I am war

If the current U.S. administration were gone tomorrow, there would still be war in the Middle East. There would still be wars throughout central Africa, southern Asia, the island countries of the Pacific, and countries near the equator in the Americas.

In the past I was overwhelmed, paralyzed with the notion that the problem of war is too large, too difficult, and, moreover, someone else's problem -- after all, it's the terrorist who is fighting, or the military, or the current administration, not me. "I am war" takes ownership. "I am war" puts me in a position to act.

I understand that I own my life, my choices. I understand I'm not the victim of politicians, leaders, the state, or the corporation. I understand that I am in a community of people. I understand that I have the tools to do this. I am the politician, leader, state, and corporation. I own this.

I understand that politicians will be politicians; I understand that those who benefit from the status quo of war will be slow to change, and that I must lead and act for peace if progress is to be made.

"I am war" targets the root causes of armed conflicts. "I am war" takes the stance of action, of creation, and of results.

If we -- you and I -- are fighting in the Middle East to protect our oil interests, then let's become independent of oil for energy, and teach the world how to do the same. If Mexicans are killing each other for the opportunity to bring cocaine into the U.S., then let's help our friends quit using it. If lack of civil rights gives birth to violent attacks, then let's teach our family at home to be a beacon for the world.

What is different, today?

Today we have instant communication. We can collaborate and plan in minutes what would take previous generations days, and still-previous generations months. We have records that can be saved indefinitely, shared across the world within a minute. We can keep in touch without the need for expensive correspondence.

We have access to a history that teaches us war is not the answer. As we discover what works, the world will know and never forget.

The sheer number of people who have completed higher education allows us to be more articulate and communicative of our cause.

We have tools to help us work together. We will build even better tools, targeted at war.

"I am war" is my answer to the question, "What can I do?" I don't know what it is exactly, but I'm about to find out.

I am war. This is the start of a group with that underlying philosophy, with the same name. I will be outlining more of my vision within the coming weeks. If you are passionate about being a part of it then, please, contact me now. Email me at phil.manijak [at] iamwar.org.

Flare

I find peace with those who are blazing with all their soul to do something, anything meaningful and worthwhile -- who fight this consuming apathy and tired indecision, climbing out of the mud and muck we buried ourselves in long ago, to thrust upward with coruscating truth, art, and life.

I love traveling, thinking, Bob Dylan's music, sprinting, fine arts, and a handful of friends. Everything else I don't really give a shit about, but I pretend from time to time, with transient, outright passion (currently ballroom dance and lindy hop).

I see myself as quick, intellectually restless, fiercely independent, polite with strangers, creative in small doses, a wit, calm with loud or intense people, self-starting, honest, and a leader when cornered.

I go through cycles of brilliance and burnout. If one were to graph it, it wouldn't be a sine wave, that's for sure.

One of the few things we learn growing up is that most people are scared. They're scared to stand up and speak, afraid of what they are, what they think. And, when you realize that, that everyone in the room is afraid of you, it quickly becomes apparent who is courageous, who are your friends and companions. Their eyes calmly meet yours, holding, locking without effort, laughing silently, cordially.

Our best friends are creators -- authors of literature and philosophy, musicians, farmers, engineers and painters. Bob, Albert, Tori, Claude; they share what they see with us, while we are at rest but not at rest. Some of these friends we hardly know, but we keep in touch in our thoughts, in our lives.

We all have our way of showing it, that we're different, that we're alive. The details, frankly, are unimportant, though it's easy to forget, with our tea and This American Life, indigo hair and smoke, favourite pen and fake British accent; we can be someone else, somewhere else, tomorrow, still with our flashing wit and eyes that betray our secret.

I'm here to say hi to you, you who can't stop traveling, can't stop reading, learning, seeing the hilarity and opportunity of our lives. You know you're brilliant, you know you can see. You know there are no excuses, only choices and time.

You know everyone is like us, though they're not here, just yet; they're waiting for something, someone. And so we're kind to strangers, honest with the thieves. We see the killers, and they are men; they are children, they are our parents, our past, our present, our brothers, overseas and next door. And so we tell them the truth. And so we must create. And though we will die, with all our wit, passion and courage splattered on the mud, it will be without regret, and our children will tell stories, stories, and that will be enough.

Ok. Go. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome

Welcome. How are you? All things considered, probably good, since you're on the Internet and all.

My name is Phil Manijak, and this blog is my entry into the great, public discourse of our time. Green Reign is my public persona for this venture -- my brand, if you will, chosen partly for its availability on del.icio.us, flickr and YouTube.

I'll let the rest speak for itself.