TEN STEPS TO A MORE PEACEFUL UNION
by Chip Duncan

In a recent conversation with my mom, I was informed that the only "truth" in media was coming from Rush Limbaugh. My first thought was, gee, that's like saying Michael Moore represents "truth" in media. Still, I will never know for sure whether she's right.

But here's what I actually do know: The nature of truth is colored by our culture, our faith, our government, our standard of living, our education, our source of information, our experiences, our families, our friends, and the communities in which we live. Sadly, truth is both an approximation and an individual perception. For the moment, our perceptions of truth have divided America.

The thoughtful balance that underlies the mission of documentary filmmakers and journalists is based on the pursuit of truth. I'd like to believe there's a healing power to that pursuit. I'd like to believe that being open-minded, curious, and questioning of authority will help Americans to motivate the best values in our leaders and in each other.

To achieve that goal, I propose we:

1) Study our history and that of our adversaries. I have little doubt that technology and the current state of television news have distorted (not enhanced) our ability to view world events in the context of history or to make decisions based on long term thinking. We now live in the "short term, short memory" world. But understanding history will help us as we try to understand the ethics and purpose behind our current conflict. Please ask yourself what constitutes a just war. What would our founding fathers have done if faced with a decision to invade Iraq and force a change in leadership. It might help us all to read Thomas Jefferson and John Quincy Adams. It might also help us to read President Bush's pledges from the 2000 campaign trail.

2) Support our troops. Whether we find ourselves for or against America's foreign policy, once our troops are engaged in battle they deserve our support. They volunteered to serve and swore an oath to protect America and to follow the orders of our Commander-in-Chief. They're good people risking their lives to do their job and to honor their oath.

3) Question authority. Our right to question our government is part of the democratic process and one of the foundations upon which our republic was founded. Whether our leaders are Republican, Democratic, Green or Independent, questioning them is a fundamental right of living in America. No one should be shamed for speaking out.

4) Consider various viewpoints before dismissing them outright. For example, before renaming French Fries, it might help to remember that the French fought alongside George Washington during the revolution that began our nation. Does the Battle of Yorktown ring a bell? It's quite possible that without the French, we might still be British. The French also gave us the Statue of Liberty, perhaps the greatest symbol of freedom in the history of the world.

It is true that we helped to liberate France in both WWI and WWII. But it's worth noting that in both cases, our efforts had as much to do with the more comprehensive effort to stop Germany. Battling Germany without securing the western front would have made the task more formidable. We have a long relationship with the French. They've helped us. We've helped them. Self interest has, no doubt, always been a part of the equation on both sides.

Perhaps more important, France is a democracy which, in the case of our current conflict, has a president who chose to listen to the roughly 85% of the French electorate who oppose America's intervention in Iraq.

In contrast to France, Pakistan, our new ally to the east, is a dictatorship. Like Saddam Hussein, General Musharraf took power in a coup and set himself up as the ruler. He put a quick end to one of the few democracies in the Islamic world. He became our ally only after 9/11 when we looked the other way toward his previous indiscretions, we dropped sanctions imposed during the Clinton administration, and we opened our wallet.

5) Listen to more than one media source. Print, of course, takes the most time. But the depth of coverage in newspapers and newsmagazines is far superior to anything on television. Virtually all of the major networks offer the same coverage leaving me to wonder how many retired generals, admirals and colonels it takes to screw in a light bulb.

To all who are on the left, to all who are on the right, you can only gain by having an open mind to the insights of those with whom you think you do not agree. Our times are colored by many powerful ideas and philosophies. Truth will not be found by closing off those with whom you do not readily agree.

6) Follow the money. Why are the governments of Germany, France, China and Russia opposed to American intervention in Iraq? Ask yourself who was profiting off Iraq prior to our invasion and you may find part of the reason behind their resistance to U.S. policy. Who built the underground bunkers, roads, bridges and utilities? Who sold Iraq the weapons it's been acquiring since the '91 Gulf War? You won't have to look far beyond Russia, France, China and Germany for the answer.

By the same token, who will profit now? Among the two leading contenders is Halliburton, whose former CEO happens to be Vice President Cheney. Perhaps we should all shed our naivete and adopt the phrase "it's the money, stupid."

7) Keep faith out of it. Our nation was founded on the principle of religious freedom and on the separation of church and state. In my experience globally, our government will not further an understanding of the fundamental values that honor our nation by inserting our religious values into foreign policy.

8) Cherish your civil liberties and stand vigil on their protection. Shortly after 9/11, the passage of the Patriot Act began what might be the single most significant shift in personal liberty in the history of our nation. Only one US Senator, Wisconsin's Russ Feingold, voted against it. Please do not let the dismantling of our rights go further. It will surely represent a victory for the terrorists who oppose us. And please remember that no matter where you stand on the issues facing America today, you do, indeed, still have the right to congregate, to protest, and to speak out. Right, left, or center, your voice does matter. Your opinion does matter.

9) Keep things in perspective. Yes, it's true that Martin Sheen, Susan Sarandon, and Sean Penn are probably not qualified to dictate American foreign policy. Nor is Rush Limbaugh, Michael Moore, Chris Matthews, Bill O'Reilly, Michael Savage, Arianna Huffington, Dennis Miller, or Howard Stern. Nor am I.

I am grateful, however, every time I see someone use their celebrity to speak out politically or to engage others in a charitable pursuit. We don't have to watch them, join them, or agree with them. But I do admire them for their desire to do more than simply take the money and run. Regardless of one's politics, social responsibility is one of the many things that make America a great nation.

It's also worth noting that the overwhelming majority of Americans and the United Nations supported coalition forces during the '91 Gulf War. Why? Because the Government of Iraq unjustly attacked and occupied an independent nation - Kuwait. Nearly all Americans, the United Nations, and people around the world supported the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan. Why? Because al-Qaida unjustly attacked America on 9/11. We fought back in response to an attack on our own soil. From an ethical perspective, our actions were justified.

10) Vote. Voting remains the single most important statement any American can make.

It is my sincere hope that we can all come together in a prayer for a quick resolution to the conflict, for a safe return of our soldiers and our journalists, for peace for the Iraqi people, and for a peaceful, open dialogue among all Americans as we work toward a free, secure and honest future.

Note on Author: Chip Duncan is an EMMY® award-winning documentary filmmaker and writer. He can be reached via e-mail at Chip@DuncanEntertainment.com.

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