I haven't posted in awhile. Frankly, I have been wallowing in reading some pretty depressing material. Torture, cronyism, imperialism, war, death, civil war, terrorism, the selling of American politics, etc, etc....
It is depressing. We as a nation have endured way too much bad news over the past 5 years. We have become numb to it. This administration has tossed aside longstanding treaties with Russia, ignored our allies, launched a pre-emptive war - well 2, actually - made bad political appointments, bad legislation, bad choices for the courts. It has taken more power than any president ever - and that includes Nixon. It has ignored international law and allowed torture - encouraged it, actually. It has ignored the constitution and allowed the imprisonment of citizens and non-citizens without charge and without representation.
It has botched operations in hurricane regions, in wars, in rebuilding after wars and hurricanes. It has given billions of dollars to "contractors" who can't account for the money. We have "outsourced" everything, from help desks to fighting real wars. Jobs are lost and pensions are sacrificed and factories are closed and Walmarts are built.
In both houses of congress, the legislation is sold to the highest bidder. We no longer are a nation of the people by the people or for the people. We are a nation of the PAC, buy the legislator, and forgo any helpful legislation. We cut benefits to the poorest while giving money back to the rich. We have created a society where welfare goes to the Walton's of Walmart instead of Walton's of Walton Mountain.
Our legislature has sold us out for trips to Bermuda.
Where, America, is our outrage? Where is our demand for investigations? Why aren't we demanding that someone look into the sweet deals? Why do we not take the President to task for his manipulation of intelligence for a war? Why don't we care that prisoners are tortured? Why don't we care about prisoners who sit for years in Guantanamo without charge - sometimes without any actual wrongdoing? Does anyone remember that these prisoners came from Afghanistan? Does anyone remember Afghanistan?
Do we not realize that we have essentially caused a civil war in Iraq? Do we not realize that lives in Iraq were actually better under Hussein? Can't we see that democracy is failing there? And that if it does fail there, all credibility for the alleged push for democracy throughout the Arab world is lost?
Can't we see what we are doing to our image among the Islam world? We support Israel wholeheartedly even while they are taking more territory and subverting life for the Palestinians. We push the Palestinians for a free election and then cut off funding when they elect someone we don't like. Who the Hell do we think we are? I can see what the Arab world thinks we are. Is it any wonder they want to destroy us? Add to that a war against an Arab country (um, see how easy it is to forget Afghanistan - make that 2 Arab countries). And a suppression of democracy in the Gaza Strip. And attacks on Pakistan. And threats to Iran (hey, those people actually LIKE us).
And then there are the cartoons. We cry real tears over free press. Do we not have protests every time some offensive Jesus art or cartoon is published? Do we not march on theaters when they show something offensive to Christians? Do we not bomb abortion clinics? And howl about the "gay agenda"? OK, so the Islam nations threw stuff. Have we not thrown stuff? They set off bombs because that's the only thing they have. And then we throw a neo-nazi in jail for saying what he thought. Why is he in jail and the cartoonist isn't. Freedom of press should work both ways. Offensive to you. Offensive to me. If I ban one, I ban the other.
So, my message to America is THINK! INVESTIGATE! CHALLENGE! We have a constitution for a reason. There is separation of powers for a reason. We have treaties in the world for a reason. There is terrorism for a reason.
Our country is at stake here. Our "high moral ground" in the world. Our character. An election is coming up and we can actually do something about this. I'm not saying the Democrats are better than Republicans (altho I admit to agreeing with them more). I'm saying we NEED to have another party in congress to challenge what is happening in the white house. We NEED an independent court to compare what is being done in the congress and executive branches to our constitution. We need these protections not only to protect us from the abuse of power at the top, but also from the abuse of power of the people.
So, America, get out there and look beyond the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fox News, ABC/NBC/CBS. Get beyond press releases. Look it up. Find out what's really happening. DEMAND that someone do something to right wrongs.
Are we a country that can stand up with our heads held high, or are we a country who has no shame.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Saturday, January 07, 2006
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
The Good
Jimmy Carter is my hero. Some background. In 1976 at the ripe old age of 19 I voted for Jimmy Carter in my first election. I saw him give a speech early in the primary at U of I and was impressed by his intelligence and his ideas. I voted for him in the primary and then for president. He did some admirable things in his 4 years of presidency but I have to say at the time I didn't think he was a good president.
I voted for John Anderson in 1980. We got stuck with Ronald Reagan. What was I thinking???
For the next 25 years, Jimmy Carter has distinguished himself as the ultimate retiree. He built houses for the poor. He negotiated agreements in Korea, Israel, some Latin American countries. He oversaw free elections in countries that were previously dictatorships. He started the Carter Center that is involved in projects to alleviate global poverty and disease. He won a Nobel Peace prize. He is an amazingly energetic man who lives his beliefs.
He is one of two people I would like to have a conversation with.
Now he has a new book out, Our Endangered Values. I just finished it and found it to be a close mirror of my thoughts. Go out there. Buy it. Read it. He takes the current administration, the right wing of the Republican party, and the Christian Right to task for violating the values on which America was founded. Separation of church and state. Human rights. Rule of law. International treaties and conventions. And he does it with intelligence, logic, and a moral strength that is surprisingly missing from our current supposedly Christian administration. He prefaces all of his comments with an explanation of his faith and his values. It's not very long but it is very pointed.
If you are outraged at this administration's actions, read it. If you are somewhat uncomfortable, read it. If you have questions, read it. If you are a supporter, read it.
The Bad
Ooh boy are we gonna have some heads rolling this summer. Now that Jack Abramoff, the high rolling DC lobbyist, has pleaded guilty to a variety of wrongdoing and turned states evidence, many of our elected officials are sweating bullets. He bribed, cajoled, and junketed his way into many congressional offices to get things done. It seems that his work was mostly for the Republican Party, but Democrats are also known to have benefited from his largesse. And who was his mostest bestest friend? Why, Tom Delay of course. I think we'll start seeing indictments in the summer, just in time for mid-term elections.
I don't know if we can blame the current administration for the level of corruption in our national government. I think that any party in power is in danger of disreputable behavior. This seems to be as dirty as it gets and we are the direct victims of this corruption. Why do we need to drill in Alaska? Lobbyists say we do. Why should we relax environmental standards? Lobbyists say so. Why do we feel it necessary to cut taxes for the rich? Well, lobbyists tell us it'll help. Why is there pork in our budget? Lobbyists have asked for it. What about defense spending on projects that have no apparent value in the current global climate? Lobbyists. Why don't we worry about global warming? Lobbyists.
There's too much money going around in DC and the people with money - the lobbyists - are not representing your and my interests. And if lobbyists are the ones who have our representatives' ears, they aren't really our representatives, are they? I think we have gotten to the point where the haves - the small minority with money - have the influence. The middle class has very little influence and those who are at the bottom tier have none. Congress just passed cuts to benefits that help our poorest. And they are contemplating another tax cut for the richest. It is simple to see where the power is.
The Ugly
As I have said in the past, I am a Christian. I read the Bible. I was born again. Jesus Christ is my savior and died from my sins. I believe wholeheartedly. But there are times when I don't want to admit that.
We have one of those times now. Pat Robertson. He also professes to be a Christian. He has a national Christian TV show. When people who are not Christians think of what a Christian is, they think of Ned Flanders and Pat Robertson - a flake and a pharisee. I wrote awhile ago about how Pat Robertson wanted someone to assassinate Chavez, the President of Venezuela. Now he goes on TV and talks about Ariel Sharon's stroke. He admits to liking Sharon and praying with him. Then he goes on to say essentially that Sharon suffered a stroke because he negotiated with Palestinians and gave them their own homeland. Says that God is punishing anyone who divides Israel. Just like Rabin before him who was assassinated. Here's the clip: http://mediamatters.org/items/200601050004.
I'm again shocked and outraged that "Christian" leaders can say things like this. On national TV. With a large audience that believes everything they say. Can someone please expose this man for what he is? He is a bigot. A dangerous demagogue. A pharisee.
As I said, there are times when I don't want to admit being a Christian. Not if it means that I am associated with a dangerous bigot. I'll read my Bible and ponder Jesus' words about grace, peace, and wisdom. And I'll pray for others to have discernment and gain wisdom. And I'll try to have grace for people like Pat Robertson.
Jimmy Carter is my hero. Some background. In 1976 at the ripe old age of 19 I voted for Jimmy Carter in my first election. I saw him give a speech early in the primary at U of I and was impressed by his intelligence and his ideas. I voted for him in the primary and then for president. He did some admirable things in his 4 years of presidency but I have to say at the time I didn't think he was a good president.
I voted for John Anderson in 1980. We got stuck with Ronald Reagan. What was I thinking???
For the next 25 years, Jimmy Carter has distinguished himself as the ultimate retiree. He built houses for the poor. He negotiated agreements in Korea, Israel, some Latin American countries. He oversaw free elections in countries that were previously dictatorships. He started the Carter Center that is involved in projects to alleviate global poverty and disease. He won a Nobel Peace prize. He is an amazingly energetic man who lives his beliefs.
He is one of two people I would like to have a conversation with.
Now he has a new book out, Our Endangered Values. I just finished it and found it to be a close mirror of my thoughts. Go out there. Buy it. Read it. He takes the current administration, the right wing of the Republican party, and the Christian Right to task for violating the values on which America was founded. Separation of church and state. Human rights. Rule of law. International treaties and conventions. And he does it with intelligence, logic, and a moral strength that is surprisingly missing from our current supposedly Christian administration. He prefaces all of his comments with an explanation of his faith and his values. It's not very long but it is very pointed.
If you are outraged at this administration's actions, read it. If you are somewhat uncomfortable, read it. If you have questions, read it. If you are a supporter, read it.
The Bad
Ooh boy are we gonna have some heads rolling this summer. Now that Jack Abramoff, the high rolling DC lobbyist, has pleaded guilty to a variety of wrongdoing and turned states evidence, many of our elected officials are sweating bullets. He bribed, cajoled, and junketed his way into many congressional offices to get things done. It seems that his work was mostly for the Republican Party, but Democrats are also known to have benefited from his largesse. And who was his mostest bestest friend? Why, Tom Delay of course. I think we'll start seeing indictments in the summer, just in time for mid-term elections.
I don't know if we can blame the current administration for the level of corruption in our national government. I think that any party in power is in danger of disreputable behavior. This seems to be as dirty as it gets and we are the direct victims of this corruption. Why do we need to drill in Alaska? Lobbyists say we do. Why should we relax environmental standards? Lobbyists say so. Why do we feel it necessary to cut taxes for the rich? Well, lobbyists tell us it'll help. Why is there pork in our budget? Lobbyists have asked for it. What about defense spending on projects that have no apparent value in the current global climate? Lobbyists. Why don't we worry about global warming? Lobbyists.
There's too much money going around in DC and the people with money - the lobbyists - are not representing your and my interests. And if lobbyists are the ones who have our representatives' ears, they aren't really our representatives, are they? I think we have gotten to the point where the haves - the small minority with money - have the influence. The middle class has very little influence and those who are at the bottom tier have none. Congress just passed cuts to benefits that help our poorest. And they are contemplating another tax cut for the richest. It is simple to see where the power is.
The Ugly
As I have said in the past, I am a Christian. I read the Bible. I was born again. Jesus Christ is my savior and died from my sins. I believe wholeheartedly. But there are times when I don't want to admit that.
We have one of those times now. Pat Robertson. He also professes to be a Christian. He has a national Christian TV show. When people who are not Christians think of what a Christian is, they think of Ned Flanders and Pat Robertson - a flake and a pharisee. I wrote awhile ago about how Pat Robertson wanted someone to assassinate Chavez, the President of Venezuela. Now he goes on TV and talks about Ariel Sharon's stroke. He admits to liking Sharon and praying with him. Then he goes on to say essentially that Sharon suffered a stroke because he negotiated with Palestinians and gave them their own homeland. Says that God is punishing anyone who divides Israel. Just like Rabin before him who was assassinated. Here's the clip: http://mediamatters.org/items/200601050004.
I'm again shocked and outraged that "Christian" leaders can say things like this. On national TV. With a large audience that believes everything they say. Can someone please expose this man for what he is? He is a bigot. A dangerous demagogue. A pharisee.
As I said, there are times when I don't want to admit being a Christian. Not if it means that I am associated with a dangerous bigot. I'll read my Bible and ponder Jesus' words about grace, peace, and wisdom. And I'll pray for others to have discernment and gain wisdom. And I'll try to have grace for people like Pat Robertson.
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