On fanaticism...

The following quote is from Ralph Peters (USA Today) from an editorial entitled "Myths of Globalization" which appears in Monday's edition:

"Every claim that globalization equals peace ignores the facts. Suggestions that the world is flat may be right, but not in the ways intended. The new flat-worlders aren't the information age aristocrats rising above their fellow citizens. They're the millions of freightened beleivers who reject science and social change, while debasing religion to superstition. The inquisition is back. That's the international phenomenon that should occupy our thoughts: The dynamic movements in world religion insisting that their gods are intolerant and vengeful. If information is power, fanaticism is nuclear power."

I've been saying this since 9/11. The true fight is not against Islam or even Islamic Fundamentalim. The true fight is against fundementalism in general. Christian and Jewish fundamentalists are no less dangerous than Islamic ones. Just ask abortion doctors and clinic workers about Christian Fundementalists. Or ask the residents of Oklahoma City what happens when Amercian fundamentalism runs rampid. Fundementalism and Democracy cannot exisit together. The Middle East will never be free or democratic until fundementalism is either destroyed or marginalized. America will not remain a true free democracy if fundementalism in this country isn't held in check.

I've seen bumper stickers in the past that say "No Jesus, No Peace. Know Jesus, Know Peace". The truth is "No Toleration, No Peace. Period."

War Pigs and The Bush Propoganda Machine

What do you do when recruitment in the militray slacks due to your overly hawkish foreign policy? Why, you fabricate heroes. What a disservice to all those who serve when simply doing their jobs isn't enough, we have to have a Rambo fantasy to feel patriotic. First it was Jessica Lynch, captured despite a valiant effort, taking out scores of Iraqis with guns blazing on two broken legs. Except, the true story is Ms. Lynch fell out the back of her truck, which was ambushed when its driver got lost in the fog of war, and was unconscious when taken captive. As if she weren't a hero simply for being a young American in a combat zone serving her counrty without question. Then, the Pentagon fabricated another story, this one custom made for 24 hour news networks, of a heroic rescue. Again a tragic disservice, because the truth is a number of sympathetic Iraqi doctors had taken good care of her and alerted our military to her whereabouts. Why wasn't this a good enough PR story? After all, the government claimed from the beginning that we would be welcomed with flowers, and these doctors were the very people who proved that point. But no, not enought testostarone in that version, so enter the Propogandists.

And now this week we learn that the Army's poster boy for the war effort - Pat Tillman - was killed by friendly fire. Pat Tillman was a true hero - and not because he went to war. He was a hero because he put his money where his mouth was. Mr. Tillman had a multi-million dollar contract in the NFL and the life he apprarently always wanted. But he gave it all up because he acted on his own convictions. The fact that he served in Afghanistan makes it even easier to respect Mr. Tillman - since he was fighting the real enemy in the legitimate war in the right country. And perhaps if he would have had 100,000 troops backing him up instead of 18,000, he might still be with us. But maybe not, beacuse at the end of the day war is bloody, messy, and confusing. Its not made in Hollywood and its nothing to celebrate, even if we're winning. Because at the end of the day, if war is occuring then humanity is losing. Unfortunately, the chicken hawks who currently set our foregin policy don't see it that way. So, Mr. Tillman wasn't a big enough hero - dying for his country and his beliefs - he had to go out guns blazing. Even if it meant lying to his parents about their own son's death. Maybe if those who set the policy were more willing to send their own sons and daughters, the military wouldn't be falling short of its recruitment goals. And maybe if the politicians and the Pentagon really respected and loved our men and women in uniform instead of just using them for comapign rallies, they would know that just putting your life on the line for this country makes you a hero. As Ozzy once said (in a moment of clariy): "Politicians hide themselves away, they only started the war. Why should they go out to fight? They'll leave that up to the poor."

Its not a bad word...

I've read some posts recently around Blogger-Land from people who seem loathe to admit that they might be a, dare I say, Liberal. First of all, Liberal is not a bad word. It simply means that you are tolerant and forward looking, as opposed to conservative, which generally conotates as more strict and backward looking. In the polarized world in which we live today, Liberal has been turned into a slur. And why? Because Liberals don't care if you're gay and want to get married. Liberals don't want to tell Hollywood what kind of movies to make or your favorite band what kind of music to make or your favorite author what kind of books to write. Liberals refuse to repeat the mistakes of Vietnam and fall quietly in line when our elected officials trump up faulty evidence and lead us into another conflict with no end in sight. Liberals don't care what God you pray to or if you pray to anyone or anything at all. Liberals think that organized religion should stay out of public schools and that the government should stay out of your church. And mostly, Liberals believe in the true legacy of America - Freedom. Freedom to choose how you live your life, who you spend it with, and how it finally ends.

In America today, the party of Liberals and Progressive is Democrat. But this hasn't always been the case. Lincoln is generally looked to as the founder of the Republican party - and boy would he be spinning in his grave if he knew what his party has become. The man who triumphed the equality of all, the man who fought for union and denounced states' rights, the man who often quoted the Bible but never attended church services - this is the founder of the Republican party? The Republican Party was also once the home of Theodore Roosevelt - one of the most prominent Progreesives in the history of the country. The man who took on the Robber Barons, the man who broke up the Trusts, the man who created the national parks which are now being raped by the loggers and the drillers, the man who spoke softly and carried a big stick instead of the other way around. This was once the face of the Republican party?

The Democratic Party is certainly not without its faults. But, at the end of the day, politics is not just about what you believe, but who you associate with, and as an extension, where your priorities lie. If you are a true moderate, would you really rather be sharing an agenda with the KKK than the Rainbow Coalition? Are you honestly willing to live with unjustifiable restrictions on stem cell research that could someday save your life just to save a few bucks in taxes? Do you really think Jane Fonda is worse than Pat Robertson? Do you really need an assault rifle more than clean air and water? Are you more likely to join the ACLU or the 700 club?

Call me a Liberal - I'll take it as a compliment.

All You Need is Love...

John Lennon sang it in 1967, and I used to think it was just a silly song from a bygone time. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge Beatles fan and never passed over this tune when listening to Sgt. Pepper. However, I must admit I found it a bit simple. As I grow older, I realize more every day that John (and George, Paul, and even Ringo) was right. It saddens me to see how far this country has drifted in just three decades. In a time of great turmoil including Vietnam, the assissinations of JFK, RFK and Dr. Martin Luther King, and violent clashes over Civil Rights, the youth of the day chose love over hate. They chose peace over war. They chose tolerance over bigotry. The youth of today seem to chose either self pity or self righteousness. Where did all the hippies go? There were over 500,000 people at Woodstock in 1969. Are none of them still around? Did all the flower children and hippie chicks turn into Nascar Dads and Volvo Driving Soccer Moms? I don't necessarily want a return to the days of tuning in, turning on, and dropping out. I'm just saying we could use a lot more Love in the world today. May 8 was V.E. day - 60 years to the day that the Nazi's formerly surrendered and one of the greatest examples of hatred and intolerance was finally put to rest. The question before us now is - Are we closer to 1933 (the rise of Hitler) than 1969 and the Summer of Love...

Pat Robertson is a Christian? Really?

Pat Robertson, the "Christian" televangelist of 700 Club fame, spent this past sunday on the ABC Sunday moring show This Week. He told George Stephanopolis that he believed the threat to America from "Liberal" judges was "probably more serious than a few bearded terrorists who fly into buildings." When an incredoulous Stephanopolis probed further asking if he really believed that "Liberal" judges were "the most serious threat America has faced in nearly 400 years of history, more serious than al Qaeda, more serious than Nazi Germany and Japan, more serious than the Civil War?", Robertson responded "George, I really believe that." Apperently when Robertson asks himself that immortal question "What Would Jesus Do?", the answer he gets is "hate, hate, hate." Of course this is the same sanctimonious wind bag who proclaimed on September 12, 2001 that "liberals, feminists, and homosexuals" were responsible for 9/11. Of course, that little gem was delivered on the 700 Club and was intended only for the faithful. When word of the comments reached the mainstream press, he retreted from them as fast as a fat little man could (apprently gluttony is no longer a deadly sin). These most recent comments were intended for mass consumption, which really tells you the state of the union. Or, at the very least, just where Robertson and his ilk feel they stand now as opposed to 2001.

Don't get me wrong, I am now, as ever, a staunch defender of the First Ammendment. Robertson has the right to say and think whatever he wishes. I'm just constanty dismayed that no one from the Chrtistian side of the aisle ever seems to repudiate what he says. I hope, and am fairly confident, that Robertson does not speak for most Christians. But when no Christian leaders step forward to denouce this garbage, it has the effect of making Robertson a spokeperson for the entire religion. Silence can be as bad as active agreement. Witness the "March of the Living" being held today from Auchswitz to Birkenau in Poland. 20,000 survivors and reltives of those who perished in the Holocaust are a powerful reminder that everyone must speak out against hatred and intolerance. Voltaire once claimed that he might disagree with another man but would defend to his own death the right of another to speak his mind. Voltaire was right, but the First Amendment gives you only the right to speak your mind. It does not guarantee an audience or sheild you from the consequences of your words. We must all turn a deaf ear to hatred and make sure that those who expouse it are exposed for the human garbage they really are.

The True Axis of Evil

The true Axis of Evil is Ignorance, Arrogance, and Conformity. Unfortunately, our country has plenty of all three. Ignornace is now championed over knowledge. Just look at the election of 2004. A majority of Americans opted for a president who most (even amongst those who voted for W) believed was less intelligent. The dumbing down of America is prevalent everywhere, from underqualified teachers and lax standars in our school systems to television newscasts. A study done before election 2004 showed that Fox News viewers considered themselves to be amongst the most informed citizens. Yet, these same viewers scored lowest when asked fact based questions about current events.

This study also pointed out the Arrogance that is prevalent in society today. We have reached a point where Attitude is more important than Substance. This arrogance led us directly into the current war in Iraq and has caused the greatest loss of American life. From the assinie "Shock and Awe" campaign (which unnecessarily detsroyed infrastutcure which has cost American tax payers billions to replace and recruited countless members of the current resistance), to the fast and furious run to Bagdad (which left vast portions of the country unsecured and helped fuel the resistance), to the atrocities at Abu Grhaib (another great recruiting tool for those Iraqis on the fence), and the lack of sufficent armor (which is inexcusable given the amount of time taken to prepare for the war), arrogance amongst our country's military and civilian leaders has caused unnecessary casulties. And yet, no one has been held to task.

And finally, Conformity in both thought and deed. Anyone who dares question the current administration is labeled as un-American. Elected and appointed officals have even gone so far as to state that those who disagree with the administration are "aiding and abetting" the enemy. All voices of disagreement have been purged from both the military and civilian authorities. A democracy cannot exist if everyone is expected to think and act in the same way.

This is not the first time in Amerian history that the country has strayed from its founding principles. Jefferson led a counter-revolution when it appeared that the Federalists were poised to limit personal freedom in the name of security and the status-quo (see the Bill of Rights). Lincoln saved the Union and reminded the country of its true calling (see the Gettysburg Address). Dr. Martin Luther King reminded the country that 100 years later, the words of Lincoln had not been fulfilled. The question is, is there anyone out there with the wisdom and charisma to lead us back to foundations of our democracy: Liberty, Justice, and Freedom. After all, its dangerous work as shown by Lincoln, JFK, RFK, and Dr. King. And, if there is anyone brave enough, does anyone care enough to listen...

Axis of Evil?

Why Axis of Evil? Is this some satanic site that is linked to the FBI database? Or is it just the fan club for North Korean and Iran (Iraq is no longer a member, they left us for the Axis of Failed States Now Run by the Bush Administration). No, as you can tell by the previous comment, this is just another bastion of Liberalism. I chose the title Axis of Evil just for the shear stupidity of the whole idea. Our illustrious president managed to link together three countries with no formal relationship, and then scare our entire country into a war of choice against the least dangerous of the three. And people thought Bill Clinton was slick. W can tell lies that would make Clinton and Nixon both blush. I mean come on, Iraq and Iran in an alliance? You've got to be kidding me. They managed to kill over 1 million of each other in less than two decades of open warfare.

And so now we have Axis of Evil, the blog. A place where a former Republican, fiscally moderate, socially liberal, intellectually progressive Diest can point out all the absurdity in today's world. God help us all...