Living well as a counter terrorism tool

Mind Body Health
Host: Dr. Richard L. Miller
National Public Radio Affiliate
KZYX & Z
88.1 90.7 91.5 FM Radio
Mendocino County Public Broadcasting
on your computer @ KZYX.org




Terrorism is the systematic use of terror as a coercive tool. Terrorism is for most part a psychological tactic.
Terrorism is a term used to describe violence or other harmful acts committed (or threatened) against civilians by groups or persons for political or ideological goals.[1] Most definitions of terrorism include only those acts which are intended to create fear or "terror," are perpetrated for an ideological goal, and deliberately target "non-combatants."

As a form of unconventional warfare, terrorism is sometimes used when attempting to force political change by: convincing a government or population to agree to demands to avoid future harm or fear of harm.
The best example of terrorism we have at the present time is Iraq. Recent polls indicate that the average Iraq citizen lives in a constant state of fear.

One way of combating terrorism is living a healthy life. For citizens living in Iraq this is obviously easier said then done for an essential aspect of being healthy is living without fear. It is challenging to live without fear when even going out of ones home can result in kidnapping or death. For Americans living healthy is a different kind of challenge. In our country the biggest health problem we presently face is the symptom manifested in 2/3rds of our population being overweight or obese. What is causing this? What does it mean? Why are 2/3rds of us severely jeopardizing our lives, one could say terrorizing ourselves, by carrying so much excess weight? Do you have ideas on this topic?

Health and politics are inextricably connected for, to a certain extent, the health and health practices of a country are determined by its politics. Our government decides issues such as who receives medical, Medicare, SSI and other sources of funding. Our government decides which diseases to fund research for. Our government decides what medicines to make available, our governement decides which farmers to subsidize, and on and on. But our government is not in charge of what our iindividual health practices are. For those who are able to grow food in their gardens the government does not rule what food is available.

Many citizens may choose to exercise and stay fit. A large percentage of the population are able to get adequate rest at night. The healing power of laughter is possible for many. The best treatment for illness is prevention. But health is neither a given nor an entitlement. Good health is something we must work for. But how do we do the work? Everyone knows that healthy food, exercise, rest are essential yet few of us put it all together into a package which makes for optimum health. Why is this the case? What makes establishing and maintaining health practices so difficult? What are you doing to practice health? Please tell me about your thoughts on this subject.

Remember if you are angry about what the terrorists are doing to create fear on our planet: Living well is the best revenge.