New York, September 21, 2007 – Just before the United Nations General Assembly gathered in New York City, bringing traffic snarls and noisy protest marches, the organization marked world peace day with the annual ringing of the peace bell ceremony.

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon rang the peace bell as U. N. messengers of peace Michael Douglas, primatologist Jane Goodall, author Elie Wiesel and new recruit Princess Haya of Jordan looked on.  Ban’s performance was flawless, because U.N. sources told us that he entered the peace garden early that morning to rehearse the simple task.