A Patch of Grassroots That Deserves Watering

I pass along, without further comment, the following email from our good friend Penny Vane:

Many of you know that I have been working for some months now with an organization called American Respect.

The mission is initially to raise awareness and stimulate discussion about America's foreign policy, specifically and immediately with regard to the war in Iraq and our response to terrorism; but longer term, the "vision" can perhaps be described simply as the pursuit of world peace and prosperity, achievable through being and living true to America's founding ideals--simple things like freedom, friendship, respect and dare I say it, love. Our "tagline" comes from Abe Lincoln's second inaugural address, "with malice toward none." (And you can now wear that message in a wristband, available at the website. I hope you'll order some--link through at http://www.americanrespect.com).

The war in Iraq is wrong. As noble as it might have been to want to rid the world of Saddam Hussein, it has nothing to do with addressing terrorism. And terrorism remains a global concern, one that cannot be addressed by military means. American Respect has published and proposed some alternative solutions which we hope to contribute to the national dialog. I hope you'll join in spreading that word. There's a lot to be concerned about, both internationally and domestically, in the next few years, and it's my hope that American Respect can help support "the conscience" of the nation, reminding us all and nudging our leaders to remember the values upon which we were founded.

The name "American Respect" is not a "demand" that America be respected; rather it is a pledge that Americans have an inherent responsibility to be respectful . . . not only of others, but also of ourselves. The word itself includes the notions of listening, accepting, acknowledging and yes, respecting, the perspectives (governments, lifestyles, races, religions) of others. Peace and harmony sound like awfully corny goals . . . but are there any more important?

I've been very proud to be able to lend my expertise to this cause. Some of you may have signed up independently for the American Respect email list when I forwarded to you the original essay published in the New York Times last September. Others may have just read my earlier emails with sympathetic curiosity . . . and I certainly would not add your name to their list without your permission.

Either way, I do hope you will again visit the website, http://www.americanrespect.com, read the new follow-up essay, and circulate the discussion among your own friends and contacts. Voices raised together CAN make a difference. Please add yours.