Sunday, June 14, 2020

Black Lives Matter

We have some to a pivotal time in our country when white people such as myself need to say these works "Black lives matter!"  Some might day, "well, don't 'all lives matter?'"  Yes, that is true, and because that is true, we are outraged that black people keep ending up dead for doing things like walking with hoodie (Trayvon Martin) or jogging (Ahmaud Arbery) or many cases of just being stopped by the police.  

Trayvon Martin's case was 7 years ago now!  Not much has changed!  Racism persists.

Racism persists in blatant and latent ways.  The obvious includes blatant racists statements or actions.  The latent includes aspects of our upbringing and fears we have inside.  A white person may say they are not racist, but what is going through their minds when they see a black man ahead, or a couple of black teens ahead, while walking down the street at night?   Or if they see a black person where they don't expect to see one?  I don't know about others, but the thought comes to my mind.  I suspect this toxic stuff is in the minds of many a "liberal" or "not racist" white person.

The other latent persistence of racism is within the government, be it the police, the courts, the prisons, politicians, and social services.  A good example that I heard on the radio yesterday.  Why do many cops who've killed unarmed black people get exonerated in court?  Well, the standard that the jury is given is to ask themselves, "what would a 'reasonable' police officer do in the moment, knowing what he/she knows at the moment, and without the benefit of 20/20 hindsight that comes after the fact?"  With this standard, it's typically a revolving door:  go to trial, but get a verdict of innocent, and back to work.  There is a Federal precedent that police cannot use "unreasonable" force, but the standard given to the jury tends to favor the police, giving them the benefit of the doubt because, at the time, they didn't know everything about the circumstances.

Defund/Restructure/Eliminate the Police
These seem like really radical ideas, but not if we look a famous historic document, the Declaration of Independence:


All people "are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

Note this statement: "whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends" (in this case, namely the unalienable right to life), "it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it."

With black people being killed by agents of the Government, "it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it."

If the police departments as currently structured are destructive of protecting black lives, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish the police departments.

If the current standards in our courts are destructive of providing justice in the taking of black lives, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it.

My conclusion is that it's the American way to alter or to abolish those portions of our government that have become destructive to the ends of protecting black lives.

Now we need to get to the work of change!




Sunday, March 15, 2020

A Proposal to Support Those in the Gig Economy

As the spread of coronavirus is resulting in the cancellation of conventions, live music events, and many sorts of gatherings (as well as closures of restaurants, stores, hotels, etc.), many hourly or gig workers are finding they have no work for the foreseeable future.  In responding to a Facebook post by a friend, I outlined my proposal to assist hourly and gig workers in the interim:

Federal Government:

  • An automatic 6-month extension on filing taxes and a 12-moratorium on interest on unpaid taxes (for the self-employed, not those with chronic pre-existing delinquencies)
  • $1500/month rebate check to those without income due to the virus
State & Local Governments:
  • 1 year moratorium on evictions and foreclosures
This would be a start.

Sunday, January 12, 2020

How Many Christians Justify Assassination of Iranian General?

Last week the US assassinated an Iranian General, Qasem Soleimani.  My observation is that Americans of almost all political perspectives were not disturbed by the idea of the US Government assassinating (killing or "terminating") someone who is clearly a "bad guy."  In fact, after 9/11, US law permits the preemptive killing of  someone declared a "terrorist."

My question is this:  is it moral?  If, as some say, we are a Christian nation, and, as some say, the 10 Commandments are the basis of our laws, and furthermore, "Thou shall not kill" is one of those commandments and enshrined in law, how do we formulate this (and other) exceptions to that commandment?   We have some theologians who have formulated the "just war" theory.  Our laws allow killing in self-defense.  

But, here we neither have a declared war and we have not heard details of the "imminent threat" that government officials spoke of.

Yet, I suspect a majority of Christians probably are ok with this "termination" of a bad guy.  But shouldn't we explore how we could justify this act in light of "thou shall not kill?"

Saturday, August 10, 2019

Racism, Hatred and Violence: The Antithesis of Freedom

The mass shootings of the last weeks cannot be separated from the sowing of hatred and demonization of peoples we hear from President Trump.  The manifesto for the mass murderer in El Paso, Texas includes lines taken from Trump’s speeches and Trump for President websites.  As I’ve said before:  What you reap, you shall sow!

We who love freedom and believe in the dignity of all people (“…endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” [Declaration of Independence]) abhor the talk of demonization of peoples (especially immigrants and the undocumented).  

I say:

  •          “No to Demonization of Peoples”
  •          “No to Hatred of Immigrants and the Undocumented” and
  •          “No to the Violence that rises from Hatred.”
The hatred we saw in El Paso blurred the lines of American Citizenship, legal status in the US, and undocumented status in the US, as the evil murderer in El Paso killed any and all, illustrating a root hatred of Hispanic people and not just those who are undocumented.  This blurring of the lines has led to many incidents where anyone appearing to be Hispanic or speaking Spanish is assumed to be “illegal” and therefore subject to discrimination and hate.

A free people recognize the dignity of all people. 

A free people do not hate any group.

A free people can work to improve the situation on the southern border while respecting the dignity of all.

  •          While respecting all people, we don’t have to have “open borders” but rather improve conditions for a more orderly passage of peoples across the southern border.

  •          While respecting all people, we can work together to ensure humane conditions in detention facilities and not separate underage minors from parents or guardians.

  •          While respecting all people, we can work to improve the conditions in Central America that drive the desire to migrate to the US.
  •          While respecting all people, we can find a permanent solution for the millions of undocumented peoples living within the US.  We should expel the criminals, but we should also have a process whereby productive workers and the “dreamers” can have a path to a documented status, including a path to citizenship.
We must say no to this hatred and violence now!

Sunday, June 23, 2019

Humane Conditions for Human Beings!

Almost everyone will agree on the beauty of a flower.  There is a natural appeal to the eye that generally comes across as both pleasant and even calming.  This may be true for other things in daily life, from cute animals to artwork or a beautiful table setting.

Oddly enough, this universal appeal doesn't apply to our own species.  In particular, I point to the current issues related to immigration to the United States, particularly along the southern border with Mexico.  

The Evil of the Demonization of Immigrants
Before his election, Donald Trump was characterizing those crossing the border as generally criminals: "They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”  (Presidential announcement speech, June 16, 2015).  Trump and many of his supporters have been demonizing these human beings.  Trump has a continuous pattern of demonizing or down-playing those from poor countries, or who are people of color, or just not from northern Europe.  This plays to hatred of immigrants and people of color, hatred that can be found in some of Trump's followers but more especially in the fringe extreme right and hate groups.

This demonization of peoples if evil!  This is not the American way.  This does not support the works of our Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  In this matter of demonizing human beings, Trump is un-American!

The Evil of Inhumane Treatment of Detainees
Migrant camp at the border by Tijuana. 
Nov. 2018 photo by AP.
Current reports indicate that the number of peoples crossing the southern border and detained by the United States is overwhelming facilities resulting in overcrowding and unsanitary conditions, including for children.   This poor treatment of human beings in not the American way.  

More funding is needed immediately to improve conditions so that they are humane and sanitary.  If there are more people than can be held in safe and humane conditions, then people need to be released on one side of the border or the other.

The persistence of inhumane and unsanitary conditions in another sign of the un-American actions of the Trump Administration!

_________________________________________________________________________________
Contact your elected representatives in Congress and demand immediate action to ensure humane and sanitary conditions for detainees!! 





Saturday, October 27, 2018

Violence and a President Who Seems to Fan the Flames

What you sow, you will reap!  This is an old proverb, but still true.  It is unprecedented to have an American President make statements that advocate for violence.  Acts of hate and violence here and world-wide are early fruits of the harvest.

What You Sow
Here are some examples:
--A President who repeated refers to the Press "is the Enemy of the People"
--A President who applauds an assault on a journalist:
  • “Any guy that can do a body slam — he’s my kind of guy,” Trump said to cheers and laughter from the crowd, referring to Rep. Greg Gianforte's  assault on Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs.
--A President who, as a candidate, encouraged the crowds at his rallies to commit violence:
  • "Knock the hell out of him!...I promise you I will pay the legal fees.”
  • “Maybe he should have been roughed up.”
  • “I don’t know if I’ll do the fighting myself or if other people will.
With these and other examples, it beyond credibility that Sarah Huckabee-Sanders said at the White House Daily Press Briefing on 29 June 2017:  “The president in no way, form, or fashion has ever promoted or encouraged violence.”  This is just another example of a President and aides who call proven lies as their alternative facts.  (Ref. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/donald-trump-incitement-violence/)

The Harvest?
  • June 29, 2018 - Five dead in shooting at Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland. (Reference)
  • October 25, 2018 - White gunman who killed two black people in supermarket made racist remarks before attack. “Whites don’t kill whites,” he said to an armed man who confronted the killer. (Reference)
  • October 25, 2018 - Man sends 13 pipe bombs to Democrats who criticized the President. (Reference)
  • October 27, 2018 - Man yelled "All Jews must die" as he kills 11 at Synagogue in Pittsburgh. (Reference)
Other acts of harassment and confrontation have occurred.  And there is the Unite the Right Rally in Charlotteville, VA on August 11 to 12, 2017, which included many carrying weapons, wearing Nazi insignia, chanting racist and antisemitic  slogans.  And there is the case of the the apparent assassination of a Washington Post contributor.

While most of the violence has been perpetrated by fringe characters (either with histories of mental illness and/or violence), the word seems to be "come out, it's safe" for the right-wing fringe.  And what is this saying to the world?

You can't sow the seeds of violence and hatred without expecting the harvest of the same! 

Sunday, September 30, 2018

The Demeanor of the Candidate

On Thursday, much of the nation watched a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding Brett Kavanaugh, the current nominee of President Donald Trump for a seat on the Supreme Court, and allegations of sexual misconduct in his youth.  My impression is that people saw the proceedings colored by some combination of political views and personal experience. 

Democratic supporters see the need to investigate the allegations.  Republican supporters see it as a political show where suddenly these allegations surface just before the Senate needs to vote on the nominee.  

Women who’ve been raped or sexually abused (and those who know these women) may be suffering again through the horror of that experience.  Men may be worried that some forgotten event in their teens or twenties might be dredged up and now it’s a he-said-she-said situation.

While I could comment on all the above, I’m wondering if the trump card isn’t Kavanaugh’s demeanor both in his statement (a diatribe against the Democrats) and his emotion and anger.  If I were his lawyer, I wouldn’t want him on the stand.  If I were on the jury, I’d suspect he’s hiding guilt behind this offence of blame, accusations and anger.  As a juror, I’d probably vote “guilty as charged!”

I don’t think anything will stop the majority Republicans in the Senate from seating him on the high court.  I also suspect that the party in part sees him as red meat for the base:  he may be finally the vote that overturns Roe.  Think of that for the Republicans in the mid-terms and 2020:  the short shelf life for Roe added to the tax cut, beating up on trade partners, defense of the National Anthem, severe reduction in immigration, etc.  So much red meat for the base.

Kavanaugh is the poster child for the party of the angry white man!