Per Scott Wilson of the Washington Post proximate to May 18, 2007:
"Israel this week allowed the Palestinian Fatah faction to bring into the Gaza Strip as many as 500 of its troops trained under a U.S.-coordinated program, to counter Hamas, the Islamic movment that won Palestinian parliamentary elections last year."
"The troops deployment illustrates the increasingly partisan role that Israel and the Bush administation are taking in the volatile Palestinian political situation."
"But both Israel and the United States, each deeply unpopular among Arabs in the region, have been trying to avoid the perception of taking sides in a conflict that this week in Gaza has resembled a nascent civil war."
Hmmmmmm - Let's assume that several of the major leaders of countries in Europe were to decide that they should fund one of the major Democratic Party candidates (indirectly of course - in "legal ways") and provide a clear platform allowing she or he to get a lot more positive publicity. They would be presuming that it would be in their best interests (and the rest of the world's of course!), if a Democrat, and this particular one, were to be elected.
I presume that our current administration would admire their pluck and sadly say: "We tried to get their support for a Republican, but unfortunately they wouldn't support Him."
Now let's, see: Arafat was a corrupt dictator and not one to be trusted. His successor wasn't seemingly corrupt, but he couldn't bring things together before the elections and bring about any kind of "successes" with Israeli and USian authorities.
Democracy is the Answer in the Middle East. Oh, my gosh, why did those crazy Arabs elect Hamas? Couldn't they see how WE in the U.S. were doing everything in our power to create a viable Palestinian State under Abbas, the Fatah candidate.
Oh, he lost political power with the election results, yet we still: "Israel this week allowed...."
Now of course Israel might possibly have had the support of the U.S. Government in this, don't you think!?
Thanks!
Friday, May 18, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
When We Hurt
Today is my 56th Birthday.
The weather has changed from yesterday's warmth and sunshine to today's coolness and clouds.
Our house has some type of sewer related problem which will hopefully be fixed within the next few hours.
I'm behind on sleep and feeling very tired.
I'm also sad.
When I am hurting
It may be
because of something unexpected like
a friend who has been hit by a car
or something expected like
the recent death of my aunt - cancer related
It may be because of something or somethings
nasty
which others have done to me
When I am hurting
because
I have hurt
the one I love
I have failed
because
I have made
major mistakes
hurting
the one I love
I am sad.
I reflect
and hope
that
I will do better
moving ahead
at age 56,
Not
Using perceived hurts
or Other Pain
to Falsely Justify
Hurting Others
I'm glad
to have the chance
to Do Better
May my 56th Birthday
be
A Day of Growth
A Day of Hope
A Day to Reflect
and perhaps to be Sad
The weather has changed from yesterday's warmth and sunshine to today's coolness and clouds.
Our house has some type of sewer related problem which will hopefully be fixed within the next few hours.
I'm behind on sleep and feeling very tired.
I'm also sad.
When I am hurting
It may be
because of something unexpected like
a friend who has been hit by a car
or something expected like
the recent death of my aunt - cancer related
It may be because of something or somethings
nasty
which others have done to me
When I am hurting
because
I have hurt
the one I love
I have failed
because
I have made
major mistakes
hurting
the one I love
I am sad.
I reflect
and hope
that
I will do better
moving ahead
at age 56,
Not
Using perceived hurts
or Other Pain
to Falsely Justify
Hurting Others
I'm glad
to have the chance
to Do Better
May my 56th Birthday
be
A Day of Growth
A Day of Hope
A Day to Reflect
and perhaps to be Sad
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Caught Amongst the Trees
Caught amongst the
tangled branches of
the large dark tree
of the cool forest
Moving outside –
- Also inside
takes
much patience, energy,
thought – and
Perhaps,
Some Luck
The perspiration drips
from the upper branches
The whispers of the wind
move in slowly with their
sweet, but subtly strong energy
Tis “only” nature – but
Is it really a tree? Or
Rather – human nature
05/15/2007
Friday, May 04, 2007
Respect
Respect is something that comes back time and again in my life.
Yesterday, my mother's 80th birthday, which meant something to her. To her aging husband it meant things perhaps in moments, but Not when he felt "wronged" or otherwise not feeling any need to defer to her feelings. For her respect comes in moments countered with periods when she doesn't matter. This, of course, hurt her, though it is little different from how it's been over the 34 years they've been together.
When my partner and I have our difficulties communicating nearly always each of us feels that the other isn't honoring and respecting the other. Not feeling heard and having one's words or feelings accepted as valid and important (in one's mind at least) is common in our relationships and our world in general.
Respect is accepting the other, whether an individual, a group, a nation, or whatever. Respect is not knowing what is best for the other. It is not knowing what the other should be feeling. It is not knowing what is best for the other.
Respect for others comes out of groundedness and respect for oneself. When I (or We) feel deep pain and hurt inside we can not respect ourselves. When we can't live comfortably within ourselves, it is doubly hard to support others. Being able to escape the "me, me, me" feeling of neediness isn't always easy for us as individuals or groups or countries we are a part of. The religious dogmas which tell us: "you are better than all the others" can feed zenophobia and hatred among people who feel attacked. Economic inequalities and often related political exploitation fuels dissonance among those who "succeed" and those who are put down.
Among those who are a "minority" or feel that way respect among their fellow group members is often very important to cope with the dominant culture. Nearly all, if not all of us feel like we are a "minority" in some parts of our lives. When we don't see ourselves as a minority, we often don't feel a wholesome pride in our culture and being.
I hope naively perhaps that we will find better ways to respect each other in the future. IF we do we may deal with how we in the U.S. abuse children, women, Muslims and others perceived as Muslims, People of Color, Gays/Lesbians/Bi's/Transgendered Folks and many others.
It is hard for people to heal their hurts. We can say we are sorry. We can also work to change the systems that cause the hurts.
Thanks!
Yesterday, my mother's 80th birthday, which meant something to her. To her aging husband it meant things perhaps in moments, but Not when he felt "wronged" or otherwise not feeling any need to defer to her feelings. For her respect comes in moments countered with periods when she doesn't matter. This, of course, hurt her, though it is little different from how it's been over the 34 years they've been together.
When my partner and I have our difficulties communicating nearly always each of us feels that the other isn't honoring and respecting the other. Not feeling heard and having one's words or feelings accepted as valid and important (in one's mind at least) is common in our relationships and our world in general.
Respect is accepting the other, whether an individual, a group, a nation, or whatever. Respect is not knowing what is best for the other. It is not knowing what the other should be feeling. It is not knowing what is best for the other.
Respect for others comes out of groundedness and respect for oneself. When I (or We) feel deep pain and hurt inside we can not respect ourselves. When we can't live comfortably within ourselves, it is doubly hard to support others. Being able to escape the "me, me, me" feeling of neediness isn't always easy for us as individuals or groups or countries we are a part of. The religious dogmas which tell us: "you are better than all the others" can feed zenophobia and hatred among people who feel attacked. Economic inequalities and often related political exploitation fuels dissonance among those who "succeed" and those who are put down.
Among those who are a "minority" or feel that way respect among their fellow group members is often very important to cope with the dominant culture. Nearly all, if not all of us feel like we are a "minority" in some parts of our lives. When we don't see ourselves as a minority, we often don't feel a wholesome pride in our culture and being.
I hope naively perhaps that we will find better ways to respect each other in the future. IF we do we may deal with how we in the U.S. abuse children, women, Muslims and others perceived as Muslims, People of Color, Gays/Lesbians/Bi's/Transgendered Folks and many others.
It is hard for people to heal their hurts. We can say we are sorry. We can also work to change the systems that cause the hurts.
Thanks!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Time Management and Priorities
In 1976 or so in my early days with The Social Security Administration in Chicago I heard a story about the Detroit Downtown Social Security Office. In those days urban social security offices were swamped with claimants due to the problems with the Supplemental Security Income program which began in 1974. It had been normal in our office for claimants to wait 2-3 hours for service and there was no internet or other alternatives for service (before we began our telephone service).
The manager of the Detroit Downtwon Social Security Office was asked why he didn't have a section of his office taking claims over the telephone to ease the pressures on his staff. His response was: "I have 25 claims representatives taking claims all day long. How could I spare staff to take claims over the telephone?"
Taking claims over the telephone was more efficient than in the office. It also was a way to skim part of the workload (in a sense prioratizing it) so that those filing for retirement, disability and survivor benefits could not waste a lot of time just waiting.
Obviously, the manager was taking a short-sighted view of the problem that he faced. His claimants had no choice. They had to come into his office. He couldn't control the number of people who needed service. He could control how they were served.
Much of life is similar to the story above. We face time pressures day-in and day-out in our lives. We make choices, but often not good choices, as to how we live our lives. We see only the surface of our issues - and feel trapped.
When we're in "crisis moments" we may have few options. Much of the time though, it is our normal lives, seemingly out of control. When life is more leisurely, we have no need to organize things efficiently and prioratize, so we often are inefficient. Then things revert to long-term "craziness" and we're stuck.
Much in our lives doesn't need to be so complicated. We make choices as to what is important and often choose to take on too much in our lives. Even when we face such situations in our lives we do have far more choices than we see.
Thanks!
The manager of the Detroit Downtwon Social Security Office was asked why he didn't have a section of his office taking claims over the telephone to ease the pressures on his staff. His response was: "I have 25 claims representatives taking claims all day long. How could I spare staff to take claims over the telephone?"
Taking claims over the telephone was more efficient than in the office. It also was a way to skim part of the workload (in a sense prioratizing it) so that those filing for retirement, disability and survivor benefits could not waste a lot of time just waiting.
Obviously, the manager was taking a short-sighted view of the problem that he faced. His claimants had no choice. They had to come into his office. He couldn't control the number of people who needed service. He could control how they were served.
Much of life is similar to the story above. We face time pressures day-in and day-out in our lives. We make choices, but often not good choices, as to how we live our lives. We see only the surface of our issues - and feel trapped.
When we're in "crisis moments" we may have few options. Much of the time though, it is our normal lives, seemingly out of control. When life is more leisurely, we have no need to organize things efficiently and prioratize, so we often are inefficient. Then things revert to long-term "craziness" and we're stuck.
Much in our lives doesn't need to be so complicated. We make choices as to what is important and often choose to take on too much in our lives. Even when we face such situations in our lives we do have far more choices than we see.
Thanks!
Monday, April 02, 2007
Rachel Corrie and Jonathan Kozol
Yesterday we saw a very well done production of: "My Name is Rachel Corrie" and afterwards heard her parents and sister and others talk about the play and her life. Rachel Corrie was killed at age 23 by an Israeli Defense Force bulldozer just over four years ago in Rafah in Gaza trying to prevent the demolition of Palestinian homes there.
The play was written for a single narrator (Rachel Corrie) speaking from her diaries, emails and other writings about her life. The play portrays her as a lively, fascinating individual questioning much in worlds trying to work to make our lives better for All of us humans.
The play is very political, but also very personal and beautiful in exploring what is important in life (for all of us) as well how she was quirky and funny in many ways. I was crying at various times as the seriousness of her life grew once she arrived in Gaza shortly before her death.
I am reading Jonathan Kozol's "The Shame of the Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America" a fascinating book helping expose the underbelly of the U.S.'s public school system. Kozol's books are always fascinating and scary as he talks with poor, generally Black children in our inner cities.
Both Corrie and Kozol point to the need for all of us to work in many different ways to help make our planet a better place. They both indict the leadership of the U.S. in multiple ways as well as exposing the need for major changes in much in our lives and the lives of others affected by our lives.
Thanks1
The play was written for a single narrator (Rachel Corrie) speaking from her diaries, emails and other writings about her life. The play portrays her as a lively, fascinating individual questioning much in worlds trying to work to make our lives better for All of us humans.
The play is very political, but also very personal and beautiful in exploring what is important in life (for all of us) as well how she was quirky and funny in many ways. I was crying at various times as the seriousness of her life grew once she arrived in Gaza shortly before her death.
I am reading Jonathan Kozol's "The Shame of the Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America" a fascinating book helping expose the underbelly of the U.S.'s public school system. Kozol's books are always fascinating and scary as he talks with poor, generally Black children in our inner cities.
Both Corrie and Kozol point to the need for all of us to work in many different ways to help make our planet a better place. They both indict the leadership of the U.S. in multiple ways as well as exposing the need for major changes in much in our lives and the lives of others affected by our lives.
Thanks1
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Resignations - Corruption in the Bush Administration
--- "I can not tell a lie. I have never lied." ---
Such a statement reflects my perspective on the basic tenets of the Bush adminstration.
Mr. Bush and his advisors seem to believe that they know what is best for all of us at least nearly all the time. Where we agree with them - great, where we disagree with them - we are simply WRONG - and they will do things the RIGHT way.
The pressures on Bush to force his Attorney General to resign are another example of someone being caught doing wrong and when the political pressures are too great, he'll be gone (assuming this happens which seems likely now).
When someone such as Colin Powell (it seems like an eternity ago) stands up for himself or wants to, s/he must decide whether to leave or to keep their mouth shut.
Fortunately - reality - The War in Iraq, the draconian changes in laws such as in the Patriot Act and many other things show clearly a few people who have created far, far more terrorists than they've weeded out and whose vision of the world leaves out many of us.
Most of us face a world where tax cuts for the wealthy primarily are not our highest priority. Most of us face a world where health care needs are not simply tax credits which do not take care of the needs of the poor and often are not helpful or unnecessary for the well off.
Most of us face a world where we increasingly see how veterans' care neglect is the norm, not an exception as "little people" don't matter and people with wealth already have the ins to get what they want.
Most of us see advisors like Karl Rove and Dick Cheney seeking a world where we are not important.
Sound bites and lies can delay the truth being told, but the truth will start coming out eventually. One can only hope that more Democratic politicians will start to develop a backbone (and some depth to their thinking) and some Republican politicians will see it in their own self-interest to begin to change.
The politics of deception are the norm today. Mr. Bush's "compassionate conservatism" and "faith" have been shown for what they are.
Hopefully more of us will do more to bring about substantive change!
Thanks!
Such a statement reflects my perspective on the basic tenets of the Bush adminstration.
Mr. Bush and his advisors seem to believe that they know what is best for all of us at least nearly all the time. Where we agree with them - great, where we disagree with them - we are simply WRONG - and they will do things the RIGHT way.
The pressures on Bush to force his Attorney General to resign are another example of someone being caught doing wrong and when the political pressures are too great, he'll be gone (assuming this happens which seems likely now).
When someone such as Colin Powell (it seems like an eternity ago) stands up for himself or wants to, s/he must decide whether to leave or to keep their mouth shut.
Fortunately - reality - The War in Iraq, the draconian changes in laws such as in the Patriot Act and many other things show clearly a few people who have created far, far more terrorists than they've weeded out and whose vision of the world leaves out many of us.
Most of us face a world where tax cuts for the wealthy primarily are not our highest priority. Most of us face a world where health care needs are not simply tax credits which do not take care of the needs of the poor and often are not helpful or unnecessary for the well off.
Most of us face a world where we increasingly see how veterans' care neglect is the norm, not an exception as "little people" don't matter and people with wealth already have the ins to get what they want.
Most of us see advisors like Karl Rove and Dick Cheney seeking a world where we are not important.
Sound bites and lies can delay the truth being told, but the truth will start coming out eventually. One can only hope that more Democratic politicians will start to develop a backbone (and some depth to their thinking) and some Republican politicians will see it in their own self-interest to begin to change.
The politics of deception are the norm today. Mr. Bush's "compassionate conservatism" and "faith" have been shown for what they are.
Hopefully more of us will do more to bring about substantive change!
Thanks!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Grieving
Tears Under The Sea
- Surging Up - then
slowly sweeping ashore
Diffuse
Quiet - as Memories are Stirred
Images over many Years
Her Smile -
her Gentle - Strong
caring love
Her Inner Beauty - shared and Visible
No More -
The Cancer took her Away from Us
A full life she had
Giving to Many -
- her large family
- the students and others she counseled
- neighbors and friends
were Helped
in so Many ways.
In my childhood
her kindness wasn't as visible to me
She was different (in my image)
- seemingly simple - not fashionable
but kind and loving
Later on she Saved
one Important to Me
in So Many Ways
Taking a young, troubled Adult
- who hadn't made it through his childhood Intact
Accepting him -
when He was Weak,
Trying to help him
find his path
Becoming - over Time
His Surrogate Mother
A small, but vital part
of the many loving,
caring things she did
for all around her.
Most of her dreams -
She made real -
with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren,
caring for other Children,
Having - a house
Open to others
who Sought sustenance, advice and Learning -
Helping her Learn
the Yiddishkite
That was her life
Now - Others close to her
must move on -
saddened, but having taken in
a Rare gift
in many, many different ways.
Death is an awakening
Bringing individually
Our Spirits - more Alive
Teaching us - we are a little more
than we've seen and believed,
Helping our hearts - reopen
and Be.
I'm sad - but happy to have had my life
Touched and given such a gift
Lucky to have been able to
Say - My Farewell
a Month ago
and to now
Feel the loss and much more
in my life as I return home.
Words - fail -
Feelings - Memories
linger on
Now and Beyond
3/19/2007
(My aunt - 77 - died early 3/17/2007 after nearly two years of facing cancer)
- Surging Up - then
slowly sweeping ashore
Diffuse
Quiet - as Memories are Stirred
Images over many Years
Her Smile -
her Gentle - Strong
caring love
Her Inner Beauty - shared and Visible
No More -
The Cancer took her Away from Us
A full life she had
Giving to Many -
- her large family
- the students and others she counseled
- neighbors and friends
were Helped
in so Many ways.
In my childhood
her kindness wasn't as visible to me
She was different (in my image)
- seemingly simple - not fashionable
but kind and loving
Later on she Saved
one Important to Me
in So Many Ways
Taking a young, troubled Adult
- who hadn't made it through his childhood Intact
Accepting him -
when He was Weak,
Trying to help him
find his path
Becoming - over Time
His Surrogate Mother
A small, but vital part
of the many loving,
caring things she did
for all around her.
Most of her dreams -
She made real -
with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren,
caring for other Children,
Having - a house
Open to others
who Sought sustenance, advice and Learning -
Helping her Learn
the Yiddishkite
That was her life
Now - Others close to her
must move on -
saddened, but having taken in
a Rare gift
in many, many different ways.
Death is an awakening
Bringing individually
Our Spirits - more Alive
Teaching us - we are a little more
than we've seen and believed,
Helping our hearts - reopen
and Be.
I'm sad - but happy to have had my life
Touched and given such a gift
Lucky to have been able to
Say - My Farewell
a Month ago
and to now
Feel the loss and much more
in my life as I return home.
Words - fail -
Feelings - Memories
linger on
Now and Beyond
3/19/2007
(My aunt - 77 - died early 3/17/2007 after nearly two years of facing cancer)
Friday, March 09, 2007
Rojo - with protection + Onyx (after his surgery)
Rojo has 5+ days of wearing the plastic cover after he was neutered yesterday.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Heroism - "Serving Our Country"
I'm having a lot of difficulty accepting the purported Heroism of our soldiers in Iraq and elsewhere. In saying this I'm not saying that our soldiers aren't necessarily sincere, nor questioning their feelings that may be called "patriotism" by themselves and others.
Though it is an exaggerated and not similar example, I think of a gang member who saves the life of his comrade through pulling him away from a bullet that might have killed him. Such a young man (or woman) is doing a good deed and saving the life of another.
One may argue that being in a gang isn't "patriotic" and that being in the military is. I will agree with the former statement, but disagree with the latter one.
One of the biggest problems our country has faced over many years is its irrational support of military, rather than diplomatic solutions to problems it sees. If Iraq (or for some Vietnam and Iraq) were the only "mistakes" and if "mistakes" weren't Simply because: "we didn't win", but rather because the cause was wrong, then I might see things differently.
The United States Government does do some good around the world. We also have a history of invading and otherwise controling the economic interests of others through the world where we have economic interests. For a long time this meant The Americas as we dominated in many smaller countries. Increasingly things like oil and other valuable resources become more and more important in other parts of the world.
I don't see the legitimacy of the current government in Iraq. It serves at the pleasure of the U.S. I don't see how we are "doing good" in our entire operation in Iraq. Certainly some good things are done for the people, however at least as many bad things are also done. I don't see how we can know who should legimately rule this country. Unfortunately we've created such a mess that the Iraqis may go through a lot more pain until they figure out how to run their own country, assuming that we even let them do that at some point in time.
We have a clear responsibility to do our best to make peace in Palestine - The West Bank and Gaza. The U.S. has interfered with peace efforts that the Israelis have made and helped make peace much more elusive. We could help end the losses of life and economic oppression as well as the lives of fear that both Israelis and Palestinians have today.
We aren't doing this now! The U.S. is clearly allied with the Israelis and against the Palestinians. A "neutral stance" and pressure could help both sides find peace.
I think that we have many heroes among us! Many incredible people help children, adults and elderly people be educated, be physically and mentally healthy, as well as doing many other things for others. Some famous people like like the actor Danny Glover help push for a society free of oppression.
For me a lot of the true heroes don't seek fame and often don't get it. Men like Paul Kivel of Oakland, California, commit themselves to issues of racism, sexism, and even progressive Judiasm and help all of us and our children. Far, far more women such as Alice Walker and Marion Wright Edelman have helped millions of people in the U.S. and elsewhere have better lives.
Our soldiers mean well. Far too many of them are in Iraq because they need the money from their service and because they have had a faith in the leadership of this country. I admire Ehren Watada and others who at least in part resist what they see as wrong.
Patriotism comes from building our country and the world to be a better place! I know that most soldiers want to think and some do think that they are doing this in the military.
I believe that building peace and love and caring and a world free of oppression is the true way we can serve our country and be a hero.
Thank you!
Though it is an exaggerated and not similar example, I think of a gang member who saves the life of his comrade through pulling him away from a bullet that might have killed him. Such a young man (or woman) is doing a good deed and saving the life of another.
One may argue that being in a gang isn't "patriotic" and that being in the military is. I will agree with the former statement, but disagree with the latter one.
One of the biggest problems our country has faced over many years is its irrational support of military, rather than diplomatic solutions to problems it sees. If Iraq (or for some Vietnam and Iraq) were the only "mistakes" and if "mistakes" weren't Simply because: "we didn't win", but rather because the cause was wrong, then I might see things differently.
The United States Government does do some good around the world. We also have a history of invading and otherwise controling the economic interests of others through the world where we have economic interests. For a long time this meant The Americas as we dominated in many smaller countries. Increasingly things like oil and other valuable resources become more and more important in other parts of the world.
I don't see the legitimacy of the current government in Iraq. It serves at the pleasure of the U.S. I don't see how we are "doing good" in our entire operation in Iraq. Certainly some good things are done for the people, however at least as many bad things are also done. I don't see how we can know who should legimately rule this country. Unfortunately we've created such a mess that the Iraqis may go through a lot more pain until they figure out how to run their own country, assuming that we even let them do that at some point in time.
We have a clear responsibility to do our best to make peace in Palestine - The West Bank and Gaza. The U.S. has interfered with peace efforts that the Israelis have made and helped make peace much more elusive. We could help end the losses of life and economic oppression as well as the lives of fear that both Israelis and Palestinians have today.
We aren't doing this now! The U.S. is clearly allied with the Israelis and against the Palestinians. A "neutral stance" and pressure could help both sides find peace.
I think that we have many heroes among us! Many incredible people help children, adults and elderly people be educated, be physically and mentally healthy, as well as doing many other things for others. Some famous people like like the actor Danny Glover help push for a society free of oppression.
For me a lot of the true heroes don't seek fame and often don't get it. Men like Paul Kivel of Oakland, California, commit themselves to issues of racism, sexism, and even progressive Judiasm and help all of us and our children. Far, far more women such as Alice Walker and Marion Wright Edelman have helped millions of people in the U.S. and elsewhere have better lives.
Our soldiers mean well. Far too many of them are in Iraq because they need the money from their service and because they have had a faith in the leadership of this country. I admire Ehren Watada and others who at least in part resist what they see as wrong.
Patriotism comes from building our country and the world to be a better place! I know that most soldiers want to think and some do think that they are doing this in the military.
I believe that building peace and love and caring and a world free of oppression is the true way we can serve our country and be a hero.
Thank you!
Thursday, March 01, 2007
"I didn't Mean it That Way"
Often in life we make statements that may not sound to the listener the way we think we intended the words to be heard:
I didn't mean that I don't love you but .....
Of course I respect you my child. What I said to you was for the best even though you may not see it that way now.
I have nothing against (take your pick): Arabs, Jews, Feminists, Black People ... Some of my best friends are (take your pick).
Upon hearing that my partner (Black Woman) is Jewish: "Oh, you and Sammy Davis Jr.
Frequently the statements are not as blatant. The person listening may have had a lot of painful experiences in their life related to what the other person is seemingly flippantly saying.
As a White Man I often don't realize how others who may be Female, of Color, or of a Working Class Background may be "translating" in their daily lives, making the dominant culture people such as me "comfortable" and living in a "foreign" world for themselves (at least in the area I'm talking about).
Listening and really hearing, feeling and thinking all can help a little at least!
Thanks!
I didn't mean that I don't love you but .....
Of course I respect you my child. What I said to you was for the best even though you may not see it that way now.
I have nothing against (take your pick): Arabs, Jews, Feminists, Black People ... Some of my best friends are (take your pick).
Upon hearing that my partner (Black Woman) is Jewish: "Oh, you and Sammy Davis Jr.
Frequently the statements are not as blatant. The person listening may have had a lot of painful experiences in their life related to what the other person is seemingly flippantly saying.
As a White Man I often don't realize how others who may be Female, of Color, or of a Working Class Background may be "translating" in their daily lives, making the dominant culture people such as me "comfortable" and living in a "foreign" world for themselves (at least in the area I'm talking about).
Listening and really hearing, feeling and thinking all can help a little at least!
Thanks!
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Palestinian - Jewish Communication etc.
Last evening I attended a meeting with nine others to try to begin coordinating plans for peace related events towards ending the occupation of The West Bank and Gaza for the 40th Anniversary of the beginning of the Occupation (in June, 2007).
We were: three Palestinians, four Jews and probably three White Christian ("normal folks").
We had few visible boundaries between us and much mutual respect.
It is strange how "Muslims" are in the U.S. this scary monolithic people who we are so afraid of.
It is also strange how most people in the U.S. don't understand the importance to millions of people in other parts of the world (many of whom are Muslim) of the Palestinian people having their own completely independent state.
I will continue feeling a need to work with other Jews, in cooperation with others to try to help change things for the better in the U.S. primarily seeking changes in U.S. foreign policy. While Jewish Israelis are certainly not the sole "problem", their fears must be dealt with in building peace for all in this part of the Middle East. It will take work among all - U.S. people and leadership, the Palestinians, other Arab and nearby countries and the Israelis to finally achieve peace.
Let's not pretend though that the hurts of the wars and the occupation have hurt Israel and Jews More than they've affected the Palestinians. 40 years of occupation and 59 years of the State of Israel have greatly affected the Palestinians. The Palestinians aren't a meaningless part of the Arab/Muslim world which lack importance any more than we, the Jews of the U.S., are meaningless because we don't live in Israel.
Thanks!
Thanks!
We were: three Palestinians, four Jews and probably three White Christian ("normal folks").
We had few visible boundaries between us and much mutual respect.
It is strange how "Muslims" are in the U.S. this scary monolithic people who we are so afraid of.
It is also strange how most people in the U.S. don't understand the importance to millions of people in other parts of the world (many of whom are Muslim) of the Palestinian people having their own completely independent state.
I will continue feeling a need to work with other Jews, in cooperation with others to try to help change things for the better in the U.S. primarily seeking changes in U.S. foreign policy. While Jewish Israelis are certainly not the sole "problem", their fears must be dealt with in building peace for all in this part of the Middle East. It will take work among all - U.S. people and leadership, the Palestinians, other Arab and nearby countries and the Israelis to finally achieve peace.
Let's not pretend though that the hurts of the wars and the occupation have hurt Israel and Jews More than they've affected the Palestinians. 40 years of occupation and 59 years of the State of Israel have greatly affected the Palestinians. The Palestinians aren't a meaningless part of the Arab/Muslim world which lack importance any more than we, the Jews of the U.S., are meaningless because we don't live in Israel.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
A Different World - I May Not Understand
I, a White Man, live with my Black Partner and her two (biracial) children who are now 8 and 11 years old. I also have a son from my first marriage who is attending an Ivy League University. We are certainly "upper-middle class" and indeed our family income is around three times the median income for our area.
The first week of school I met the mother of a classmate of our 8 year old in the halls of their school. She has a child in the fifth grade, in whose classroom I work as a parent volunteer, as well as an 18-19 year old son I've never met. She is White and her husband is Black.
Q, the fifth grader, dresses nicely and is a cooperative, pleasant boy. He clearly struggles academically, though he seems to fit in fairly well with his classmates. R, our fifth grader, has been accepted in the public schools' gifted program which should allow him in middle school to have his core classes with other similar children.
My 19 year old son S got over a 4.0 grade point average 2nd semester last year and dipped "significantly" to a little over a 3.6 gpa last semester. This woman's 18-19 year old's girlfriend gave birth to a child a few months ago. The woman told me that the girlfriend had lied about her age to her son and was only 15 (perhaps 16 by now).
I'm retired and on a federal pension. My partner has an excellent job she will start soon, with temporary work since her last job ended. This woman has told me that her husband needs to lose a signifcant amount of weight before he can safely have major surgery he needs to be able to have a chance at working again. She quit her job to take care of him and now has her three children, the girlfriend (fiance) and the grandbaby in her household.
We live in a different world from these people! My guess is that we don't understand their issues and struggles and probably they know little of what we face.
There are other divides in our country and the world. I hope that we can learn from each other and accept and care for each other. Thanks!
The first week of school I met the mother of a classmate of our 8 year old in the halls of their school. She has a child in the fifth grade, in whose classroom I work as a parent volunteer, as well as an 18-19 year old son I've never met. She is White and her husband is Black.
Q, the fifth grader, dresses nicely and is a cooperative, pleasant boy. He clearly struggles academically, though he seems to fit in fairly well with his classmates. R, our fifth grader, has been accepted in the public schools' gifted program which should allow him in middle school to have his core classes with other similar children.
My 19 year old son S got over a 4.0 grade point average 2nd semester last year and dipped "significantly" to a little over a 3.6 gpa last semester. This woman's 18-19 year old's girlfriend gave birth to a child a few months ago. The woman told me that the girlfriend had lied about her age to her son and was only 15 (perhaps 16 by now).
I'm retired and on a federal pension. My partner has an excellent job she will start soon, with temporary work since her last job ended. This woman has told me that her husband needs to lose a signifcant amount of weight before he can safely have major surgery he needs to be able to have a chance at working again. She quit her job to take care of him and now has her three children, the girlfriend (fiance) and the grandbaby in her household.
We live in a different world from these people! My guess is that we don't understand their issues and struggles and probably they know little of what we face.
There are other divides in our country and the world. I hope that we can learn from each other and accept and care for each other. Thanks!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Those "Feisty???" Democrats ???
It seems pathetic that the Democrats in Congress can speak so seemingly strongly against President Bush's Iraq failures and general policies, but then can't unify and work minimally with some Republicans where helpful to really take a STRONG stand against current policy!
I don't hear anyone saying that we should oppose the individual troop members in Iraq. I don't hear anyone saying that we should do any more than trying to help end the killing and let the Iraqis determine their own future without our interference.
Yes there may be chaos if/when U.S. troops are withdrawn! There certainly is plenty of chaos now also.
The grandstanding and protecting of posteriors seems more important than actually working to end the War! Obviously "the people" haven't spoken loud enough yet to really change things more than superficially.
Thanks!
I don't hear anyone saying that we should oppose the individual troop members in Iraq. I don't hear anyone saying that we should do any more than trying to help end the killing and let the Iraqis determine their own future without our interference.
Yes there may be chaos if/when U.S. troops are withdrawn! There certainly is plenty of chaos now also.
The grandstanding and protecting of posteriors seems more important than actually working to end the War! Obviously "the people" haven't spoken loud enough yet to really change things more than superficially.
Thanks!
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Candidate Predicting for 2008
My perspective is hardly insightful or unique!
The Democratic Party seems more predictable than the Republicans.
I'd be very surprised if the Democratic Party contenders don't narrow down to:
Hillary Clinton
Barack Obama and
John Edwards
very quickly. None of the other Democratic candidates seem likely to be able to raise enough money and have visibility to compete.
The main questions about Clinton seem to be:
1.) Is she electable? - Does she have too many people opposed to her to win a general election?
2.) Her position(s) on Iraq also may come into question particularly if Democrats push towards the more - "pull out now" direction which much of the electorate seems to favor.
The questions about Obama seem to be:
1.) Is the country really ready for a Black President?
2.) Where does he really stand on most issues?
3.) Is he too inexperienced as a politician?
The questions about Edwards seem to be:
1.) Will his strategy of being "the liberal candidate" (or most liberal) work?
2.) Can he move up from the #3 position and be in the limelight?
It seems hard to predict what may happen!
The Republicans may have more potential major candidates if Bush's position on the War remains unpopular towards the end of 2007. If Bush looks "good" on the War (doubtful) John McCain may pull into the lead well ahead of other candidates.
If McCain's stance in support of Bush now - doesn't prove popular, I'd guess that:
Chuck Nagel - would be the "middle of the road favorite" and perhaps
Sam Brownback would be the "traditional Conservative" choice and
maybe Mitt Romney will become a major Conservative candidate.
We'll see what happens! A lot can change in 2007 and in early 2008.
Perhaps - the voting public will have a little input ???
Thanks!
The Democratic Party seems more predictable than the Republicans.
I'd be very surprised if the Democratic Party contenders don't narrow down to:
Hillary Clinton
Barack Obama and
John Edwards
very quickly. None of the other Democratic candidates seem likely to be able to raise enough money and have visibility to compete.
The main questions about Clinton seem to be:
1.) Is she electable? - Does she have too many people opposed to her to win a general election?
2.) Her position(s) on Iraq also may come into question particularly if Democrats push towards the more - "pull out now" direction which much of the electorate seems to favor.
The questions about Obama seem to be:
1.) Is the country really ready for a Black President?
2.) Where does he really stand on most issues?
3.) Is he too inexperienced as a politician?
The questions about Edwards seem to be:
1.) Will his strategy of being "the liberal candidate" (or most liberal) work?
2.) Can he move up from the #3 position and be in the limelight?
It seems hard to predict what may happen!
The Republicans may have more potential major candidates if Bush's position on the War remains unpopular towards the end of 2007. If Bush looks "good" on the War (doubtful) John McCain may pull into the lead well ahead of other candidates.
If McCain's stance in support of Bush now - doesn't prove popular, I'd guess that:
Chuck Nagel - would be the "middle of the road favorite" and perhaps
Sam Brownback would be the "traditional Conservative" choice and
maybe Mitt Romney will become a major Conservative candidate.
We'll see what happens! A lot can change in 2007 and in early 2008.
Perhaps - the voting public will have a little input ???
Thanks!
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Combatants For Peace - An Interesting Group !
Combatants For Peace - is a most interesting group!
Hearing a Palestinian former "terrorist" talking with an Israeli Jewish former counter-intelligence specialist (Israeli Army) of the necessary dialogue between Palestinians and Israeli Jews was most positively illuminating!
These two men spoke of their pasts, the forces from both of their pasts who inflame things with violence and the need to break down the distrust between their peoples.
Talking of the need for dialogue to build a true, lasting peace was most helpful for me! Their patience and realization that it will take time to be successful working with non-violence (only) is very true to me.
www.combatantsforpeace.org. Another important group together with: Tikkun, Jewish Voice for Peace, Brit Tsedek among Jews and other groups representing others.
Thanks!
Hearing a Palestinian former "terrorist" talking with an Israeli Jewish former counter-intelligence specialist (Israeli Army) of the necessary dialogue between Palestinians and Israeli Jews was most positively illuminating!
These two men spoke of their pasts, the forces from both of their pasts who inflame things with violence and the need to break down the distrust between their peoples.
Talking of the need for dialogue to build a true, lasting peace was most helpful for me! Their patience and realization that it will take time to be successful working with non-violence (only) is very true to me.
www.combatantsforpeace.org. Another important group together with: Tikkun, Jewish Voice for Peace, Brit Tsedek among Jews and other groups representing others.
Thanks!
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Monday, February 05, 2007
The Exodus from Iraq
Based upon the data I quoted about the Middle East and the U.S. recently Iraq's population is approximately 1/11th of the population of the United States.
Based upon the numbers shown in an article originally written by Sudarsan Raghavan of the Washington Post entitled: "Exodus from Iraq creates friction in Middle East" if one were to multiply the given Iraqi numbers by eleven, we would have:
1. Almost 22 million who had fled our country,
2. 18.7 additional millionwho had been forced to move to safer places in the U.S.
3. As many as 550,000 USians fleeing their homes each month.
It's hard for me to imagine such staggering numbers.
Similarly, suicide bombings that kill 30 to 120 or so Iraqis would be killing - 330 to 1320 Usians - quite regularly lately at least!
This is pretty scary to me! We talk of the 3000 (now) + dead USian soldiers.
Pretty scary (and unnecessary) !!!
Thanks!
Based upon the numbers shown in an article originally written by Sudarsan Raghavan of the Washington Post entitled: "Exodus from Iraq creates friction in Middle East" if one were to multiply the given Iraqi numbers by eleven, we would have:
1. Almost 22 million who had fled our country,
2. 18.7 additional millionwho had been forced to move to safer places in the U.S.
3. As many as 550,000 USians fleeing their homes each month.
It's hard for me to imagine such staggering numbers.
Similarly, suicide bombings that kill 30 to 120 or so Iraqis would be killing - 330 to 1320 Usians - quite regularly lately at least!
This is pretty scary to me! We talk of the 3000 (now) + dead USian soldiers.
Pretty scary (and unnecessary) !!!
Thanks!
Sunday, February 04, 2007
The US - and "interests" - and control ???
Below are some population figures I just got off the internet. The U.S. spends more money on its military than the rest of the world put together (or close to it). The U.S. has a "larger" economy that its population would otherwise indicate. The U.S. also uses a disproportionate amount of the world's resources.
I think a little humility (including Listening, Really Listening to people in other countries) might be a good idea for our leadership and our people.
We have around 4.5% of the world's population and are dwarfed by China and India. The Middle East and neighboring relevant countries have a population greater than ours. Our national debts each year, deficits in exports vs. imports and amount of our economy which is owned by others from outside the USA - all point to our weakening position in the world - outside of our military strength.
Thanks!
George
I think a little humility (including Listening, Really Listening to people in other countries) might be a good idea for our leadership and our people.
We have around 4.5% of the world's population and are dwarfed by China and India. The Middle East and neighboring relevant countries have a population greater than ours. Our national debts each year, deficits in exports vs. imports and amount of our economy which is owned by others from outside the USA - all point to our weakening position in the world - outside of our military strength.
Thanks!
George
http://www.photius.com/wfb1999/rankings/population_0.html (1999)
1 World5,995,544,836
2 China 1,246,871,951
3 India1,000,848,550
4 United States272,639,608
5 Indonesia216,108,345
6 Brazil171,853,126
7 Russia146,393,569
8 Pakistan138,123,359
9 Bangladesh127,117,967
10 Japan126,182,077
11 Nigeria113,828,587
12 Mexico100,294,036
13 Germany82,087,361
14 Philippines79,345,812
15 Vietnam77,311,210
16 Egypt67,273,906
17 Turkey65,599,206
18 Iran65,179,752
19 Thailand60,609,046
20 Ethiopia59,680,383
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/information/population/ (figures change by the minute there)
TOTAL: 334 Million (adding only the million totals)
Thursday, February 01, 2007
On Racism - related to our Fearless Leader
"Well" , he said: "I really think he shatters the myth of white
supremacy once and for all."
Charles Rangel, Democrat, U.S. House of Representatives from NY - long time Black politician responding to what he thought of President Bush.
What more can one say? I like it.
supremacy once and for all."
Charles Rangel, Democrat, U.S. House of Representatives from NY - long time Black politician responding to what he thought of President Bush.
What more can one say? I like it.
Molly Ivins
I am very saddened to hear of the death of Molly Ivins. Her incredible powerful wit was incredible! Her political insights and awareness pushing over and over again against the policies of President Bush, pointing out the silliness of Texas politics and talking of "Shrub" (as she referred to him) were all unique. Her battle against breast cancer over 7-8 years at least sadly ended yesterday. She will be missed.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Onyx - Our 2nd Puppy !!
Yesterday I got a phone call asking if I would be willing to foster a (Black Miniature) Golden Doodle - 3 months old - until a permanent adoption was completed. I drove an hour and picked up two pups - each around 10 lbs in size - and brought them to another foster home - which had a 3rd littermate of the two pups. When I got home the three other (human) household members said: Geo, can t we keep him! Now - we have two pups for good - Onyx - is about 10 lbs vs. perhaps 36-38 for Rojo, who now looks huge!
Onyx has peed and pooped in the kitchen this evening already.
He should be somewhere in the 30-35 lb range when fully grown perhaps. Rojo will probably end up 60+ lbs in size. So our - Labradoodle - is Red or Golden and our Golden Doodle is Black!
Fun - and 2-4 hours of sleep - before taking him out - if he does not pee in the plastic crate we will use for a few days.
Friday, January 26, 2007
A "Simple Time"
I went to California for my mother's surgery on Monday. My mother is approaching age 80 and my step-father is approaching age 85. Nothing is ever simple with the "ole folks"!
Tuesday morning we were off to the hospital at 5:30 a.m. The surgery was completed ahead of schedule. My step-father held up quite well (for him). We went home Tuesday evening, got a good night's sleep and came back to take Ma home Wednesday morning.
Things seemed very normal at home Wednesday and we all went to bed perhaps a little early.
At 3:30 a.m. Thursday - Ma - said: "Wake up G - I's - in tremendous pain - and wants to go to the emergency room. We were in the emergency room from 4:00 a.m. til 4:00 p.m. - when there was finally a room to admit I. By that time most possible problems had been ruled out with various tests.
Then Ma - discovered that she was dehydrated because she's not drunk anywhere enough liquids. Once she began drinking water, her digestive system went from - way too slow - to ooooooooooeeeeeeee - and wouldn't let up.
I took her home to get a nap, but she couldn't lay down without ooooeeee - and quickly made an appointment to see a doctor at 7:00 p.m. at the clinic at the hospital. Her appointment felt rushed in her estimation - and gave her no relief.
It took forever for her to get her blood test done. She seemed more than a little out of it - and went with me back to the emergency room - and asked a nurse we'd dealt with earlier - if she could get a bed to lie down on there (understand that there were a good 20-30 or more people waiting for help in the emergency room). That (of course) didn't work!!! We went up to I.'s room - and then were sent home to get some sleep.
Friday morning - we were up and doing fine until we were about to head off to the hospital. I couldn't find Ma's keys - which I'd had. I looked all over several times and couldn't find them. We used I's keys and I dropped her off at the hospital.
I went back to the house - looked a 3rd or 4th time and still couldn't find the keys. M .- picked me up and we both searched unsuccessfully for the keys. We were off to the airport for my flight home. M. - said - we've searched the whole house - Ma - must have the keys in her purse. I told her she'd searched the purse, but acknowledged that this was possible. M. talked with her husband - who was with the Ole Man and Ma - and Ma said again - that she'd looked in her purse and that I'd lost the keys.
A minute later - as we arrived at the airport to drop me off - M.'s cell phone rang - and she said: "She's found the keys in her purse" - and - yup - she was right!
Flying home was rather a relief!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (*smiling*!!!)
Thanks!
Tuesday morning we were off to the hospital at 5:30 a.m. The surgery was completed ahead of schedule. My step-father held up quite well (for him). We went home Tuesday evening, got a good night's sleep and came back to take Ma home Wednesday morning.
Things seemed very normal at home Wednesday and we all went to bed perhaps a little early.
At 3:30 a.m. Thursday - Ma - said: "Wake up G - I's - in tremendous pain - and wants to go to the emergency room. We were in the emergency room from 4:00 a.m. til 4:00 p.m. - when there was finally a room to admit I. By that time most possible problems had been ruled out with various tests.
Then Ma - discovered that she was dehydrated because she's not drunk anywhere enough liquids. Once she began drinking water, her digestive system went from - way too slow - to ooooooooooeeeeeeee - and wouldn't let up.
I took her home to get a nap, but she couldn't lay down without ooooeeee - and quickly made an appointment to see a doctor at 7:00 p.m. at the clinic at the hospital. Her appointment felt rushed in her estimation - and gave her no relief.
It took forever for her to get her blood test done. She seemed more than a little out of it - and went with me back to the emergency room - and asked a nurse we'd dealt with earlier - if she could get a bed to lie down on there (understand that there were a good 20-30 or more people waiting for help in the emergency room). That (of course) didn't work!!! We went up to I.'s room - and then were sent home to get some sleep.
Friday morning - we were up and doing fine until we were about to head off to the hospital. I couldn't find Ma's keys - which I'd had. I looked all over several times and couldn't find them. We used I's keys and I dropped her off at the hospital.
I went back to the house - looked a 3rd or 4th time and still couldn't find the keys. M .- picked me up and we both searched unsuccessfully for the keys. We were off to the airport for my flight home. M. - said - we've searched the whole house - Ma - must have the keys in her purse. I told her she'd searched the purse, but acknowledged that this was possible. M. talked with her husband - who was with the Ole Man and Ma - and Ma said again - that she'd looked in her purse and that I'd lost the keys.
A minute later - as we arrived at the airport to drop me off - M.'s cell phone rang - and she said: "She's found the keys in her purse" - and - yup - she was right!
Flying home was rather a relief!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (*smiling*!!!)
Thanks!
Monday, January 22, 2007
The Absent Minded Regressor (me!)
Yesterday, in preparation for my trip which I am now on, I bought some dental floss. Of course, while emptying my pockets before doing laundry I didn't feel nor remove the dental floss. I couldn't find it and then looked in the dryer. There was the entire dental floss wrapped around parts of the laundry with separate pieces of the plastic and metal elsewhere in the dryer, fortunately not melted!
Silly me!
Gettin Old and Fergetful!
Thanks!
Silly me!
Gettin Old and Fergetful!
Thanks!
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Ehren Watada - Objections to War ?
Ehren Watada, an officer the the U.S. Army, has taken a courageous stand in refusing to go back to Iraq, contesting the legality of this War. He has appeared at various protests against the War in the Pacific Northwest. Watada had offered to go to Afghanistan instead, indicating that he wasn't opposed to wars in general. Now he faces up to six years in military prison, facing a certain military court conviction, after the military judge has indicated that he can't contest the legality of the Iraqi War in his court defense.
In this case strangely I find that I agree with the court position. The place where this War should be contested should be in protests in the streets as well as in Congress. The military is not the place for individual soldiers to Not Face Consequences when they refuse military orders. If Watada's resistence leads to others doing similar, perhaps politicians will finally take strong enough action to stop the War. I admire his stand. I think that he should do as he is doing and face his trial standing up for his beliefs.
Watada is doing an admirable thing! He will pay for his convictions in part. He also is growing as a person and hopefully will be a better person for his actions.
Watada apparently though doesn't see the clear pattern of U.S. foreign policy which includes Afghanistan, Iran, Venezuela and elsewhere today as well as Nicaragua, Cuba, The Phillipines, Iran (again), Mexico and many other countries. Native Americans were lied to and conquered as the U.S. was "settled" and our country has a shameful history since then.
We are not "bad people" or a "bad country".
We do need to recognize that our foreign policy intends to support what are labeled "our interests". Such interests often represent a narrow view of the world which at various times ignored and ignores the interests of most people in other countries as well as in our own country.
Seeing the similar patterns over time and working to change the system as a whole is most important! Labeling other countries such as France negatively when they refuse to support our aggression is not helpful. Recognizing how our foreign policy often represents powerful U.S. and increasingly multi-national economic interests is important.
It is said in the media now that there is a political divide between:
1.) some Republicans (primarily) who remain scared of "terrorism" and support an aggressive foreign policy largely supportive of Mr. Bush (or at least his aims) and
2.) most Democrats (primarily) - whose voting public wish a withdrawal from the international arena (not just Iraq and Afghanistan) including not supporting a hypothetical future military action in a country where there is a known terrorist threat to the U.S.
The "War on Terrorism" represents a political effort of Mr. Bush and his allies to paint many groups opposed to U.S. policy as somehow in a united effort against us. Ignorance and scare tactics help make people believe that Sunni and Shiite bitter enemies of each other are somehow united against us. Individual efforts elsewhere are bunched together generally totally inaccurately.
There are serious threats of nuclear war and terror particularly with countries like North Korea. Iran is certainly a potential threat to the U.S.
We should be talking, talking, talking with our "enemies" and others. We will disagree with others, but we can respect them and respect the threats they may pose to us by talking with them and keeping communication open.
The efforts of the Bushites help create new real threats and build a state of perpetual war efforts. As people in other countries are not listened to and are labeled "the enemy" by the Bushites, more and more people do in fact turn to Islamic fundamentalism and other efforts that do in many cases become real "terrorist threats".
The reaction to this among many U.S. citizens unfortunately is not to learn the deeper meanings of what is going on. People generally don't see much of this! They react in some ways similar to popular U.S. reaction after World War I - putting their heads in the sand and wanting no part of what is going on in much of the rest of the world.
After World War I the rise of Hitler and facism was heavily influenced by how the U.S., England and France tried to punish the Germans and ignored the effects of their actions until it was too late.
It is unclear what the effects may be of U.S. efforts to disengage from foreign conflicts. Some politicians are trying to work on a middle ground which might help. Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico brokered a peace agreement in Somalia. Jimmy Carter, despite his age, works for peace in the Middle East and elsewhere.
Hopefully over time U.S. citizens will begin to be more aware and help push our politicians in good ways.
www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org - is a good source of self-education on Israel-Palestine issues.
Howard Zinn (www.howardzinn.org) - wrote a wonderful book (available in paperback) entitled "A Peoples History of the United States" which is a great primer for understanding the present state of the U.S. as being a continuation of the past.
There are many similar good sources of information on the internet related to other important issues.
Thanks!
In this case strangely I find that I agree with the court position. The place where this War should be contested should be in protests in the streets as well as in Congress. The military is not the place for individual soldiers to Not Face Consequences when they refuse military orders. If Watada's resistence leads to others doing similar, perhaps politicians will finally take strong enough action to stop the War. I admire his stand. I think that he should do as he is doing and face his trial standing up for his beliefs.
Watada is doing an admirable thing! He will pay for his convictions in part. He also is growing as a person and hopefully will be a better person for his actions.
Watada apparently though doesn't see the clear pattern of U.S. foreign policy which includes Afghanistan, Iran, Venezuela and elsewhere today as well as Nicaragua, Cuba, The Phillipines, Iran (again), Mexico and many other countries. Native Americans were lied to and conquered as the U.S. was "settled" and our country has a shameful history since then.
We are not "bad people" or a "bad country".
We do need to recognize that our foreign policy intends to support what are labeled "our interests". Such interests often represent a narrow view of the world which at various times ignored and ignores the interests of most people in other countries as well as in our own country.
Seeing the similar patterns over time and working to change the system as a whole is most important! Labeling other countries such as France negatively when they refuse to support our aggression is not helpful. Recognizing how our foreign policy often represents powerful U.S. and increasingly multi-national economic interests is important.
It is said in the media now that there is a political divide between:
1.) some Republicans (primarily) who remain scared of "terrorism" and support an aggressive foreign policy largely supportive of Mr. Bush (or at least his aims) and
2.) most Democrats (primarily) - whose voting public wish a withdrawal from the international arena (not just Iraq and Afghanistan) including not supporting a hypothetical future military action in a country where there is a known terrorist threat to the U.S.
The "War on Terrorism" represents a political effort of Mr. Bush and his allies to paint many groups opposed to U.S. policy as somehow in a united effort against us. Ignorance and scare tactics help make people believe that Sunni and Shiite bitter enemies of each other are somehow united against us. Individual efforts elsewhere are bunched together generally totally inaccurately.
There are serious threats of nuclear war and terror particularly with countries like North Korea. Iran is certainly a potential threat to the U.S.
We should be talking, talking, talking with our "enemies" and others. We will disagree with others, but we can respect them and respect the threats they may pose to us by talking with them and keeping communication open.
The efforts of the Bushites help create new real threats and build a state of perpetual war efforts. As people in other countries are not listened to and are labeled "the enemy" by the Bushites, more and more people do in fact turn to Islamic fundamentalism and other efforts that do in many cases become real "terrorist threats".
The reaction to this among many U.S. citizens unfortunately is not to learn the deeper meanings of what is going on. People generally don't see much of this! They react in some ways similar to popular U.S. reaction after World War I - putting their heads in the sand and wanting no part of what is going on in much of the rest of the world.
After World War I the rise of Hitler and facism was heavily influenced by how the U.S., England and France tried to punish the Germans and ignored the effects of their actions until it was too late.
It is unclear what the effects may be of U.S. efforts to disengage from foreign conflicts. Some politicians are trying to work on a middle ground which might help. Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico brokered a peace agreement in Somalia. Jimmy Carter, despite his age, works for peace in the Middle East and elsewhere.
Hopefully over time U.S. citizens will begin to be more aware and help push our politicians in good ways.
www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org - is a good source of self-education on Israel-Palestine issues.
Howard Zinn (www.howardzinn.org) - wrote a wonderful book (available in paperback) entitled "A Peoples History of the United States" which is a great primer for understanding the present state of the U.S. as being a continuation of the past.
There are many similar good sources of information on the internet related to other important issues.
Thanks!
Friday, January 19, 2007
Venezuela - "How We Operate"
Venezuela is an interesting example of defiance of U.S. Government desires!
It's elected leader Hugo Chavez is a "socialist" and regularly makes statements that are not exactly supportive of Mr. Bush and his administration.
Venezuela is approximately the 8th largest exporter of oil in the world. It is in both the U.S. and Venezuela's best interests that the oil keep coming to feed our large SUV's and other gas guzzlers.
The U.S. has already been highly supportive of a coup attempt where briefly insurgents took power.
As the U.S. attempts to pressure Mr. Chavez, he quite naturally becomes more paranoid about the forces seeking his demise, cracking down on anti-government media and similar. He becomes more like a "Fidel Castro" of old at least partially as a result of the pressures upon him, which of course feeds the "I told you so" mindset of right-wingers in the U.S. who want to end his rule.
Unfortunately for the Bush Administration, many people in Venezuela support Mr. Chavez in his "class warfare" favoring the poor at least in his rhetoric.
We will see how things change in Venezuela over time. If Mr. Chavez should miraculously prove successful in the long-term, his leadership might inspire other countries to defy the U.S.
Interesting!
It's elected leader Hugo Chavez is a "socialist" and regularly makes statements that are not exactly supportive of Mr. Bush and his administration.
Venezuela is approximately the 8th largest exporter of oil in the world. It is in both the U.S. and Venezuela's best interests that the oil keep coming to feed our large SUV's and other gas guzzlers.
The U.S. has already been highly supportive of a coup attempt where briefly insurgents took power.
As the U.S. attempts to pressure Mr. Chavez, he quite naturally becomes more paranoid about the forces seeking his demise, cracking down on anti-government media and similar. He becomes more like a "Fidel Castro" of old at least partially as a result of the pressures upon him, which of course feeds the "I told you so" mindset of right-wingers in the U.S. who want to end his rule.
Unfortunately for the Bush Administration, many people in Venezuela support Mr. Chavez in his "class warfare" favoring the poor at least in his rhetoric.
We will see how things change in Venezuela over time. If Mr. Chavez should miraculously prove successful in the long-term, his leadership might inspire other countries to defy the U.S.
Interesting!
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Who Are You ?
Who Area You?
How can you heal
from the abuse
permeating your Soul
of Trusted Ones'
betrayal
Of safety within
being
a Blurry
Distant Cloud
--
Now - where the Hurt
comes Instead
From
Myths about you
Where -
Your People
Those You Love Deeply
are said to be:
Wrong
Crazy
Not Good People
-- as You Know They Are
So, you are Responsible
for the Myths
the Craziness
of Others
While
at the Same Time
You Must Struggle
with the Insanity Itself
Digging Inside
Who Are You?
(perhaps:
- an Iraqi - in an insane world
- a Palestinian - trying to cope
- a Person of Color - in a White World
- a Gay/Lesbian/Bi/Transgendered one in a land foreign to whom one is
- or Many Others
- or Several of these - Together
I probably don't Know You.
Will I listen?
Can I hear?
You are Important !
You Do Matter !
I hope that I will See
and be an Ally
if Not
a Friend
January 18, 2007
How can you heal
from the abuse
permeating your Soul
of Trusted Ones'
betrayal
Of safety within
being
a Blurry
Distant Cloud
--
Now - where the Hurt
comes Instead
From
Myths about you
Where -
Your People
Those You Love Deeply
are said to be:
Wrong
Crazy
Not Good People
-- as You Know They Are
So, you are Responsible
for the Myths
the Craziness
of Others
While
at the Same Time
You Must Struggle
with the Insanity Itself
Digging Inside
Who Are You?
(perhaps:
- an Iraqi - in an insane world
- a Palestinian - trying to cope
- a Person of Color - in a White World
- a Gay/Lesbian/Bi/Transgendered one in a land foreign to whom one is
- or Many Others
- or Several of these - Together
I probably don't Know You.
Will I listen?
Can I hear?
You are Important !
You Do Matter !
I hope that I will See
and be an Ally
if Not
a Friend
January 18, 2007
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Iraq - Palestine, etc.
I note that in the entire time that this blog has existed never has anyone commented (positively or negatively) on my writings about issues relating to my Judiasm and issues relating to Israel and The West Bank and Gaza. This seems peculiar to me!
It is sad and fascinating to see the latest "plans" for Iraq. Initially I read that President Bush intended to maintain his military position in Iraq until the end of his presidency, to leave issues to his successor. This seemed to me a difficult pose for the "Great One", as it seems obvious to me that continual war into 2009 looks difficult to sustain politically given its likelihood of failure.
Now I read of how the Bushites have a two part strategy:
1.) Pressure the Iraqi Government to get control of its Shiite forces - who have a strong vested interest in success and:
2.) Force cooperation with Sunni forces - else 1.) will no doubt fail and IF this fails over the next 6 months or so:
3.) Regime change - bringing in others - who will put forth the Bush Agenda - No Focus Here - upon "democracy" - or leadership increasingly from Iraqis - but US - Agenda - #1 - the only important thing.
I found most of this very interesting! The "De Baathization" - of the Sunnis - with increasing involvement of Sunnis in leadership as well as the pressures upon the Shiite leadership exposes the fact that the Iraqi Government and agenda MUST represent what the U.S. wants, not what the Iraqis want.
It seems sad and funny - that people in the US largely do not see a pattern in US Foreign Policy - that views the US as "benevolent" or ("Father Knows Best") and the rest of the world as needing to go along with our "benevolent leadership".
Prime Minister Blair and the British leadership seem to be separating themselves completely from the Bush Position in these areas.
It seems strange that somehow this military strategy with 21-22,000 new troops - focussing upon Baghdad will somehow succeed now. Bush is now appointing new leaders of the US effort on the ground in Iraq - most of whom were "outsiders" or left the cause in disgust in 2003-2004 because they saw the stupidity and futility of what was done in various areas then.
Clearly 70-80% of the U.S. public want the troop levels to drop and troops to be withdrawn over the next few years, rather than an escalation of the War effort. It will be interesting to see what happens!
Now Ms. Rice - is seeking peace in Palestine - The West Bank and Gaza. Unfortunately no one sees her efforts as being more than token - nothing behind them.
Jimmy Carter has written - what seems to be - an insightful book on the Palestinian issue and he, as others before him, has been pillaged - as being "wrong" because his attempt at balance calls upon the need for Israel to withdraw from The West Bank and Gaza, rather than "The Palestinians to be reasonable".
Few in the US seem to understand that Israel has not been holding the U.S. back by not making peace with the Palestinians. During the periods where peace looked faintly or faintly-faintly possible, the U.S. has consistently pressured Israel to do things which prevent peace from having a chance. Israel paid a heavy price last summer - fighting largely for the US - under pressure from the US during at least the latter part of the War in Lebanon.
The perceived strategic interests of the US often rely upon "states of war" - economic and other interests which rely upon avoiding real peace. "Democracy" in this context really means US friendly governments which act not in their own interests when the chips are down. Unfortunately for Ms. Rice and President Bush, his "plans" now do not really help any governments in the Middle East besides perhaps the perceived short-term interests of the Israeli Government.
A continued state of war - helps maintain (some) Israeli and US economic interests. The West Bank has potential Palestinian economic interests who want the water that Israel controls, and may create a future economy which might eventually threaten Israeli economic domination in various areas.
Hopefully Israelis and most importantly people in the US (particularly us Jews!) will start seeing the importance of taking the risks to make real peace!
Perhaps if we succeed some day we might help create a world where it will no longer be OK for the US to always be: Number One - and others to hate us - as their interests are kept at bay.
Thanks!
It is sad and fascinating to see the latest "plans" for Iraq. Initially I read that President Bush intended to maintain his military position in Iraq until the end of his presidency, to leave issues to his successor. This seemed to me a difficult pose for the "Great One", as it seems obvious to me that continual war into 2009 looks difficult to sustain politically given its likelihood of failure.
Now I read of how the Bushites have a two part strategy:
1.) Pressure the Iraqi Government to get control of its Shiite forces - who have a strong vested interest in success and:
2.) Force cooperation with Sunni forces - else 1.) will no doubt fail and IF this fails over the next 6 months or so:
3.) Regime change - bringing in others - who will put forth the Bush Agenda - No Focus Here - upon "democracy" - or leadership increasingly from Iraqis - but US - Agenda - #1 - the only important thing.
I found most of this very interesting! The "De Baathization" - of the Sunnis - with increasing involvement of Sunnis in leadership as well as the pressures upon the Shiite leadership exposes the fact that the Iraqi Government and agenda MUST represent what the U.S. wants, not what the Iraqis want.
It seems sad and funny - that people in the US largely do not see a pattern in US Foreign Policy - that views the US as "benevolent" or ("Father Knows Best") and the rest of the world as needing to go along with our "benevolent leadership".
Prime Minister Blair and the British leadership seem to be separating themselves completely from the Bush Position in these areas.
It seems strange that somehow this military strategy with 21-22,000 new troops - focussing upon Baghdad will somehow succeed now. Bush is now appointing new leaders of the US effort on the ground in Iraq - most of whom were "outsiders" or left the cause in disgust in 2003-2004 because they saw the stupidity and futility of what was done in various areas then.
Clearly 70-80% of the U.S. public want the troop levels to drop and troops to be withdrawn over the next few years, rather than an escalation of the War effort. It will be interesting to see what happens!
Now Ms. Rice - is seeking peace in Palestine - The West Bank and Gaza. Unfortunately no one sees her efforts as being more than token - nothing behind them.
Jimmy Carter has written - what seems to be - an insightful book on the Palestinian issue and he, as others before him, has been pillaged - as being "wrong" because his attempt at balance calls upon the need for Israel to withdraw from The West Bank and Gaza, rather than "The Palestinians to be reasonable".
Few in the US seem to understand that Israel has not been holding the U.S. back by not making peace with the Palestinians. During the periods where peace looked faintly or faintly-faintly possible, the U.S. has consistently pressured Israel to do things which prevent peace from having a chance. Israel paid a heavy price last summer - fighting largely for the US - under pressure from the US during at least the latter part of the War in Lebanon.
The perceived strategic interests of the US often rely upon "states of war" - economic and other interests which rely upon avoiding real peace. "Democracy" in this context really means US friendly governments which act not in their own interests when the chips are down. Unfortunately for Ms. Rice and President Bush, his "plans" now do not really help any governments in the Middle East besides perhaps the perceived short-term interests of the Israeli Government.
A continued state of war - helps maintain (some) Israeli and US economic interests. The West Bank has potential Palestinian economic interests who want the water that Israel controls, and may create a future economy which might eventually threaten Israeli economic domination in various areas.
Hopefully Israelis and most importantly people in the US (particularly us Jews!) will start seeing the importance of taking the risks to make real peace!
Perhaps if we succeed some day we might help create a world where it will no longer be OK for the US to always be: Number One - and others to hate us - as their interests are kept at bay.
Thanks!
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Telling a "Higher Truth"
November 7th - I wrote of my image of the deteriorating health of one I care about who had just confided in me about the cancer she had. She told me then that she wanted me not to tell her sister, one who is Very close to me. I struggled with the issue of hiding the truth, which I knew was completely wrong. At the same time I didn't want to betray her confidence.
I talked in vain with all the family members I thought might be of help in allowing the truth to be told directly between the sisters. Others outside of her husband agreed that the truth shouldn't continue to be hidden. The excuses for secrecy included: 1.) She can't "do anything now" due to a health condition that needs treatment soon, 2.) It will be hard for her to hear the news and 3.) Her first allegiance should be to her (aging) husband and this would take her away from her primary responsibility.
My issues related to the feelings and need for closure - after being two sisters together for over 75 years, with no other siblings. Though they are very different and live a long way apart, they have a bond between them that is important.
Finally yesterday I called a rabbi who had known both of them (the sick one less closely) for around 40 years. He advised me to tell the truth immediately, which I did, after consulting with my partner. He said that it was a "religious necessity" after questioning me about several things related to both of them.
My feelings now are positive, though a little conflicted. I think that I did what was right. A lot of tears are flowing now. There still is truth hidden, as now both know the truth, but one still doesn't know that the other one knows.
Life can be hard! Thanks!
I talked in vain with all the family members I thought might be of help in allowing the truth to be told directly between the sisters. Others outside of her husband agreed that the truth shouldn't continue to be hidden. The excuses for secrecy included: 1.) She can't "do anything now" due to a health condition that needs treatment soon, 2.) It will be hard for her to hear the news and 3.) Her first allegiance should be to her (aging) husband and this would take her away from her primary responsibility.
My issues related to the feelings and need for closure - after being two sisters together for over 75 years, with no other siblings. Though they are very different and live a long way apart, they have a bond between them that is important.
Finally yesterday I called a rabbi who had known both of them (the sick one less closely) for around 40 years. He advised me to tell the truth immediately, which I did, after consulting with my partner. He said that it was a "religious necessity" after questioning me about several things related to both of them.
My feelings now are positive, though a little conflicted. I think that I did what was right. A lot of tears are flowing now. There still is truth hidden, as now both know the truth, but one still doesn't know that the other one knows.
Life can be hard! Thanks!
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Friday, January 05, 2007
Palestinian Autonomy - and Endless War
I am Jewish, have many Israeli relatives, and have no desires to see the death and destruction that many Jews fear with cooperation with the Palestinians in The West Bank and Gaza.
Today on NPR I heard of older Palestinian women who are beginning to become visible seeking a Palestinian State in two contrasting ways. The first featured woman rejects the fighting between Hamas and Fatah and seeks a third path coming from protesting the status quo - a new movement.
The second woman had been recruited by Hamas - age 72. Initially she served as a diversionary force to help free some Hamas "militants". In the end her family celebrated her life - as she died as a suicide bomber who "only" slightly wounded two Israeli soldiers.
The story concluded indicting that Hamas was the far stronger force, with programs for its people. It also talked of how Islamic law was pushing restrictions upon many areas as part of Hamas's efforts.
As Jews in Spain, Eastern Europe and many other places, most of our ancestors rejected the "easy path" refusing to convert to Christianity despite great pressures from the dominant forces in many countries. We wanted the freedom to be our own people amidst a world that was often very hostile to us.
Jews from much of the world came to Palestine and unsuccessfully tried to convince the native population that "modernity" through the leadership of the immigrants was their way to the future. The Palestinians stubbornly insisted on trying to save their lands (and water), their most valued resources, as well as their general way of life.
We seem to have lost these basic facts in our fears that have developed over Palestinian and Arab resistance to Israel's formation and early development. Israelis and Jews from outside Israel have translated the resistance of the Arab countries and native population out of a position of relative (Israeli) weakness prior to and shortly after the formation of the State of Isreal in 1948 into a pathological fear of "Arabs" and "Muslims" which is no longer realistic today.
Certainly it is dangerous to allow Palestinians real power and a viable state of most of the West Bank and all of Gaza. Unfortunately the giving up of water rights and the rights to land - the economics are masked by the very real fears of killing and death.
Israeli's army is far, far stronger than any potential opposition despite the huge population of the "enemy" vs. Israel's small popultion. Israel's economy is far stronger than much of the nearby Middle East, despite the oil wealth.
The United States pressures Israel to support American foreign policy which greatly weakens and denies moderate forces, helping build the support of radical forces like Hamas. Once radical forces like Hamas gain power, We do all we can to confront them and deny their legitimacy.
Similar to the results in Iran, Iraq and even Egypt - our ideological driven - pressures result in countries which have leaders - such as Saudi Arabia has, who seemingly are "allies", but are doomed in the long run to losing power to (likely) radical forces of reaction. We support a doomed strategy in The West Bank and Gaza.
Someday, perhaps in my lifetime, Israel will have little strategic importance to the United States. The oil in the Middle East will likely be exhausted and much of the Middle East will have little economic value to the forces of "capital".
At that time Israel will have only its military might to defend itself, to fight the forces of its Palestinian neighbors and own people.
Today, Israel can and should build a real peace through real negotiations - without pre-conditions - to try to build a lasting peace. I can't predict the exact peace agreement that could exist. I would imagine that it would necessitate - Jews leaving 99% of the ("illegal") settlements - of the West Bank and granting Gaza true, not pseudo-autonomy (as it now has).
For Israel such a peace would be "dangerous" because of the real uncertainties of an independent Palestinian State as well as needing to confront and move thousands of its "settlers" into "old Israel".
For the Palestinians such a peace would be "dangerous", because it would have to trust, despite its fears, that the areas proximate to Jerusalem and parts of Jerusalem itself would be subsequently negotiated upon, rather than losing these entire areas to permanent, unrestrained Israeli rule - as exists today.
For both sides - peace - would allow a life - that they have never had! I hope that Israel will resist the pressures of the United States and look out for its real interests by working incessantly for peace. Jewish Voice for Peace - www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org - is a wonderful group and website - which strongly supports Jews and Israel, while not supporting the continued oppression of Palestinians.
Thanks!
Today on NPR I heard of older Palestinian women who are beginning to become visible seeking a Palestinian State in two contrasting ways. The first featured woman rejects the fighting between Hamas and Fatah and seeks a third path coming from protesting the status quo - a new movement.
The second woman had been recruited by Hamas - age 72. Initially she served as a diversionary force to help free some Hamas "militants". In the end her family celebrated her life - as she died as a suicide bomber who "only" slightly wounded two Israeli soldiers.
The story concluded indicting that Hamas was the far stronger force, with programs for its people. It also talked of how Islamic law was pushing restrictions upon many areas as part of Hamas's efforts.
As Jews in Spain, Eastern Europe and many other places, most of our ancestors rejected the "easy path" refusing to convert to Christianity despite great pressures from the dominant forces in many countries. We wanted the freedom to be our own people amidst a world that was often very hostile to us.
Jews from much of the world came to Palestine and unsuccessfully tried to convince the native population that "modernity" through the leadership of the immigrants was their way to the future. The Palestinians stubbornly insisted on trying to save their lands (and water), their most valued resources, as well as their general way of life.
We seem to have lost these basic facts in our fears that have developed over Palestinian and Arab resistance to Israel's formation and early development. Israelis and Jews from outside Israel have translated the resistance of the Arab countries and native population out of a position of relative (Israeli) weakness prior to and shortly after the formation of the State of Isreal in 1948 into a pathological fear of "Arabs" and "Muslims" which is no longer realistic today.
Certainly it is dangerous to allow Palestinians real power and a viable state of most of the West Bank and all of Gaza. Unfortunately the giving up of water rights and the rights to land - the economics are masked by the very real fears of killing and death.
Israeli's army is far, far stronger than any potential opposition despite the huge population of the "enemy" vs. Israel's small popultion. Israel's economy is far stronger than much of the nearby Middle East, despite the oil wealth.
The United States pressures Israel to support American foreign policy which greatly weakens and denies moderate forces, helping build the support of radical forces like Hamas. Once radical forces like Hamas gain power, We do all we can to confront them and deny their legitimacy.
Similar to the results in Iran, Iraq and even Egypt - our ideological driven - pressures result in countries which have leaders - such as Saudi Arabia has, who seemingly are "allies", but are doomed in the long run to losing power to (likely) radical forces of reaction. We support a doomed strategy in The West Bank and Gaza.
Someday, perhaps in my lifetime, Israel will have little strategic importance to the United States. The oil in the Middle East will likely be exhausted and much of the Middle East will have little economic value to the forces of "capital".
At that time Israel will have only its military might to defend itself, to fight the forces of its Palestinian neighbors and own people.
Today, Israel can and should build a real peace through real negotiations - without pre-conditions - to try to build a lasting peace. I can't predict the exact peace agreement that could exist. I would imagine that it would necessitate - Jews leaving 99% of the ("illegal") settlements - of the West Bank and granting Gaza true, not pseudo-autonomy (as it now has).
For Israel such a peace would be "dangerous" because of the real uncertainties of an independent Palestinian State as well as needing to confront and move thousands of its "settlers" into "old Israel".
For the Palestinians such a peace would be "dangerous", because it would have to trust, despite its fears, that the areas proximate to Jerusalem and parts of Jerusalem itself would be subsequently negotiated upon, rather than losing these entire areas to permanent, unrestrained Israeli rule - as exists today.
For both sides - peace - would allow a life - that they have never had! I hope that Israel will resist the pressures of the United States and look out for its real interests by working incessantly for peace. Jewish Voice for Peace - www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org - is a wonderful group and website - which strongly supports Jews and Israel, while not supporting the continued oppression of Palestinians.
Thanks!
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Rojo at Four Months - Wonderful Pup!
Rojo continues to be a delightful newest member of our family. He can be amusing such as when he scares himself looking at "the strange dog looking at him" (in the mirror). He now (thankfully) sleeps through the night. He chews on everything - teething at four months. He is an expressive dog moaning, groaning, barking and making odd other sounds. At 25 pounds, it is getting harder to carry him. He loves being with people (including young children) and other animals.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Generosity at this Time of Year +
I clearly remember being in Milan Italy in the summer of 1964 when I was 13 years old. On a large square there was a gypsy family with a mother and a lot of children begging. I remember thinking: "this will never happen in the U.S." Hah!
Recently in Florida a family friend of my wife's mother told me of how a group of her friends and she all contributed their "Christmas gifts" not to each other, but rather to a family or cause locally that they felt was worthy. She said that they were all retired and had what they needed and wanted already.
A recent year's gift was to a poor local family that her son had told her of. They surprised the mother in the family greatly pleasing her with their gift. This family had pallets rather than beds. The preceding year one of the children stayed out of school to allow them to afford clothes for the other children to wear so they could attend school. They had no money for presents for their children.
I was amazed at the kindness and generosity that was shown by these very nice people! I'm also saddened that we can have such extreme poverty amidst all the wealth we have in the U.S.
Recently in Florida a family friend of my wife's mother told me of how a group of her friends and she all contributed their "Christmas gifts" not to each other, but rather to a family or cause locally that they felt was worthy. She said that they were all retired and had what they needed and wanted already.
A recent year's gift was to a poor local family that her son had told her of. They surprised the mother in the family greatly pleasing her with their gift. This family had pallets rather than beds. The preceding year one of the children stayed out of school to allow them to afford clothes for the other children to wear so they could attend school. They had no money for presents for their children.
I was amazed at the kindness and generosity that was shown by these very nice people! I'm also saddened that we can have such extreme poverty amidst all the wealth we have in the U.S.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
A Puppy's World
Rojo, our Labradoodle Puppy, must weigh close to 25 pounds now (at four months), up from 9.5 pounds when we got him (when he was 7-8 weeks old). We've grown very attached to him! He's mostly mellow. With his teething underwear, socks, pieces of paper etc. - are all "chewing toys".
In our bedroom he gets very anxious barking when he sees himself in the mirror behind the door, seeing the "other dog" there. Chewing on various of his toys, his moanish sounds are very amusing. On walks he always wants to tug and pull us to any person within sight, as well as fellow dogs (of course!). It is presumed that others want to pet and play with him.
He was filthy when he came back from the kennel yesterday. In the laundry tub when lathered up, he looked like a skinny funny looking dog, not the fluffy beautiful roundish looking pup that he looks like normally.
When I picked him up at the kennel, he seemed to barely recognize me - living in the world of play with at least 20-30 other large dogs he had been with 12+ hours each day. Now he's moving back to "normal", though he is a "little older" after being away for 6 days.
He looks funny sitting in my lap now, as his body is a little big for that.
Thankfully, now he can sleep through the night, so I don't have to get up every 2-4 hours to let him out!
It will be fun and funny to look back on his pup days far too soon when he's fully grown!
In our bedroom he gets very anxious barking when he sees himself in the mirror behind the door, seeing the "other dog" there. Chewing on various of his toys, his moanish sounds are very amusing. On walks he always wants to tug and pull us to any person within sight, as well as fellow dogs (of course!). It is presumed that others want to pet and play with him.
He was filthy when he came back from the kennel yesterday. In the laundry tub when lathered up, he looked like a skinny funny looking dog, not the fluffy beautiful roundish looking pup that he looks like normally.
When I picked him up at the kennel, he seemed to barely recognize me - living in the world of play with at least 20-30 other large dogs he had been with 12+ hours each day. Now he's moving back to "normal", though he is a "little older" after being away for 6 days.
He looks funny sitting in my lap now, as his body is a little big for that.
Thankfully, now he can sleep through the night, so I don't have to get up every 2-4 hours to let him out!
It will be fun and funny to look back on his pup days far too soon when he's fully grown!
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
James Brown, Sam Cooke - Racism + Music
Coming back from Florida Monday (Christmas) morning in the airport the tv showed James Brown and I heard of his death. Coincidentally I was finishing reading a lengthy biography of Sam Cooke who was his contemporary.
The biography of Sam Cooke talked at great length of the tours that both men made in the Deep South (U.S.) in the late 1950's and the first half of the 1960's (until Cooke's death in late 1964). It is hard to imagine today a world where any Black Man (or Woman) no matter what his economic status could have been arrested, killed or harassed because of anything which might be perceived as "not respecting" any White Person.
It is interesting to compare the racism that James Brown lived through in the early days of his career with racism today. James Brown spoke up at length for Black Pride around 1960 when this was a radical and "foreign" concept in a world where "Negroes" (or worse) were expected to always defer to any White Person no matter what the circumstances.
A Black Person could never try on a piece of clothing in a "White Store" if they could shop there at all. In the South a show could only contain either White or Black performers and if the audience was "mixed" the "races could not mix" - so the Blacks were usually on a balcony only. Black musicians and other Black people - always came in the back door unless it was a Black establishment solely for Black people. Stores in Harlem and elsewhere often were owned by Whites and Blacks could only work in low paid jobs that had low status where they could work in such establishments at all.
Today racism in the U.S. is generally much more subtle! My partner (Black) can pick up how particularly in stores catering to wealthy White Women how she is looked at and treated as if she perhaps doesn't belong there, though nearly always very politely. We were shopping for blue jeans for me in Marin County, California a little over a year ago when a White Man - totally ignored B - a Black Woman - to get his clothes purchasd - she wasn't there in his world. I was shocked - B wasn't!
Often with racism today - it isn't clear that it really is racism, however because it happens over and over again, one knows some of the time racism is prevalent.
It's very interesting! Black People are of nearly every religion, different sizes and shapes, differ in their political beliefs to a large degree (though the number of right wing Black Folks may perhaps be "under represented"), have varying educational levels - yet We White Folks - think often that we "know Black People" as if they were most predictable.
For Black People, such as my partner, they exist in a world where they often feel a need to "make White People comfortable" - to translate the feelings and expectations of them, because they are Black Folks. "Passing" in this context is "passing as normal" - e.g. - comfortable to White Folks. B - is much better than I am at breaking down barriers with others. I never had to learn such things.
It wasn't until recently that Alabama, in 1998 I believe, legalized Black and White people marrying each other (though the U.S. Supreme Court had invalidated this prohibition years before). My Black Partner and I her White Husband - could have in a sense been - "illegally married" not that long ago.
I'm saddened at the death of James Brown. His music and his being as a Proud Black Man were very important in the growth of the U.S. in the second half of the 20th Century. I loved his "sweet music" such as: "Please, Please, Please" while having trouble listening to his funk and other "rougher" music.
I read a lot about Black History and Culture. I hope that many more other White Folks are similarly learning an important part of our history in the U.S.
Thanks!
The biography of Sam Cooke talked at great length of the tours that both men made in the Deep South (U.S.) in the late 1950's and the first half of the 1960's (until Cooke's death in late 1964). It is hard to imagine today a world where any Black Man (or Woman) no matter what his economic status could have been arrested, killed or harassed because of anything which might be perceived as "not respecting" any White Person.
It is interesting to compare the racism that James Brown lived through in the early days of his career with racism today. James Brown spoke up at length for Black Pride around 1960 when this was a radical and "foreign" concept in a world where "Negroes" (or worse) were expected to always defer to any White Person no matter what the circumstances.
A Black Person could never try on a piece of clothing in a "White Store" if they could shop there at all. In the South a show could only contain either White or Black performers and if the audience was "mixed" the "races could not mix" - so the Blacks were usually on a balcony only. Black musicians and other Black people - always came in the back door unless it was a Black establishment solely for Black people. Stores in Harlem and elsewhere often were owned by Whites and Blacks could only work in low paid jobs that had low status where they could work in such establishments at all.
Today racism in the U.S. is generally much more subtle! My partner (Black) can pick up how particularly in stores catering to wealthy White Women how she is looked at and treated as if she perhaps doesn't belong there, though nearly always very politely. We were shopping for blue jeans for me in Marin County, California a little over a year ago when a White Man - totally ignored B - a Black Woman - to get his clothes purchasd - she wasn't there in his world. I was shocked - B wasn't!
Often with racism today - it isn't clear that it really is racism, however because it happens over and over again, one knows some of the time racism is prevalent.
It's very interesting! Black People are of nearly every religion, different sizes and shapes, differ in their political beliefs to a large degree (though the number of right wing Black Folks may perhaps be "under represented"), have varying educational levels - yet We White Folks - think often that we "know Black People" as if they were most predictable.
For Black People, such as my partner, they exist in a world where they often feel a need to "make White People comfortable" - to translate the feelings and expectations of them, because they are Black Folks. "Passing" in this context is "passing as normal" - e.g. - comfortable to White Folks. B - is much better than I am at breaking down barriers with others. I never had to learn such things.
It wasn't until recently that Alabama, in 1998 I believe, legalized Black and White people marrying each other (though the U.S. Supreme Court had invalidated this prohibition years before). My Black Partner and I her White Husband - could have in a sense been - "illegally married" not that long ago.
I'm saddened at the death of James Brown. His music and his being as a Proud Black Man were very important in the growth of the U.S. in the second half of the 20th Century. I loved his "sweet music" such as: "Please, Please, Please" while having trouble listening to his funk and other "rougher" music.
I read a lot about Black History and Culture. I hope that many more other White Folks are similarly learning an important part of our history in the U.S.
Thanks!
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Looking Both Forward and Backwards
2006 has had:
1.) The clear recognition by many, if not most, USians that the War in Iraq is not being "won" and indeed may be lost either by being an endless mess or by simply being lost and
2.) Elections in November which changed the power of the Bush Adminstration limiting their powers to control Congress
It is unclear what we will learn from the War in Iraq. For some it is a repeat of the Vietnam War where "the generals were not allowed to win the War" - more troops and more money are seen as the answer as well as better leadership.
For others the War in Iraq is unwinnable because "Arabs don't like Democracy" and we can't help them because of this.
For others still we have another situation of the U.S. Government going into a part of the world that we don't understand and making numerous presumptions about the people there. As with 9/11 - we have wasted the good will that we may have had and really become "the enemy" or at least "the bully" who others love to hate.
It seems amazing to me how we can think that our military might makes us knowledgeable as to how the rest of the world functions. In our own country the intolerance for "Arabs" has translated into a world where Sikhs, and many other South Asian people who are not Muslim at all are presumed to be: "the enemy" and are scapegoated and sometimes killed or injured as a result of our ignorance.
In the Middle East we presume that Arabs are part of "The War on Terror" against us as a unified force when in fact the divisions among Sunni's, Shiites, Kurds and factions within them make forces such as the supposed "enemies" Hezballah of Lebanon and the Hamas Movement of The West Bank and Gaza as well as the various factions within Iraq, the Taliban of Pakistan and Afghanistan - as if they are unified against the United States.
While all of these forces may dislike the Bush Administration it is important to understand the fear for example that the Saudi Arabian leadership has for the Iranian Government. Lebanon has a significant Christian population. Iraq's former leader Saddam Hussein was not a religious based leader. Where all else may have serious divisions, Arabs often find unity in opposing the Israeli occupation of The West Bank. At the same time there are certainly fears within the Arab world of a democratic independent West Bank State which might threaten the autocratic regimes of all the other Middle Eastern Arab states.
Unfortunately we rarely look at the complexities of the Middle East and break things down into logical situations based upon looking at the history of the region and how it has evolved into today. We create boogiemen such as Saddam Hussein, Osama Bin Laden and now the Iranian leadership (which is extreme and poor no doubt) and fail to look at what is going on.
We have no business trying to decide who should rule in Iraq! Getting U.S. forces extricated from this quagmire may not be simple or easy, however it will be the best way to eventually get peace in this country. Increasing troops and "winning the war" is naive and extremely unlikely to do more than result in greatly increased deaths and costs to Iraq and the U.S.
It will be interesting to see how things change politically in the U.S. in 2007! Will Congressional leadership move towards positive changes such as an increased minimum wage, major changes in national healthcare and other worthwhile causes? Will Republicans be able to woo conservative Democrats or will Democrats pull "moderate Republican's" and further isolate the idealogues within the Bush Administration.
Undoubtably the Bush Administration will do its best to use its powers to entrench Conservatives and rightwing Evangelicals and similar in non-elective positions which they will control.
How wise and successful the Democrats will be may have a lot to do with the political fortunes of 2008. Will the candidates be: McCain, Clinton, Obama and whomever else may seemingly move forward? McCain and Obama - would certainly offer greatly alternate visions of a future in the U.S. I think that Hillary Clinton will Not have a chance to win in 2008. She may be the Democratic nominee particularly if Barack Obama's popularity does not continue to grow as it has so far.
Time will tell as 2007 begins and evolves!
1.) The clear recognition by many, if not most, USians that the War in Iraq is not being "won" and indeed may be lost either by being an endless mess or by simply being lost and
2.) Elections in November which changed the power of the Bush Adminstration limiting their powers to control Congress
It is unclear what we will learn from the War in Iraq. For some it is a repeat of the Vietnam War where "the generals were not allowed to win the War" - more troops and more money are seen as the answer as well as better leadership.
For others the War in Iraq is unwinnable because "Arabs don't like Democracy" and we can't help them because of this.
For others still we have another situation of the U.S. Government going into a part of the world that we don't understand and making numerous presumptions about the people there. As with 9/11 - we have wasted the good will that we may have had and really become "the enemy" or at least "the bully" who others love to hate.
It seems amazing to me how we can think that our military might makes us knowledgeable as to how the rest of the world functions. In our own country the intolerance for "Arabs" has translated into a world where Sikhs, and many other South Asian people who are not Muslim at all are presumed to be: "the enemy" and are scapegoated and sometimes killed or injured as a result of our ignorance.
In the Middle East we presume that Arabs are part of "The War on Terror" against us as a unified force when in fact the divisions among Sunni's, Shiites, Kurds and factions within them make forces such as the supposed "enemies" Hezballah of Lebanon and the Hamas Movement of The West Bank and Gaza as well as the various factions within Iraq, the Taliban of Pakistan and Afghanistan - as if they are unified against the United States.
While all of these forces may dislike the Bush Administration it is important to understand the fear for example that the Saudi Arabian leadership has for the Iranian Government. Lebanon has a significant Christian population. Iraq's former leader Saddam Hussein was not a religious based leader. Where all else may have serious divisions, Arabs often find unity in opposing the Israeli occupation of The West Bank. At the same time there are certainly fears within the Arab world of a democratic independent West Bank State which might threaten the autocratic regimes of all the other Middle Eastern Arab states.
Unfortunately we rarely look at the complexities of the Middle East and break things down into logical situations based upon looking at the history of the region and how it has evolved into today. We create boogiemen such as Saddam Hussein, Osama Bin Laden and now the Iranian leadership (which is extreme and poor no doubt) and fail to look at what is going on.
We have no business trying to decide who should rule in Iraq! Getting U.S. forces extricated from this quagmire may not be simple or easy, however it will be the best way to eventually get peace in this country. Increasing troops and "winning the war" is naive and extremely unlikely to do more than result in greatly increased deaths and costs to Iraq and the U.S.
It will be interesting to see how things change politically in the U.S. in 2007! Will Congressional leadership move towards positive changes such as an increased minimum wage, major changes in national healthcare and other worthwhile causes? Will Republicans be able to woo conservative Democrats or will Democrats pull "moderate Republican's" and further isolate the idealogues within the Bush Administration.
Undoubtably the Bush Administration will do its best to use its powers to entrench Conservatives and rightwing Evangelicals and similar in non-elective positions which they will control.
How wise and successful the Democrats will be may have a lot to do with the political fortunes of 2008. Will the candidates be: McCain, Clinton, Obama and whomever else may seemingly move forward? McCain and Obama - would certainly offer greatly alternate visions of a future in the U.S. I think that Hillary Clinton will Not have a chance to win in 2008. She may be the Democratic nominee particularly if Barack Obama's popularity does not continue to grow as it has so far.
Time will tell as 2007 begins and evolves!
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Coping - and Trying - in a Trying Period of Time
Tis the Season to be Jolly, yet all is not relaxing and simple in our household! My partner's work situation is difficult, to put it mildly! Shortly, she will be of necessity seeking employment elsewhere. We moved here when she was recruited for her current job. The job has not worked out and she is made to appear the "bad guy" when clearly that is not the reality that most people in the know would conclude if they understood what had transpired.
Emotionally my partner is paying a heavy price! She takes her work very seriously and though intellectually she knows the truth, emotionally she pushes blame within herself. It is hard to face the world when it feels so stacked against you! She will make it through this period a stronger person, but the wounds and hurts will affect her for a long time.
Both of our mothers - getting older - are facing serious health issues and necessary surgeries.
I have Morton's Neuroma (a benign tumor) on the top of my right foot - which is painful at times. Next week hopefully a podiatrist will help me find a path to dealing with it.
Yesterday while spin cycling I felt a snap in my upper left leg - I strained my hamstring! I'll have 1-3 weeks of no exercise - and coping with the pain - slowing down.
Financially things will be difficult for the forseeable future.
I'm physically - very drained! Often I am rushing and multi-tasking (me the non-multi-tasker!) and bouncing from thing to thing. There is never enough time! Rojo - our puppy gets me up around 1-2:00 a.m. and then about 5:45 a.m. - usually the end of my sleep night.
Amidst all this stress though, I find an inner peace. In my younger days I would have been hyperactive and frenetic. Now I appreciate - the things of beauty in my life. I accept that things are hard, but am doing quite well at not letting the hard things take me down.
I feel good - Extremely good, considering all that is happening! I don't want sympathy. I really am happy. It is hard, but life has its rewards, amidst the difficulties.
Thanks!
Emotionally my partner is paying a heavy price! She takes her work very seriously and though intellectually she knows the truth, emotionally she pushes blame within herself. It is hard to face the world when it feels so stacked against you! She will make it through this period a stronger person, but the wounds and hurts will affect her for a long time.
Both of our mothers - getting older - are facing serious health issues and necessary surgeries.
I have Morton's Neuroma (a benign tumor) on the top of my right foot - which is painful at times. Next week hopefully a podiatrist will help me find a path to dealing with it.
Yesterday while spin cycling I felt a snap in my upper left leg - I strained my hamstring! I'll have 1-3 weeks of no exercise - and coping with the pain - slowing down.
Financially things will be difficult for the forseeable future.
I'm physically - very drained! Often I am rushing and multi-tasking (me the non-multi-tasker!) and bouncing from thing to thing. There is never enough time! Rojo - our puppy gets me up around 1-2:00 a.m. and then about 5:45 a.m. - usually the end of my sleep night.
Amidst all this stress though, I find an inner peace. In my younger days I would have been hyperactive and frenetic. Now I appreciate - the things of beauty in my life. I accept that things are hard, but am doing quite well at not letting the hard things take me down.
I feel good - Extremely good, considering all that is happening! I don't want sympathy. I really am happy. It is hard, but life has its rewards, amidst the difficulties.
Thanks!
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Separate Paths: People, Dogs & Cats
I walk our puppy Rojo several times each day and enjoy our time together very much!
In my "human" world I'm choosing where we walk, cleaning up the "messes" he makes, untangling his leash and in general trying to "run the show". My "human" world involves thinking, planning, leading and following other humans, feeling for others, feeling my own feelings and various other things.
Rojo seemingly has a simpler path! His tail wags incessantly as he move optimistically ahead. When he sees people or other animals he tugs on his leash to try to play with them. When he finds interesting smells, he pulls to a stop and sometimes tugs backwards to get at what he wants to sniff at.
Rojo is very dependent upon attention from others much of the time. At other times he's resting or sleeping or sometimes playing with his toys or whatever he can get his mouth or paws into.
Rojo's feelings are focused upon the moment - simple, but certainly there - picking up on our reactions to him.
Cats - certainly are more independent than dogs and less dependent upon others in general. Not having a cat now, I'm less in touch with them
Rojo - helps teach me to "be in the moment" and helps me be calm and just being "there". I enjoy listening to him and gaining from him what he shares with me.
In my "human" world I'm choosing where we walk, cleaning up the "messes" he makes, untangling his leash and in general trying to "run the show". My "human" world involves thinking, planning, leading and following other humans, feeling for others, feeling my own feelings and various other things.
Rojo seemingly has a simpler path! His tail wags incessantly as he move optimistically ahead. When he sees people or other animals he tugs on his leash to try to play with them. When he finds interesting smells, he pulls to a stop and sometimes tugs backwards to get at what he wants to sniff at.
Rojo is very dependent upon attention from others much of the time. At other times he's resting or sleeping or sometimes playing with his toys or whatever he can get his mouth or paws into.
Rojo's feelings are focused upon the moment - simple, but certainly there - picking up on our reactions to him.
Cats - certainly are more independent than dogs and less dependent upon others in general. Not having a cat now, I'm less in touch with them
Rojo - helps teach me to "be in the moment" and helps me be calm and just being "there". I enjoy listening to him and gaining from him what he shares with me.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
WHY ???
WHY? WHY? WHY?
Commonly we individually or collectively ask: “Why?” such as:
Why was the Holocaust allowed to happen?
One may answer this question in varying ways such as:
1.) Hitler, a horrible individual came to power and together with other
evil people used the Jews and others as scapegoats and killed millions
of innocent people, or
2.) World War I began with an incident that triggered a war where there
were no “good nations” nor “just cause”. At the end of the War,
Germany was humiliated and its people collectively punished with war
reparations and related punishments. Out of the chaos that resulted
people pushed to both the radical left and right seeking an answer.
The radical right won out through Hitler as many people sought order
and self-worth. Initially Hitler gave many Germans a sense of
well-being and his cleverness pushed good people on a horrific path ….
Or
3.) There is “no good answer” to this question. One can explain many
things, however the end was in no way justifiable or understandable, it
just happened.
The “Why” question becomes much harder when we face questions such as:
1.) Why is my child dying of cancer at a young age? or
2.) Why was “X” killed by a drunk driver when s/he was so young? or
personally for me:
3.) Why did my father (who lived a “good life”) die at 46 of stomach
cancer, while my ex-father-in-law lived to around age 80 (despite
abusing his body with smoking and drinking heavily much of his life)?
Answering such questions related directly to our own lives requires us
to do various things such as:
1.) Examining ourselves critically and looking for parts of ourselves
that may perhaps have contributed to the issue that bothers us, and:
2.) Recognizing the importance of our deep seated fears and other
emotions and relating them to what is bothering us, and
3.) Seeing how others may be different from us in important ways and
both honoring the differences and not taking responsibility for things
that are beyond us and not part of us, and
4.) Accepting reality – both our part in “why” where it may be anywhere
from totally “not our fault” to where we may have had some or all the
responsibility for what happened, and perhaps most importantly,
5.) Having faith – whether through religion, other spiritual beliefs or
simply part of our inner core – so that our doubts and fears are felt
but do not control us or hurt us more than they have to.
Life isn’t “fair” some of the time. We each face our own doubts and
questions. Individually we must find how we can best deal with our
own “whys?” recognizing our past life experiences as well as looking to
the future.
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