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.

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?"

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!

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!! 

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! 

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!

More Evil in the Catholic Church

The recent news about evil within the Catholic Church is something I need to speak out about.

First, many say how can one remain a Catholic in light of such evil by priests and the failure of the hierarchy to address these evil acts.  To that I say that many don’t understand what faith and “being part of the Church means.”  Faith does not come from the institutional church or the hierarchy. Faith is a free gift from G-d.  The true meaning of “the Church” is the assembly of the believers, NOT the hierarchy institutional church.  The purpose of pastors, bishops and others in formal roles in the intuitional church is to be faithful servants.  Their authority only exists to the extent they remain faithful servants.  When they fail, they are not the true Church.  But the faithful believers remain the true Church even when the hierarchy fails.

In this regard, these evil acts and failures to act do not shake my faith or beliefs.  I see clearly that evil represents grievous offences before G-d.  And the Church is my Church and NOT that of the hierarchy and priests that failed their duties to G-d and the people of the Church.

Second, the acts of sexual abuse are mortal sins, grievous offences against G-d and G-d’s people.  Only once have I heard a priest or other official of the Church use the term “sin,“ which is accurate, not some lesser term like “failing’ or “lax” or some other term that diminishes the seriousness of the sin.  Once discovered, it was the duty of the hierarchy to realize the sins, and the life-long devastation it has caused to G-d’s little ones. 

The hierarchy then failed to take proper action.  The Act of Contrition speaks of “avoiding the near occasion of sin.”  The hierarchy needed to realize that the only way to keep pedophile priests away “the near occasion of sin” was to remove them from ministry and from any contact with minors. And that their priests need to turn themselves over to civil authorities to faces the due punishment for the civil crimes they committed. This is the correct action that anyone familiar with the old Baltimore Catechism would have realized.

At this point, if the institutional church can’t regulate itself, there needs to be at least an oversite board that investigates and takes proper actions:

1. All pedophile priests and others who committed sexual abuse must be immediately removed from ministry and “de-frocked”.
2. They must turn themselves over to civil authorities and be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
3. Ditto for all in authority who failed to act or covered it up or took improper actions (e.g., moving around priests to other parishes)
4. The investigations and prosecutions must extend up the chain to the Vatican if that’s where the trail leads.
5. States should revise laws to extend the Statute of Limitations to ensure prosecution of offenders

Reform

1. The Institutional Church must determine the root causes.  Is the vow of chastity unsustainable?  Frankly, testosterone is a power drug, and can drive a boy or man to think of and perhaps act on desires that should be curbed.  Having lived with both testosterone and estrogen flowing through me, I especially can testify to the power of the male hormone.  I have come to believe that most men should have the opportunity to express their sexual desires in a loving consensual relationship.  To be a faithful servant and a man, frankly one should not be fighting the unnatural battle that can accompany chastity.  Change needs to be considered.
   
2. There remains a need for oversight and transparency.  We don’t need to know all the minor sins of those in ministry.  But where there is serious sin – such as abuse – it must be called out, put in the spotlight of truth, and appropriate actions taken as I described above.  If we can’t trust the institutional church and hierarchy to perform this role, perhaps a lay oversight role needs to be created.

Summary

• The acts of abuse are mortal sins and serious crimes and full prosecution and removal from ministry is necessary.
• The hierarchy that failed also needs to be removed from positions of authority and prosecuted where there is a basis for that.
• The failure to take appropriate actions undermines the moral authority of the institutional church. 
• The believers have a faith that comes from G-d and not the intuitional church or hierarchy that have failed to protect the vulnerable, G-d’s little ones.