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NPR reporter Daniel Zwerdling did a report for Weekend Edition on the backlash caused by the Fairmont, Minnesota, City Council’s decision to support the creation of a Department of Peace. Why do we fear peace? Is what happened in Fairmont typical of the country as a whole? Join Jean Feraca and her guests
for a discussion this hour on Here on Earth, Radio Without Borders.
Guest
- Daniel Zwerdling, NPR Weekend Edition commentator
- Judi Poulson, Chair of the Women's Peace Club in Fairmont, Minnesota
- Neal Breitbarth, Republican leader in Fairmont, Minnesota
- Morton Perlmutter, professor emeritus in the School of Social Work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Related Links
Listener Comments
- Cynthia 9/4/07: "It was so obvious while listening to your program and hearing the tension in the voices of those opposing the peace movement and the calm, peacefulness in the voices of those who were promoting peace. My final thought was in agreement with your guest, that peace is just that easy. It does come from within and when shared can multiply twofold. Maybe in a million years, if our planet still exists, those of us with a peaceful heart, (women of course :) will finally be in charge of the world and a peaceful resolve to all conflicts will prevail. Jean, I thank you for always being that 'peaceful, calming voice' on the radio."
- Jane 9/3/07: "I think that a 'Department of Peace' has such bad conotations because many connect this type of talk with the hippies of the 1960s. There appear to be many of that 1960s generation who want to relive their "glory days" and who just can't seem to grow out of that ideological fantasyland that was the 1960s. It reminds us of the radicals of that day, the free love that has gotten our society into so much trouble, and the kumbayah attitude of the hippie drug culture. Peace is a wonderful thing -- who wouldn't want it? However, the idea of a 'Department of Peace' is just so yesterday."
- Erika 7/13/07: "I'm a minister, preparing a sermon about peace. I used your April program, Is Peace a Dirty Word? to find a balance of arguments, oppositions, and aspirations that would allow me to speak prophetically about the hard, but rewarding, task of creating conditions that lead to peace in our communities and in our world. Thank you for a wonderful mix of guests. I'm glad that I discovered your program!"
- James 4/26/07: "I was intrigued by your Is Peace a Dirty Word? program. I was struck by how inclusive the female guest was, correcting the host that those who disagree with her and her peace club were not their 'enemies.' She then went on to say that those who disagree with her were 'good, decent folks,' who have the same goal, but just approach reaching that goal differently. She advocates proactively addressing violence; the male guest wanted to fight; both wanted 'peace.' To me (also a male), her approach seemed the more well-reasoned and effective approach. Thanks for an entertaining show."
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