There is no sense and no sanity in objecting to the desecration of the flag while tolerating and justifying and encouraging as a daily business the desecration of the country for which it stands
..."Waste," Wendell Berry, 1989
We've just a little over a month until the election--an election that is, arguably, one of the most pivotal this nation has faced.
The quote above is included in an anthology of essays by Wendell Barry, a noted agroecologist (albeit before the term was coined). To me, it sums up some of the imbalances and overreactions we see during the campaign season. Why is it that we get worked up over a flag pin rather than noting the true offenses being made within this country?
I'm not a huge patriot. Yet this quote resonates. Why are we focused on the tiniest details rather than that which impacts us the most? Our nation is sending out a horrible reflection right now. Most of the world sees us as incompetent, lazy, childish and unwilling to compromise. Our economy is racing against itself to hit rock bottom. We're refusing to surrender our pride or our desire for "stuff" in order to create a more sustainable future.
In the midst of all this, we have a woman running for vice-president who has never been involved in high-level foreign policy meetings, who cannot name more than one Supreme Court case, who can't even name a newspaper she reads--she is on the ballot as the person who will step up if the president dies while in office.
This is not a joke. This is not a time to play politics. We are desecrating our nation with this absurdity. Sarah Palin is not fit to lead. John McCain knows it. Anyone within the political arena knows it. Everyone reading the news knows it. I'm fairly sure even Ms Palin knows it.
The United States is in crisis, economic, environmental, foreign affairs, and more. Why are we wasting our time ferreting out the inadequacies of our potential leaders rather than standing up and finding the solutions?
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
I act as one, but I'm not alone
As I searched through my memory bank of song lyrics (read: my twenty-six page and growing compilation) it occurred to me how many fit with my thoughts about the state of this nation...and my thoughts to those who might be apathetic.
We have 43 days left until 11/04/08.
Hey now, the past is told by those who win, my darling
What matters is what hasn't been
Hey now, we're wide-awake and we're thinking
My darling, believe your voice can mean something
...Futures, Jimmy Eat World
While cynics might say that there is very little difference between the parties, in this case, there is a distinct difference between the candidates.
Suicide's easy, what happened to the revolution?
...Berlin, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
It's silly to think that voting for Obama means a revolution. But it's as close as we've come in over forty years. To vote Democrat this year is to say that we're fed up with the policies of the last eight years--to say that those policies are not working, that our economy is in shambles and our foreign policies are a joke. One small step toward a revolution, perhaps.
We stumble up and down the concrete
Led by distraction, the empty attraction keeps us blind
Never intending for the complete
Like shadows and alleyways, the unknown continues biding time
...Crazy 8s, Mae
How easy it is for us to ignore the current turmoil in our nation. We have a number of distractions--reality television, the advent of football season, contemplating our Halloween costumes. So many shiny, glittery toys, and so why would we bother to spend time thinking about the possibly dreary and dismal future?
Watch what you say, they'll be calling you a radical
A liberal.
Fanatical.
A criminal.
...The Logical Song, Supertramp
Radical. Why does it have such a negative connotation?
"A person who advocates fundamental political, economic, and social reforms by direct and often uncompromising methods." (dictionary.com)
This country has to change. We're choking ourselves. We're bringing ourselves down from the inside. To stand up and say that it is time for fundamental change, for a deep change that comes from below and rises up into all levels of society, why, that shouldn't be regarded as negative.
I sat and pondered last week as someone prayed about the upcoming election. He prayed that we might be spared, once again, the onslaught of immorality in this country. It's time to remove ourself from the mindset that immorality might mean someone who is pro-choice, or someone who wouldn't sign a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Immorality is the Bush Doctrine (and choosing a VP who is uncertain what that doctrine even means) Immorality is lying to the voters about the economy being in tip-top shape. Immorality is pretending to support sustainability while lining your pockets with oil donations. Be radical. Advocate fundamental change.
Why not try something new, and when the barbarians arrive here at your gate
Treat us not with fear and hate
For we come not to conquer, or be rude
But to raise a glass and say, "Salud!"
...Jack vs Jose, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers
I trust my readers are smart enough to figure this one out.
43 days.
Are you registered to vote?
If you're not currently residing in the state in which you are registered, have you requested your absentee ballot?
Are you tuning into the news--and by news I mean seeking out plenty of stories, not just news from one station?
Are you talking with friends, family, community members about this election?
43 days.
We have 43 days left until 11/04/08.
Hey now, the past is told by those who win, my darling
What matters is what hasn't been
Hey now, we're wide-awake and we're thinking
My darling, believe your voice can mean something
...Futures, Jimmy Eat World
While cynics might say that there is very little difference between the parties, in this case, there is a distinct difference between the candidates.
Suicide's easy, what happened to the revolution?
...Berlin, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
It's silly to think that voting for Obama means a revolution. But it's as close as we've come in over forty years. To vote Democrat this year is to say that we're fed up with the policies of the last eight years--to say that those policies are not working, that our economy is in shambles and our foreign policies are a joke. One small step toward a revolution, perhaps.
We stumble up and down the concrete
Led by distraction, the empty attraction keeps us blind
Never intending for the complete
Like shadows and alleyways, the unknown continues biding time
...Crazy 8s, Mae
How easy it is for us to ignore the current turmoil in our nation. We have a number of distractions--reality television, the advent of football season, contemplating our Halloween costumes. So many shiny, glittery toys, and so why would we bother to spend time thinking about the possibly dreary and dismal future?
Watch what you say, they'll be calling you a radical
A liberal.
Fanatical.
A criminal.
...The Logical Song, Supertramp
Radical. Why does it have such a negative connotation?
"A person who advocates fundamental political, economic, and social reforms by direct and often uncompromising methods." (dictionary.com)
This country has to change. We're choking ourselves. We're bringing ourselves down from the inside. To stand up and say that it is time for fundamental change, for a deep change that comes from below and rises up into all levels of society, why, that shouldn't be regarded as negative.
I sat and pondered last week as someone prayed about the upcoming election. He prayed that we might be spared, once again, the onslaught of immorality in this country. It's time to remove ourself from the mindset that immorality might mean someone who is pro-choice, or someone who wouldn't sign a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Immorality is the Bush Doctrine (and choosing a VP who is uncertain what that doctrine even means) Immorality is lying to the voters about the economy being in tip-top shape. Immorality is pretending to support sustainability while lining your pockets with oil donations. Be radical. Advocate fundamental change.
Why not try something new, and when the barbarians arrive here at your gate
Treat us not with fear and hate
For we come not to conquer, or be rude
But to raise a glass and say, "Salud!"
...Jack vs Jose, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers
I trust my readers are smart enough to figure this one out.
43 days.
Are you registered to vote?
If you're not currently residing in the state in which you are registered, have you requested your absentee ballot?
Are you tuning into the news--and by news I mean seeking out plenty of stories, not just news from one station?
Are you talking with friends, family, community members about this election?
43 days.
Monday, March 24, 2008
But I'm getting better at fighting the future
They say that there are two topics not to discuss in polite company: religion and politics. I say it's time to shatter that accepted belief and jump right in. Now is not the time to be silent when speaking with friends and family about our politics, or about the way that our faith shapes our politics.
I know that many of my circle are John McCain supporters. This seems to be for a variety of reasons--he appears honest, he is supposedly a maverick, he is the Republican candidate and the Republican Party is the party of moral values. But the major problem with McCain is that he won't be a candidate that chooses life. John McCain has already made it clear that he is not only willing to continue the long slog in Iraq, but is ready for war with Iran as well. He is a supporter of free trade, a free trade that continues to hold down the most impoverished citizens of the world. He made clear in a recent interview that he is not interested in pursuing renewable energy or strict fuel economy standards.
Many of these points have been noted in a previous blog. What I'm saying here is that it's time for us all to examine what it really means to live our faith. Our faith should dictate each and every piece of our lives. I'm aware that this is difficult, oh so difficult, but for goodness' sake, for God's sake, please, please incorporate it into your voting.
From the earliest Old Testament Jubilee years to the prophets crying for justice to Jesus' teachings on "the least of these", it is clear that a belief in God should propel us to call for a change in the policies of the US. Justice means an end to preemptive war. Justice requires a call for fairer trade and development policies that allow the 2/3s of the world living on $2 a day a chance at a life in which they don't worry each day about how they will eat. Justice is caring for our planet so that we don't degrade the soils, pollute the water and flood our cities.
Yes, these are concepts that we can all work toward through our private lives, through our churches and through community organizations. But our churches aren't the ones that sign off on war (most were against the Iraq invasion), our churches can't pledge billions for international development (although we can buy pigs for Haiti), our churches can't impose carbon caps or fuel economy standards. We have a chance to change our country, and through our country the world, but it has to come from both directions--it must come from the grassroots, populist movement, and it must come from the top, from leaders and an administration with courage to look beyond our borders and beyond today.
----------------
Now playing: Jimmy Eat World - Dizzy
via FoxyTunes
I know that many of my circle are John McCain supporters. This seems to be for a variety of reasons--he appears honest, he is supposedly a maverick, he is the Republican candidate and the Republican Party is the party of moral values. But the major problem with McCain is that he won't be a candidate that chooses life. John McCain has already made it clear that he is not only willing to continue the long slog in Iraq, but is ready for war with Iran as well. He is a supporter of free trade, a free trade that continues to hold down the most impoverished citizens of the world. He made clear in a recent interview that he is not interested in pursuing renewable energy or strict fuel economy standards.
Many of these points have been noted in a previous blog. What I'm saying here is that it's time for us all to examine what it really means to live our faith. Our faith should dictate each and every piece of our lives. I'm aware that this is difficult, oh so difficult, but for goodness' sake, for God's sake, please, please incorporate it into your voting.
From the earliest Old Testament Jubilee years to the prophets crying for justice to Jesus' teachings on "the least of these", it is clear that a belief in God should propel us to call for a change in the policies of the US. Justice means an end to preemptive war. Justice requires a call for fairer trade and development policies that allow the 2/3s of the world living on $2 a day a chance at a life in which they don't worry each day about how they will eat. Justice is caring for our planet so that we don't degrade the soils, pollute the water and flood our cities.
Yes, these are concepts that we can all work toward through our private lives, through our churches and through community organizations. But our churches aren't the ones that sign off on war (most were against the Iraq invasion), our churches can't pledge billions for international development (although we can buy pigs for Haiti), our churches can't impose carbon caps or fuel economy standards. We have a chance to change our country, and through our country the world, but it has to come from both directions--it must come from the grassroots, populist movement, and it must come from the top, from leaders and an administration with courage to look beyond our borders and beyond today.
----------------
Now playing: Jimmy Eat World - Dizzy
via FoxyTunes
Friday, January 04, 2008
I see the sun settin' over America
It's time to turn our nation around!
The images stood as evidence of the success of Mr. Obama’s effort to reach out to thousands of first-time caucusgoers, including many independent voters and younger voters. The huge turn-out — by contrast, 108,000 Republicans caucused on Thursday — demonstrated the extent to which opposition to President Bush has energized Democrats, and served as another warning to Republicans about the problems they face this November in swing states like this.
I know it's "just" Iowa, but the first primary intrigued me and gave me hope. My candidate didn't do so well, but in all honesty I had low expectations. The voters are apparently not ready to listen to the one with the best qualifications.
New Hampshire's primaries occur in just a few days, so we can't really predict what's going to happen yet. The most interesting, and encouraging, part is that the young and the independents are coming out to vote.
----------------
Now playing: Billy Joel - You're My Home (Live)
via FoxyTunes
The images stood as evidence of the success of Mr. Obama’s effort to reach out to thousands of first-time caucusgoers, including many independent voters and younger voters. The huge turn-out — by contrast, 108,000 Republicans caucused on Thursday — demonstrated the extent to which opposition to President Bush has energized Democrats, and served as another warning to Republicans about the problems they face this November in swing states like this.
I know it's "just" Iowa, but the first primary intrigued me and gave me hope. My candidate didn't do so well, but in all honesty I had low expectations. The voters are apparently not ready to listen to the one with the best qualifications.
New Hampshire's primaries occur in just a few days, so we can't really predict what's going to happen yet. The most interesting, and encouraging, part is that the young and the independents are coming out to vote.
----------------
Now playing: Billy Joel - You're My Home (Live)
via FoxyTunes
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
I Thought About The World, Drank Gin and Watched The News
Today marks one year until the Presidential Elections of 2008.
A lot can change in a year. What we see today, which according to the polls would be a Clinton vs Giuliani matchup, might be completely outside the realm of possibility in a few months (at least, one can hope).
Now, this isn't a political blog, at least not in the traditional sense. I don't like to write about particular candidates and I'm not interested in lauding the platforms of certain parties. I don't want to start a debate about who we should be backing in the upcoming elections and why. But politics is definitely on my mind today.
Amanda and I, who are often at opposite ends of the political spectrum (probably the one area in her life that I had no influence, alas alas) had a lovely discussion this morning in which we both realized that, more so than our differences, we are united in our desire to see this country united once again. We don't want to back candidates that will continue to foster the divide in this nation.
Emily sent me a link to the ONE Campaign's On The Record petition. The goal of this petition is to encourage the candidates to go on the record with statements about where they stand on global poverty, particularly in regards to epidemics like AIDS, widespread endemic disease such as TB, access to clean water, and universal primary education.
And gristmill posted an entry on voter priorities which depressed me a bit. No surprise there--the Iraq war takes precedence over all other issues, with health care following close behind. But what did surprise me, just a few weeks after Al Gore won the Nobel Prize for his work on educating the public on the current and impending issues surrounding global climate change, is that the environment didn't rank in the top six for Dems, Repubs or Indies.
I know that to some people it is important to pick a candidate, right now, and to stand solidly behind him/her. I'm not so much interested in that...I want to know what your issues are. Are you ready to unite the country? Are you looking for a candidate who wants to look beyond our borders and help heal the world? Do you want someone who is as green as can be?
I don't think it would surprise anyone to know that I'm a green internationalist. I firmly believe that green policies can be worked into any plans or policies that we create. I also think that we'll never be able to take care of our domestic issues if we do not put foreign policy at the top of our priority list.
----------------
Now playing: The Early November - Something That Produces Results
via FoxyTunes
A lot can change in a year. What we see today, which according to the polls would be a Clinton vs Giuliani matchup, might be completely outside the realm of possibility in a few months (at least, one can hope).
Now, this isn't a political blog, at least not in the traditional sense. I don't like to write about particular candidates and I'm not interested in lauding the platforms of certain parties. I don't want to start a debate about who we should be backing in the upcoming elections and why. But politics is definitely on my mind today.
Amanda and I, who are often at opposite ends of the political spectrum (probably the one area in her life that I had no influence, alas alas) had a lovely discussion this morning in which we both realized that, more so than our differences, we are united in our desire to see this country united once again. We don't want to back candidates that will continue to foster the divide in this nation.
Emily sent me a link to the ONE Campaign's On The Record petition. The goal of this petition is to encourage the candidates to go on the record with statements about where they stand on global poverty, particularly in regards to epidemics like AIDS, widespread endemic disease such as TB, access to clean water, and universal primary education.
And gristmill posted an entry on voter priorities which depressed me a bit. No surprise there--the Iraq war takes precedence over all other issues, with health care following close behind. But what did surprise me, just a few weeks after Al Gore won the Nobel Prize for his work on educating the public on the current and impending issues surrounding global climate change, is that the environment didn't rank in the top six for Dems, Repubs or Indies.
I know that to some people it is important to pick a candidate, right now, and to stand solidly behind him/her. I'm not so much interested in that...I want to know what your issues are. Are you ready to unite the country? Are you looking for a candidate who wants to look beyond our borders and help heal the world? Do you want someone who is as green as can be?
I don't think it would surprise anyone to know that I'm a green internationalist. I firmly believe that green policies can be worked into any plans or policies that we create. I also think that we'll never be able to take care of our domestic issues if we do not put foreign policy at the top of our priority list.
----------------
Now playing: The Early November - Something That Produces Results
via FoxyTunes
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