Get Political - 3

Obama sends 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan.

My heart sinks with these words. In my choir class, we are singing these words

Sing our song of peace and brotherhood,
Come on and lift your voice.
Then in peace we'll live together
And all nations will rejoice.

Oh let there be peace and brotherhood,
Treat every person as we should
Let there be peace and brotherhood
And all nations will rejoice.

My hopes for our country have been small in one way, grandiose in another way. I would like us to stop meddling in other countries' affairs. I realize that the issues are complex and that my "solution" is simplistic. I realize that great harm can come to many people if malevolent earthly powers are allowed to persist aggression against others. But, how can we possible solve a violence problem with more violence.

I am reminded of a show I guiltily watch when my family is away (sometimes even when they are home!) called Super-nanny. She deals with families whose children are wild and out-of-control. It is a fascinating psychological study as she teaches parents how to handle their children and effect peace in the household. Some children hit, spit, bite and kick their parents. Some parents respond by spanking, slapping, shaking, and pinching. Super-nanny describes these parents as causing aggression by being aggressive with their children. She shows them an alternate approach that works -- it is persistent, consistent, and effective. It is also non-physical. She has a variety of techniques set up from reward systems to effective use of time-outs to actual training strategies.

Why are we so uncreative when it comes to dealing with aggressive countries and other "enemies"? Will aggression and violence put an end to aggression and violence?