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Free discussion group : War in Iraq
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This forum began just after 9-11. Events in reaction to that attack have led us to our current state of affairs. This discussion traces the history of that evolution of consciousness in reaction to this New World (Dis)Order. The most recent comments are focussed on the War in Iraq...What do you think ? Leave your comments here...
NOTE: Not totally free speech - NO SPAM! No curse words or hate messages allowed - they will be deleted. Thoughtful, serious, artistic messages only.
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Subject NOT IN OUR NAME Fundraiser/Berkeley
Date
Wed Feb 5 2003 18:08
Author Rob Brezsny
(beautyandtruth@freewillastrology.com)
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(Posted by a Friend who wanted to share the beauty of the description for inspiration)
Rob Brezsny's Free Will Astrology Newsletter
is brought to you by
the moral equivalent to war
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Philosopher William James proposed that if our culture ever
hoped to shed the deeply ingrained habit of going to war, we'd
have to create a moral equivalent. It's not enough to preach the
value of peace, he said. We have to find other ways to channel our
aggressive instincts in order to accomplish what war does, like
stimulate political unity and civic virtue. Astrology provides a
complementary perspective. Each of us has the warrior energy
of the planet Mars in our psychological make-up. We can't afford
to simply repress it, but must find a positive way to express it.
Any ideas, dear readers?
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February 5, 2003
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www.beautyandtruth.com
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MASS OUTBREAK OF PRONOIA
I was lucky enough to wander into a mass outbreak of PRONOIA*
on the night of January 31. To the casual observer, it was a
musical fundraiser for Not In Our Name at the Berkeley
Community Theater. But to anyone hungry for rowdy blessings,
sacred uproars, and lusty compassion, the event was dramatic
evidence that a gorgeous new world is birthing itself amidst the
dank chaos of the dying civilization.
About 3,000 poems disguised as people attended this Pep Rally
for Pronoia. While there was plenty of creative anger expressed
at the American government's dishonest and immoral rush
towards war against Iraq, the predominant mood was embodied in
the buoyant dance groove laid down by Michael Franti and
Spearhead's celebratory song, "Power to the Peaceful." Three
thousand of us leaped rhythmically into the air as we helped the
band sing our new planet into existence.
Saul Williams made us shiver with joy and inspiration as he
delivered his blazingly tender poetic invocations. The man is a
humble force of nature and a master alchemist. He's able to
express both an ingenious love for the sublime glory of creation
and a holy rage against the plutocratic phallocrats who are
vandalizing it.
Ani DiFranco is an electrifying performer. She broke our hearts
with lyrics like "The hawk keeps circling above the strip mall,"
"Take away our playstations and we're a Third World nation,"
and "There's a traffic jam on the road to nowhere." But she also
lent her genius to the vision of the new world we're creating
together, blessing us with reminders like "Practice happiness,"
"Put some beauty back into the world," "I've been falling in love
again and again all day long."
The Latino hip-hop of Ozomatli was infectious, melodic, and
arousing. It was also exuberantly anti-war, anti-violence, and
anti-hatred. Even if I had been oblivious to their message, I
could not have stopped my body from breaking into full-out
Dionysian dancing. But as I fed from the double infusion of kick-
ass music and thrilling idealism, I lived (and danced) in
paradise.
In recognition of their stellar contributions to building a wildly
exciting, intensely interesting peace on Earth, I hereby
nominate Michael Franti, Spearhead, Saul Williams, Ani
DiFranco, and Ozomatli for the Nobel Peace Prize. I also
nominate them for Grammies, MacArthur Foundation "Genius"
grants, all-expense-paid vacations to Burning Man (the capital
city of our new planet), and their own TV show.
*PRONOIA. For those of you who haven't heard the word, pronoia
is the sneaking suspicion that the whole world is conspiring to
shower you with blessings; the growing conviction that life is
inherently designed to liberate you from suffering, fill you with
joy, and make you really smart.
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LINKS to the above-mentioned heroes and geniuses:
Not in Our Name:
www.notinourname.net
*
Michael Franti and Spearhead:
www.spearheadvibrations.com
Michael Franti and Spearhead:
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005BGUT/qid%3D104
4126368/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/102-
9441499-7580944"
*
Saul Williams:
www.annonline.com/interviews/990715/biography.html
Saul Williams:
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-
/B00005QKBM/qid=1044126232/sr=1-
1/ref=sr_1_1/102-9441499-7580944?v=glance&s=music
*
Ani DiFranco:
www.righteousbabe.com/ani
Ani DiFranco:
www.columbia.edu/~marg/ani/
*
Ozomatli:
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005NWLD/qid=1044
126175/sr=2-2/ref=sr_2_2/102-9441499-7580944
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