A Deterrent of Peace

Please read with an open mind.

There are many reasons that peace cannot prevail among different groups and people of different ethnicities. However, there is usually one reason for why this is; the closed-mindedness of people. In most cases, severely opposing viewpoints can lead to armed conflict. This is evident in the civil war in Libya. On one side are the rebels who are fed up with how the government is run, and on the other side is the government and their refusal to change.

With so many different views in the world, it is understandable that two different views are going to clash eventually. However, things can get bad when either party is closed minded or are too stubborn to acknowledge that there are views other than their own. Many wars have been fought merely for the fact of one party not agreeing with the views of another or one party trying to force its views on the other through force. Such methods are incredibly destructive, and in the long run, only grow spite and hate directed to the victors of the “idea war.” These “idea wars” can be long and usually don’t accomplish anything but death; as long as there are people with one point of view and there are people who strongly disagree (and are closed minded) with the others point of view, there will be aggression between the two peoples, and how far that aggression goes depends on how each party is willing to cling on and defend their beliefs.

My main point for this writing, this is evident in the conflicts in the Middle East. While organizations, such as al-Qaeda, are destructive and hard to comprehend by our logic, they have their reasons nonetheless. And with that attribute there, they can be negotiated with. The main problem with that is that the U.S. and al-Qaeda are bent on each others destruction. And as cliché as it sounds, there has to come a time were we must have a time to negotiate some sort of truce, otherwise our future will be filled with violent back and forths, one retaliatory action after another.

It may sound unorthodox; too much blood has been spilt and we do not negotiate with terrorists. But being open minded sometimes means being unorthodox. For this enemy we face is more dangerous than any army; we face an idea and an ideology. And with an enemy such as that, 10 years of diplomacy may get us further than 10 years of armed conflict.

Stand Up Against Homophobic Bullying

In this day in age, with all this media and so many ideas passed to so many people in no time at all, you think that people would be open to different ideas and different people. Sadly, this is not so. It saddens me to hear of young men and women who were pushed to the edge, just because of who they are. Just because they are different, they get bullied and teased, especially in younger kids. I can not stress how indignant this makes me, having to hear this kind of news. How can a young boy or girl take their own life, just because they like their on sex? And who are these bullies to push them beyond their capabilities? They have just a right to be here, no more than you or me. I myself am not homosexual, but I don't see a valid argument against it.

Memo: MSF (Doctors without Borders)

 

Date: 2/14/11

To: 1311 Students

From: Aaron Garcia

RE: Doctor’s Without Borders

Doctors are essential to the wellness of the general populace. They diagnose illnesses and prescribe drugs to people who need them. However, doctor’s fees are high, which makes them extremely inaccessible to people in developing countries, who, unfortunately, are the ones who need doctors most of all. Developing countries as struggling with diseases that develop countries have already eradicated. Doctors are aware of this problem and have banded together to help with this problem. There are many organizations in which doctors partake in order to help the world. In fact, there are too many organizations of doctors to list, so the topic of this memo will only focus on one.

Doctor’s Without Borders knows what problems developing countries may face. Doctors Without Borders is an international humanitarian organization made up of doctors, nurses and other volunteers from 19 different associate countries. Today, DWB provides care to nearly 60 countries whose people have no medical care and suffer from malnutrition, epidemics, or are surrounded be armed conflict. DWB believes that just because people live in an underdeveloped country, doesn’t mean they deserve poor medical treatment. They work hard to make sure that people get the high quality treatment that all people deserve.

DWB receives most of its funding through private organizations. It uses funding to provide health care to people in troubled parts of the world. Recently, they embarked on the Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative which has helped to lower the price of HIV/AIDS treatment. They have also striven to treat people with malaria, sleeping sickness, and malnutrition. While neutral in armed conflicts, DWB has spoken out against human rights violations in trouble spots such as Somalia, Rwanda and Ethiopia.

DWB is a truly honorable organization. I would ask people to donate to this cause, because it is all going to make a persons life better. In fact, if you are considering a career in medicine, I would suggest that you check out this organization in the future. It is what all doctors should to; help people who can’t help themselves. Their website is www.doctorswithoutborders.org, and they have plenty of information if you are interested.

An overview on the word "Peace"

Peace is a very interesting word, as it can convey various meanings to different people. The Merriam-Webster dictionary says that there are 5 possible definitions of the word. So, what one person thinks about peace, may not apply to others. Trials, hardships, and experience all lead us do develop our own meaning of the word. Literal or metaphorical, physical or emotional, no two personal definitions will be exactly the same.

First off, what kinds of definitions are there? Well, the first definition of the word is “a state of tranquility of quiet.” This seems to be the stereotypical definition of the word. However, this is the one that most people think of when they think of the word, mainly because it is so broad and open to interpretation. It can be applied to the person surrounded by armed conflict, to the person in turmoil at home, to the person in a troubled relationship.

Now, what does the word “peace” mean to me? Well, my answer to that question defers when used in different connotations. For instance, if I were referring to the whole world in general, I would define peace as “a permanent cease-fire between all people, both with arms and with words.” However, if I were referring to myself, I would define it as, “A state in which all problems are non-existent, and euphoria overwhelms the senses.” It may seem bit far-fetched, right? Well, I would agree with you. My personal peace seems unattainable for the time being; however, I do believe it is attainable. It is actually, my life long ambition, as well as others, to achieve my personal definition of peace. I think that is really important, that we all strive for our own personal peace.

So, we know that there are varied definitions of the word “peace” In my definitions alone; I have 2 definitions, one for the world in general, and one for me. I am sure this is the case for most of you. And I am sure the first definition in the dictionary is good enough to give an overview, but if you really want to define peace you should really ask yourself, is this I really want?