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The Rachel Corrie Story: Dying For Peace...A H.O.W. Inspiration
REFLECTIONS BEFORE WE BEGIN
What is the price of peace? If we were to put peace on the open market, and allowed it to be controlled by the free market factors like any other commodity, what do you suppose its price would be?
When is non-violent protest wrong? If you are a United States citizen, remember that this most basic of freedoms is guaranteed by the Constitution.
Those two questions are the foundation of the Rachel Corrie story.
MEET RACHEL CORRIE
Rachel was born April 10, 1979, and she died March 16, 2003. On that March day in 2003 she was crushed to death by an Israel Defense Forces armored bulldozer in Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
By all accounts Rachel was just your average kid. She attended Capital High School in Olympia, Washington, and she was the youngest daughter of Craig Corrie, an insurance executive, and Cindy Corrie, an amateur flautist.
Rachel eventually attended Evergreen State College, in Olympia, where she took a number of Arts courses while trying to decide which direction to take her life. She took a year off from college to work for the Civilian Conservation Corps and for three years did volunteer work making weekly visits to patients with mental disorders.
Her friends described her as reserved in group settings, never flashy, and an intimate friend in one-on-one interactions. They also stated that her true passion seemed to be working for peace, and true to form during her senior year at TESC she proposed an independent-study program in which she would travel to Gaza and begin a “sister city” project between Olympia and Rafah.
ARRIVAL AT RAFAH
Shortly after the first of the year in 2003, Rachel joined up with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) in Gaza and began training in peace activism. This was during the height of the Second Palestinian Intifada. She became involved in non-violent efforts to prevent the Israeli army’s demolition of Palestinian homes.
While there she had befriended the family of local pharmacist Samir Nasralla, and on March 16th she was actively trying to prevent the bulldozing of the Nasralla home. Wearing a bright-orange fluorescent jacket and using a megaphone, she was chanting peace slogans directly in front of that home when she was crushed by a bulldozer operated by an Israeli soldier. She was, in fact, run over twice, leaving her with a fractured skull, shattered ribs and punctured lungs.
Four eyewitness accounts say that the bulldozer operator deliberately ran Corrie down. The Israeli government denied any wrongdoing, stating that the bulldozer operator could not see Corrie and that it was a tragic accident.
The Foundation for Peace
- The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice
The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice was established by members of Rachel’s family and community to continue the kind of work that she began and hoped to accomplish before she was killed in Gaza in 2003.
THE AFTERMATH
The parents of Rachel Corrie filed a civil lawsuit against the State of Israel, claiming that Israel failed to conduct a credible investigation into the death of their daughter. Their lawsuit called for a symbolic one dollar in damages.
In August 2012, an Israeli court rejected the lawsuit, stating that the Israeli government was not responsible for Corrie’s death.
Since Corrie’s death, several tributes have been organized for this young woman of peace. A play was written entitiled “My Name Is Rachel Corrie”, and a book of her collected writings was published under the name “Let Me Stand Alone.”
The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice was also established and continues to do her work today.
FURTHER REFLECTIONS
What is the price of peace? When is non-violent protest wrong?
Of course there are those who state that yes, this was a tragedy, but Corrie precipitated her own death by protesting in a foreign country where she should not have been…..where she should not have been!
As if there are boundaries that limit the search for peace!
I am reminded of an incredible picture I saw back in 1989 taken from the Tiananmen Protests. One protester stood in front of a convoy of army tanks and refused to move aside.
What is the price of peace? When is non-violent protest wrong?
Yes, there are those who have said, and will continue to say, that Corrie had no business meddling in Israeli affairs, that she was a guest of that country and as such should not have been part of a non-violent protest. To those people I would simply ask: when the issue is human rights, why wouldn’t everyone with a conscience protest?
LET’S SET POLITICS ASIDE FOR A MOMENT
I know that the United States has been a strong ally with Israel for a number of decades, but let’s for a moment put those political considerations aside. Let’s also put aside the ongoing struggle between Israel and Palestine, because for the sake of this article , that struggle does not have relevance.
What does have relevance is the violent response to peaceful protest. When is it acceptable behavior to kill a 23-year old woman who is no threat to anyone? When did our greatest ally in the Middle East decide that death is the penalty for speaking out in opposition?
What should Israel have done? Well, the logical and intelligent response to a protest that is blocking governmental business is to simply arrest the protester. In fact, there are several other actions that could have been taken before deciding that she should be crushed beneath a bulldozer for daring to speak out for peace.
And these are our political allies? Thank God they are not our enemies; I hate to think how our enemies would have handled Rachel Corrie….oh, wait…there is no worse fate than death, is there?
The H.O.W. Preamble
- The H.O.W. Preamble
Making this world a better place in which to live; that is the goal of Humanity One World, and it is the responsibility of every single human being.
WHEN ANYONE, ANYWHERE, REACHES OUT THEIR HAND FOR HELP
“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”
Mother Teresa
….I want the hand of H.O.W. to always be there, and for that, I am responsible!
Those are the words of the preamble of H.O.W….Humanity One World, and Rachel Corrie beautifully embraced that preamble and purpose.
Rachel has been dead nine years now, but her story of courage and compassion lives on. In a world that is defined by complacency and greed, a twenty-three year old woman showed us all the most noble side of humanity. In a world divided by political and religious ideologies, a twenty-three year old woman cut through the fine print and showed us the bigger picture, that we are all one world, and whenever one person reaches out for help it is the duty of us all to be there.
This writer did not know Rachel Corrie. I have never met her parents. I remember clearly the news stories immediately following her death, but time does march on, and except for a few posters of Rachel sprinkled around town, her story has fallen into the archives, replaced by more pressing issues like who won American Idol and who will win in the NFL Playoffs.
I suppose this article is a small attempt to keep her story alive, but I admit to a more selfish reason as well. By writing this story I am reminding myself of something I dearly need to hear. I need reminders that there is goodness in the world. I need reminders that despite the mass shootings and the political corruption, despite the slavery and the homelessness, there are people who, like Rachel, still care about others.
What is the price of peace? For Rachel Corrie, the price was her life.
When is non-violent protest wrong?
Never!
2013 William D. Holland (aka billybuc)
Comments
Bill, I am just speechless. I don't even have the words right now to describe what I am feeling. Outrage, sick to my stomach over this tragedy. This was so senseless and so AVOIDABLE. As you said, we have been allies with Israel for years. This NO ONE could approve of. This was simply a murder. Thank you for sharing Bill. I am in such pain for her friends and family.
Bill, I don't think I ever heard about Rachel. I'm not sure why. Her story is one that should be told over and over again. Thank you for telling it. Knowing her story is a reminder to us all that there ARE good people in this world who WILL take a stand.
Voted up - beautiful! Have a blessed Sunday. -Donna
Bill, beautiful message and such a tragic story about a young girl just fighting for peace. Thanks for sharing her story here and not letting this poor girl die in vain. Have voted up and shared all over, as always!!
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Jeff, I am always heartened when I read comments like yours...it tells me....or reminds me....that there are people who truly care about others. I will not give up this fight, and I feel so much better knowing you are around spreading love. Thank you!
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Donna, it was a big deal for about a year, and then like all other things, life moved on and the story died....it just resurfaced because of the Israeli court decision. Around Olympia this story is well-known. Just another death in the fight for peace.
Thank you for your compassion.
The price of peace is often a heavy one. :\ Corrie sounds like she was an amazing woman. In her short life, she's left more of a legacy than many of us can ever hope for: people are still talking and learning about her actions in Israel - including me. Awesome hub!
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Janine, yet another senseless death in a world that seems to have these by the hundreds daily. It sickens me to think that an un-armed girl would just be crushed for no reason....and then that action condoned by our allies.
Thank you Janine; have a great Sunday!
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Thanks Cyndi; she is somewhat of a legend here in Olympia....as well she should be.
Love you lil' Sis, and appreciate you greatly.
Wow. This is a lot to think about. She paid a heavy price for peace.....and it is difficult for me to say if it was too high. What I do say is, owing to her perseverance, she was an amazing woman!
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Michelle, in truth, I am not sure I would pay this price for a cause. That's what makes her so remarkable! Thank you for taking the time to read her story.
Tragedy... So sad, so painful... Your hub leaves me with a lot to think about... Great work!
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Thank you Monis! She was a remarkable young woman; we don't see this kind of commitment very often in today's world.
I remeber reading about this awful incident at the time. Carry on Bill your cause will be heard. You leave me with a heavy heart, my thoughts are with this lovely young woman who wanted so much to make a difference. My thoughts are also with her family.
Graham.
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Graham, it is a sad and remarkable story about a young woman who walked the talk. I don't think I have this kind of courage. :) Thank you Sir!
When I think I have done enough I shall remember this lady. No greater love is there.... And to think, within miles of Jerusalem. Makes you wonder "what if God was one of us".
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Eric, there is insanity in this world, and there is no logic in insanity. We just keep on with the struggle to bring peace to this world one person at a time. Thank you Sir!
No words for this great lady who sacrificed her life for others. If we have more such people, we will have no wars at all in this world. But no tribute can bring her back. Thank you very much for sharing this motivational story.
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ARSHAD, thank you! She was a remarkable young woman who taught us all a very important lesson about the price of peace.
Billy, what a wonderful tribute to Rachel and there definitely should not be people saying that she should not have been there. We will never have peace in the world if people cannot go into the fields and protest for it. I hope that her death helped others to see the importance of settling things peacefully. How sad that it came to the loss of her life. How very sad. I'm sure she sits right beside God doing her work from heaven.
Hi Bill. I was not familiar with the story of Rachel Corrie until now. Thank you f or helping to keep her legacy alive. I am sure that she was a wonderful young woman who was simply trying to make this world a better place. How unfortunate that the price she paid was her life. I will share your story to help keep her memory alive.
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Bill, I suspect there are many such stories like Rachel's that go unnoticed. I didn't want her story to die like she did. Her life must have meaning and a higher purpose to it. Thank you for sharing.
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Honey, this is one of those stories that must be told and shared. Otherwise, what is the point of it all? There is goodness in the world; oftentimes, the price that is paid for that goodness is very steep.
Thank you kind lady!
It is very sad fact, Bill, that this is the first many will know of this idealistic young woman. It is a sad testament to the culture of violence in our world today that this story is just another archived item that didn't get as much attention as the bitter bickering in D.C. seen everyday now. And, despite the fact that non-violent protest, a form of free speech, is part of our constitutional rights, it is evident in the bitterest of ironies that one must be willing to give their life in order to express the need for peace. The refusal of a country to take responsibility through denial of justice for the victim is the ultimate form of control. Where were the vast numbers of outraged citizens protesting this abominable act of murder? They saw what happened and were controlled by a feeling of impotence and fear for their own lives. Our own Doctors without Borders are fleeing the very countries where their services are most desperately needed because they are seeing their fellow humanitarians being murdered. The U.S. govt wasn't even able to adequately protect our Ambassador, J. Christopher Stevens, despite his pleas for help, in Benghazi on Sept. 11, 2012.
Since Rachel Corrie's murder in Mar 2003, the world has gotten colder. Unfortunately, peace remains elusive. I admire her courage, her determination, her efforts and, though I am outraged that she died far too young, she stood with her feet to the fire for a cause she believed in until the bitter end. Thank you not letting this heroine languish in the archives, Bill. Thank you for bringing Rachel Corrie's story to the light.
Unfortunately, all those that were in the forefront were killed. Consider your history. It all comes with a price. Look at the great leaders that were assassinated for what they believed in.
I remember this brave strong young lady as well as 22 year old British Peace Activist Tom Hurndall who was shot in the back of the head in Gaza while trying to remove children from a soldiers repeated gun fire. As he bent down to pick up the little girl, the soldier shot him in the back of the head. He was in a coma for nine months and sadly passed away at the tender age of 22.
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Very true, Deb! This young woman deserves to be remembered. :)
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Amy, I was going to do this hub about a month ago and that, as usually happens, I got distracted and forgot about it. Then I was out for a walk last week and passed a home that had Rachel's poster in the window and the poster said "Never forget."
Sadly, too many forget these lessons that were paid for so dearly. In a real sense this young woman was one of the great peace advocates of our time, and hardly anyone outside of Olympia knows about her. That is not right....she must be remembered. If not, we are all diminished as human beings.
Thank you my dear; one day Bev and I really want to meet you....it's only right!
love from Oly
bill
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Beckie, I remember that as well. There is madness everywhere, and yet great goodness. Such is the life we live. We will grab hold of the good and use it to defend us against the madness.
love,
billy
I hope to meet you and Bev, too! I sincerely hope we can make that happen. Love from St. Lou...Amy
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Amy, if we ever save up enough money for our planned road trip, one of our first stops will be in Iowa to see the town where my parents grew up....just a stone's throw from St. Louis....stranger things have happened in my life, so it is at least possible that we will meet. :)
We live in a violent world and I am sure that Rachel had the best intentions to create peace and be of help. It is always a sad thing when people die doing what they feel is right. We have many soldiers in that path.
Amy is so right....this girl and her untimely murder should have been all over the news in every state in the United States! The outrage of this act is beyond my vocabulary. And we kept it hush-hush because it happened in Israel? I can't even continue....
God help us all and teach ALL people about peace.
Voted up, useful, awesome, and interesting.
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We do indeed, Carol! Sadder still when the "soldier" is a 23 year old unarmed female. Thank you!
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Mary, I know it was news here; I can't speak for the rest of the country, but if it had been huge news I would have heard of it elsewhere. Such a waste, and such an indictment on the two nations involved.
Thank you my friend!
Billy,
I had heard about this story before.
Since heavy metal / hard rock and dogs are two of my interests, I would like to share two points for the consideration of you and your readers.
Mark LeVine, himself Jewish residing in California, published a book titled 'Heavy Metal Islam'. He traveled through various Muslim regions to write about heavy metal music scene there. When he was following the rock scene in Israel, he noted how Israeli rock bands were routinely thrashing Palestinians in lyrics and acts. He reported that most of them were under heavy propaganda of the Government and had contempt for people other than Jewish.
Tristan Gooley in his book titled 'Natural Explorer' and Mark Derr in his book 'How the dog became the dog' write that whenever Israeli soldiers enter Palestinian villages to demolish buildings, in order to humiliate Palestinians, they first shoot their dogs.
I am sorry to say this, but Rachel Corrie's murder happened because I staunchly believe that Jewish people in Israel, especially the right wingers supporting Likud Party, have general contempt of life of people other than Jewish. This has made Israel effectively practicing Apartheid.
I will go ahead and make a bold statement, which of course is my personal opinion: Any government that uses religion; be it Islamists of Iran and Saudi Arabia, or Christians of the USA under Republicans, or right winged Likuds of Israel; to farther their political goals, is evil that people need to reject in favor of better alternatives.
A story like this makes me furious, I had not heard about Rachel, how very sad. Israel has much to answer for. The man who ran over her with his bulldozer should have been tried for murder. I know Israel is our ally, but they have been wrong on many fronts. Why the US treats them special, i will never understand. The picture of Rachel laying on the ground with young people around her is chilling. Thank you for telling her story.
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Suhail, you might be surprised to learn that I agree with you completely. I have no idea why this country has continued its strong alliance with Israel, and I believe any religious zealot is a dangerous human being.
Thank you for an excellent comment my friend.
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Ruby, this story has been in the collective psyche of Olympia for nine years, and it is unthinkable that it could happen....and not only happen but go unpunished. There are no excuses and I am fed up with the U.S./Israel alliance. Thank you my friend; your compassion continues to warm my heart.
I never heard of this Bill, but from what I read here, she lived her life for peace and was quite obviously a dedicated loving woman. It seem that these good people are the ones that give all. We can only remember and hopefully learn from her and those like her,
Mark
This was a very sad story Billy. I have a daughter that is Rachel's age. The political environment in Israel is a tricky one since it is tainted with religion. I think the reason the U.S. holds such a strong alliance with Israel is because of it's strategic location in the center of the Arab world. Americans turn a blind eye to the civil rights violations there and in China & Africa as well. We only see what we want to see. It's no wonder that there are so many conspiracy theories regarding the U.S./Israeli alliance. I agree with Suhail about the evils of religious zealotry. Unfortunately, it is entrenched in the fabric of Israeli politics and relatively unknown to the average American, although we are well acquainted with it's Islamic counterpart. It seems humans are so consumed with religious dogma that they ignore the ideology on which it was founded. I wonder how many thousands of Israeli and Palestinian families have suffered the same loss the Corrie family has.
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Mark, I agree, hopefully someone, somewhere, will learn from this tragedy.....but the least I can do is keep her memory alive. Thank you buddy!
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Guitar, your point is an excellent one and I thank you for it. The loss of life in those areas is appalling, and for what? Religion? Oil? I doubt the average American will ever fully understand the intricate nature of the alliances there. I know for a fact that I will never appreciate them.
Youth believe in a cause with such passion and often are the ones who take a stand on issues when others stay at a distance. Rachel believed in peace and was willing to die for it. Reminds me of another man who did so long ago. It is tragic that politics takes a hard course of action against such beliefs, not a religious preference, just taking the politically right path of action or "duty". Her life was not in vain. Thanks for sharing her story.
Thank you for this.
Billy Buc, I couldn't agree with you more. This article is a great reminder to us to ask ourselves important questions involving our own morality. My license plate is one I waited almost two years to get. It says "Community Peace Building" and has the dove of peace on it. I will never understand why we find it so hard to achieve. Thank you for writing about Rachel. May her good works remain in the hearts of many. I don't believe governments will ever bring about peace, only individuals who refuse to hate and judge.
Your first commenter said they were 'speechless' and that's probably how I would describe my own feelings after reading this. I am just imagining how her parents must have felt after hearing about how she died. In this day and age and with evidence proving how she was murdered, it beggars belief that the Israeli government have done nothing. This story needed to be told Bill. Shared etc.
We have done it again my friend. When you read the blog today, you will understand. I was so busy yesterday that I did not read this hub until now, it is 8:30 am in the East on Monday, the 7th of December. I had no idea you had written about peaceful protesting. As an old organizer at heart, I believe strongly in peaceful resistance. And, as I say in the blog today, we all need to ask ourselves what do we care enough about that we are willing to be jailed or, to die for. It is a hard question and brave young women like Rachel should inspire us. She should not have died. However, she cared so much and I am sure she is watching from above as her story is told again and again, and each time, shining the light on the issue that bothered her enough to stand up. Great, great hub Bill.
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Dianna, I'm not sure I have that sort of conviction. I would like to believe that I do, but until faced with death.....like I said, I'm not sure I would have it. Thank you my friend and have a great week.
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You are welcome, Martin; thank you!
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Pickles, your last sentence is a rallying point...individuals and not governments....thank you for that eloquent thought.
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Thank you Julie! This story was told for about six months back in 2003...I just wanted to make sure it did not die like Rachel.
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Linda, great blog this morning and yes, Kindred, we have done it again. The commitment to die for your beliefs.....now that's a tough one isn't it? As you said, I am willing to die for family....but a belief? I guess we'll never know unless that moment occurs. :) Thank you dear lady!
Truly amazing and off-course the young girl has to be remembered, also a very sad issue.
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Thank you DDE and that was my intent, to make sure that Rachel was remembered.
bill.....I had no knowledge whatsoever of this egregious tragedy.....OR, I'm afraid for me.....the possibility exists that I was aware of this at the time (9 yrs. ago) and utilized my uncanny ability to erase such horror from my conscious mind, in order to function.
In any case, bill....although a very rare occurrence, I am speechless..
I can only say that I support your decision to keep Rachel's name and her selfless sacrifice in the mind of every man who believes in the goodness of humanity........UP+++
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Thanks Paula! In truth, she is from my town of Olympia, and I clearly remember it, and had forgotten all about it. This was my attempt to make up for that and keep her name alive. She should not be forgotten.
Your humorous hub is coming this week; I'll write it today and dedicate it to you. :)
Sigh...and more blood flows..
it is difficult for me to comment about israel per se - not because of my 'religion at birth' as i am of no religion whatsoever - but - because i feel that for the future safety and security of the rest of the world - including canada and the us - israel must continue to be a country of strength..
i abhor violence - and wish everyone would just drop the bullshit NOW.
CHILDREN ARE DYING - why do i find myself saying this more and more often - and finding the responses more excuses or explanations than empathy and responsibility?
It's true- no peaceful protest should EVER end up in the death of a young beautiful girl!
It's true - no one is allowed in that area - upon well-posted threat of death..
Another lovely impasse, eh?
and more blood flows...
sigh..
Excellent tribute, Bill..she won't be forgotten..
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Leslie....stop the bullshit?? I should live that long! Therein lies the reason for my reality hangover. :)
You know how much I love your compassion....I'll stay with the fight as long as you do....people are listening...I have to believe that.
Sending love your way
bill
OH good! We can all use a laugh!
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Just finished it, Paula; coming tomorrow for sure.
What a read Billy ; and the words"Rachel Corrie had no right in meddling in Israeli affairs !!!
This is typical isn't it my friend ; there is so much going on in this world at the moment and it is so very difficult to get one's head round it at all!!
In this country still the main ongoing story is the child sex abuse case.
More and more celebrities are being arrested; many being charged with the offenses.
Whatever the cause H.O.W. can only bring good;going back to
"Rachel had no right in meddling in Israeli affairs !!!" How hypocritical and sickening !!! Today we make it our business; to day we shout out loud and clear !!!Small things at a time ;slowly but surely.
If we dive in with one hell of a lot of workloads we could end up burning ourselves out and then we would be no good for anything.
H.O.W.can only grow bigger and stronger;I am gathering some facts together next week !!These being my Ebooks and then I shall make clever use of letting them know about H.O.W. at the same time. I shall let you know how I get on.
I now feel so very strongly that Rachel's life will not be in vain; her good work has to be kept going.
Once again I share this one up,across and share all around.
Take care Billy and here's lots of love from my little corner of Wales.
Eddy.
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Oh Eddy, your words are so true. There is so much darkness in the world, and it seems overwhelming at times. My main job some days is to not give up hope, to keep H.O.W. alive and realize that even if one person is changed for the better, then it is all worth it.
Thank you my dear, and I look forward to seeing your efforts next week. Thank you for being you.
love,
billy
Your tribute was very touching, Bill.
You wrote that you need reminders that there is goodness in the world and that there are people who, like Rachel, still care about others. I hold the teachers who lost their lives at the Sandy Hook Elementary School trying to protect their students in the highest esteem. They cared. Sadly they are just a few of the many who lose their lives trying to restore peace within their own communities.
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LongTimeMother, your point is a good one; there is goodness all around us; we just have to look hard to see it. Thank you for the visit.
Voted up and interesting. A very wonderful tribute Bill. Something everyone should be aware of. I believe that no protest is truly without some kind of violence but when it meets with death that is the worst of it. Passing this on.
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Thank you Gypsy! This was so senseless....could have been handled in so many different ways....in the end it was decided that the easiest way was death.
This is such an unbelievably sad story! My goodness, you mean to tell me the bulldozer operator didn't see her? Pulease! She's as plain as day, if the picture above is of Rachel! Even if it isn't how can you not see everything around you when you are seated higher than the tallest man can stand?
I feel for Rachel's parents. I just don't even know what else to say. This is unimaginable to me as a mom......
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Sha, it is unimaginable, and yet it did happen, and there were few consequences because of it. Just another human being gone. My job is to not let her memory die. :)
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