From notes@igc.apc.org Mon Jan 1 01:38:45 1996
Received: from igc5.igc.apc.org (192.82.108.36) by MediaFilter.org
 with SMTP (MailShare 1.0b10); Mon, 1 Jan 1996 01:38:52 -0500
Received: from cdp.igc.apc.org (cdp.igc.apc.org [192.82.108.1]) by igc5.igc.apc.org (8.7.3/8.7.3) id WAA10729; Sun, 31 Dec 1995 22:15:25 -0800 (PST)
Date: 31 Dec 1995 21:19:47
Reply-To: Conference "zamir.chat" 
From: Rampant1@aol.com
Subject: Re: http://mediafilter.org/SJ/Pages/U.S. involvement
To: Recipients of zamir-chat-l 
Message-ID: <951231192239_81709014@emout06.mail.aol.com>
In-Reply-To: <1394561742-555311@mediafilter.org>
X-Gateway: conf2mail@igc.apc.org
Errors-To: owner-zamir-chat-l@igc.apc.org
Precedence: bulk
Lines: 63

Subject: Re: http://mediafilter.org/SJ/Pages/U.S. involvement


This letter is in response to American parents and others who are ambivalent
and concerned for their sons being sent to Bosnia.

DECEMBER, 1995
A holiday open letter to my dear friends and all Americans re: Bosnia,

The value of the American presence in Bosnia in not only as a respected
military force. (That respect faded in Somalia, when they discovered we were
not gods, but as mortal as they.)  It is the unique American experience of
cooperation and sharing  by people who have come from almost every nation of
the world and the phenomena of their ability to work together harmoniously to
solve mutual problems. 

It is our strength and vulnerability which we have to share, to model, for a
people imbued with old, rigid habits of perpetual hatred and mistrust,
leaving them open to brutal manipulation by power hunger leaders. 

The power of global communications and images returned from space have
blurred the old national borders. We can now perceive with great clarity that
we share one very small ailing planet. Our well-being is impacted in many
ways by the well-being of others, a brief few thousand miles away, not just
because of potential future expenses if the "Bosnia Syndrome" escalates, as
it has with extraordinarily disastrous effects in the past... We have a
spiritual link with all our fellow creatures.

Let's update our beloved theme: America, America, God help us shed your grace
on our sisters and brothers throughout the world...and crown our good with
brotherhood from pole to frozen Pole. Help us be a beacon to the battle-weary
of the world, and a reminder to the combative within our own land.

Yes, we belong in Bosnia. Let us change the frame from which we view
"Bosnia." No, it is not our war. It is our opportunity to share our wealth of
spirit and uplift our human family to a richer potential life...where love of
life and our wondrous earth far outweigh petty historical bickering, even
though centuries old. Love, understanding and acceptance can unlock old
conflicts. Let us enter as peace makers, and learn, in the process, to be
more supportive and understanding at home.

Let us enter Bosnia not just with weapons. Let us also bring good will,
Christmas spirit and gifts. Let us celebrate the hard won peace. These are
family who have forgotten how to share a celebration.

Join me on a heroic venture. Let us together rebuild Eden on our small blue
planet. There are music and art to make, forests to restore, waters to make
clear again and deserts to reclaim.  There are cities to build and 
re-build as symbols of love of our jewel planet, unique in the universe, and
peaceful sharing with all the wondrous life forms that live here.

Let us join hands with our planetary sisters and brothers  - in respect,
understanding , forgiveness  - and, in love. We can make a difference in
Bosnia this time, with a clear vision of what we can accomplish.

NAMASTE: I salute and pay homage to that place within you which is the same
as that place within me.


Marv Lyons
the CyberianLYON