There was a very insightful opinion article in The Wall Street Journal this morning, August 31, 2013, by Elizabeth O’Bagy, a senior analyst at the Institute for the Study of War.     The most interesting observation she makes after several trips to Syria is that moderate opposition groups are carrying on a good bit of the fighting against…

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Probably all people have some degree of racism.  But the important thing is not to say or do anything that is precipitated by that primitive state. As humans we often react to those we face.  If they are angry, it may make us angry or upset.  If they show racism it might bring out our…

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Wisdom is a vital key on our journey toward a Heaven on Earth.  The good news is that it can be taught.  It’s not the sole purvey of rare individuals. I invite you to read the late Copthorne Macdonald’s brilliant essay, “The Centrality of Wisdom” in by book, How to Achieve a Heaven on Earth.   In the…

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We—all of humanity—must raise our imaginations in a positive, loving sort of way.  And we can.  Love comes much more naturally than hate.  Hate is the result of a lot of deep-seated anger. Love is more the result of kindness to oneself and others as they return that ultimate positive value and emotion. We must…

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Hello Friends and Followers, I am going to give a presentation and sign copies of “How to Achieve a Heaven on Earth” at the Katrina Artistically Revisited event this Wednesday evening, August 28th at Canal Place in New Orleans. The event is free and open to the public and includes various speakers, movie shorts, artwork…

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At his request, I am reading the manuscript for Martin Rutte’s new book, Project Heaven on Earth.  Martin writes that one of the roadblocks in so many people’s minds is that such a goal is “too idealistic,” but he counters with examples of such individuals as Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa and Lech Walesa.  I would add…

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The violence in one of the world’s oldest civilizations saddens me.  I agree completely with Gandhi when he said:  “Violence begets violence.”  But I believe the opposite is true also, kindness begets kindness.    I have the following “bulletin board” material by my desk;    Three things in human life are important:    the first one is to be kind; the…

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Faith is not a given.  We have to strive for it, seeking truth and values over the course of our entire lives.  I believe deeply in God Almighty and the little piece of God within each of us and all of us since the dawn of humankind.  But it wasn’t always that way. This is…

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Albert Einstein made a very piercingly important statement, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”  But formal education is critical to build a high platform for one’s imagination.  We are living in the Innovation Age and a high platform helps.  And don’t forget, the Internet and other sources allow us to tap so much of humankind’s…

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I think the present IRS scandal by President Obama’s Administration is far more flagrant than that of President Nixon‘s failings.  After all, President Nixon won his reelection by a large margin, so, his transgressions did not decide his presidential re-election.  On the other hand, I understand President Obama won re-election by about 330,000 votes in key…

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