Perhaps you made a good response, such as, "There are good and bad people in every group. it doesn't do any good to start killing them, because the survivors will start killing members of our group for revenge, and the killing will just go endlessly back and forth. It's better to get the perpetrators and advocates of violence apprehended, and to negotiate, bargain, and make deals to resolve issues and disputes with the peaceful members of that group."

Have you heard about one or more bullies at a local school, perhaps one that your children, nieces, nephews, or neighbors attend? If so, did you suggest that a bully control committee be formed so that bullies and their parents can be counseled, with further action taken if necessary?

Do you have family or friends living in non-democracies, countries that do not have true personal freedoms and valid elections? Since true democracies with real freedoms and elections rarely if ever attack other such countries, perhaps you can encourage your family and friends in countries not blessed with real democracy and freedoms to work to establish those institutions...  if it can be worked on without undue risk. The Peace Prescription points out ways that this can be done.

Have you written to any elected members of Congress, or Senators, advocating that the Peace Law be enacted making it a crime to seriously advocate, threaten, or plan to initiate violence or war? Public safety, survival, must have priority over "freedom of speech" to plan, encourage, or incite murder and violence.

Are you an attorney or judge, active or retired, who has started looking into the possibility of helping organize an ad hoc court of justice to resolve specific disputes or claims that cross borders, or for which there are no "regular" available courts to settle the matters? If not, would you consider doing so, to help prevent the violence of revenge when there is no normal way for people to redress their grievances?

Do you know of anyone who holds office or position of authority or power in your area or country, who advocates violence, murder, or war? If so, have you made it known to others, if you can do so without undo risk to your own life, that you disapprove and that you believe that such people should be barred and disqualified from seeking or holding any position of authority or power in any government on Earth?

The five paragraphs above comprise the Five Steps needed to prevent violence and war. They will work, if the steps are taken!

Meanwhile, what have I been doing to help prevent violence and war? Amazingly, I was invited to be a guest on eight radio shows this past week! Three of them were national, some were talk shows, and others were newscasts. I've been invited to speak to students and faculty at Cal Poly Pomona, a California State University in the Los Angeles area, on February 11.  I hope to have the chance to speak on many college campuses in the weeks and months to come. Today's college students will be our leaders of the future. Wouldn't it be great if they come to believe that peace is actually possible if the right steps are taken by them?

Here is a list of the radio shows I was on this past week: Monday, Jan 4, 1:05PM PT, WZTK-FM, Greensboro, NC, host Allan Handelman; Monday, Jan 4, 4:40PM PT, KFBK, Sacramento, CA, host Kitty; Tuesday, Jan 5, 3:15PM PT, WICC, Bridgeport, CT host Jim Buchanan; Thursday, Jan 7, 1:34PM PT, CRN Radio & Time Warner Cable nationally, host Chuck Wilder; Thursday, Jan 7, 4:20 PM PT, nationally syndicated, host Leslie Marshall (no relation); Friday, Jan 8, 8:00 AM PT, WEMU-FM, Detroit, MI, host Lynn Rivers; Friday, Jan 8, 4:20 PM PT, The Lars Larson Show, nationally syndicated, host Lars Larson; Sunday, Jan 10, 5:50AM PT, WBT, Charlotte, NC, host Don Russell. 

My thanks to all of these hosts, who were most gracious, if not incredulous that anyone would dare suggest that violence and war can actually be prevented and avoided.

If you want to do your bit for peace, order one or two copies of The Peace Prescription now, because if sales volume hits a certain level, a major publisher may take over the book and give the book and me more publicity so that the push to prevent as much violence and war as possible can be more effective. You'll also get to read the book, maybe give a copy to someone, and I'd love to get your feedback on this blog! Click onto the Order page on this website and you'll be amazed at the low price! Thank you for your support.

May you be at peace with yourself, your family, and others in your life in 2010, and then become an influence on others for the prevention of violence and war.