If you are a new visitor to the Willie Nelson Peace Research Institute website, allow us introduce you to Willie Nelson‘s “A Peaceful Solution” project. Three years counting with almost 300 unique videos and mp3 soundtracks from all over the world, we continue to have folks making videos with soundtracks from Willie Nelson (we have 5) and all our other artists’ original mp3 versions as well as singing their own version of Willie Nelson‘s “A Peaceful Solution.”

Forest J. Handford decided it was time for him to make a stand and be heard. He’s created a compelling straight from the heart video using Willie Nelson and Family’s free mp3 download of “A Peaceful Solution.”

How appropriate Forest chose Willie Nelson and Family’s version since he himself is a grandfather and understands the enormous problems future generations will inherit. The Iroquois gave us Seven generation sustainability, the compass to judge whether the consequences from our decisions will benefit or harm the seventh generation.

Now what would happen if we each took the responsibility to act in accordance with the concept of Seven generation sustainability?

We wish to thank Forest J. Handford for sharing his vision of peace with us. By taking responsibility and acting, he demonstrates one individual can have significant impact.

Please feel free to stay awhile and check our “A Peaceful Solution” video page. You’ll find a great diversity of artistic expression with a strong unified chorus for A Peaceful Solution.

Will you add your voice to Willie Nelson‘s “A Peaceful Solution” project?

* * * * Artist’s Statement * * * * *

My peace activism started when I was in middle school, at the start of the first Gulf war.  I felt we had no right to interfere with the politics of the gulf.  I attended a peace rally in Providence, and a Quaker vigil.  During this time I attended a yellow ribbon rally.  My outfits in this period were regularly accessorized with a pin that said, “No blood for oil”, and a yellow ribbon wrapped around the US flag.  During the rally there was an open microphone which a person used to demean the people who attended the peace rally.  This person stated that the peace rally, which I had attended, disrespected the troops fighting.  I found this alarming since I supported the troops and wished for their safety. I have always understood that we need our military to follow orders.  My issues were with the commander-in-chief, not the soldiers.

When I turned 18, I filed as a conscientious objector with help from the Quakers.  While I have some Quaker ancestry, I attend a Unitarian Universalist church (Channing Memorial of Newport).  Generally speaking, my spiritual beliefs are considered Humanist.

After 9/11 I understood our country was hurt, and knew that it would be near impossible to prevent the war with Afghanistan.  However, when Bush turned his attention to Iraq, I spoke against it. While I did not expect the occupation of Iraq to have such a destabilizing effect on the region, I again, felt we had no right to intervene.  It is absolutely hypocritical for the country with the most WMDs on earth to invade another sovereign country for trying to develop their own defenses.

As a father, I fear the world we are creating for our children.  Our children should inherit our solutions, not our problems. Our country is perpetuating hatred, which could lead to more danger here at home.  I also worry that my children might join the military, possibly because of the draft.

I created a series of Green Pirate videos to promote green energy and conservation.  The intention was to fight climate change while reducing the impact of peak oil.  Instead of pushing for governmental change, I wanted to show people how they could make their own impactful changes.  Each episode gives tips, and shows why the tips are useful.  The series even looks at how some of the common green ideas can actually hurt the earth, like the danger that mercury in CFLs poses.

While I have been against the war since Al-Qaeda left Afghanistan, I did not expect the war to end until Bush left office.  The Democrats ran a peace campaign, which the recent troop surge betrayed, and so I have decided it is time to take a stand against the war.  I plan to make at least two more videos.  One video will focus on the military-industrial-congressional complex.  The other video will have interviews showing people’s views about the war.