Human Rights

Today on the Boise Weekly Forum a thread was started in regard to a video of an exchange at the United Nations between the UN Watch and the UN Human Rights Commission.

Israels own  Association for Civil Rights in Israel reports that Israel should be looking in its own back yard. ( Actual report that is referenced to in the previous article ) I do not disagree that the UN is not doing enough about many places in the world, Congo, Sudan, China and on and on. But the Fact remains that the Israeli and Palestinian Conflict has major effects on the world in regard to peace and war. In my opinion one of the most important issues on the planet.

Please visit my website for more on the issues of War, Peace and Human Rights. Work for Peace

Cost of War

The following is based on September 2007 figures. But the basic issue remains the same.

According to World Bank  estimates, $54 billion a year would eliminate starvation and malnutrition , while $30 billion would provide a year of primary education for every child on earth. At the upper range of those estimates, the $456 billion cost of the war  could have fed and educated the world’s poor for five and a half years.

The National Priorities Project Tallies Cost of War through September 30, 2010 HERE. So now what could we do with that amount of money?

If you want to work to change this culture of war join a local peace organization. The local one where I am is the Idaho Peace Coalition. Here is a list of Anti-War Organizations.

Being Pro-Peace as apposed to Anti-War has been an issue that has occupied my heart and mind for many years.

"I was once asked why I don't participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I'll be there." ~ Mother Teresa

Just for drill here are some war quotes.

Please Visit my website for more links on peace,justice and war.

Go out and work for peace today!

Conversation with Mom

With much trepidation recently had a little talk with my mother on a subject I had not breached with her before. Her future Death and Burial. Surprising that I knew little about my mothers thoughts on this. I had my own speculations but they were extremely vague. I know that she has deep roots of Catholicism and a belief in reincarnation. Being her power of attorney I knew she wanted to be cremated. Some Christians are against cremation and some are not. My aunt being one that is against it. I asked my mom if she wanted my aunt to do the funeral for her and she got a scowl on her face and emphatically said, “No way!” and told me to be sure she was cremated. Upon further inquiry she informed me that she wanted an Irish Wake for a funeral, not a boring religious ceremony. Also she thought it would be nice to come back as her cat that had died a few years ago.

This made me think a bit about my own mortality and realize that I have not spelled this out in a legal way for my friends and family so they do not need to have the task of deciding for me. Better get on that! It would be interesting to do the Tibetan method known as Jhator or otherwise known as a Sky Burial. Hmm...

That all being said, I am wondering about any other folks and their conversations with their aging parents in regard to their death and burial. How did it go? Was it hard to do? How did you feel?

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