<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><HTML><FONT SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">Doug,<BR>
<BR>
This is a powerful piece. Much as I like to stay appreciative, the state of our world is so very frightening. My wife and I have been struggling with our 12 year old son who comes home with anger and frustration from the "us vs them way of teaching, one person in front of the class<BR>
doling out the good stuff to the dummies with their minds out" <BR>
<BR>
It is good to know of thoughtful people just up the road. I look forward to lunch next week.<BR>
<BR>
Have a safe and enjoyable holiday.<BR>
<BR>
John<BR>
<BR>
In a message dated 9/1/2005 10:37:39 AM US Eastern Standard Time, 76066.515@compuserve.com writes:<BR>
<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Hi friends--<BR>
<BR>
Gangs roaming the streets of New Orleans, people shooting at the<BR>
helicopters trying to evacuate the Super Dome: this is something directly<BR>
out of a disaster movie. People are becoming angry, but some are also<BR>
violent. Then there are stories of overwhelming sharing and caring and<BR>
sacrifice for other humans. The depths of humans and the human species is<BR>
brought out.<BR>
<BR>
The looting, the gang turf wars--is there a role for conversation? The role<BR>
is up front, before the disaster comes, to help people see that they are<BR>
one with the others around them, trying to do the best they can, the others<BR>
are not other but their own kind, trying to help, nothing and no one to be<BR>
feared. This has to happen one and two at a time. No government program<BR>
will resolve it, but parents must talk to their toddlers, must sit and read<BR>
with them, must meet with other toddlers and parents, grade schools need to<BR>
get past the us vs them way of teaching, one person in front of the class<BR>
doling out the good stuff to the dummies with their minds out, kids must<BR>
learn from talking and sitting and doing with one another, pre-teens<BR>
working on projects, learning first hand that people can and do care,<BR>
learning how to be with others. Then, when the storm comes, they are ready<BR>
to help not harm, they do not see it as a chance to get even or get more<BR>
than their share, grab the gusto, but a chance to be their highest selves,<BR>
and that is together.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
But even after the storm, we need to make the effort, hard as it might be,<BR>
to reach out to those inclined to violence and taking to seek their help,<BR>
to show how they are important and to see other people as important too. It<BR>
means approaching them not as an enemy but as one off the path.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
Perhaps Lisa, from her work in the prisons, has much better ideas and<BR>
insight.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
It has been coming home to me in many ways in the past week that there are<BR>
no easy solutions. To ask How is often to ask "What magic pill can I give<BR>
to this situation that will solve it once for all time?" and of course<BR>
there is no such thing. It takes hard work. More than that it takes<BR>
engagement.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
And that over time. This is the eternal vigilance that George Washington<BR>
reminded us of 2 centuries ago. Engagement over time.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
:-Doug. Germann<BR>
Seeking people making community change.<BR>
<BR>
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<BR>
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John Steinbach<BR>
JP Consultants, Inc.<BR>
<A HREF="www.jpconsultantsinc.com">www.jpconsultantsinc.com</A><BR>
926 Prange Drive<BR>
Fort Wayne, IN 46807<BR>
(260)744-2122<BR>
john4jp@aol.com</FONT></HTML>
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