SENTIENT TIMES December 2003/January 2004

Editor's Note

Deborah Mokma, Editor

“The next Buddha may take the form of a community—a community practicing understanding, and loving kindness, a community practicing mindful living. This may be the most important thing we can do for the survival of the Earth.” -Thich Nhat Hanh

Sitting here at my desk after a lovely holiday meal and a thoroughly enjoyable day spent together, I realize there is nothing more important to me than my family, and our home. My family means the world to me. And as I sit here in the glow of this happy day, I understand that my family means the world to me because my family is the world.

The American Heritage College Dictionary’s definition for family includes “A group of individuals derived from a common stock.” And the definition for community includes “Society as a whole; the public.” Doesn’t this include all of us who call this planet home?

I believe what affects my neighbor affects me—and we’re all being affected by decisions and policies being made by some members of our family who seem to have forgotten about the rest of us, and about our home.

Many of the articles in this issue are lengthy and require some time and thought on the part of the reader, but I believe they are of utmost importance. As well as providing seeds for discussion, and much food for thought, it is my hope that these articles contain kindling for the flame of activism. There is a growing sense of need which is inspiring the creation of organizations that are providing all of us with opportunities for action. Plug into one of these, in whatever way you can. Or start one of your own. Visit www.moveon.org, www.mediareform.org and www.verifiedvoting.org, organizations which make taking action easier than it used to be. Inform yourself with in-depth analysis and excellent reporting from journalists who provide more than just headlines and sound bites at www.truthout.org, www.tompaine.org, www.zmag.org, www.alternet.org, www.commondreams.org and www.mediachannel.org. Write letters to editors, call your Senators and Congress people toll free at 1-800-839-5276. Share your thoughts with friends and family and encourage them to become active as well. We are the group of thoughtful citizens Margaret Mead was referring to. And the time is now.

I wish you all a warm and joyous, Peace-filled season of Light, and the faith that together we can make a difference, changing the world through a shared commitment to each other and our home.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world.Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

SENTIENT TIMES
PO Box 1330 Ashland, OR 97520
PHONE (541) 512-1084 • FAX (541) 512-1085
dmokma@jeffnet.org