By John Burl Smith

Turnout 75%: Poets for Peace appeal to the world to remember that the road to peace in the Middle East runs through Damascus. Anyone that doubts this is totally ignorant about the history of the region Israel tries to dominate. Ariel Sharon is a European Jew. As most Zionists, neither his roots nor family's blood enriched Middle East soil before Saul began his journey to Damascus. Sharon's lineage did not witness the shifting sands of time that brought Pharaohs from Egypt, Nebuchadnezzar from Babylon, Alexander from Greece, the Romans, the Byzantines and the Ottoman Turks. Their reigns seemed forever. Families with roots deep in Middle East sand know, "This too will surely pass."

Desperation is a special case of dissociation where altered states of consciousness produce high suggestibility in individuals with frustrated or repressed desires. The desire for self-determination is akin to liberty and freedom. Once planted, these seeds grow under the harshest conditions. Fighting Italy's occupation of Libya, Omar Al-Muktar nourished Libya's seeds. Standing before the noose he declared, "You never have to agree with anyone, who feels they have the right to oppress you. If they have the power, they will do what they want. Why agree?"

Desperation is also a seed that grows in dire straits. It takes root in people who feel, no one pays attention to them or is concerned with their plight. Being ignored is the ultimate slight, a cut-direct that rubs one's face in the sand. Retaliation for their acts of desperation assures the notice they craved. Research shows humans engage in bizarre behaviors for attention. However, retaliation against someone whose aim is provocation begs the question, who controls the situation?

Force does not equal power. The appropriate application of force determines power. The stature of one's opposition can make one appear weak, when too much force is applied. A definite liability in such cases, America's power may be its weakness. Speaking for peace, Saul's long walk to Damascus taught him the force of truth is more powerful than any lie no matter how often it is repeated. Some families have owned land in the Middle East far longer than America has been a nation. American policy has lost sight of this truth; it is time we T.H.I.N.C. about it!

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