A Special Event to Dialogue on the Iran Issue.

Sunday April 6th 2001  Piccolo Padre Cafe   Rozelle

Greg, Patrick, Meegan, Elspeth, Peter, Megan, Henry, Annette, Mayo, Lindsay  and Noel.

This event was created in response to the call for such conversations on the Iraq events by the Public Conversations Project.       A list of the questions we put on the table are listed below.  You will see by the noted highlights that we did not address them formally.

Highlights of the Conversation went like this.

Our invitation was meant to engage as many perspectives on the war and our government's policies as possible.  It was meant to be anything but a self stroking group but alas only the 'peaceniks' showed up.  While we did attempt to create conversation of understanding, we were indeed pretty much unanimous in our feelings about the situation and little that was new showed up in our understanding.  Perhaps we understood even less.

Points:
How can we do something earlier to change the balance of power should this sort of thing happen again.  At present the bullies win. Question is how to curb the bully without becoming an even bigger bully.
This referred specifically to the United States of America.

One person thought that the sense and aura of invincibility  that seemed to abound was much like that which shows up in her 15 year old son and he seemed hell bent on self destruction.  We just hoped that enough maturity would show up in time to stop the process.

United Nations, as a democratic organisation seems to be irrelevant in an undemocratic world.  Seems there is much need for cross cultural facilitation in that institution.  (The facilitator says "YEA" to that. Ed.)

Seems that our mistakes are repeated and that each new generation has to experience its own pain and do its own reflection.  Something will be done but not until there is enough pain in the population.

A quote from Rudyard Kipling came up: "If anyone questions why we died, tell them our fathers lied." Didn't note where that came from but it appears it refers to soldiers in the first world war.

One question in particular attracted lengthy responses, "What does one say to those who think that the war was totally appropriate given Saddam Hussein's possession of WMD and support for terrorists. To wait until this was proven would be dangerous and futile.  He's evil and must be destroyed with full haste."
The best summary of the ensuing conversation would be that we must get our own house in order first.  Many US and other nations sins and unwise manoeuvres were tabled and we thought these should be addressed before we start crusading about trying to 'fix' others.

A worrying factor was that massive amounts of information and intelligent opinion is missed by the popular media and what we get mostly is the official "Story."  To get just how important the right "story" can be, take a look at the quote below from Field Marshal Herman Goering not long  before he was executed in 1946.  It does seem that little has changed.

During the last part we talked about how we came to have the points of view that we have.  What was our personal experience that led us to an anti war or pro peace posture.  The stories were very compelling and nearly all had to do with our own triumph over  from points of despair or low points.  Most of us had had our own dark nights and came to understand that violence only begets violence and that attempted tight 'control' is futile and costly.

In closing, we were searching for any reassurance that might be found in the whole fiasco and the most significant was perhaps the observation that most people were making distinctions between individuals and institutions or systems.  There has been almost no anti American sentiment throughout all of this.  Only anti Messrs Bush, Rumsfeld, Blair, Howard and the other  cohorts.  And of course no one could be considered pro Hussein.  He was seen as big a villain as any of them.

                    Iraq-related questions we considered using.
"Constructive Conversations about Challenging Times"
1) As you reflect on the state of the world and recent and emerging US
British and Australian policies and actions, what are your biggest
concerns?
2) What troubles you most about the course of international events
and the role that particularly the US and her coalition partners have
been playing? What do you find reassuring?
3) What are your hopes and fears regarding the outcome of coalition
and/or UN military interventions in Iraq?
4) Can you tell us something about your life experience that will help
us understand your views and primary concerns?
5) What is the heart of your concerns related to the situation in the
world and possible allied responses?
6) Are you aware of any dilemmas, mixed feelings, value conflicts, or
uncertainties within your current views?
7) What experience or credible information might shift your current
views?
8) What specific events or changes have altered your sense of
individual, national, and international "security?" In what way do you
feel more "secure?" Less "secure?" What are some specific actions
our leaders could take that might increase your sense of security at
home and abroad?
9) What actions could the US take that would fit your assessment of
risks and your hopes and values?
10) What could Australia do regarding Iraq that would make you feel
proud to be an Australian citizen (or to live here)?
11) If you had a half-hour with John Howard what real (non-rhetorical or
loaded) question would you want to ask him? Why would you pick that
question? 

There has been a hiatus in the conversations of late.  That will change when you ask for more.

Call Noel:   9819 7914  or send an email.