought about tremendous change in their society by refusing to engage in acts of hatred and violence — and they accomplished those changes in a relatively short time.
Violence begets nothing but violence!
They should follow the example of another great man of peace — the late Egyptian president, Anwar Sadat.
He came to realize that Israel has as much right to exist as does Palestine, and so he humbly sought peace with those who had been his enemy. And, like Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., he paid the price with his life. Truly great men — not cowards!
Rick Dalrymple, Denver
"If people who engage in these cowardly acts were to direct their energy and efforts toward peacefully addressing their grievances, this world would be a much better place."
No, really?!?!
Yeah, Mike, that was a type of "Captain Obvious" statement. Still, the sentiment of the letter is quite sincere and, I might add, quite commendable.
Posted by M 242 on May 1, 2007 04:43 PMGandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Sadat and Nelson Mandela all found powerful friends.
Gandhi made friends with the ruling intellectual and media classes in Europe and the US. They pressured Britain. Gandhi didn't have to fight to win.
Martin Luther King made friends with northern liberals whose children went to private schools and wouldn't be threatened by poor blacks.
Mandela got the U.S. and Europe to put economic pressure on the South African government.
Anwar Sadat went one better. He got President Carter to bribe him (with US tax dollars) to stop spending money on fighting. Sheer genius.
Who can we get to fight our battles for us?
Posted by Yaakov Watkins on May 2, 2007 06:28 AMAll this nice talk makes me feel so warm inside....
Posted by on May 2, 2007 10:32 AM