THE WORLD COMMISSION ON GLOBAL CONSCIOUSNESS & SPIRITUALITY
"We conclude that the question is no longer whether a fundamental change is coming, but whether the change will be for the better or for the worse, when it will be coming and at what price. The sooner we pave the way to positive change, the less traumatic will be the transformation and the smaller its human, economic and ecological cost. All of us now share the responsibility of realizing that we live at the tipping point of contemporary civilization and for recognizing that informed thinking and responsible acting are needed to bring us to the threshold of a civilization that is truly peaceful and sustainable."- Budapest Declaration, Dec. 20, 2004
Labels: peace, posthuman, transformation, wisdom
Military Malignancy
In Context: U.S. Military Spending Versus Rest of the World
Consider the following:
The above sources compare the given fiscal year budget request with the latest figures for other countries, which are sometimes two years old. Still using those statistics for other countries, however, a comparison can be made here of the US Fiscal Year 2005 spending against other equivalent data:
* The US military spending was almost two-fifths of the total.
* The US military spending was almost 7 times larger than the Chinese budget, the second largest spender.
* The US military budget was almost 29 times as large as the combined spending of the six “rogue” states (Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria) who spent $14.65 billion.
* It was more than the combined spending of the next 14 nations.
* The United States and its close allies accounted for some two thirds to three-quarters of all military spending, depending on who you count as close allies (typically NATO countries, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan and South Korea)
* The six potential “enemies,” Russia, and China together spent $139 billion, 30% of the U.S. military budget.
Some of the above statistics come from organizations such as the Center for Defense Information, and the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. They often include a global comparison. The one for Fiscal Year 2007 has been produced as a graph here:
Military spending in 2005 ($ Billions, and percent of total)Country Dollars (billions) % of total Rank
Source: U.S. Military Spending vs. the World, Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, February 6, 2006
Note created October 5, 2006
High Military Expenditure in Some Places - Global Issues - www.globalissues.org/...
Global issues
Amount spent in $U.S. Billions on
Cosmetics in the United States: 8
Ice cream in Europe: 11
Perfumes in Europe and the United States: 12
Pet foods in Europe and the United States: 17
Business entertainment in Japan: 35
Cigarettes in Europe: 50
Alcoholic drinks in Europe: 105
Narcotics drugs in the world: 400
Military spending in the world: 780
And compare that to what was estimated as additional costs [ $U.S. Billions ]to achieve universal access to basic social services in all developing countries:
Basic education for all: 6
Water and sanitation for all: 9
Reproductive health for all women: 12
Basic health and nutrition: 13
Labels: global, insanity, military, money, narcotics, peace, priorities
Peace Pilgrim
Peace Pilgrim, An Extraordinary Life
Her Steps are succinct and practical and
are not to be taken in any certain order. The first step for one may be the last step for another. So just take whatever steps seem easiest for you and as you take a few steps it will become easier for you to take a few more (Peace Pilgrim, 1982, p.9).
There are four preparations:
* right attitude toward life.
* bringing our lives into harmony with the laws that govern this universe.
* finding one's special place in the universe through inner guidance.
* simplification of life.
There are four purifications:
* of body
* of thoughts
* of desires
* of motivations
There are four relinquishments:
* of self-will
* of the feeling of separateness
* of all attachments
* of all negative feelings (pp.9-20)
Peace gives further advice: "The path of gradual relinquishment...is a difficult path, for only when relinquishment is complete do the rewards really come. The path of quick relinquishments is an easy path, for it brings immediate blessings." (p.21)
