Tear Gas Made In America
Deheisha Refugee Camp, Bethlehem, circa 2000 ad
"Assassin! Child-killer! Murderer!"
Fortunately, I was able to focus my attention on what the man was feeling and needing. In this case, I had some cues. On the way into the refugee camp, I had seen several empty tear gas canisters that had been shot into the camp the night before. Clearly marked on each canister were the words (death) "Made in U.S.A." I knew that the refugees harbored a lot of anger toward the U.S. for supplying tear gas and other weapons to Israel. Are you angry because you would like my government to use its resources differently?
"Damn right I'm angry! You think we need tear gas? We need sewers, not your tear gas! We need housing! We need to have our own country! Do you know what it's like to live here for twenty-seven years the way I have with my family - children and all? Have you got the faintest idea what that's been like for us? You want to understand? Tell me, do you have children? Do they go to school? Do they have playgrounds? My son is sick! He plays in open sewage! His classroom has no books! Have you seen a school that has no books? Human rights, isn't that what you Americans call it? Why don't more of you come here and see what kind of human rights you're bringing here!" Nonviolent Communication - Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D.
http://www.cnvc.org/
http://www.illuminateded.com/coursepreview/com10101.html
We share the sentiments of French novelist and journalist George Bernanos when he says:
"I have thought for a long time now that if, some day, the increasing efficiency for the technique of destruction finally causes our species to disappear from the earth, it will not be cruelty that will be responsible for our extinction and still less, of course, the indignation that cruelty awakens and the reprisals and vengeance that it brings upon itself . . . but the docility, the lack of responsibility of the modern man, his base subservient acceptance of every common decree. The horrors that we have seen, the still greater horrors we shall presently see, are not signs that rebels, insubordinate, untamable men are increasing in number throughout the world, but rather that there is a constant increase in the number of obedient, docile men." - (Georges Bernanos as Hitler)
George Bernanos, French Journalist 1888 - 1948
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Bernanos
What Would Ghandi Do?
Photo of Mahatma Ghandi
.
"Assassin! Child-killer! Murderer!"
Fortunately, I was able to focus my attention on what the man was feeling and needing. In this case, I had some cues. On the way into the refugee camp, I had seen several empty tear gas canisters that had been shot into the camp the night before. Clearly marked on each canister were the words (death) "Made in U.S.A." I knew that the refugees harbored a lot of anger toward the U.S. for supplying tear gas and other weapons to Israel. Are you angry because you would like my government to use its resources differently?
"Damn right I'm angry! You think we need tear gas? We need sewers, not your tear gas! We need housing! We need to have our own country! Do you know what it's like to live here for twenty-seven years the way I have with my family - children and all? Have you got the faintest idea what that's been like for us? You want to understand? Tell me, do you have children? Do they go to school? Do they have playgrounds? My son is sick! He plays in open sewage! His classroom has no books! Have you seen a school that has no books? Human rights, isn't that what you Americans call it? Why don't more of you come here and see what kind of human rights you're bringing here!" Nonviolent Communication - Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D.
http://www.cnvc.org/
http://www.illuminateded.com/coursepreview/com10101.html
We share the sentiments of French novelist and journalist George Bernanos when he says:
"I have thought for a long time now that if, some day, the increasing efficiency for the technique of destruction finally causes our species to disappear from the earth, it will not be cruelty that will be responsible for our extinction and still less, of course, the indignation that cruelty awakens and the reprisals and vengeance that it brings upon itself . . . but the docility, the lack of responsibility of the modern man, his base subservient acceptance of every common decree. The horrors that we have seen, the still greater horrors we shall presently see, are not signs that rebels, insubordinate, untamable men are increasing in number throughout the world, but rather that there is a constant increase in the number of obedient, docile men." - (Georges Bernanos as Hitler)
George Bernanos, French Journalist 1888 - 1948
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Bernanos
What Would Ghandi Do?
Photo of Mahatma Ghandi
.