I have noted this several times before [here, here, and here and here] but people tend to forget it and there is no better time to remind them that we are currently enjoying a remarkably peaceful period in the history of humankind. Now StrategyPage notes:
December 23, 2007: While the headlines concentrate on peace breaking out in Iraq, that's but part of a worldwide trend for the last few years. Violence has also diminished, or disappeared completely, in places like Nepal, Chechnya. Congo, Indonesia and Burundi. This continues a trend that began when the Cold War ended, and the Soviet Union no longer subsidized terrorist and rebel groups everywhere. The current wars are basically uprisings against police states or feudal societies, which are seen as out-of-step with the modern world. Many are led by radicals preaching failed dogmas (Islamic conservatism, Maoism), that still resonate among people who don't know about the dismal track records of these movements.Read the whole thing here.
And the Herald-Tribune notes that for the first time in years, there has been a peaceful Christmas in Bethlehem.
Read it here.Encouraged by renewed peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, Christian pilgrims from around the world converged on Jesus' traditional birthplace Monday to celebrate Christmas — a palpable contrast to the sparse crowds of recent years.
The diverse mix of people included festive American tourists, clergymen in brown flowing robes and Palestinian scouts wearing kilts and playing bagpipes.
So rejoice and give thanks for being privileged to live in these, the best of times.
