The land that later came to be called Palestine was first inhabited as early as 9,000 years ago. The city of Jericho, a few miles north of the Dead Sea and west of the Jordan River, is reported to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. Canaan (the Biblical name for Palestine) later became inhabited by Semitic tribes from the inner Arabian Peninsula.
The shocking September 11 attacks on U.S. symbols of capitalism (the World Trade Center) and its indispensable military protector (the Pentagon) caused tragic loss of life, provoking deep feelings of grief and anger here and abroad. Equally intense feelings of grief and rage have been experienced by hundreds of millions of people in numerous countries for decades due to a historic pattern of U.S. interventionist policies generally unknown to our public. Will we be able to also feel their pain?
Though this introductory section ostensibly has little to do with the contemporary situation in Korea, in fact it is very important for understanding the rich history and unity of the Korean culture. For as we are beginning to realize more and more, the presence of the past is always here. Everything is related to everything. We can only ignore this principle at our own peril, which in turn robs us of the incredibly profound input of a vast sea of indispensable wisdom.
VETERAN MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION:
James Gary Campbell
Korean War (Army)
Presbyterian Church (USA) minister (ret.)
VFP member at large
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