Time is Running Out     

   It may be too late for peace, but those who challenge the conventional wisdom of conflict hold out hope, against all odds.

   For the past 365 days, peacemakers have focused on border security, statistical methodology and quantitative methods while studying the playbooks of war. While others point to a decline in visible public support, they find optimism about war and violence troubling.

   They explore data, hoping to discover evidence that suppression of conflict is reality. "The data simply doesn't support the 'decline of war thesis,'" they lament. 

   Mere hours remain. 

   Conflict initiation leads to collision, and there is no significant change in the intensity of this particular warfare. One kick is all it takes to ignite the battle.

   Academic cooperation doesn't imply a decrease in warlike behavior, they say. Nor is there evidence that improvements in young men's behavior have altered their passion for victory. 

   To understand the dilemma, one must understand the nature of order. The goal of antagonists is paramount. In fact, there are two goals, where lines are drawn in the sand, or more accurately, grass. 

   Quick, get the kids safely inside. 

   The human race has the capacity to reject violence, but finding common ground is difficult. In this case, there is no common ground.

   Each foe is intent on doing what's right, and will resort to force to achieve short-term gains. 

   Unless mature officials somehow prevent certain mayhem, war will break out Saturday at noon between combatants of Ohio State and Michigan, on a battlefield known as the "Shoe." 

      Jimmy