September 17, 2001
Dear President Bush,
Last week's horrendous tragedy naturally creates deep shock and anger
in all people who oppose such destruction and harm to innocent victims,
and requires unprecedented strength, deep wisdom, and compassion that
will define this pivotal moment in human history as one where more understanding
and good is created than hate and cruelty.
In bringing those individually and specifically responsible for this
appalling act to justice, we implore you to make the US a model for
peace among all by not simply expanding the tragedy for the entire planet
and inflicting more pain and carnage on other blameless victims.
Lest we lose our own moral way, it is imperative we avoid indicting
an entire society, ethnic group, or religion and using the tools of
terror against innocents to counter terror.
Furthermore, as an organization that has organized training programs,
conferences, and relief efforts internationally for over 12 years with
the purpose of transforming conflicts, including a major annual international
conference on conflict resolution, Common Bond Institute and our network
of cooperating organizations wish to offer our services in creating
public venues for serious dialogue and listening on healthy, humane
alternatives to violence and revenge.
Let this be the beginning of a new way, a new commitment to our beliefs;
of truly putting our trust in the power of good over hate rather than
misguidedly seeking to tap into the power of hate to defeat it. In that
way lies our own destruction and loss of humanity.
Sincerely,
Steve Olweean
Director,
Common Bond Institute
