The weekend after Valentine's Day, 2003, when the world decided to make love and not war. This Sunday morning is to early to know whether or not the people or the leaders will win out in this struggle of war and peace. However, it is clear that this was an unprecedented act, millions turning out in the streets to protest planned military action before it happens.

I am not a hawk by any means. However, I do understand that there is a time to fight for freedom and democracy, and I am convinced this is not the time for a battle for either.

As you know I am not a fan of our President anyway; but, this cowboy mentality of we will do what we want to do because we are the world's only super power is dangerous and more importantly, patently UN-AMERICAN. America does not start war, America has always taken the high road. We are indeed as Ronald Reagan said, "the shinning mansion on the hill" or at least we should be. The rationalization behind this Iraq affair is a strange mixture of fear and machismo that can lead to no good results in my opinion. Those who think we should act, need to think about why we are under attack by terrorist. It was the policy of this administration that brought this on us, I am convinced. I submit to you that peace can be at hand in a short time. I am not a dreamer. I am a realist.

Why do they hate us? It is not hard too figure out, if you look at it. We spend billions on military weapons and leave millions in the world to die of starvation. Our answer to ending terrorist actions is to bomb the only country that has given Muslim women a chance to be equal. In Iraq women wear make up, high heels, sexy dresses and drive cars and our answer is to bomb them into the third world again; risk changing a dictatorship into a religious or mishmash of different factions leading the country.

We need some brave souls to stand up and say, "Wait this is not what America is all about!" So far few voices have been heard in the mass movement toward violence and force.

We need someone to stand up in the Senate, the house, on the street, in front of the TV Camera and say, "Stop this rush to madness!" Maybe this weekend; so peace marches will vitalize that person to come forth and lead us out of the wilderness of corporate madness that wants to take over the world for profit. Does anyone believe that IRAQ is not about oil?

What can you or I do? My dear friend, Chrissie Blaze is doing something and it is working. She has started a one woman world wide drive for a nightly One-Minute Peace Prayer Initiative!

Chrissie and an old buddy and rocker friend of hers, Dave Davies, Founder Member of the Kinks, rock and roll hall of fame, etc., are behind this whole minute of prayer for thing. He is a great crusader for truth and peace.

Chrissie wrote me this in an email, "I felt down today until I went to the BBC website and read interviews with dozens of people from dozens of cities in dozens of countries worldwide. I realized they all think as I do. It I the so-called Ordinary person who will change this world, by becoming extraordinarily active."

So let us sit back and listen to the lyrics of this John Lennon song and rest assured, the power is with the people and we can change the world for the better. Just let your mind and your heart soar (CLICK HERE to hear the song again). Imagine a world of love and less hate; a world of helping hands and less destruction. We can have it, if we just let every one know, peace can set us free. Free to be all we can be, this is a time in a our lives when love for our fellow human beings can make up for all of the sins of a self destructive leadership.

We in America can stop this madness. The people can speak, all it takes is you and me together and we can really change the tone of our leadership. Don't let this war start, it will cause many evil things to happen to all of us. Speak up, get us back on the road of prosperity, not a road to destruction. Imagine a world of peace and prosperity for all. We can have it; if the people do not give up the power.

America is at a cross roads. Two roads, one of peace and the other of destruction. Let's join Chrissie tonight in that minute of prayer around the world for peace. It can work, all is not lost, it is up to you and me to make this a better world, not a world of the strong over the weak; but a world of harmony and happiness.

Jerry Pippin

Two minutes until Midnight on Saturday, February 15, 2003.