Peace

Google the term 'war' and you get over 1,000,000,000 hits.

Google the term 'peace' and you get over 3,500,000.

You get twice as many hits by entering 'war game' versus 'peace game.'

More than four times as many 'war movie' versus 'peace movie.'

Almost three times as many 'war book' vs. 'peace book.'

Get the idea yet? It seems that the idea of war is far more pervasive in our society than peace. Yet ask you friends and loved ones if they'd rather have war or peace, and the answer is overwhelmingly peace. So, why the fascination with war? Why is it so easy to sell a video game about killing, but next to impossible to even conceive one about saving?

The easy answer is that war and violence are easy to capture. They are by nature episodic, action-filled, and encourage those adrenaline surges that sell. It is very difficult to capture the thrill of peace. Peace is a state, war is an event. However, peace is a much more difficult process than war. It is easy to drop into violence, it often seems like the quick an easy answer. But the conditions that must be there to create peace are unending.

Peace is a result of a society that ensures hope for all citizens. It is a state where the economy is growing, the legal system is solid and trusted, and basic personal security is protected. It is also a place where education is available and fosters the understanding that you can always find a peaceful resolution. Where the leaders are committed to peace and know that the damage of war is far greater than a loss of prestige. Education must foster creativity and critical thinking, skills that go on to create flexible leaders. It is laborious and unceasing.

Here is an interesting challenge. How would you film a movie about peace?

Thinking about that question, I imagine a short film. The setting is a prison in Belgium. Surrounded by imposing stone walls and under the shadow of razor wire and pacing guards, a scene unfolds on a small, well-kept lawn. George W. Bush is seated at a small table laid out in the middle of a game of checkers. He scratches his head, pondering his next move as his opponent leans back in his chair stroking his beard. Finally, he moves and it is Osama bin Laden's turn. As the pieces shift back and forth, the two return to their favorite topic of debate, which one God was actually leading. They have had this discussion many times before, and likely will have it many more as each waits for the decision of the International Criminal Court on their charges of crimes against humanity. By now, the world has forgotten the pair, and moved on to other concerns and the never-ending pursuit of peace. But in this tiny prison yard, the debate rages on. Only the silent guards hear the argument that at one point ignited much of the world. As Bush slams his fist on the chessboard in disgust, the guards move in and lead each old man back to his cell, into the shadows of a forgotten prison in a forgotten town in a world that finally decided that enough was enough.