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[Guest guest]

Hi there,

 

Please read this right through.

 

Love and Light

 

Michael.

 

The Second Gulf War

 

The UK is involved in the invasion of Iraq. There have been very powerful

arguments put forward against this war - from the UN, from Europe, from

France, Germany, Russia, China to name but a few. It has divided this

nation, right down to individual families, and as always in war, it will be

the innocent on both sides who pay the price.

 

This post will probably make me very unpopular with some of you, but there

has been so much misinformation put out by governments, and by sections of

the media, that when I read some of the posts on this and other forums, I

feel that some balance might help.

 

First some background about me. I hate war. I think it is obscene. There

is no glory in it - except the glory of those who fight it.

 

I was a child during the Second World War. I lost family or friends in that

war, in the Korean War and in the Northern Ireland 'war'. As a child I lived

in Portsmouth, the premier naval port, which suffered dreadful bombing. I

spent many cold, dark, wet nights huddled in a tin shelter covered with earth

and grass, as bombs rained down around us. Nearby houses were destroyed.

Large parts of the city were reduced to rubble. Many thousands died.

 

I also served in the military. I was lucky. The day before I was due to go

and fight in the Suez War, it was called off. But I was involved in some

difficult and frightening situations.

 

The reason for telling you this is that I want you to accept that I know war.

I've been there. That's why I hate it. That's why I know that it's

unnecessary, if only we could accept that we are all one; that what we do to

others we do to ourselves. But we're not there, yet. But I have faith that

we are getting there.

 

With a heavy heart, I want to explain to you why I believe that we must deal

with the threat posed by Saddam Hussein, and why I believe that military

action is the only way.

 

We have been misled by our leaders. The case put forward in support of this

war doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

 

The UN Weapons Inspectors were achieving some cooperation from Iraq, so why

not give them more time. Iraq is the size of France - four times the size

of this country. There were 100 Inspectors. 6000 litres of anthrax and 8000

litres of nerve gas could be stored in an average house - or split up into

small batches and spread around the country. His missiles could be hidden in

a small warehouse, or in underground facilities, of which there are many,

many we don't know about. There is a lot of evidence that he has been

exporting his weapons to friendly Arab states.

 

Saddam has been refusing to obey UN Resolutions for 12 years. (I know he's

not the only one; can we leave that argument for another post?) When pushed

to the brink, he always allows something to discovered, something he had

'forgotten'. He is a master of brinkmanship. He is not a rational man. He

gassed 5000 of his own people in one day in the north. He has drained the

marshes in the south, which were essential for the Marsh Arabs to survive.

He has butchered tens of thousands of his own people. He has butchered

members of his own family who dared to question him. He denies having Scud

missiles, and yet was firing them overnight towards our military bases in

Kuwait.

 

He is quite capable of carrying out chemical and biological attacks on his

own people, and blaming us. He will probably release vast quantities of crude

oil into the Gulf as he did in the last Gulf War, if he can, destroying not

only marine life, but also the land of nations around the Gulf, causing

starvation amongst their peoples. Saddam Hussein has no concern for human

life. His sole interest is his survival and power. If he has to die, he

will take as many with him as he possibly can.

 

I could go on and on about this man and what he has done to his people and to

Iran, and to Kuwait, but I want to keep this as short as possible. The

arguments can go back and forth. There is no black and white here, just a

range of greys.

 

So let me put, what I believe, is the reason why have to take military action

against this evil man. Left to his own devices, whatever measures we take to

contain him, there is a wealth of evidence that within two years, he will

have nuclear weapons, and the means to deliver them.

 

His first target will probably be Israel. If he fires a nuclear weapon at

Israel, Israel will probably fire ten back. We will be in a nuclear war.

Some say that a 'limited' nuclear war may be what this planet needs to wake

it up to the horror of these weapons. That the last time anything like this

happened was in 1945 when two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, causing

horrific devastation and death; that the effects of those bombs is still

being felt in the children and grandchildren of the survivors. There is some

justification for this point of view. But there is no such thing as a

limited nuclear war. And those atomic bombs were mere firecrackers compared

to the nuclear weapons of today. The only thing limited about a nuclear war

is that it will be limited to this planet.

 

When the nuclear power station in Chernobyl, Russia, exploded some years ago,

a cloud of radioactive dust blew across Europe and the UK. There is still

farmland in this country that cannot be farmed for decades, even centuries,

because of contamination. And remember that the air circulates around the

planet in about 48 hours.

 

Yes, we've been misled, and yes, war is horrible, but I sincerely believe

that it is necessary; that unless we deal with this situation now, we will

have to deal with an infinitely worse one in a few years' time. The UN has

proved itself unwilling to enforce its mandates. It's no good threatening to

take action unless you are prepared to carry it out. I know that this war is

a response to Sept 11, and that the case put forward to justify it is

questionable, but there is a growing 'alliance of the willing', nations who

are prepared to draw the line and say 'so far, no further'. We face difficult

times, when terrorism will have terrifying weapons at its disposal. Unless

free nations are prepared to stand up and be counted, to protect that

freedom, then I believe that we risk wiping humanity from the face of this

planet, which would probably be a good thing from the planet's point of view.

 

But I also know that there is a wave of spiritual awakening spreading across

our beautiful planet. And I am proud of those children who are prepared to

defy us, and walk out of schools and colleges in protest at the stupidity of

their elders. They are the future, and I have high hopes of them. But in the

meantime, I believe that we, their elders, have got to start putting right

some of our mistakes, at whatever cost.

 

I am very sad that innocent people on both sides will die; that families on

both sides will grieve.

 

My heartfelt sympathy and love goes out to all the wives and families of

those who are, at this moment, risking their lives to protect us, I pray they

return safely. I shall have a light in my window.

 

Love and Light (sadly no laughter)

 

Michael.

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Hazel

 

I will post advice for helping children at this time. It is from Universal

Healing written by Gaynor (WholisticUK)

 

She has given me permission - a very special lady.

 

I will post it in a while this evening.

 

Michael

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Message re explaining war to children, posted by me with permission from

author.

 

Welcome, moke9451 (moke9451 · frandoch) <A

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" Gaynor " <<A

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78082233050056141119132165134145091046167121181 " >wholisticuk@a...</A>>

Thu Mar 20, 2003 7:40 pm

OUR LOVED ONES

 

 

Explaining war and terror to children

 

Children understand tragedies and fears in terms of their own

developmental level and personalise it to their own experience. It is

important to talk to children honestly and in ways they can

comprehend. Bear in mind, however, that giving them too much

information can be scary and confusing.

Talking to pre-schoolers

Children up to five years of age think of the world in terms of their

direct experience. Three- to five-year-olds might be interested in

ambulances, soldiers, fire engines, people getting hurt, blood, fire,

crashes and buildings falling down. You should try to explain the

idea of war or terror in very simple terms.

 

Young children may also want to talk about it, repeatedly asking the

same questions. This is because they are not fully able to comprehend

the events or the feelings around them. It is useful to keep

answering their questions, to ask them what they think, to see what

they think would help. Young children might also want to draw

pictures and dictate stories for you to write down.

 

The most important thing for pre-school-aged children is to reassure

them that you will keep them safe. If they express particular fears,

you can reassure them directly.

 

Talking to primary school children

Six- to twelve-year-olds are more able to understand events outside

their direct experience. They are able to read, so protecting them

from information about events is unlikely. This is an age where it is

important to listen to children's ideas. They may understand some

parts of the story very clearly and be totally confused about others.

 

Talking to secondary school children

We are a culture saturated in media violence with few skills to deal

with the feelings associated with real tragedy or fear and fewer

ideas about productive responses. It is likely that many media-

saturated teens will experience confusion about the reality of any

given situation. Many may be avoiding talking about the situation

directly because they don't know what to do about the fear, anger,

confusion and sadness they are feeling.

 

It is important to bring it up with them and to ask them what they

think about it and how they are feeling. You can also ask them about

how they think their friends are handling it. Some teens may be very

fearful.

 

<A

HREF= " http://www.ivillage.co.uk/newspol/newspolfeatures/newsviews/articles/0 " >ht\

tp://www.ivillage.co.uk/newspol/newspolfeatures/newsviews/articles/0</A>

,,164564_530713,00.html

 

 

Thought this might come in useful ~ or not ! What do you think?

 

I AM AWARE OF AT LEAST 3 Folk

 

witin this group that have close ones away at " war " ~ My love Light

and Support comes to you and I am sure The Participants of Universal

Haven will support me in doing so

 

You kow where I am! should you wish to interact or talk!

 

Warm regards of Love light and Laughter Gaynor (WHolisticUK)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 03/22/2003 8:05:37 AM Pacific Standard Time,

frandoch writes:

 

 

>

> My heartfelt sympathy and love goes out to all the wives and families of

> those who are, at this moment, risking their lives to protect us, I pray

> they

> return safely. I shall have a light in my window.

>

> Love and Light (sadly no laughter)

>

> Michael.

>

>

>

 

My Dear Michael,

 

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. So well put. May I say that I stand in

your corner.

Mercedes

Mercedes Rose Herndon

Reiki Master/Teacher, Artist, Photographer

Designer & Creator of Silk Healing Scarves

Owner of " Just for You " Custom Cards

Coauthor & Publisher of:

" Loving Thoughts for Gentle Hearts; v. 1 - Goals, Dreams & Affirmations "

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

frandoch said:

 

>

> Hi there,

>

> Please read this right through.

thank you for sharing Michael. I am fortunate, that I do not know anyone

personally involved, but that still does not stop me from hurting for

those innocents who will lose their lives.

 

>

> But I also know that there is a wave of spiritual awakening spreading

> across

> our beautiful planet. & nbsp; And I am proud of those children who are

> prepared to

> defy us, and walk out of schools and colleges in protest at the stupidity

> of

> their elders. They are the future, and I have high hopes of them>

 

My daughter being only 9; was not aware of the school protests, or I have

no doubt she'd have been out there with them!! Always she shows great

compassion & love for the world; but never have i saw this so strongly in

her than in the past few days since the actual war began. She finds it

hard to cope with her own fears and strength of feeling; and for once I

find myself at a loss as a parent, to re-assure her. We have a reiki

candle, burning for peace, and I have simply told her that be asking reiki

to help bring a quick and peaceful end to the war, is the best she can do.

Her main concern is of the innocent people who will die; and only this

morning we had a discussion about the 2nd world war; and how family

members survived. This in itself I believe helped to reassure her also;

as a way of knowing that war does not kill everyone and that life

continues.

 

Continued reiki and crystal blessings for all involved

 

 

 

in frith

 

crystal & reiki rainbows

Hazel

 

Angelstar Crystals - Crystal & Reiki healing; Jewellery & Gifts

incorporating crystals & gemstones

www.angelstar-crystals.co.uk

[Guest guest]

frandoch said:

 

 

> Message re explaining war to children, posted by me with permission from

> author.

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

 

> Explaining war and terror to children

>

> Children understand tragedies and fears in terms of their own

> developmental level and personalise it to their own experience. It is

> important to talk to children honestly and in ways they can

> comprehend. Bear in mind, however, that giving them too much

> information can be scary and confusing.

 

Niki main 'problem' with the war, and its associations is she is too

'sensitive'. She is not yet able to fully comprehend her feelings &

emotions; and finds it hard to accept events that are occuring. I have no

option other than to be honest - she sees right through you each & every

time anything is hid from her.

 

Part of the problem is her intellectual comprehension is years ahead of

her maturity - as has been the case with her since she was a toddler. so

although she needs to know the info on an adult scale - she can't always

cope with what she hears/sees.

 

She seems calmer today, and has not mentioned what's happening as much -

so perhaps she has been able to accept it happening on her own level; and

she knows that by lighting our reiki/peace candle, she is sending reiki

love to the situation.

 

> Talking to pre-schoolers

> Children up to five years of age think of the world in terms of their

> direct experience. Three- to five-year-olds might be interested in

> ambulances, soldiers, fire engines, people getting hurt, blood, fire,

> crashes and buildings falling down. You should try to explain the

> idea of war or terror in very simple terms.

 

Yes, while watching the news on Thursday night, my 2 to-be-adopted

brothers (age 4 & 5) were watching the 'fireworks' ; and looking for the

firemen who would be putting out the burning buildings.

 

>

> The most important thing for pre-school-aged children is to reassure

> them that you will keep them safe. If they express particular fears,

> you can reassure them directly.

 

This is where Niki's emotional immaturity shows most - she needs the

re-assurance that the bombing isn't taking place locally! Not helped by

playground stories, that the bombs couldn't fly far enough from America to

Iraq; and were likely to fall on UK instead as that is in the middle of

the 2 countries!! Though with the help of our world atlas; and constant

re-assurance that the military were fighting from Kuwait; has put those

fears to rest for now.

 

 

All I can do, is listen to her fears, re-assure her, and encourage her to

continue sending reiki love to the situation. By letting her do

something; that is practically happening, she feels more in control of the

situation.

 

in frith

 

crystal & reiki rainbows

Hazel

 

Angelstar Crystals - Crystal & Reiki healing; Jewellery & Gifts

incorporating crystals & gemstones

www.angelstar-crystals.co.uk