Some believe that killing or capturing Al Qaeda or Taliban leaders will make us safe. Yet those who attacked us on 911 were largely here in the US for some time and not in far off places.

The blame-game prevails in international affairs. Effective communication is not a strong part of diplomacy or foreign policy. Solutions taken are often coercive provocative and really diplomatic. There are numerous wars going on in the world today costing many lives, financial resources and increasing global instability.

We are not only killing our perceived enemies, we are killing massive numbers of civilians and our young soldiers are dying or coming home physically, mentally and permanently handicapped by the thousands!

The future being created for our children and grandchildren is one of ever-increasing danger. Yet, we continue to make many low priority daily activities a high priority while ignoring and compromising our security and our future.

We largely ignored the numerous terrorist attacks around the world until 911. Now, most of us are acting as if nothing like that can happen again. It not only can happen again! It can be 10X worse as well.

If we continue to ignore the various threats we face it is more likely to happen. If we continue to believe that our adversaries are simply maniacal and we do not take responsibility for our own actions past and present, we will be forever at risk.

If we continue to ignore the suffering of millions in places like those in Africa and in war zones, sooner or later it will impact us directly with unthinkable consequences.

Too many poor people in the Middle East are blaming the West for their plight and not totally without validity. Western governments send large amounts of aid that ends up in the hands of oppressive dictators and not going to those who need it.

It is no accident that Al Qaeda has had little trouble recruiting people considering the invasion of Iraq, supporting brutal dictators in the region for decades and by the Western obsession for oil and profit. Someone once said that. “If we don’t watch out we will end up where we are headed.”

Einstein said, “The unleashed power of the atom has changed everything save our modes of thinking. Thus we drift towards unparalleled catastrophe.”

The time for each and every one of us to act with urgency, tenacity, creativity, responsibility and consistency is NOW! Personally, I hold myself 100% responsible or “at cause in the matter” for the survival and well being of my world. The world that my grandkids are growing up in.