Author: Carma Henry

Overwhelmed by Anger Around Us? Thoughts on How to De-escalate a Situation

     As I ask this question, I am suddenly bludgeoned by an unexpected irony, since the United States ended slavery through a brutal war, with a death toll of perhaps three quarters of a million people. 

      We live in a global family of more than 190 countries. Disputes and squabbles inevitably arise in all families; what matters is how we settle them. Just as immature families might see bullying and violence, at the global level we see countries threatening and waging war, paying dearly in unnecessary death and suffering. By contrast, a mature family resolves its disputes peacefully, often with the help of a dispassionate third party. Providing the world family such a dispassionate dispute settler was the driving purpose for creating the International Court of Justice (colloquially known as the World Court) in the aftermath of Second World War. Unfortunately, the Court suffers from fundamental flaws that have hindered its ability to preserve peace and avoid violent conflict between countries.

     Political talking points are pre-established messages that remain constant regardless of which political party member shares his message with the media and the voters.

      South Africa, India, and Mexico just held general elections. Britain will hold a general election July 4. The US will hold one Nov. 5. Record-setting demonstrations in Israel may yet lead to a general election there. Five of these six elections reveal the precarious hold on power of the incumbents, and the threats to democracy posed by leaders and challengers.

     A father stands tall in their child’s eyes. Mine towered. He was a 6’6”, red-headed giant of a man, a farmer who loved rock ‘n roll and corny jokes. He taught me to stand up for the underdogs, fight the good fight, and stick it to the Man.

Is It Time for This War to End? Evidently Not

 Well, jail time for the Babayka is a consideration but I don’t think it will happen anytime soon.

     As a scientist who researches peace and conflict, I find it important to systematically approach questions and see where the evidence leads me. It is a trait I developed from great mentorship, and a value that was instilled in me by my father from a very young age.

County governmental offices will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. Many online services will be available at Broward.org.