IronDove

I had a great vacation! I left all of my technology behind and went snowboarding with my family. Now the New Year's resolution, mine is to continue podcasting for peace. To work towards living a life of grace and humility, always thinking about paying it forward.

The great miracle of this season remains Peace, LOVE, Light and the divine presence in each and every creation of Light. During this beautiful festival time of conscience and introspection, look in the mirror. What you see looking back at you is as much the Messiah as any will ever be. You and every single person on this planet has the power of one. WE ARE ONE. Give a gift of light to the future. Give yourself, your Love and your commitment to PEACE.

In a country where war is the answer to solving the world's problems. The model, the expectation is for society to behave as the government behaves. The state sanctioned punishment for misbehavior is too easily violence and death. Do we bring further horror upon our selves by taking a life as punishment? We have a responsibility to the people of this country to be good role models. Our own government condemns other governments for what we do ourselves. What does that say about our society?

The notorious Stanley Tookie Williams was executed by lethal injection this week. We condemn the public hangings in Riyadh but are we any better. Can taking a life in anger and vengeance alleviate the pain, loss, suffering and anguish of losing a loved one. Is killing a relief of bereavement or does it create more horror. Thou shalt not kill, so many laws are built on the tenants of faith, but how does it work that the punishment for killing is killing? It hasn't worked in over 2000 years so why would it start working now? Is there a better way?

The Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund has been proposed to allow for those who are conscientiously opposed to participation in war to allow for proper social contribution without supporting the war machine. Our military budget out spends every other country by more than three hundred seventy billion dollars. If we were to apply one third of the military budget to developing energy independence imagine how quickly we can have alternatives that would no longer require us to be in someone else's backyard and someone else's business.

We grow more corn than anyone in the world. Ethanol Fuel made from corn is a stable reliable proven technology for the production of fuel that can run vehicles that are currently running on our roads. We have the technology, the land, the scientific and engineering know how to make this a reality. It will be good for the environment, create jobs and it will stop our reliance on foreign oil. Forty Percent of the vehicles in Brazil run on ethanol, so what are we waiting for?

IMAGINE. So important a message that 150 Nations contributed to the Garden of Peace that surrounds the beautiful mosaic inscribed with one single word, IMAGINE, embodying the principle of world peace. On the 25th Anniversary of the loss of John Lennon, we remember and reflect.

After yesterday's podcast I started to look into the ADF and I found out some really interesting things. The ADF is a huge sponsor of Rush Limbaugh and spends millions to make sure that Liberal viewpoints like that of Ed Schultz are not heard by our troops. Why, and how can the DOD allow this to go on with our tax dollars? Where is the separation of church and state?

Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays, does is matter? There is no shortage of Christmas decoration in this country. Americans last year spent Eight Billion dollars on decorations, yet the faith based organization ADF is worried that Christmas is being discriminated against and people's first amendment rigthts are being squashed. Surely at this time of giving, there are better things to spend time and money on.

People have used propaganda since the beginning of time. Win over the hearts and minds of the people and you will win the war. Any other victory is an empty victory and can never be sustained. Propaganda requires all kinds of people to be willing to be involved in the game. Everyone puts their little spin on the story. Propaganda or opinion?

Did you ever wonder about trees? They sleep, but do they dream? If they dream what do they dream of?

This country was built by immigrants. People want to come here and make a better life. That is a compliment, not a detriment. What we need to figure out is how to handle the documentation.

What are our children really being taught by Public Education? Is it really possible that lesson plans used 30 years ago are appropriate and useful today? Are we planting seeds of cruelty? As we evolve, why aren't the lessons evolving? Art, music, literature, film, all evolve but education is lagging way behind.

Great sweet potatoes start with fresh yams. It's so simple; use fresh ingredients, don't overcook them, use a little maple syrup, the real kind, no fake substitutes, a little cinnimon and they are done. Tasty and delicious Enjoy!

President John F. Kennedy challenged this country to land a man on the moon and return him safely home within one decade. This country mobilized like never before or since in the history of America and accomplished an amazing feat. Our energy crisis demands such action.