tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028430.post7721340529987699018..comments2023-10-29T06:18:30.962-07:00Comments on READ MY OPINION (because you're entitled to it): ATTENTION ALL EXTREMISTSUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028430.post-73845439497760602802008-01-07T16:45:00.000-08:002008-01-07T16:45:00.000-08:00I wonder if that jump in garrison investing is due...I wonder if that jump in garrison investing is due to the creation of the Homeland Security department and the billions it's spending?PJDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05028687955957107957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028430.post-16744079564446480692008-01-04T16:16:00.000-08:002008-01-04T16:16:00.000-08:00Good thoughts pjd - I tend to let my cynicism run ...Good thoughts pjd - I tend to let my cynicism run away with me. I think there is a great struggle or tension building re: the global trends you mentioned: resources, weaponry, etc. A recent article by Naomi Klein (in The Nation, I think) reported on the level of venture capital investment in two major market sectors: green (alternative fuels, etc.) and garrisons (private security firms, etc.). Last year, the investment in garrison grew much more than the growth in green investment by venture capital. This perhaps indicates that the wealthy aren't very likely to just give up some of what they have.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028430.post-85172499534307100442008-01-04T14:15:00.000-08:002008-01-04T14:15:00.000-08:00As a professional in the area of corporate citizen...As a professional in the area of corporate citizenship, I am hopeful that the "global epiphany" is happening. There are problems--the growing population means more tension and more conflict over resources and belief systems, the escalation of war and weaponry means there is more at stake in political struggles, and the increasing gap between the wealthy and the poor means more power is concentrated among the few rather than among the many.<BR/><BR/>In a climate like this, the way to a healthy world is through the powerful giving up some of their power to the masses. To have peace, the USA must give up some of its standing as the solitary superpower and allow smaller nations to gain stature, wealth, and a stronger voice.<BR/><BR/>In short, give the extremists less to be extreme about by keeping them from being disenfranchised in the first place.<BR/><BR/>I see this happening in corporate America and in companies around the world. Is there a long way to go yet? Certainly, but corporations are paying more attention to the needs and voices of their workforces, and more and more the new executives are just as beholden to a moral standard as they are to a balance sheet. Plus, they tend to have a more democratic (with a small "d") mindset.<BR/><BR/>So, I have hope for the future. I do not think we're in an age of extremism... I think we're in an age of democracy because with the internet and instant communication, every group no matter how small has a voice. Thus, the fringe elements are no longer suppressed by the mainstream. It's when the extremists realize that they can use that to promote their messages more effectively than they can use a car bomb--that's when we'll have a very interesting society indeed.PJDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05028687955957107957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028430.post-17168772707784050282008-01-01T11:02:00.000-08:002008-01-01T11:02:00.000-08:00For the sake of full disclosure, this is Sherry, P...For the sake of full disclosure, this is Sherry, Paul's wife; so you might think I am simply agreeing with my husband, because he is my husband. If you know us, you will understand this is not so. I frequently differ on specifics, but this essay says it all.<BR/><BR/>I fervently pray that humankind will heed this message. Unless we focus on our commonality, our need to steward the life support system, our planet earth, and our mutual benefit in making peace and justice, we will lose everything, and that we'll do together!<BR/><BR/>Thank you Paul!sherryfishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15168594567856937855noreply@blogger.com