George Bush is a disaster that has already happened! I had to say that before I could get to my subject for today.
When some people discover that I am a retired Navy enlisted person they are surprised to learn that I am also a liberal (though I am beginning to prefer the term 'progressive') both politically and theologically (again though most people I know don't really understand the use of a word like "theologically"). When many, if not most, Americans think of a people who act out of a faith or belief they think of fundamentalist or evangelical Christians (and in the minds of most Americans those terms are synonamous). But I don't fit into those molds in either case.
Today I want to explore, while I am writing, a basic theological difference between my own understanding of Christianity and that of all fundamentalist and just about all "mainline" Christians, hereafter referred to as "Feel Good Christians", accept without question.
It is said and often repeated without question that the "family" is the basic foundation on which all societies, including Christianity, is built.
I think that is a misreading of the fundamental message of Jesus Christ.
Let me explain. I live in a small town of about 800 people. It's a good place to live, a good place to raise children, but it's far from being unique. Like so many other small towns, villages and neighborhoods it's often described by people who live here as like being a "family," or better said, "an extended family." I can almost, but not quite, go along with the image of being an extended family. I much prefer the term "community."
Family, and even extended family, conjures up an image of personal contact that may bring a warm fuzzy feeling but that not what Jesus was preaching. I see works of comfort, healing and respect not as quest for good feelings but as a way to fulfillment, of living in the way we are created to be.
I have come to understand that Fundamentalist's and Feel Good Christian's focus on the family (pun intended) are for two very different reasons. For Fundy's the reason is to exert more power and control over individual's, i.e. specific roles for men and women, leaders and followers, etc.. For Feel Gooder's it's more privatized, less public responsibility and involvment,i.e. just be nice and hope everything falls in line.
I am convinced Jesus was speaking and acting against both of those mind sets. He was, is, saying that God is not a Santa Claus whose rewards are earned by observing all the laws or conversly by just being nice. God's desire, he says, is that all people be cared for and respected regardless of what family, nation, tribe, they come from or even what they believe.
For me family has become an abstract, almost meaningless term when it comes to the true meaning of life as a Christian. People can live without a family but they cannot survive without community. I don't have to love someone to care for them. I don't have to agree with someone to provide for them, or want them to provide for me when I am in need.
That is why I like living in this small town. We do things for one another even when we may not like one another because that is what we have to do in order to survive. That is what Jesus was talking about.
The good news is that because we know in our hearts that we need one another in order to continue to live here, we find that we will do stuff we might otherwise not do if we could avoid it. We know we can't avoid one another, and that is a choice we make so we can live here. It's called community -- not family. And a good thing about it is that, for the most part, we find we really do like each other.
And finally, when we can take that lesson to heart, we will discover that our community is not limited to one small geographic location, it is across all boundaries ever thought up by human beings.
Let me close with an idea that came to me this morning, World Communion Sunday, in church. In the sermon about the meaning of communion, our pastor said "Communion is not just an ideal." I agree completely, but it also made me think of another Christian concept, "Peace is not just another ideal." And neither is community!
It is what it is!
Peace be with you my friend!
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Monday, October 1, 2007
Have you ever known anyone ...
who always seems to "fail forward"? (I used to think a friend of mine was the one who came up with a statement like that but later learned it's been around awhile.)
BG is is one of those types. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is another. Indeed there are a lot of those types in the Bush Administration.
The only problem is that BG failed forward all the way into the Oval Office. As I have previously written Bg didn't, and doesn't, fail forward all by himself, he had to have a lot of help. The final shove into the Presidency was provided by the Supreme Court. In what an overwhelming majority of Constutional scholars say was the worst Courst decision since Dred Scott, by a 5 to 4 vote, they handed the Presidency to the least prepared, least competent, least deserving, most corrupt, most devisive and laziest person ever to serve in that office. He is often ridiculed for not being very smart but someone who knows him pretty well said his problem is not that he's dumb, it's that he's ignorant. He is intellectually lazy. He doesn't want to learn anything because he thinks he already knows the answer. He reminds me of the rich school yard smartass bully (which his classmates said he was) who surround himself with syncophants. No one really likes him but he sees himself as their leader.
He never has to worry about his mistakes because he doesn't acknowledge them someone else is always around to pay for them, even with their lives.
In BG's world, everything is great. Only the real world suffers.
Someday things will change -- and the losers will be winners! And that's all we can hope for. That's the end of the story of BG -- to this point.
OWHN
BG is is one of those types. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is another. Indeed there are a lot of those types in the Bush Administration.
The only problem is that BG failed forward all the way into the Oval Office. As I have previously written Bg didn't, and doesn't, fail forward all by himself, he had to have a lot of help. The final shove into the Presidency was provided by the Supreme Court. In what an overwhelming majority of Constutional scholars say was the worst Courst decision since Dred Scott, by a 5 to 4 vote, they handed the Presidency to the least prepared, least competent, least deserving, most corrupt, most devisive and laziest person ever to serve in that office. He is often ridiculed for not being very smart but someone who knows him pretty well said his problem is not that he's dumb, it's that he's ignorant. He is intellectually lazy. He doesn't want to learn anything because he thinks he already knows the answer. He reminds me of the rich school yard smartass bully (which his classmates said he was) who surround himself with syncophants. No one really likes him but he sees himself as their leader.
He never has to worry about his mistakes because he doesn't acknowledge them someone else is always around to pay for them, even with their lives.
In BG's world, everything is great. Only the real world suffers.
Someday things will change -- and the losers will be winners! And that's all we can hope for. That's the end of the story of BG -- to this point.
OWHN
Sunday, September 23, 2007
"Winners never lose and ...
losers never win." That's one of the lines from a song ("Let the Suns Shine In")that they (I don't sing that kind of bullshit) sang in church this morning. It struck me because we had just heard a sermon about Jesus being for the losers of his, and our, world but of course nobody really pays any attentionto a sermon. They come to church to be "Uplifted" (more bullshit) and so they sing crap that "uplifts" them. Boy George "uplifts" people (at least he used to) with his Bullshit, that's why he's president -- and somebody who is more competent and more honest than he is (that's not hard to be) isn't.
(Back to the life story of BG)
(Back to the life story of BG)
Someone once said that George Bush is not Dumb, but he is ignorant." I think that goes a long way to explain BG's journey in politics. Other's say he's just "lucky." I think other people (some he wasn't even aware of) made things happen that to other people seemed lucky.
When people started thinking about BG's future (after baseball) they decided he might just be a good front man for their political ambitions. He might have been convinced that they wanted him in politics because he was so damn smart but they knew better, what they liked about him was his name. If his name had been George Brush he'd still be screwing up oil companies, but his name was Bullshit, I mean Bush.
So they decided to pool their money, to hire the sleaziest political con men they could find, and to let them run his campaign for governor of the State of Dumbass (akaTexas). Now I lived in Texas (I was stationed there) for 10 months (I had to ship over to get transferred) so I know a little about that place.
Somebody once said that all the smart Texans live in Arkansas because that was as far away as they could get on a tank of gas. So I guess the dumb ones just wanted a governor who was as dumb as the rest of them.
Through no fault,nor any thoughts, of his won BG was elected. In reality,Karl Rove (Bush's Brain) was hired to get BG elected and he made it happen. The first thing Karl did, was send BG out to buy a "ranch" to show some easily fooled Texans that he was, after alll, just one of the 'good ol' boys.' (Now BG has probably the only ranch in Texas on which horses aren't allowed because, it turns out, BG is scared to death of horses!) Ahh, the magic of a professional hit man. BG thought it was because he'd earned it, Karl new better.
Daddy Bush had two boys running for Governor that year (1994), the so-called smart one (Jeb) lost and the dumb one won, proving Texans are even dumber than Floridians. From the beginning of his first term as Gov, Karl's (and BG's) eyes were on the presidency. Texas be damned!
More later.
OWHNSunday, September 16, 2007
Have you ever wondered
what it's like to live in George Bush's world? I don't know where that world is or how many people live there (though I understand the population is decreasing). I do, though, know a little bit about what life is like in Boy George's world because I see it a lot on TV and a lot of people in TV land also seem to live there.
IN BG's (that's GB backwards ) world everything is black and white, unless, of course, you are very rich -- because then the world is rose colored. BG's life has been filled with failures, but in his world failure doesn't have the same meaning as it does for other folks. Failure in BG's world just means somebody else fixing it.
As a kid he went to a private school for very rich kids but he couldn't get good enough grades to get into an Ivy League School where rich kids go so his daddy got him into one. And then when he didn't get good enough grades in college to get into a prestigious grad school (also Ivy League) his daddy fixed it again.
Then, possessing an MBAwh (without honors) from Harvard and a ton of money from his mommy and daddy he set about starting an oil company in Texas. Even with all that money he failed spectacularly so his daddy's friends bailed him out (and gave him another job -- and a new company). Using the lessons learned from his first effort BG he lost their money too.
But not to worry, daddy's friends again came to the rescue by giving him a job in the management of a baseball team (a losing team of course). In fact daddy's friends were so thrilled with his job skills they gave him part ownership of the team -- and sent him around town giving speechs to local Lions Clubs and Chambers of Commerce groups. This was probably the only job he ever had at which he didn't fail, and because he didn't fail the citizens of Dallas (Arlington) Texas are still paying for a losing team but now the team is playing in a big fancy stadium that the taxpayers are and will be paying for for many years to come.
And because of his great selling job he was paid an extra several million dollars and encouraged to run for governor. Daddy was very proud!
(to be continued)
Before I get to "the rest of the story" (in future entries) let me warn you that, as for the rest of us who don't live in BG's world, this story has a good ending.
OWHN
IN BG's (that's GB backwards ) world everything is black and white, unless, of course, you are very rich -- because then the world is rose colored. BG's life has been filled with failures, but in his world failure doesn't have the same meaning as it does for other folks. Failure in BG's world just means somebody else fixing it.
As a kid he went to a private school for very rich kids but he couldn't get good enough grades to get into an Ivy League School where rich kids go so his daddy got him into one. And then when he didn't get good enough grades in college to get into a prestigious grad school (also Ivy League) his daddy fixed it again.
Then, possessing an MBAwh (without honors) from Harvard and a ton of money from his mommy and daddy he set about starting an oil company in Texas. Even with all that money he failed spectacularly so his daddy's friends bailed him out (and gave him another job -- and a new company). Using the lessons learned from his first effort BG he lost their money too.
But not to worry, daddy's friends again came to the rescue by giving him a job in the management of a baseball team (a losing team of course). In fact daddy's friends were so thrilled with his job skills they gave him part ownership of the team -- and sent him around town giving speechs to local Lions Clubs and Chambers of Commerce groups. This was probably the only job he ever had at which he didn't fail, and because he didn't fail the citizens of Dallas (Arlington) Texas are still paying for a losing team but now the team is playing in a big fancy stadium that the taxpayers are and will be paying for for many years to come.
And because of his great selling job he was paid an extra several million dollars and encouraged to run for governor. Daddy was very proud!
(to be continued)
Before I get to "the rest of the story" (in future entries) let me warn you that, as for the rest of us who don't live in BG's world, this story has a good ending.
OWHN
Sunday, July 8, 2007
I'm beginning again
for the umpteenth time! I'm not making excuses, I think about writing often but I procrastinate. It's just another of my many bad habits.
What am I thinking about now? No surprises.
Patti and I are feeling bummed today because Russell's Babe Ruth All-Star team lost a double header in the District tournament yesterday and were eliminated from further competition. Truth is they didn't just lose, they were drubbed by both teams they played, 6-0, 16-4. I don't know if they were good enough to win the championship but they were good enough to be competitive, and that just didn't happen. This marks the end of Russell's Babe Ruth playing days, next year he will be too old, and it's too bad it ended on such a sour note. We weren't going to send Russell to a baseball camp this summer but have changed our minds. He's going to go to the camp at Central Washington Univsity at the end of this month. It should be helpful in preparing him for high school baseball next spring and he's already dreaming about on a traveling team or maybe an American Legion team next summer.
Next issue: Patriotism, the last refuge of _______. I am convinced it will be, excuse me, is the root cause of the end of whatever is, or was, good about this nation. It amazes me how otherwise good people can be led around by their nose if they become convinced that in not questioning the nations leaders they are being patriotic. This god damned war is the most unpatriotic and immoral action that has been foistered on the American people, still a large majority who agree with that premise are afraid to speak out because they might be accused of being unpatriotic. And the stupid lengths we go to to prove we are patriotic; plastic yellow ribbons on our cars, flags on everything, flags in church sanctuaries, one of the teams in the baseball tournament yesterday had little flags sewn on the backs of their jerseys. What bullshit!!! We have to sing the national anthem at every public event or people might think we aren't p_____, Bullshit.
I'm not patriotic, I am convinced the world would be a better place if my country weren't a superpower, much less the only one. I am convinced our nation would be a better place to live if we lost all our military power.
I think George Bush, Dick Cheney, and a whole lot of others who are benefitting from the suffering they cause in the world should be in jail, or maybe doing hard labor in Iraq.
I'm not a patriot, I am and would much rather be called a Christian. As far as I'm concerned they can stick the flag up Cheney's ass, while they are singing the national anthem.
End of tonight's rant.
What am I thinking about now? No surprises.
Patti and I are feeling bummed today because Russell's Babe Ruth All-Star team lost a double header in the District tournament yesterday and were eliminated from further competition. Truth is they didn't just lose, they were drubbed by both teams they played, 6-0, 16-4. I don't know if they were good enough to win the championship but they were good enough to be competitive, and that just didn't happen. This marks the end of Russell's Babe Ruth playing days, next year he will be too old, and it's too bad it ended on such a sour note. We weren't going to send Russell to a baseball camp this summer but have changed our minds. He's going to go to the camp at Central Washington Univsity at the end of this month. It should be helpful in preparing him for high school baseball next spring and he's already dreaming about on a traveling team or maybe an American Legion team next summer.
Next issue: Patriotism, the last refuge of _______. I am convinced it will be, excuse me, is the root cause of the end of whatever is, or was, good about this nation. It amazes me how otherwise good people can be led around by their nose if they become convinced that in not questioning the nations leaders they are being patriotic. This god damned war is the most unpatriotic and immoral action that has been foistered on the American people, still a large majority who agree with that premise are afraid to speak out because they might be accused of being unpatriotic. And the stupid lengths we go to to prove we are patriotic; plastic yellow ribbons on our cars, flags on everything, flags in church sanctuaries, one of the teams in the baseball tournament yesterday had little flags sewn on the backs of their jerseys. What bullshit!!! We have to sing the national anthem at every public event or people might think we aren't p_____, Bullshit.
I'm not patriotic, I am convinced the world would be a better place if my country weren't a superpower, much less the only one. I am convinced our nation would be a better place to live if we lost all our military power.
I think George Bush, Dick Cheney, and a whole lot of others who are benefitting from the suffering they cause in the world should be in jail, or maybe doing hard labor in Iraq.
I'm not a patriot, I am and would much rather be called a Christian. As far as I'm concerned they can stick the flag up Cheney's ass, while they are singing the national anthem.
End of tonight's rant.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
It's a good day when
you can do something nice to help someone who you will never meet.
I first heard about KIVA (see link on left side of this page) on a program on LINK TV. It is a program to enable people like Patti and I to make small loans to people who have or want to start a small business in their community. I recommend you check it out. So far we have "invested" only $25 but that's $25 more than we have ever invested in something like this before. Our money is going to a mother of six children who has a clothing shop in Benin City, Nigeria. She is borrowing $500 to buy more clothing to seel. Including our measly $25, she only needs $50 more to fulfill her loan. I know she will get it and we thank God we can help her in our small way.
It is our goal to raise our total investment "portfolio" to $100, which means we will make at least three more $25 "loans." The as loans are repaid we will always reinvest. What a great program. Please check it out!
I first heard about KIVA (see link on left side of this page) on a program on LINK TV. It is a program to enable people like Patti and I to make small loans to people who have or want to start a small business in their community. I recommend you check it out. So far we have "invested" only $25 but that's $25 more than we have ever invested in something like this before. Our money is going to a mother of six children who has a clothing shop in Benin City, Nigeria. She is borrowing $500 to buy more clothing to seel. Including our measly $25, she only needs $50 more to fulfill her loan. I know she will get it and we thank God we can help her in our small way.
It is our goal to raise our total investment "portfolio" to $100, which means we will make at least three more $25 "loans." The as loans are repaid we will always reinvest. What a great program. Please check it out!
Saturday, April 7, 2007
It's not my job... (but it is)
"I may criticize a carpenter who makes me a bad table, though I cannot make a table myself. It is not my job to make tables."
Dr. Samuel Johnson, 18th century English author and philosopher
Who am I to argue with an 18th century philospher?
I don't remember the first time I heard someone say "it's not my job," (and I may have even said it myself at one time or another) but it's always bugged me. Especially when it's used as an excuse to escape responsibility. The latest version of this comes from the "esteemed" power people in the Bush administration. Rumsfeld and Gonzales are two good examples but Boy george himself is the prime culprit. He so often and so easily talks of being "responsible" for the actions of his people but at the same time never accepts any responsibility. In Dr. Johnson's terms it's as though Boy george's job is to make tables but he thinks he's only "buying" them. Of course Boy george was never responsible for "making" anything (including a profit at two oil companies he headed) before he was handed the presidency (and he was able to "buy" anything he wanted) so why would anyone think he would change once he had moved into the oval office?
According to Boy george, who likes being known as the "Commander-in-Chief," it's his job to start wars but it's not his job to end them. He is not responsible for any of the hundreds of thousand, millions, of lives lost and suffering because of the way he has done his job. He is just buying a war that other people are paying for. Which makes sense, what he used to get with his daddy's money, he now get's with (future) taxpayers money. (we should call this our first credit card war.)
And like more and more Americans, bankruptcy is closing in on our democracy. But of course, I can always say it's not my job to save democracy. But I can't if I have a conscience and I believe in justice and I want peace in our world.
It's time to stop this god damned war! (and it's my job to work for it!)
Dr. Samuel Johnson, 18th century English author and philosopher
Who am I to argue with an 18th century philospher?
I don't remember the first time I heard someone say "it's not my job," (and I may have even said it myself at one time or another) but it's always bugged me. Especially when it's used as an excuse to escape responsibility. The latest version of this comes from the "esteemed" power people in the Bush administration. Rumsfeld and Gonzales are two good examples but Boy george himself is the prime culprit. He so often and so easily talks of being "responsible" for the actions of his people but at the same time never accepts any responsibility. In Dr. Johnson's terms it's as though Boy george's job is to make tables but he thinks he's only "buying" them. Of course Boy george was never responsible for "making" anything (including a profit at two oil companies he headed) before he was handed the presidency (and he was able to "buy" anything he wanted) so why would anyone think he would change once he had moved into the oval office?
According to Boy george, who likes being known as the "Commander-in-Chief," it's his job to start wars but it's not his job to end them. He is not responsible for any of the hundreds of thousand, millions, of lives lost and suffering because of the way he has done his job. He is just buying a war that other people are paying for. Which makes sense, what he used to get with his daddy's money, he now get's with (future) taxpayers money. (we should call this our first credit card war.)
And like more and more Americans, bankruptcy is closing in on our democracy. But of course, I can always say it's not my job to save democracy. But I can't if I have a conscience and I believe in justice and I want peace in our world.
It's time to stop this god damned war! (and it's my job to work for it!)
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