Journalists this week didn’t even know whether to call the country Myanmar or Burma. Tens of thousands of citizens and monks rose up at last in response to the SLORC, the State Law and Order Restoration Council, the military regime that has been in charge of that country for decades, to demand the establishment of the democracy they voted for.   Read more...

I went to a university in a state that was populated by mostly Italian Americans and Jewish Americans. I myself come from a WASP background, so was delighted to be immersed in the abundance of life surrounding me in those college years. Of course, I made many friends, of both persuasions, and loved every second of our times together.   Read more...

Is anybody else dismayed at the United States Senate and their voted censure of MoveOn.org’s ad about General David Petraeus and how the White House used him to foment a political (not military) strategy? Followed quickly by yet another fruitless vote to end the war in Iraq?   Read more...

Japanese are known to be workaholics, but they also know how to maintain a balance in life. One way is by an abundance of national holidays. In fact, there is at least one every month. These special days allow for honoring something of value, and also for much needed rest. In September every year there is

There is no greater disaster
Than enemy-making
For then you lose your treasure,
your peace.

Tao Te Ching, 69

The Tao Te Ching fascinates me. I have four translations of it in my library. Each of them takes today’s text into a different place. One mentions peace by name—the anonymous translation above. The others focus on enemy-making.   Read more...

Four months back, I created my own job description and called myself an “Initiator & Facilitator of Change Networks”. I left Amsterdam 3 months ago to start practicing and earning money in that role.   Read more...

The long-awaited report from General David Petraeus on the ground in Iraq is due in the U.S. capital this week. Does anyone else hear his name as Betray Us?

I don’t think that’s his intent. I think General Petraeus wants to tell the world the truth about the surge strategy in Iraq. He may not be allowed to do so. In recent weeks, much has been made of White House speechwriters tackling the General’s report to make it fit for public consumption. The truth doesn’t need spin-doctors.   Read more...

With the heat of the approaching summer comes an array of déja-vu-like experiences that bring me back to my previous summer in South Africa. The heat seems to intensify everything—including the way my life here smells.

The mornings are still fairly cool. Now that I sleep with my windows open, the early air is fresh, as if it, too, spent a night resting. With only leaves shifting in the dark breeze, the air smells like it has been infused with their stability and calm.   Read more...

With the internet has come an enormous amount of possibilities. We can find a huge amount of information, we can connect to people with specific interests and knowledge from around the world, we can express ourselves (virtually for free) on our personal blogs and be read in every corner of the world, we are offered numerous services for free or at almost no cost which used to be expensive and there are many other great solutions that the internet offers.   Read more...

Peacemakers come in as many varieties as there are people. On this holiday weekend, I decided to have a look at how different signs go about making peace. Try this.   Read more...