Frank, thank you so much for your comments and your support. It's hard to keep a level head in times like these - and when I read your words I felt even LESS "thistley" and "bristley". :)

I agree that "the best arbiter is the round table rather than the city streets". Demonstrations so often bring out the very worst in people, just as war does. But it does seem they are the only "voice" loud enough to be heard over "Big Brother", at least for a few moments, these days.

Funny, I was thinking just yesterday about what changes we might see if it was a woman in the White House, women who were in the positions of power worldwide right now. I think that in general women do tend toward compromise rather than violence as a solution to conflict. They are less likely to sanction the killing of the weak and innocent that war always entails, more likely to be guided by compassion rather than by adrenalin. Certainly less likely to be driven by testosterone!
(Not that I'm bashing testosterone - just it's excesses).

If memory serves, I believe that it was - and still is - the elder women who hold the power of decision in the governing Councils of the Mohawk and Iroquois (the Longhouse tradition). Would "Matriarchy" prove more peaceful than "Patriarchy"?

Hmmmmmmmm ... a few wise, loving grandmas holding the power of decision on the "War Councils" of the world might make all the difference indeed! And not to worry - wise loving grandmas can be feisty and protective indeed! Even roses have their thorns, eh ....

Well, I've convinced myself! Now, lets's see ... how can we make this happen???

daylia