Peace Journal

My letter to the President

Jefferson Glassie — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 15:02:20 -0400

Mr. President:

I want to demonstrate my support for the United States Government and I believe the popular opposition to taxes is selfish. We have to support one another, because we're all in this together.

So, even though my wife Julie and I already paid over $100,000 in federal and state taxes for 2009 - and Julie is currently unemployed and starting up a new business, and my firm is paying less these days - I want to contribute an additional amount to the United States Government above what we owe in taxes.

Why Can’t Everyday Be Like Sunday?

Jefferson Glassie — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 15:30:20 -0400

I wake up Sundays and read the paper with coffee on the front porch. Two cups. Then, I go for a bike ride. The traffic is not frenetic; people actually wave when I go by. They let the other guy go first.

Saturday is about the same. We go for a run on the Canal. I stare up at the trees and the sky and think how unbelievable it is to even be alive. I’m amazed that there’s an earth, sun, and moon. I’m amazed there are birds, dogs, bees, flowers, or anything I see.

There is a peace about Sundays, and the weekend. Everyone is just doing. Everyone is nice (mostly).

Refusing to let go of 9/11 keeps fear alive

Jefferson Glassie — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 14:02:43 -0400

I know that our country suffered a serious and hateful attack on 9/11/01. It was awful. I am sorry for the loss of life. I’m also sorry for the loss of life in the Middle East, Somalia, and wherever people are killing other people. It makes no sense. It is insane what humans do to one another. Completely insane. When one considers that this may be our only chance at life, and what a gorgeous planet earth we have, suicide bombers, murderers, and all those who kill for whatever reason keep us from peace.

But wallowing in self-pity is not helpful.

Team CEO Corporate America is Haynesworthing

Jefferson Glassie — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:55:46 -0400

Did any of you see this at HuffPo: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/26/ceos-anti-obama_n_695405.html#s131475 At the Aspen Institute, big corporate CEO’s were slamming the President and variously comparing him and the Government to Hitler, Mussolini, Marxism, socialism, etc. So, I’m thinking, how would you describe what they’re doing in simple terms?

Basically, here are the captains of industry and leaders of the free world economy (who make literally millions each year personally) griping, moaning, and complaining about the Government’s failure to create jobs.

The Bible and the Koran both say “Kill the Nonbelievers”

Jefferson Glassie — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 14:19:21 -0400

I heard a news story the other day about the mosque issue (should one be built in New York, Tennessee, etc.) and a guy was saying something like “Christianity is all about love and turning the other cheek, and Islam calls on Muslims to kill the infidels.” Well, the latter part of what he’s saying is true. I have not read the Koran, but in his book The End of Faith, Sam Harris says there’s no choice ultimately for Muslims if they actually want to live by the Koran; they must believe that everyone who’s not a believer in the Islamic god Allah should be killed or damned forever.

To create more jobs, we should revise corporate fiduciary duties

Jefferson Glassie — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:58:51 -0400

In previous posts, I noted the fact that big companies have a ton of cash right now. So, when people complain about not having jobs, rather than blaming it on the government, shouldn't they be looking to the companies with the money? Don't know what that's not occurring to people.

So, consider that it's our free market system that's not creating jobs, even when there's plenty of money, when the financial and many other sectors have already recovered. Wouldn't we want our capitalistic economy to deliver jobs when we need them?

A Lack of Faith in the Future = Fear

Jefferson Glassie — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:56:54 -0400

It’s important to try and understand what’s really driving the acerbic attitude in our country. I explained in the last blog that the reason companies are sitting on piles of cash and not hiring is that they are essentially afraid. A lack of certainty and confidence both are fear. So, we know the upper crust has fear or they would be spending money. “Scared to spend” is what USAToday called it in an article on July 28, 2010.

The captains of industry have been cost cutting to increase revenues and profits, demanding increased productivity, but refusing to hire.

How to create confidence

Jefferson Glassie — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:54:21 -0400

We’ve just heard that businesses in the United States have a ton of cash, but they don’t want to spend it.

Time to change

Jefferson Glassie — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:51:09 -0400

It’s time to change our minds. Collectively, we really need a paradigm shift. The current mindset of humans, at least what we read and hear about all the time and in the media, is in desperate straights and needs a makeover.

Consider this; watched the HBO show Pacific. The Americans and Japanese killed each other with reckless abandon. We dropped the bomb on them. Now they’re our friends.

Used to fight the Germans and Italians, before that the British. Now, they’re our friends. Why all this fickle fighting and killing?

Now we fight the al-qaeda guys.

What’s really driving the Health Care debate.

Jefferson Glassie — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:47:25 -0400

We’ve seen some rancorous discourse around the recent debate on efforts to reform health care in the country. I am personally in favor of universal heath care; I believe we should take care of our fellow citizens. That’s my political position. But there are serious philosophical underpinnings to the debate along liberal and conservative lines.

Conservatives want to conserve what works for them. They believe the purpose of government is mainly to defend us against foreign enemies. So, they are supportive of the army, navy, air force, and marines.

If You Were in Heaven; What Would You Do?

Jefferson Glassie — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:09:45 -0400

We seem to think of heaven as a nice place with lots of clouds and angels. But I recently wondered, what if I actually was in heaven, what would I do there? I suppose hang around the pearly gates with St. Peter, chat it up some with Jesus and the Blessed Virgin, and sing some angelic music with Gabriel. Apparently, in the Muslim faith, if one dies a martyr, there will be lots of virgins to occupy the time. What else?

Would you watch TV. Play video games. Work 40 hours a week doing something you’d rather not do.

A New Perspective – Brookmont Vespers – May 31, 2009

Jefferson Glassie — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:40:10 -0400

I believe in peace. I believe we all can achieve peace of mind, and that the world can be at peace. I believe we can eradicate war, murder, rape, and hate. I don’t know how many people believe this, but if we don’t believe, how will we ever achieve it?

So, I think it’s time for a new perspective. It is time for all of us to see life on earth in a new way. If one voice can change another’s mind, then that one voice can change the world. Each of us can change the world.

I have concluded that there are only two states of mind: love and fear.

Jesus Myth Crackpot

Jefferson Glassie — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:10:48 -0400

It has been some time since I have posted a blog, and perhaps this is the first on the new Peace Evolutions site. What prompted this blog was last week, when I was called a "Jesus Myth Crackpot!"

Here's what happened. I saw a link to a video by Darrell Ray, who wrote the book, "The God Virus, How Religion Infects our Lives and Culture." I watched it, and then looked at some other Christian videos about Jesus, religion, etc. I posted a comment on one, saying, "Well, the ironic thing is that there really never was a historical figure named Jesus Christ.

Liberals Love; Conservatives Fear

Jefferson Glassie — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:46:18 -0400

I’d like to talk with you a little bit about love and fear, and about liberal and conservative principles. Many have recognized that there are only two basic aspects of life: love and fear. That is one of the core principles of A Course in Miracles, and of writers such as Jerry Jampolsky. In my book, Peace and Forgiveness (which is not a religious, but a metaphysical book), I state that there is only love and fear, and that all emotions are either love based or fear based. Peace, joy, gratitude, friendliness, acceptance, etc. are all loved based.

The Sun of God

Jefferson Glassie — Wed, 02 May 2007 02:13:45 -0400

Many Christians don’t really understand the history of their religion. They don’t know anything about the horrors of the centuries long inquisition, how the popes countenanced torture of non-Christians, or really any of the truth of the origins of Christianity. The truth is this; there were many christs before Jesus, with many of the same mythological features. They were pagan gods, like Zeus, Apollo, or Neptune.