[Oe List ...] What is going on?

[george]

I think violence is on the increase and has been for some time.  The 
U.S. is the most violent nation of all the developed nations; we've 
know that for a long time.  I felt more secure when I lived in 3rd 
World countries even with rebels in the neighborhood, though I'm not so 
sure I would now.  There have been 3 arrests in the Austin area in the 
last 2 months of youth who were preparing to duplicate Columbine, and I 
understand there are similar incidents across the country under the 
radar screen.  In speaking with folks who run women's shelters they 
tell me abuse against women is way up. There was a big shoot out with 
bank robbers in Dallas a couple of weeks ago.  It was reported they had 
robbed up to 60 banks.   I don't know what to make of the FBI crime 
reports that say crime is going down.  From where I set it looks like 
anger and violence are rising.

Several of the reporters and others who have worked in Iraq are saying 
that there is no way the U.S. can win; that the insurgency is broader 
than thugs or Sunnis.  Yesterday, the report was there is more 
malnutrition among the children of Iraq than before the war.  
Suggestions are now surfacing that there should be talks with the 
insurgents and offers of positions in the political process.

The Republican party is (if not already) becoming two parties, one the 
neo coms and right wing Christians (and this partnership may not hold) 
and two the old moderates. The Democrats are dividing between Clinton 
centrists and the "old gang."  We are all afraid not simply of each 
other, but the future.

The European Union is becoming the largest (i.e. with money) customer 
base and is beginning to dictate economic policy to the rest of the 
world.  It has forced the U.S. in two cases to back off steel tarrifs 
and ag subsidies, winning in the World Court.  All companies are aiming 
at being compliant with Euro standards.  China is having explosive 
growth using more fosil fuels.  U.S. dollar going down, Euro up and the 
U.S. debt is owned by other nations.

It would be great to have one of our workshops with Wiegel leading and 
do a gestalt on the times.

Dick, there are lots of Peace with Justice groups.  Jim Wallis in 
Washington D.C. is getting a bit of a play from the media, but most of 
the mainline denoms have pretty good units.  Wanda has been doing PwJ 
for the past several years and has a better grasp of that than I.  Lots 
of good stuff going on here and overseas, but not much gets 
communicated through the major media or through church channels.  The 
Palestinian Civil Society movement which has some Israeli participation 
has done some amazing things through all the mess there.

All the best

George Holcombe
14900 Yellowleaf Tr.
Austin TX 78728
512/252-2756
512/294-5952

On Nov 22, 2004, at 3:37 PM, KroegerD at aol.com wrote:

> This slaughter of the deer hunters in Wisconsin is trougling on many 
> levels.  However, it seems to land on top of several other "senseless" 
> acts of violence recently.  I am thinking of several local brawls 
> lately where weapons were used, and of course the recent NBA outburst.
>
> Colleagues at work have noticed this as well.  Opinions range from 
> "inevitable signs of the times" to "there is too much violence 
> reported in the media"
>
> Today is the anniversary of the shooting of JFK.  It is also the day 
> that a computer gaming firm rolled out it's electronic
> reenactment-complete with tracer bullets and an option to turn the 
> blood display off or on.
>
> Could it be that this noticeable up-tick in violence could also be a 
> function of the current world battle situation?  The slaughter in Iraq 
> is approaching Vietnam levels.  At the same time, the operators of the 
> Iraq war tell us that things are going well here and in Iraq.  Yet we 
> are continually moved from yellow to orange alert.
>
> So, I look to my faith, and my understanding of God's will.  I try to 
> discern a path that would allow me and others to meaningfully impact 
> the source of this violence.  I look to the Church.
>
> Blessed are the peace-makers!  Where can I find them and join up?
>
>
> -- 
> Grace and Peace
> Dick Kroeger
>
>
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