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--> --> Try something new; what do we have to lose? Let's say that somehow, some way, I got assigned the task of catching Osama. I mean really assigned this job. And I was given whatever resources I needed to do it. Here's what I'd do. I'd go in person to invite Osama's mamas (for I assume he's one of fifty-something siblings, he comes from a family with more than one mother) and his wife (or wives as the case may be - I'd have the CIA find out for me all the names and contact information) to sit in a women's circle and be quiet together. I'd invite George Bush's mama, too, and Laura Bush, plus Tony Blair's mother and wife, and the wives and mothers of Afghanistan's and Israel's and Palestine's leaders. Finally, I'd invite six of the most aware, compassionate open-hearted, good listening women I could come up with. And we would all sit in a circle, with everyone being equal - no distractions, no press, no powerful men anywhere. The rules would be simple - to hold the circle as sacred space, to listen and speak truly from the heart, to share leadership, to be willing to allow what unfolds to take whatever time it takes. I suspect that what would happen is we would share our stories, our pain and our dreams, and in the process healing would begin. And in my dream this healing would seep out to all the other circles that each of us touches, until finally the men that these women orbit around would be invited to the circle too. And one day, on a day of profound healing, Osama would appear and quietly ask to be included too. When men are under stress, it's well established that adrenaline increases and the usual response is "fight or flight" - it's programmed into the genes. Recent research at UCLA suggests that women under stress, by contrast, produce more oxytocin prompting them to "tend and befriend," thus making them well suited to the peace making process. (Did you know that the United Nations passed a resolution in October 2000 calling for the involvement of women in peace negotiations?) These are not new ideas - to sit in a circle, to listen, to speak the truth, even to "love" a culprit back into society (the Maori's ancient way helped inspire New Zealand's "restorative justice" movement) - but these ideas are being picked up and consciously used today for healing and renewal. If it's up to me, I say, this is worth a try - what have we got to lose? Lorraine Cook Ashland Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing