That Most Important Underlying 'Social Contract'

GOP Debate Audience Behavior Magnifies Divide

The divide in America is deepening. A continued sluggish economy, high unemployment, a divisive media, more access to information, a black President, a growing sense of bitterness in those on the far extremes, are just some of the reasons and indications. The audience behavior at the Republicans debates is both indicative of the growing divide and should be a source of great concern to all of us.

In last night's debate, the audience booed a video of a gay soldier serving in Iraq who has 'come out' after repeal of DADT. In the California debate at the Reagan Library, the audience applauded mention of the high number of executions in Texas and Rick Perry's support of the death penalty. In the Tampa, CNN-Tea Party Express debate, the audience cheered to idea of letting a 30-year old uninsured man die without care. Videos of all of those are available on Youtube.

I do not think we can solve the economic problems of America until we are better able to sit down around the table of humanity and respect our differences. I am strongly on the opposite side of those Republican audiences on the three issues mentioned above (and I feel repulsed by the audience response). Even so, it is value of mine to try and respect the attitude, values, opinions, and beliefs of others. But as extreme and vehement as these Republicans positions are, it would make it difficult for me to negotiate in good faith around economic issues with these people. I know that is likely the case in Congress.

The answer evades me. I hate to sound 'old', but I have never seen it like this. I suggest both sides do intense self-examination, but that Republicans, in particular, look to their inner being, to their core, to "the better angels of their nature", to higher level instincts. I suggest they not build their arguments, priorities, and passions around the issue of money and economics. Those material and financial solutions will follow a deeper commitment to higher level human and spiritual principles.

There's a great Navajo proverb which says: "We're living in the middle of 7 generations, three behind us (parents, grandparents, great grandparents), and three ahead of us (children, grandchildren, great grandchildren). Everything we do should be measured against ,'will it honor the ancestors', and, 'will it serve the children'." Please, let's wake up as a human family.

An Ideological War Continues

The debt crisis, jobs, and economic policy are tools and weapons in the war. America continues to be stuck in an ideological / cultural war for control.......control in order to develop the agenda, to set the priorities, direct the discussion, appoint the Supreme Court vacancies, etc.

In times past, small, fringe groups of Americans made noise, but large majorities agreed on goals, objectives, and direction for America. Now very large percentages of Americans are polarized, unyielding, and divided by ideological differences.

President Obama was elected on the "Change and Hope" mantra. His theme of "Yes We Can" is appearing virtually impossible to realize in the face of fierce, uncompromising, ideological opposition from the Tea Party, which, in my view, would take America back to a time of social injustice, unfairness, and extreme inequity among groups of Americans. They would abandon values which have made America unique and great.

Thank God, I honestly do not see this happening. I see a continued struggle, but one which, at some point, will begin to tact back in the direction of a mainstream America, whose principles, founded on strong Judeo Christian roots*, will once again be characterized by a sense of goodness, fairness, compassion, and the common good.

*The basic concept of our Judeo-Christian roots implies that the laws, love, and compassion of God forms the basis for good human law.

John Adams, February 22, 1756:

"Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their law book, and every member would regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obligated in conscious to temperance, frugality and industry; to justice , kindness, and charity toward his fellow man; and to piety, love and reverence toward Almighty God.... What a Eutopia, what a Paradise would this region be."

Grandpa Elliot & Oscar Castro - "Only You" New Orleans Street Music

Such good New Orleans street music. New Orleans is city filled with such rich history and culture. Enjoy!

The Royal Wedding

The Royal Wedding was impressive. The British are to be commended for continuing the tradition of the monarchy, a meaningful link to the past. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, to one day become the King and Queen of England, are delightful and impressive.

Picture of the Day - Only In America

Only in The United States of America could this cute, bi-racial little boy, raised by this young, lovely, single mother shown, become President.

(Barack Obama and his Mother).

The Great Jim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe may very well have been the greatest athlete of the 20th Century. Thorpe won medals in the 1912 Olympics for the pentatheon and the decathlon, played collegiate and professional football, and professional baseball and basketball. He lost his Olympic medals and titles due to his participation in semi-pro baseball for two summers in Rocky Mount NC, thus violating amateurism rules.

It was said that college players back then regularly played professionally in the summer, but most used alias, unlike Thorpe. Although he was of Native American and European ancestry, he was raised as an American Indian. It has been often suggested that he was lost his medals due to his ethnicity. At the time Thorpe own his medals, not all Native Americans were considered American citizens.

During his time at Carlisle School, an industrial school in Pennsylvania for Native Americans, student ethnicity was heavily marketed. Sporting events were described as Indians against Whites, and headlines often contained such comments as "Indians scalp Army 27-6", "Thorpe on Rampage", and "Redskin Will Strive for Spot in Olympics". Supporters of Thorpe over the years attempted to have his medals reinstated.

In October of 1982, the IOC approved Thorpe's reinstatement. In a ceremony on January 13, 1983, the IOC presented Thorpe's children with commemorative medals. The Jim Thorpe Foundation was established and gained support of the U. S. Congress. In 1999, the Associated Press placed Thorpe third on a list of the top athletes of the 20th Century, behind Babe Ruth and Michael Jordan.

Above is a photo of Thorpe coming to bat at The Polo Grounds playing for the New York Giants in 1925.