Clarence B. Jones wrote an article for Huffington Post. Clinton vs. Obama: Lest We Forget
He discussed the racial overtones that have been needlessly injected into the battle for the nomination for president, as well as a perceived struggle between race and sex discrimination. He talked about the life's message of Martin Luther King, Jr, his impact on us all and how we should be continuing in the path of tolerance and understanding.
Here are a few of my own thoughts...
It's too bad we even have to have this discussion. Many have devoted and even sacrificed their lives to make this a better country. We stand in their shadow and reap the rewards, yet we wear their suffering on our sleeves as if it were our own. Some are quick to offend and others take offense easily. The rest of us range from simple voyeurs to tag team slugging partners. Whether racist, sexist, religious or any other form, bias is ugly.
It shows up in many ways, too. Outright discrimination and abuse, crude jokes, slanderous speech, insensitivity, indifference. But also crying race as a tactic, harboring resentment for things that didn't happen to us personally, overgeneralizing and even celebrating one's race or working to advance one against another.
As long as we tolerate bias, we'll always be "us vs them." Instead of focusing on color, ethnicity, sex, lifestyle or other differences we should be working together to be better neighbors, citizens, Americans.
Beautiful walls are made by blending hues, not by throwing on colors that compete for attention. Our country is a grand melting pot. We can come together in a fine way, or continue to promote our differences as uneasy tenants and enemies. In which case the sacrifices of our forebearers will have been for nothing.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Cults, Religion and Politics
Many are quick to blame all religion for the abuses and crimes of some kooks. Jesus never taught the things they do. They distort the gospel to serve their own perverted interests.
But then, we do the same thing politically. Our party system makes enemies of us all. The Constitution was designed to ensure our rights, freedoms and help us work together as citizens. Yet politicians abuse it for their own gain and we end up hating each other along party lines.
Parties are a lot like cults. We pay homage to flawed leaders, follow and defend policies that serve special interests and benifit mainly the elite. And we mistrust and spew venom at anyone who marches to a different drummer.
The problems aren't caused by faith in either the Constitution or the Savior. But rather in "radical clerics" of whatever flavor. And in our tendency to be an us vs. them society. People who are quick to criticize but apathetic about extending a hand. Sad!
This was submitted to Huffington Post as a response to anti-religious comments after an article about cults.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mona-ackerman/when-a-loved-one-joins-a-_b_78302.html
But then, we do the same thing politically. Our party system makes enemies of us all. The Constitution was designed to ensure our rights, freedoms and help us work together as citizens. Yet politicians abuse it for their own gain and we end up hating each other along party lines.
Parties are a lot like cults. We pay homage to flawed leaders, follow and defend policies that serve special interests and benifit mainly the elite. And we mistrust and spew venom at anyone who marches to a different drummer.
The problems aren't caused by faith in either the Constitution or the Savior. But rather in "radical clerics" of whatever flavor. And in our tendency to be an us vs. them society. People who are quick to criticize but apathetic about extending a hand. Sad!
This was submitted to Huffington Post as a response to anti-religious comments after an article about cults.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mona-ackerman/when-a-loved-one-joins-a-_b_78302.html
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Beauty
Recently a study showed a higher rate of suicide among women who had breast augmentation surgery. Some of the responses to the article at Huffington Post talked a lot about insecurities and depression, but little about why.
We've created a society where women would rather be cut open and mutilated than learn to be comfortable with themselves. Where self esteem comes from a knife and a bottle instead of from within. Where we tell them they must look anorexic, but with disproportionate breasts and plaster faces. Where if they look natural and age normally they're ugly and somehow less valuable. And if they commit suicide they must be flawed.
The flaw isn't so much in the tortured soul as it is the sick machine that causes the pain in the first place. The fashion industry. Hollywood. Advertising. Television. Cosmetic medicine. And a gullible public that has come to believe their propaganda.
We were outraged when the truth came out about the tobacco industry and how they lied. We tried to make them responsible for the deaths they caused. Yet we are silent when our daughters suffer and die from eating disorders. When women jeopardize their health with fad diets and pills. When we spend many millions every year so doctors can inject poison in our faces and other, more brutal procedures so we can look the way we're told we must look.
Real beauty can't be painted on or carved into the skin. It doesn't come from a syringe. No amount of cutting or stretching can create it. It comes from within. It shines from a smile. It twinkles in the eyes. It radiates from a woman who knows & likes herself, and as a result can love others. It comes from the joy of serving others. From loving and being loved. From appreciating happiness after enduring sorrow. It's a reflection of the eyes of her children.
I've seen plenty of real beauty in women who society would consider plain or even disfigured. I rarely, if ever, see it in those who are obsessed with their looks. If you think about it seriously, I bet you'll agree.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/08/08/study-women-with-breast-_n_59719.html
We've created a society where women would rather be cut open and mutilated than learn to be comfortable with themselves. Where self esteem comes from a knife and a bottle instead of from within. Where we tell them they must look anorexic, but with disproportionate breasts and plaster faces. Where if they look natural and age normally they're ugly and somehow less valuable. And if they commit suicide they must be flawed.
The flaw isn't so much in the tortured soul as it is the sick machine that causes the pain in the first place. The fashion industry. Hollywood. Advertising. Television. Cosmetic medicine. And a gullible public that has come to believe their propaganda.
We were outraged when the truth came out about the tobacco industry and how they lied. We tried to make them responsible for the deaths they caused. Yet we are silent when our daughters suffer and die from eating disorders. When women jeopardize their health with fad diets and pills. When we spend many millions every year so doctors can inject poison in our faces and other, more brutal procedures so we can look the way we're told we must look.
Real beauty can't be painted on or carved into the skin. It doesn't come from a syringe. No amount of cutting or stretching can create it. It comes from within. It shines from a smile. It twinkles in the eyes. It radiates from a woman who knows & likes herself, and as a result can love others. It comes from the joy of serving others. From loving and being loved. From appreciating happiness after enduring sorrow. It's a reflection of the eyes of her children.
I've seen plenty of real beauty in women who society would consider plain or even disfigured. I rarely, if ever, see it in those who are obsessed with their looks. If you think about it seriously, I bet you'll agree.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/08/08/study-women-with-breast-_n_59719.html
Saturday, February 17, 2007
"Do-Something Democrats"
Senator Kennedy recently wrote an article at Huffington Post. First he decried the Republicans for being the do-nothing congress. Then he applauded the Dems, calling them the "Do_Something Democrats." As proof, he touted himself for "dramatically reforming our education financing system" by introducing legislation to reduce student loan interest rates.
Making a decent education more affordable is a good thing. And I'm glad at least someone thinks members of congress can accomplish anything!
But I think it's a little early for that moniker, Mr. Kennedy. Your party took control of congress with grandios promises to make sweeping changes in the first 100 hours. Paramount on that list was ending the war in Iraq and raising the ethics bar in Washington. After all the negative screeching about Pres. Bush and his "lies and illegal war", all you could come up with was a SYMBOLIC statement against escalating the battle. How pathetic is that? Where is the bitter resolve we've been listening to for years?
And the ethics reform? A couple of small hoops for lobbyists to tiptoe through as they do their influence peddling dance around the halls of congress. What about ending the lobby entirely? What about making members of congress responsible for their actions?
How do you and the others in the new-improved legislature sleep at night? You make non-binding statements and minor changes to make yourself look good, and all the while you continue to pad your wallets with corporate money and turn your backs on your constituents and the young people dying overseas. Each time you pat yourselves on the back it makes a distictly hollow sound!
Do you really want to accomplish something? Get everybody together and put a stop to the war. Then permanently end the lobby and make profound ethical changes. Then put a stranglehold on corporate oil, drugs and tobacco. Do that, and you'll have the whole country behind you to accomplish all the other things we desperately need.
Making a decent education more affordable is a good thing. And I'm glad at least someone thinks members of congress can accomplish anything!
But I think it's a little early for that moniker, Mr. Kennedy. Your party took control of congress with grandios promises to make sweeping changes in the first 100 hours. Paramount on that list was ending the war in Iraq and raising the ethics bar in Washington. After all the negative screeching about Pres. Bush and his "lies and illegal war", all you could come up with was a SYMBOLIC statement against escalating the battle. How pathetic is that? Where is the bitter resolve we've been listening to for years?
And the ethics reform? A couple of small hoops for lobbyists to tiptoe through as they do their influence peddling dance around the halls of congress. What about ending the lobby entirely? What about making members of congress responsible for their actions?
How do you and the others in the new-improved legislature sleep at night? You make non-binding statements and minor changes to make yourself look good, and all the while you continue to pad your wallets with corporate money and turn your backs on your constituents and the young people dying overseas. Each time you pat yourselves on the back it makes a distictly hollow sound!
Do you really want to accomplish something? Get everybody together and put a stop to the war. Then permanently end the lobby and make profound ethical changes. Then put a stranglehold on corporate oil, drugs and tobacco. Do that, and you'll have the whole country behind you to accomplish all the other things we desperately need.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Ethics and Lobby Reform in Washington
Today there's talk of a new ethics reform package in Congress. Democrats want to make some changes so they'll look better than Republicans, but they argue about just how far to take it. Seems no one in Washington is very eager to empty the vast lake of money, influence and perks available to them. They want to put a little damper on the lobbies. That's like saying "Influence peddling is a big deal to us, but we want to make it less obvious for appearance sake."
Here's what I think must be included in an ethics reform bill.....
1. Outlaw the lobby. Period!
2. Mandatory term limits
3. No retirement package
4. Standard health care
5. Salary subject to activity. No vote, no check. 50% there, 1/2 check.
6. Liability for ALL criminal activity
7. Pay raises according to min wage and budget deficits.
8. Even, public funded campaigns.
THAT... would be a good start!
Then we can address the many other problems that comprise the sloth machine in our overblown bureaucracy.
Here's what I think must be included in an ethics reform bill.....
1. Outlaw the lobby. Period!
2. Mandatory term limits
3. No retirement package
4. Standard health care
5. Salary subject to activity. No vote, no check. 50% there, 1/2 check.
6. Liability for ALL criminal activity
7. Pay raises according to min wage and budget deficits.
8. Even, public funded campaigns.
THAT... would be a good start!
Then we can address the many other problems that comprise the sloth machine in our overblown bureaucracy.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Democrats Win The House And Senate
I can't wait until the change is in place with congress. The country will be safe again, the war will end, there will be a full pot on every table, fuel prices will drop, the economy will soar and the whole world will be a beautiful garden. Did you know that a democrat's feces doesn't stink? They all have honesty flowing in their veins. They think only of their neighbors and constituents. They all do an honest days work and they never, ever break the law.
There will be no use for lobbyists because Dems are immune to influence peddling. They refuse to pander to corporations. And they're all staunch environmentalists. The lives of fish and caribou will never again be tainted by the demon crude oil. There will be no unwanted or handicapped children. There will soon be a complete cure for every disease. Pedophelia and spouse abuse will be things of a forgotten past.
And there won't be any need to further reform Congress. Dems are self sufficient. They don't rely on perks, grand salaries, retirement packages or deluxe heath care. They limit their terms of office voluntarily, never vote for their own pay raises, and are totally, fiscally responsible.
Did I mention that a Democrat's crap doesn't stink?
There will be no use for lobbyists because Dems are immune to influence peddling. They refuse to pander to corporations. And they're all staunch environmentalists. The lives of fish and caribou will never again be tainted by the demon crude oil. There will be no unwanted or handicapped children. There will soon be a complete cure for every disease. Pedophelia and spouse abuse will be things of a forgotten past.
And there won't be any need to further reform Congress. Dems are self sufficient. They don't rely on perks, grand salaries, retirement packages or deluxe heath care. They limit their terms of office voluntarily, never vote for their own pay raises, and are totally, fiscally responsible.
Did I mention that a Democrat's crap doesn't stink?
Friday, October 13, 2006
My Christmas Wish
This was a letter to a best friend, a soldier serving in Baghdad...
I'm thinking tonight how grateful I am that you and so many others are willing to sacrifice so much. We're sitting home, fat, lazy, safe (or at least relatively safe in this neighborhood!), trying to get the spirit of Christmas in our hum drum little lives. We seem almost oblivious to the fact that you're over there, a million miles from home, family, loved ones, in the valiant struggle for freedom.
We think we have it rough here. Financial troubles, traffic jams, angry bosses, pesky neighbors, the occasional sound of a gunshot from somewhere else. You're seeing the other side of life first-hand. How different it would be here if it weren't for you who have either put your lives at risk or given them up entirely to ensure our safety. Someone asked, where are Bat Man, Superman and the other superheroes when we need them? Well, we don't need them when we have you! The men and women of the armed forces. You are the real heroes. We owe you a debt we could never repay. And the way we act sometimes, I hope we're worth it.
We whine and complain. We distort the truth to fit our political slant.We are quick to point a finger at others and slow to take responsibility, unless it makes us look good. We are a breeding ground for laws, lawsuits and lawbreaking. We remove God from our lives and then blame Him for our problems. We are a country of greedy, selfish, pompous asses. At first glance, it might seem better if God would just wipe the country clean and start over.
But we are also a country of hard workers. Of people who dream, and sometimes fulfill those dreams. We were founded on principles of faith, and most still cling to those standards. We are a society of freedom. Free to speak our mind. Free to move about. Free to worship. Free to help our neighbor. Free to reach our highest potential or wallow in the lowest depths And we owe those freedoms,in large part, to you... in Baghdad, and around the world.
My Christmas wish for you is that God will reward you generously for your efforts. That He will keep you safe and bring you home soon.That your families will be provided for well in your absence. That loneliness will be replaced with comfort. That He will guide you in your activities. That you will continue to do your best and act honorably.That your work will help to bring peace to a troubled world and keep our nation free. And that we will be more deserving of your service and sacrifice.
Merry Christmas
(Written 12/25/03)
I'm thinking tonight how grateful I am that you and so many others are willing to sacrifice so much. We're sitting home, fat, lazy, safe (or at least relatively safe in this neighborhood!), trying to get the spirit of Christmas in our hum drum little lives. We seem almost oblivious to the fact that you're over there, a million miles from home, family, loved ones, in the valiant struggle for freedom.
We think we have it rough here. Financial troubles, traffic jams, angry bosses, pesky neighbors, the occasional sound of a gunshot from somewhere else. You're seeing the other side of life first-hand. How different it would be here if it weren't for you who have either put your lives at risk or given them up entirely to ensure our safety. Someone asked, where are Bat Man, Superman and the other superheroes when we need them? Well, we don't need them when we have you! The men and women of the armed forces. You are the real heroes. We owe you a debt we could never repay. And the way we act sometimes, I hope we're worth it.
We whine and complain. We distort the truth to fit our political slant.We are quick to point a finger at others and slow to take responsibility, unless it makes us look good. We are a breeding ground for laws, lawsuits and lawbreaking. We remove God from our lives and then blame Him for our problems. We are a country of greedy, selfish, pompous asses. At first glance, it might seem better if God would just wipe the country clean and start over.
But we are also a country of hard workers. Of people who dream, and sometimes fulfill those dreams. We were founded on principles of faith, and most still cling to those standards. We are a society of freedom. Free to speak our mind. Free to move about. Free to worship. Free to help our neighbor. Free to reach our highest potential or wallow in the lowest depths And we owe those freedoms,in large part, to you... in Baghdad, and around the world.
My Christmas wish for you is that God will reward you generously for your efforts. That He will keep you safe and bring you home soon.That your families will be provided for well in your absence. That loneliness will be replaced with comfort. That He will guide you in your activities. That you will continue to do your best and act honorably.That your work will help to bring peace to a troubled world and keep our nation free. And that we will be more deserving of your service and sacrifice.
Merry Christmas
(Written 12/25/03)
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