Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
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."
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."
Saturday, May 14, 2011
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!
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