More about "Restraint and Outreach" an Alternative to the War on Terror.

I'm working on a presentation to do for community groups to get people thinking about alternatives to the War on Terror. (WOT) Most Americans assume that there is no other way to move forward into the future other than the one promoted by US national leaders.

I strongly disagree. We can do better than to focus on constant warfare among monotheistic cultures. I have kids, so I'm trying to leave Something Better for them than a choice between the threat of terrorism, or the threat of war.

Some choice.

Here's the main points of my argument:

1. The War on Terror is a misguided approach to world leadership because it excludes the possibility of lasting peace or peaceful coexistence of monotheistic cultures.

2. A better approach would be to restrain the use of military force and to increase interpersonal outreach among individuals to increase positive relations among nations and cultures.

3. Alternative, positive ideas to the War on Terror should exist, and that such alternative ideas have the right in a free society to compete with the War on Terror paradigm.

4. That we have a responsibility, and we must convince our leaders that they share that responsibility, to pursue less destructive ways of moving the world into the future.

See my previous posting on recent Pew poll data that show increasing negativity toward the US and Americans. Making war the main tool of international relations is a huge mistake, and we've got to educate people so that there will be pressure get US priorities, and its national security priorities changed.

Your thoughts? Email.

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