This certainly stands as one of the more enlightened Repub statements:
“We certainly need diversity,” said Johanna Bees, a Republican committeewoman who spoke outside the city library. “But the school board had to consider qualifications first.” Ms. Bees paused and then added: “One of my gripes is that all these people should learn English. When they’re walking on the street and they’re jabbering in Spanish, it really annoys me.”
Regarding a recent Bethlehem, PA schoolboard appointment wherein a Hispanic candidate was not selected.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Rev. Wright
Rev. Wright spoke out … just like thousands of pastors do every weekend. He spoke to and from the African experience in America, an experience that other Americans can only dimly perceive.
Wherever I hear comments about “the people who moved here,” whether it be Detroit, Pittsburgh, or here in LA, I know racism remains a part of the American landscape and a part of the American psyche. The KKK remains active, and various white Aryan groups continue to pour out their hate-filled invective in print and the internet.
Were Wright’s remarks racist?
Of course they were … as are any remarks that paint in broad strokes and characterize an entire race by the example of the few.
But racist or not, Wright’s remarks convey a truth that’s hard to hear. Having lived in Detroit, America’s most thoroughly segregated city, I have learned too many stories of how the white infrastructure promoted and protected whites – in everything from housing loans to assistance with civil service exams for potential postal employees.
These are well-documented realities that have stained the conscience of our land even as they have conspired to sustain failure for African Americans.
But getting back to the pulpit … and the freedom of a pastor to speak her mind and heart on matters of substance that pertain to the gospel: love and justice, freedom and salvation, eternity and faith, all matters of sin – prejudice, bigotry, greed, lust, envy and pride.
I don’t know enough about Mr. Wright to weigh in on the whole of preaching; I’ve heard only snippets lifted from a few videos.
But I know that pastors around the country and around the world speak mind and heart, even as they address the sorrows and burdens of their community.
More to the point, conservative pulpits rarely hold back on their political rhetoric – namely the now-deceased Jerry Falwell and James D. Kennedy; James Dobson, the now-disgraced Ted Haggard and others continue to hammer away politically, preaching their vision of America and the Christian life, without apology or reserve, soundly condemning those who suggest alternatives, labeling folks like me as servants of Satan and deceivers of God’s people. If surprise and chagrin is the mode of the day, let’s be surprised and chagrined by the conservative pulpits around the land.
The response to Wright, for me, is clearly tinged with racism, as if white America is surprised that an African American would hold these views and make them public. And to hold Barack Obama somehow responsible for this is just ludicrous, and demanding that Obama repudiate Wright in the strongest terms is cruel.
Obama has distanced himself from Wright and has instead focused on the positive developments within American history for the African American. Obama’s speech highlighted his positive convictions, yet at the same time, touched the painful wound of racism in the American soul.
Indeed, we have come a long way, and for that we can be grateful to God.
But let’s be savvy, let’s be faithful – there is much work to be done. Wherever prejudice of any kind raises its ugly head, let us lift higher the name of Christ and with His light, illumine the darkness that always finds some new expression in our national soul.
Turing fully to Christ, we no longer consider anyone from a physical point of view – we only see children of God!
Wherever I hear comments about “the people who moved here,” whether it be Detroit, Pittsburgh, or here in LA, I know racism remains a part of the American landscape and a part of the American psyche. The KKK remains active, and various white Aryan groups continue to pour out their hate-filled invective in print and the internet.
Were Wright’s remarks racist?
Of course they were … as are any remarks that paint in broad strokes and characterize an entire race by the example of the few.
But racist or not, Wright’s remarks convey a truth that’s hard to hear. Having lived in Detroit, America’s most thoroughly segregated city, I have learned too many stories of how the white infrastructure promoted and protected whites – in everything from housing loans to assistance with civil service exams for potential postal employees.
These are well-documented realities that have stained the conscience of our land even as they have conspired to sustain failure for African Americans.
But getting back to the pulpit … and the freedom of a pastor to speak her mind and heart on matters of substance that pertain to the gospel: love and justice, freedom and salvation, eternity and faith, all matters of sin – prejudice, bigotry, greed, lust, envy and pride.
I don’t know enough about Mr. Wright to weigh in on the whole of preaching; I’ve heard only snippets lifted from a few videos.
But I know that pastors around the country and around the world speak mind and heart, even as they address the sorrows and burdens of their community.
More to the point, conservative pulpits rarely hold back on their political rhetoric – namely the now-deceased Jerry Falwell and James D. Kennedy; James Dobson, the now-disgraced Ted Haggard and others continue to hammer away politically, preaching their vision of America and the Christian life, without apology or reserve, soundly condemning those who suggest alternatives, labeling folks like me as servants of Satan and deceivers of God’s people. If surprise and chagrin is the mode of the day, let’s be surprised and chagrined by the conservative pulpits around the land.
The response to Wright, for me, is clearly tinged with racism, as if white America is surprised that an African American would hold these views and make them public. And to hold Barack Obama somehow responsible for this is just ludicrous, and demanding that Obama repudiate Wright in the strongest terms is cruel.
Obama has distanced himself from Wright and has instead focused on the positive developments within American history for the African American. Obama’s speech highlighted his positive convictions, yet at the same time, touched the painful wound of racism in the American soul.
Indeed, we have come a long way, and for that we can be grateful to God.
But let’s be savvy, let’s be faithful – there is much work to be done. Wherever prejudice of any kind raises its ugly head, let us lift higher the name of Christ and with His light, illumine the darkness that always finds some new expression in our national soul.
Turing fully to Christ, we no longer consider anyone from a physical point of view – we only see children of God!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Leave Iraq?
When American forces left Vietnam, dire warnings were issued, none, and I say NONE, of which came true.
Remembering that we and the Western powers have meddled in the Middle East since the breakup of the Ottoman Empire after WW1, that we drew the boundaries and have tried, in various ways, to control that part of that world because of its oil, when we will learn that the people of the Middle East will likely resolve their issues and create their own stability much as Vietnam and Southeast Asia did.
We're no longer the dominant power in this world - war is too expensive to mount global domination, other powers fund and encourage resistance, and the greatest power in the world is powerless against a determined underground. Though we call them terrorists, are they not fighting for self-determination, the very thing that fueled the American Revolution. And, by the way, I wonder what the British called us when we fired on them from behind trees and then melted away into the countryside?
Can we leave Iraq?
Of course we can.
Will there be turmoil?
Certainly, but turmoil is already the daily agenda in this beleaguered land. As long as we're there, it'll not improve; American soldiers will continue to die, along with thousands of civilians and militia members.
Only by extricating ourselves and staying out can the peoples and nations of the Middle East have a chance to chart their own estiny and rise to the occasion.
American, McCain and Bush - hubris has characterized our ambitions, and it's time for a new policy wherein we take our place among the nation-states of the world, manage our own household and work all the more through diplomacy.
America could and should be a moral leader!
Time to put the sabers away!
Remembering that we and the Western powers have meddled in the Middle East since the breakup of the Ottoman Empire after WW1, that we drew the boundaries and have tried, in various ways, to control that part of that world because of its oil, when we will learn that the people of the Middle East will likely resolve their issues and create their own stability much as Vietnam and Southeast Asia did.
We're no longer the dominant power in this world - war is too expensive to mount global domination, other powers fund and encourage resistance, and the greatest power in the world is powerless against a determined underground. Though we call them terrorists, are they not fighting for self-determination, the very thing that fueled the American Revolution. And, by the way, I wonder what the British called us when we fired on them from behind trees and then melted away into the countryside?
Can we leave Iraq?
Of course we can.
Will there be turmoil?
Certainly, but turmoil is already the daily agenda in this beleaguered land. As long as we're there, it'll not improve; American soldiers will continue to die, along with thousands of civilians and militia members.
Only by extricating ourselves and staying out can the peoples and nations of the Middle East have a chance to chart their own estiny and rise to the occasion.
American, McCain and Bush - hubris has characterized our ambitions, and it's time for a new policy wherein we take our place among the nation-states of the world, manage our own household and work all the more through diplomacy.
America could and should be a moral leader!
Time to put the sabers away!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Vietnam Again?
If Bush re-fought his Daddy's war, will McCain re-fight his Vietnam?
Does he believe we "lost" Vietnam because politics and politicians interfered with the military?
Does he see an opportunity in Iraq to "redeem" himself and the military?
Will "hothead McCain" embark upon foolish adventures to flex his muscles and exercise some goofy notion of American military might?
Is McCain a threat to peace?
Does he believe we "lost" Vietnam because politics and politicians interfered with the military?
Does he see an opportunity in Iraq to "redeem" himself and the military?
Will "hothead McCain" embark upon foolish adventures to flex his muscles and exercise some goofy notion of American military might?
Is McCain a threat to peace?
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Medicare Threatened
So says Bush.
Billions for his war, but nothing for the people.
As for his gang, all rich, what do they care?
This has been a cruel and heartless presidency. As for the compassionate conservatism, nothing but Orwellian double speak.
Sad beyond description.
Billions for his war, but nothing for the people.
As for his gang, all rich, what do they care?
This has been a cruel and heartless presidency. As for the compassionate conservatism, nothing but Orwellian double speak.
Sad beyond description.
Monday, March 24, 2008
4000
4000 soldiers dead ... and how many families devastated, and how many more lives ruined by the emotional ravages of war? And how many Iraqi citizens and private contractors?
Thank you Mr. Bush. You must be very proud.
This shameful undertaking, gutting our national treasury, spoiling our international reputation, and unbalancing the already difficult Middle East - quite a record, Mr. President. Along with all the other follies of your administration, you will go down as our worst president, and it will take years, I'm afraid, for this great nation to recover its balance, its reputation and heal the wounds you have inflicted.
I'm sure you're a good decent man, and your family loves you.
But you were either bilked by the neo-cons or in league with them from the beginning, and if you were in league with them, no wonder your father maintained his distance.
I believe the American armed forces to be some of the best in the world, but no army can long be an occupier in such a volatile region. History is filled with the tragic stories of empires who tried and failed to conquer large territories. Rome lasted longer than all of them, or maybe the Holy Roman Empire, but long before they fell, they were unraveling on the borders, and then from within. The human spirit is such that it cannot be long be conquered by a foreign power. It's a lesson taught by history but ignored by powerful nations.
I love the land of the free. I am a grateful American, but I know too much to blindly support every policy, and I know too much to trust every president, especially one who entered office questionably and then found himself the beneficiary of 9/11, a card he and his Repub strategists have played well and played to the max.
4000 lives lost in a failed policy now championed by McCain.
Shall it be 8000?
10,000?
A slow bleed?
How many more lives for this foolish and unsustainable policy?
Now is the time to end our folly, admit our wrong (which will never happen, because there are just too many blind patriots who believe that we can do no wrong, and that our every adventure is one of purity and good will), and bring our soldiers homes.
Now is the time to rebuild our economy, to become the moral leader of the world when it comes to compassion and justice.
And to be utterly practical - to pay attention to China, who grows larger and more influential as we speak, while we fritter away our national resources in a wild goose chase.
The world is always dangerous, and we need to be wise, and if current events mean anything at all, we would be wise to look to the Far East rather than the Middle East.
Ah well ... so it goes.
Thank you Mr. Bush. You must be very proud.
This shameful undertaking, gutting our national treasury, spoiling our international reputation, and unbalancing the already difficult Middle East - quite a record, Mr. President. Along with all the other follies of your administration, you will go down as our worst president, and it will take years, I'm afraid, for this great nation to recover its balance, its reputation and heal the wounds you have inflicted.
I'm sure you're a good decent man, and your family loves you.
But you were either bilked by the neo-cons or in league with them from the beginning, and if you were in league with them, no wonder your father maintained his distance.
I believe the American armed forces to be some of the best in the world, but no army can long be an occupier in such a volatile region. History is filled with the tragic stories of empires who tried and failed to conquer large territories. Rome lasted longer than all of them, or maybe the Holy Roman Empire, but long before they fell, they were unraveling on the borders, and then from within. The human spirit is such that it cannot be long be conquered by a foreign power. It's a lesson taught by history but ignored by powerful nations.
I love the land of the free. I am a grateful American, but I know too much to blindly support every policy, and I know too much to trust every president, especially one who entered office questionably and then found himself the beneficiary of 9/11, a card he and his Repub strategists have played well and played to the max.
4000 lives lost in a failed policy now championed by McCain.
Shall it be 8000?
10,000?
A slow bleed?
How many more lives for this foolish and unsustainable policy?
Now is the time to end our folly, admit our wrong (which will never happen, because there are just too many blind patriots who believe that we can do no wrong, and that our every adventure is one of purity and good will), and bring our soldiers homes.
Now is the time to rebuild our economy, to become the moral leader of the world when it comes to compassion and justice.
And to be utterly practical - to pay attention to China, who grows larger and more influential as we speak, while we fritter away our national resources in a wild goose chase.
The world is always dangerous, and we need to be wise, and if current events mean anything at all, we would be wise to look to the Far East rather than the Middle East.
Ah well ... so it goes.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Good Friday, 2008
McCain is scarier than ever - he's selling his soul to the neo-cons and theo-cons to win their votes and create a place for himself in history. His recent tour of Iraq was the most pretentious thing I've witnessed - pretending to be Bush! A tank-riding Dukakis moment if there's ever been one!
As for Hillary and O'Bama, has their talk calmed down a bit?
Attacking each other as they've been doing will only harm either of their chances to win in November.
What a dilemma.
And now that a revote in Michigan seems unlikely, and who knows what will happen with Florida, the Dems have got to get their house in order.
I oscillate between Hillary and O'Bama ... time will tell - we've got to stop the bleeding of the American military in Iraq, we have to find ways to re-center our market economy with a firm moral partnership with government in order to sustain and enlarge the middle class, universal health care is the only option, and we still have to clean our own house on race, gender and sexual orientation.
And for folks like Rush Limbaugh, James Dobson and Pat Robertson - tell 'em to take a hike to the far side of the moon.
They fail on the side of love - they play upon our fears and heighten our anxiety, adding further fuel to the anger gripping our society.
We can do better; we must do better. It's time to rebuild America and find our soul again.
As for Hillary and O'Bama, has their talk calmed down a bit?
Attacking each other as they've been doing will only harm either of their chances to win in November.
What a dilemma.
And now that a revote in Michigan seems unlikely, and who knows what will happen with Florida, the Dems have got to get their house in order.
I oscillate between Hillary and O'Bama ... time will tell - we've got to stop the bleeding of the American military in Iraq, we have to find ways to re-center our market economy with a firm moral partnership with government in order to sustain and enlarge the middle class, universal health care is the only option, and we still have to clean our own house on race, gender and sexual orientation.
And for folks like Rush Limbaugh, James Dobson and Pat Robertson - tell 'em to take a hike to the far side of the moon.
They fail on the side of love - they play upon our fears and heighten our anxiety, adding further fuel to the anger gripping our society.
We can do better; we must do better. It's time to rebuild America and find our soul again.
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