Or so said William Tecumseh Sherman, a General for the Union Army during the American Civil War in the late 19th century. It’s been an apt quote through the ages, and one that really comes into play at the moment.
Much has been made about the 90+ thousand pages of documents leaked about American involvement in Afghanistan and the geopolitical struggle in the region. Jon Stewart (of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart) weighs in on this. Readers and viewers be advised, this contains strong language:
If ever there was a reason to support the troops, it would be to get them out of Afghanistan. We’re fighting alongside an Afghan army that could, quite frankly, care less about their safety and security. We’re fighting against a well-financed insurgency that might even be financed by the Pakistani government, which is in turn financed by us. We’re also fighting history: nobody has ever won a war in the eastern mountains of Afghanistan.
This war will not be won by military prowess alone. It will take a lot of well-choreographed diplomacy. Throwing money at Afghanistan (and Iraq) will not solve the problem.
I am a pacifist but there are times when even I believe that war is necessary. As Scripture says, “There is a time for war and a time for peace.” We’re past the time for war. Now is the time for peace.
For a couple of years, I’ve worked alongside Kirsten Martin in the Dean’s Office for our College. She will graduate in a couple days with her Master in Social Work.
To demonstrate the amazing things that College of Public Programs students are doing, here’s a quick note that she sent to her family, friends, and colleagues about a program that she implemented during her internship:
A program my supervisor and I implemented at my internship was featured on the channel 99 for those who have cox cable. This is a great program that teaches kids to be peaceful in their communities as well as in school or their homes. They have given service in the community and donated money to charities. This is a school in which 97% of the students receive free lunches due to socio-economic status and live in inpoverished neighborhoods and crime ridden environments. They are such an inspiration to me as they try to teach others to be more peaceful and see the good in each other. They truly give hope in places where hope is not often found! I’m so proud of them! This is an example of what schools can do and the good they can bring, yet they are in danger right now. This school is slated for closure should proposition 100 not be passed. Please watch this video and think about whether these kids deserve to keep their school and continue the good work they are doing. Vote YES on prop 100, not for you, but for their future!
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: There is so much amazing stuff that my college does. Most higher-education institutions say that they teach students to change the world. There’s one difference, though: the College of Public Programs actually does change the world.
I’m proud to be a student in my college, the College of Public Programs.
Last week, retired US Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor stopped by KAET’s public affairs program Horizonto talk about what she’s been doing since she retired from the high court, civility in government, and her O’Connor House Project.
Justice O’Connor’s confirmation created the Horizon program back in 1981 and it’s apropos that she was the first guest in Horizon’s new set in the Cronkite School building on the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus.
Reporter JJ Hensley from the Arizona Republic sat down with Ted Simons on a recent edition of KAET’s Horizon to discuss what’s going on in Maricopa County.
With apologies to Stanley Kramer, it’s a mad, mad, mad, mad, county…