Merry Christmas everyone. Yesterday I had spent a long time editing a business podcast when I got this overwhelming desire to do a different kind of show. For some time now I have had a lot of thoughts about our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. I felt that if I did not do this then I would regret it, the old “if not you then who and if not now then when” motto gnawed away at me until I just decided to do it.
I put these thoughts along with some tunes and posted it to my good friend CC Chapman. CC listened and decided to post this show on both U-Turn Cafe and the Accident Hash. I am sure not everyone will agree with what I have said but I would like to thank CC for his warm friendship and ceaseless encouragement. CC is someone I am proud to call a friend.
If you are interested, here is the link
very moving show - thank you - well worth taking the time to listen to it.
Do you really believe we might see a world without war in our lifetime?
Have a great new year
Jess xxx
Left by Jess on December 28th, 2007
Utterly poignant. Painful reminder. Must be expressed. You chose this father in this lifetime so he could mentor you, exactly as you chose to practice Nichiren’s Buddhism at this time in a former imperial country that still struggles with the absolute value of life. Speaking out for justice and life is your mission. I thank you for all you do to fulfill it. May all of of our soldiers come home safely as quickly as possible.
Donna in Sacramento
Left by Donna on December 29th, 2007
Jess, thank you and YE, I really believe we will see a world without war in our lifetime, I felt the same way about the Berlin Wall . . .
Donna, thank you. When I think of my father like this I am moved to tears. I will do my best, thank you.
FYI this show took 6 months to come to fruition, and had to be recorded 5 times. All of a sudden every technical and environmental demon attacked what I was doing, I think I poked the sleeping bear with a sharp stick!
Left by Jason on December 29th, 2007
Jason: Thank you so much for playing my song, This is War. I am honored and I really appreciate you giving me an opportunity to expose the message. Your show was very moving and you own life experiences illustrate that war not only impacts the soldiers, but the families as well. Also, I feel that we can respect our soldiers, while at the same time advocating for the war to end. I am very interested in Buddhism and look forward to learning more from your shows. Thank you for your strength and commitment to peace. Take Care.
Steven
Left by Steven Richards on December 29th, 2007
I can remember in the early days of the Vietnam war my mother was one of the pioneers of SGI here in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Fayetteville is the home of the 82nd airborne (paratroops), special operations, and special forces. I can remember as a child, soldiers would pack wall to wall and out into the halls at the SGI meetings. Many new members were soldiers back from the war, having been through hell, the SGI members here provided them with more than a place to meet. Many SGI members became surrogate family for these troops. I seen SGI mom’s cook dinners for a new soldier member, be the source of love and understanding. Many of the SGI pioneers here were married to soldiers and understood fully what life was like for them, not just being a wife of a fellow soldier, but as a survivor of war. The pioneers here had experienced war either in Japan or Korea and truly understood what life was like. The love and compassion the pioneers gave would shake the minds of all.
Today we face a challenge, to bring back that same pioneer spirit that helped many troops.
Left by Alan tazir on December 31st, 2007
Jason,
I so admire your courage to say what needs to be said. I so admire the way you have said what needs to be said. Thank you and thank CC Chapman for airing the show.
Left by elona on December 31st, 2007
I really enjoyed your cafe broadcast, burning it to CD to pass it along to come of my carbon-based friends that I know will enjoy it. I really admire the way you can articulate your thoughts so well.
Left by Paul Monaco on December 31st, 2007
Thankyou for this particular show- I have fwded to some War Studies student buddies- maybe a peace dialogue podcast exists or could be created? I wonder…NMRK
Left by Emma on December 31st, 2007
[…] Also, I’d like to thank Kathy Rollheiser, Matthew Needham , Michael Cruz Tracy Rosen , and Jason Jarrett for taking the time during this busy season to share their thoughts about what was said here. I appreciate the opportunity to have a dialogue. […]
Left by Teachers At Risk » My new resolution- think big, start small, act now! on January 5th, 2008
As a fellow podcaster, I can’t say thank you enough Jason. This is one of those shining beacons of a podcasts that proves the good that podcasting can do and it makes me proud to stand alongside my fellow podcasters. It’s truly moving and I’m honored to have been able to listen to it.
Left by Scott on January 12th, 2008
My brother came back from Vietnam terribly marked in his soul. This podcast speaks for him, too.
Thank you, Jason.
Left by Rosemary on January 15th, 2008