Parents are intensely interested in getting their children immunized against the swine flu. Long lines are no deterrent. People are concerned and they are taking action, as they should.

How many of these children will be immunized to avoid swine flu, only to go off to war and be killed or badly injured a few years later? How many children, having dodged the swine flu bullet, will be struck down by the bullets of uncontrolled gang bullies?

We need to manage violent behavior before more millions are killed, whether in large or even world wars, or by the action of one or more people committing horrible acts of violence on a smaller scale. We can do it if we will just take the Key Five Steps spelled out in The Peace Prescription. It's a kind of immunization process, and it doesn't even require us to be given a shot. It does require our participation, to speak out against those who advocate violence, to help manage bullies while they are young, and the other steps that can manage and prevent violence before it happens.

Yes, let's prevent H1N1, aka swine flu. It's fine to be concerned and get your children immunized, perhaps yourself as well. But, there are other vaccines, other diseases to take care of as well, and violence and war is the most serious disease the human race has always had to face, and should be high on our list of ailments to prevent.

Regarding the prior Blog on Afghanistan, let me make it clear that a military surge can play a role in helping bring an end to a war. It's just that it cannot work alone in a guerrilla conflict. In Iraq, violence is obviously not over, but it's generally quite reduced compared to what we saw before the al Anbar tribal chieftains began to oppose the foreign Sunni insurgents in their villages and cities. Afghanistan may in fact see a shortening of the war if there is a combination of more NATO troops and an involvement of the tribal chieftains in opposing the foreign Taliban from Pakistan. Keep in mind that not all terrorists and insurgents are foreign in either Iraq or Afghanistan, but very many of them are. 

In all parts of the world, there are advocates of violence, murder, and war, and it's critical that the vast majority of people everywhere, including community leaders, declare and enforce their opposition to those advocates of death and destruction.