I am mystified at the widespread opposition to the current immigration reform proposal. While not perfect, it addresses the problem of illegal immigration by better securing the borders and allowing more workers in legally.
It also attempts to soften the impact of reform for the immigrants, their families, their employers and our economy by allowing employed illegal immigrants to stay, albeit at some penalty.
The bottom line is that we need immigration. Our economy can not be sustained on the home grown workforce. Inadequate immigration policy and inadequate border control, lead to an ‘illegal’ supplemental work force. But we still need that work force, so it seems to me that correcting the problem rather than throwing them out is the right thing to do.
But all I hear from those against this is that we are giving amnesty to law breakers when we should be throwing them out. I also notice that few of these same critics have much to say about the law-breaking American businesses that employed these illegal workers. I have to wonder if this is about the immigrants’ legal status and responsibilities or is it just a wedge to cleanse the ethnicity of the United States.
Be that as it may, I can’t help but have a bit of sympathy for those on the right vehemently opposed to this reform. Those of us left of center know all too well what it’s like to have the President make up his mind and not listen to anything you have to say. We feel your pain, with just a tinge of enjoyment.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Would Jesus be a Conservative?
In America today we see the term ‘Christian Conservative’ as a redundancy. If you are Christian, you must be conservative. If you are conservative you are most likely Christian. That’s too bad because one has little to do with the other.
As I see it, the very essence of the teachings of Jesus sounds like a liberal manifesto.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches us the golden rule, to turn the other cheek, love our enemies, to not sit in judgment of others, and to eschew material things over more important matters. Yet some so-called ‘Christian leaders’ support war, call for retribution, advocate hatred, violence, even death for those they do not like, incessantly express disdain, derision and displeasure with those they disagree with, and all the while living lavishly.
A person who goes through life striving to do right by others, going the extra mile, meeting violence with love, forgiving his enemies, keeping his judgments to himself, and quietly, generously sharing his wealth with those in need would be seen by the right as a classic bleeding heart liberal. Yet it is precisely the life that imperfect Christians are taught to strive for.
So how is it that people who call themselves Christian have aligned themselves with the kind of conservatives who sit in judgment of others, foster hate and derision, prefer to start wars over oil rather than intervene in an on-going genocide, and would gut every program designed to help those in need?
I would ask every Christian who believes the current leadership of this country is taking us in the right direction to go back to the gospels. Think, pray then ask “What would Jesus do?”
And for those that would turn to people like the late Rev. Fallwell, or Robertson, Swaggart, or Phelps for their political guidance, pay special attention to Mathew 7:15-16: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.” On second thought, never mind. No sense casting pearls before swine.
As I see it, the very essence of the teachings of Jesus sounds like a liberal manifesto.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches us the golden rule, to turn the other cheek, love our enemies, to not sit in judgment of others, and to eschew material things over more important matters. Yet some so-called ‘Christian leaders’ support war, call for retribution, advocate hatred, violence, even death for those they do not like, incessantly express disdain, derision and displeasure with those they disagree with, and all the while living lavishly.
A person who goes through life striving to do right by others, going the extra mile, meeting violence with love, forgiving his enemies, keeping his judgments to himself, and quietly, generously sharing his wealth with those in need would be seen by the right as a classic bleeding heart liberal. Yet it is precisely the life that imperfect Christians are taught to strive for.
So how is it that people who call themselves Christian have aligned themselves with the kind of conservatives who sit in judgment of others, foster hate and derision, prefer to start wars over oil rather than intervene in an on-going genocide, and would gut every program designed to help those in need?
I would ask every Christian who believes the current leadership of this country is taking us in the right direction to go back to the gospels. Think, pray then ask “What would Jesus do?”
And for those that would turn to people like the late Rev. Fallwell, or Robertson, Swaggart, or Phelps for their political guidance, pay special attention to Mathew 7:15-16: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.” On second thought, never mind. No sense casting pearls before swine.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Steaming Pile of Ideology and Spin
There was a time when the United States was the responsible adult on the global playground. We counseled nations; we policed disputes; we provided comfort and care to those in need; we protected the weak from bullies. As a last resort we sometimes had to punish troublemakers. But we are no longer acting as a responsible adult. Instead we are acting like a wild-eyed ideological evangelist out to remake the world in our own image. Whoever does not fit that image is at risk of our wrath.
So here we have Iran, an unrepentant troublemaker, exacerbating the chaos we unleashed in Iraq and pursuing dreams of wiping out its enemies with nuclear weapons. Clearly something needs to be done.
The old United States would have had the clout and credibility to step up and deal with this diplomatically. The new United States does not and, even worse, apparently does not care to. The old United States would use the force of war only when the threat was immediate, severe, actual and indisputable. The new United States will use the force of war based on a spin campaign, and the spin has begun.
The best thing that we can do about Iran is to dig deep into the steaming pile of ideology and spin and find the old United States.
So here we have Iran, an unrepentant troublemaker, exacerbating the chaos we unleashed in Iraq and pursuing dreams of wiping out its enemies with nuclear weapons. Clearly something needs to be done.
The old United States would have had the clout and credibility to step up and deal with this diplomatically. The new United States does not and, even worse, apparently does not care to. The old United States would use the force of war only when the threat was immediate, severe, actual and indisputable. The new United States will use the force of war based on a spin campaign, and the spin has begun.
The best thing that we can do about Iran is to dig deep into the steaming pile of ideology and spin and find the old United States.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Answers to Rhetorical Questions
When I was in second grade my teacher was holding an impromptu spelling bee. She was providing the words from her desk and calling on students to spell the words aloud. When she called on me, the word to spell was "from". So I very carefully spelled it, "f-r-o-m-e".
She let out an exaggerated 'tsk', and asked, "Why would anyone spell 'from' with an 'e' on the end?"
I responded, "Because it rhymes with come and come is spelled c-o-m-e". The class giggled at my obvious logic, to which my teacher did not take kindly. I was sent to the Principal's office.
And so it began, my lifelong need to answer rhetorical questions...
Can you cry under water?
Yes, but your mascara does not run quite so dramatically so it's not as effective.
How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
If he is killed because WHAT he is, he is assassinated .
Why do you have to "put your two cents in".. . but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?
People who are willing to pay you a penny when they want your thoughts will actually charge you 2 cents to take the time out of their day to hear your unsolicited advice.
Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?
Only if its polyester.
Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
The paradigm is shifting. Since its easier to make square pizzas than round boxes, more and more pizzas are square.
What disease did cured ham actually have?
Life.
How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
Because those little wheels on luggage are 'Space Age' wheels and we had to wait for the space age.
Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?
Because they could not hear themselves snoring, so they thought they slept like a baby.
If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?
No. To be politically correct its now called a "Meeting of persons litigating before a judicial authority to offer testimony to resolve matters or find facts" or MOPLBAJATOTTRMOFF for short.
Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
To feel like Leona Helmsley and look down on all the little people.
Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway?
To protect themselves in case anything you have on too tight goes flying across the room when you undo it.
Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?
And Panty Liner is singular. Hmmmm Which panty does one line?
Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
Well, clearly the world is full of indecent human beings who like burnt toast.
If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?
All you ever wanted to know about "Blue Tail Fly" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Tail_Fly
Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?
No. The car pool lane requires two passengers. The corpse is cargo.
If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
Trick question! They had a radio.
Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!
Because Goofy is an anthropomorphic dog and Pluto is just a regular dog. This is allowed in cartoon world.
If Wiley E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?
For the same reason that we spend $25,000 on an old car worth $3,000. It's the obsession.
If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
Yeah, Yeah and motor oil is made from motors.
If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
Only selective morality where it's OK to cheat on your wife and your taxes, while going to church every Sunday and condemning gay marriage.
Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?
Yes
Why did you just try singing the two songs above?
To answer the question above.
Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?
For the same reason we drive on a parkway and park in a driveway.
Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride; he sticks his head out the window?
Um, have you smelled your breath lately?
Do you ever wonder why the blogsphere is full of crap like this?
Because the Internet is actually a set of vacuum tubes and nature abhors a vacuum.
She let out an exaggerated 'tsk', and asked, "Why would anyone spell 'from' with an 'e' on the end?"
I responded, "Because it rhymes with come and come is spelled c-o-m-e". The class giggled at my obvious logic, to which my teacher did not take kindly. I was sent to the Principal's office.
And so it began, my lifelong need to answer rhetorical questions...
Can you cry under water?
Yes, but your mascara does not run quite so dramatically so it's not as effective.
How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
If he is killed because WHAT he is, he is assassinated .
Why do you have to "put your two cents in".. . but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?
People who are willing to pay you a penny when they want your thoughts will actually charge you 2 cents to take the time out of their day to hear your unsolicited advice.
Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?
Only if its polyester.
Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
The paradigm is shifting. Since its easier to make square pizzas than round boxes, more and more pizzas are square.
What disease did cured ham actually have?
Life.
How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
Because those little wheels on luggage are 'Space Age' wheels and we had to wait for the space age.
Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?
Because they could not hear themselves snoring, so they thought they slept like a baby.
If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?
No. To be politically correct its now called a "Meeting of persons litigating before a judicial authority to offer testimony to resolve matters or find facts" or MOPLBAJATOTTRMOFF for short.
Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
To feel like Leona Helmsley and look down on all the little people.
Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway?
To protect themselves in case anything you have on too tight goes flying across the room when you undo it.
Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?
And Panty Liner is singular. Hmmmm Which panty does one line?
Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
Well, clearly the world is full of indecent human beings who like burnt toast.
If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?
All you ever wanted to know about "Blue Tail Fly" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Tail_Fly
Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?
No. The car pool lane requires two passengers. The corpse is cargo.
If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
Trick question! They had a radio.
Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!
Because Goofy is an anthropomorphic dog and Pluto is just a regular dog. This is allowed in cartoon world.
If Wiley E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?
For the same reason that we spend $25,000 on an old car worth $3,000. It's the obsession.
If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
Yeah, Yeah and motor oil is made from motors.
If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
Only selective morality where it's OK to cheat on your wife and your taxes, while going to church every Sunday and condemning gay marriage.
Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?
Yes
Why did you just try singing the two songs above?
To answer the question above.
Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?
For the same reason we drive on a parkway and park in a driveway.
Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride; he sticks his head out the window?
Um, have you smelled your breath lately?
Do you ever wonder why the blogsphere is full of crap like this?
Because the Internet is actually a set of vacuum tubes and nature abhors a vacuum.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Social Action Homework
A questionaire was passed out in church one recent Sunday. It asked four questions. The questions and my answers below.
To what extent do I believe that working for social justice is in keeping with the Christian faith?
I believe that working toward social justice is at the very core of Christianity. The Sermon on the Mount instructs us to be fair and loving to our friends and enemies, it teaches us that there are no lesser people in God’s kingdom. In John:8 Jesus questions the unjust law of stoning for adultery, forever blowing the cover of ‘just following the law’ or ‘just following orders’ for those that seek to do others harm or in acting without empathy.
In what ways have I been affected by the social actions of others?
So-called social conservatives have succeeded in expanding and extending the second class citizenship of GLBT people in America, despite the discomfort the vast majority feel at the injustice. The social conservatives have succeeding by overriding that discomfort with fear and hate. On the other hand I have benefited immeasurably by the long line of social activists that set out to right injustice, in small and big ways. Despite setbacks, I am encouraged. Beginning with the Declaration of Independence, movements to correct injustice always prevail over movements to preserve injustice.
In what ways have I participated in social action?
At first I thought my answer was ‘not much’ other than knowing Michael Slaymaker. I do not live and breathe activism. But on reflection, many opportunities have come my way over the years and I have not spent it all on the sidelines. I have marched or rallied in Washington, Tampa, Miami, and Orlando. I have written my Government Representatives on big and small issues. I have written letters to the editor on a number of social topics including immigration, the federal marriage amendment, gay adoption, taxes, religious and cultural tolerance, and education. Many of my letters have been published. I have campaigned for socially responsible candidates. I have signed petitions, I have collected petition signatures. I have given some of my money and some of my time to organizations out to make the world better. Additionally I live my life honestly and openly as a Christian gay man, striving to do right by others (but not always succeeding) . I figure they can’t hate me if they know me and that might make it harder for them to hate the rest of us.
What are some ways that I might participate in social action in the future?
I will continue to write. I will step up to be one of the small forces that drive big movements when the opportunity arises, be it writing a letter, writing a check, helping with the logistics of activism, or just being there when needed. I will continue to post my essays on social and political issues from time to time in my online blog, and try to increase the traffic that sees that content.
To what extent do I believe that working for social justice is in keeping with the Christian faith?
I believe that working toward social justice is at the very core of Christianity. The Sermon on the Mount instructs us to be fair and loving to our friends and enemies, it teaches us that there are no lesser people in God’s kingdom. In John:8 Jesus questions the unjust law of stoning for adultery, forever blowing the cover of ‘just following the law’ or ‘just following orders’ for those that seek to do others harm or in acting without empathy.
In what ways have I been affected by the social actions of others?
So-called social conservatives have succeeded in expanding and extending the second class citizenship of GLBT people in America, despite the discomfort the vast majority feel at the injustice. The social conservatives have succeeding by overriding that discomfort with fear and hate. On the other hand I have benefited immeasurably by the long line of social activists that set out to right injustice, in small and big ways. Despite setbacks, I am encouraged. Beginning with the Declaration of Independence, movements to correct injustice always prevail over movements to preserve injustice.
In what ways have I participated in social action?
At first I thought my answer was ‘not much’ other than knowing Michael Slaymaker. I do not live and breathe activism. But on reflection, many opportunities have come my way over the years and I have not spent it all on the sidelines. I have marched or rallied in Washington, Tampa, Miami, and Orlando. I have written my Government Representatives on big and small issues. I have written letters to the editor on a number of social topics including immigration, the federal marriage amendment, gay adoption, taxes, religious and cultural tolerance, and education. Many of my letters have been published. I have campaigned for socially responsible candidates. I have signed petitions, I have collected petition signatures. I have given some of my money and some of my time to organizations out to make the world better. Additionally I live my life honestly and openly as a Christian gay man, striving to do right by others (but not always succeeding) . I figure they can’t hate me if they know me and that might make it harder for them to hate the rest of us.
What are some ways that I might participate in social action in the future?
I will continue to write. I will step up to be one of the small forces that drive big movements when the opportunity arises, be it writing a letter, writing a check, helping with the logistics of activism, or just being there when needed. I will continue to post my essays on social and political issues from time to time in my online blog, and try to increase the traffic that sees that content.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Advice for Governor Charlie
I squeaked one more published letter to the editor in in 2006. This one was published on Dec 29, 2006. The friday forum subject was "Priorities for Governor Elect Crist"
Dear Gov Charlie,
First, my advice for being a good governor is to be just like Jeb, only without devious plans, without laws to undo court decisions in a private family matter, and by not embracing reforms that are more about an ideology than solving problems.
As for priorities:
More energy, less carbon: We have abundant sunshine and wind to be harnessed. Consider the ‘nuclear option’. Sugar to ethanol perhaps?
Cuba: As governor of Florida you will have center stage in what comes next. Don’t help those who would screw it up to do so.
Insurance: Reform must make sense. Insurance companies won’t do business here if they think they can’t make money. People won’t live here if they can’t get insurance. Affordability is a factor of the weather, which we can’t immediately change.
Taxes. We have government coffers flush with cash and some folks paying twice the tax on their homes as their neighbors. This means taxes are too high and unfair. If our taxes are equitable and our elected officials have to make a few hard choices on where to spend, then we have it about right.
Education: Everything that leads to more kids graduating should be on the table, not just an ideological measuring stick we use to punish schools that come up short.
Immigration: People from Puerto Rico are not Immigrants. People from Cuba are not illegal. I know you know these things, but please do not listen to anyone who does not.
Dear Gov Charlie,
First, my advice for being a good governor is to be just like Jeb, only without devious plans, without laws to undo court decisions in a private family matter, and by not embracing reforms that are more about an ideology than solving problems.
As for priorities:
More energy, less carbon: We have abundant sunshine and wind to be harnessed. Consider the ‘nuclear option’. Sugar to ethanol perhaps?
Cuba: As governor of Florida you will have center stage in what comes next. Don’t help those who would screw it up to do so.
Insurance: Reform must make sense. Insurance companies won’t do business here if they think they can’t make money. People won’t live here if they can’t get insurance. Affordability is a factor of the weather, which we can’t immediately change.
Taxes. We have government coffers flush with cash and some folks paying twice the tax on their homes as their neighbors. This means taxes are too high and unfair. If our taxes are equitable and our elected officials have to make a few hard choices on where to spend, then we have it about right.
Education: Everything that leads to more kids graduating should be on the table, not just an ideological measuring stick we use to punish schools that come up short.
Immigration: People from Puerto Rico are not Immigrants. People from Cuba are not illegal. I know you know these things, but please do not listen to anyone who does not.
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