"Jesus is the reason for the season". If this year is like recent ones, we will soon be hearing that everywhere. Depends.
If this is the Christmas season for you, then yes, you are correct. But it is perfectly legitimate for someone to see it as the Hanukkah season, Kwanzaa season, Solstice season, or just winter.
Jesus is not the reason for any of those. In fact, most of those predate Jesus. Some of them even predate history, or mankind.
Equally factual: America is in the throes of becoming, once again, more like its theoretical self. You know, the hope of the world, a nation of immigrants. Melted into Americans we may be, but we are not melted into white Anglo-Saxon Christians. Bill O'Reilly has faced it, not that he is in any way happy about it, but at least he has pulled his head up and looked around.
The first European Americans may have been Christian, but even then, other religions were already here. And those of other western faiths followed shortly thereafter. Even more divergent believers were brought here as the centuries went by, with the expectation of course that they would convert. Some did, but many didn't.
In the last few decades,(thank you Madalyn), many of us have become brave enough to admit we are not Christians and to insist on our right to believe what we actually do and behave accordingly.
Happy Holidays is not an attempt to remove religion from the season, it is just a recognition that many DIFFERENT faiths are celebrating holidays and wish their adherents, all the adherents, a happy time no matter what.
So, as a 21st century American, floundering techologically, but keeping up pretty well culturally,
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Friday, November 16, 2012
veterans every day
The passage of Veterans Day and the military/CIA scandal gives rise to thoughts about war and warriors.
We should honor our military members not because they are some kind of superbeings, unfailingly kind, honest and honorable, but because they have left their lives, families and their own safety to go into that indescribable hell of war and do our fighting for us. Most of all our leaders should honor them by NEVER sending them out unnecessarily. (Still haven't gotten there yet, at least not as of 2001). The rest of us should be extremely grateful, but not let that gratitude make us revere them as more than human.
I understand it can be hard to honor someone who might have (you don't know) done something unspeakable in the midst of battle, but believe me, it has been done thousands of times already. Only in movies are U.S., or any other, soldiers always noble. I have a friend who wants all fighting to be done with humans, not machines because he believes fewer civilian casualties will result. I fear there may be more instead. Remember all the incidents in Iraq? Those mainly involved human atrocities, not unthinking machines.
Many are now concerned about the leak of classified material through the avenue of an illicit liaison, or the illicit liaison itself. Petraus even found it necessary to resign over it. After all his years in service, can we say with any certainty that he never killed civilians or other innocents? And my point is, should we even ask?
In short, we must get beyond expecting superhuman exploits from our military and instead expect basic human wisdom and restraint in our deployment of them.
That is the least they and we can expect of America on every veterans day.
We should honor our military members not because they are some kind of superbeings, unfailingly kind, honest and honorable, but because they have left their lives, families and their own safety to go into that indescribable hell of war and do our fighting for us. Most of all our leaders should honor them by NEVER sending them out unnecessarily. (Still haven't gotten there yet, at least not as of 2001). The rest of us should be extremely grateful, but not let that gratitude make us revere them as more than human.
I understand it can be hard to honor someone who might have (you don't know) done something unspeakable in the midst of battle, but believe me, it has been done thousands of times already. Only in movies are U.S., or any other, soldiers always noble. I have a friend who wants all fighting to be done with humans, not machines because he believes fewer civilian casualties will result. I fear there may be more instead. Remember all the incidents in Iraq? Those mainly involved human atrocities, not unthinking machines.
Many are now concerned about the leak of classified material through the avenue of an illicit liaison, or the illicit liaison itself. Petraus even found it necessary to resign over it. After all his years in service, can we say with any certainty that he never killed civilians or other innocents? And my point is, should we even ask?
In short, we must get beyond expecting superhuman exploits from our military and instead expect basic human wisdom and restraint in our deployment of them.
That is the least they and we can expect of America on every veterans day.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
08/012
Obama's victory in 2008 was his alone - the victory in 2012 was for progressive values
In 2008 the American people elected a black man, partly because he was a black man, but mostly because they were happy to have the opportunity to elect a black man because he was the best choice for the job. Those who oppose him underestimate the pleasure this gave many Americans.
In 2012, that was past. We had done it.
This was a very different race because it was such a clear choice between the old attitudes and the new. Conservatives simply could not, would not believe that the majority of the country had changed so much.
In 2008 I was cautiously optimistic. Cautious because I just wasn't sure my country was intelligent and mature enough to elect Obama. It was a real thrill when I heard the news not because he had been elected, but because my country was a better place than I had believed.
In 2012 I was pretty sure he would win because so many of the knowledgeable people had said he would. I was more worried about some of the other races, the vast majority of which turned out the way I want. In some ways I feel sorry for the losers, both the candidates and the supporters, because they really have lost the country they knew. I think it is for the best, but I can sympathise with how they must feel, living in such a strange place.
It finally sunk in to me a few years ago that we are in a transitional time, both physically and spiritually. This is difficult for everyone living through it. But many changes must be made if mankind is to have a good environment in the future.
We have made a good start on these changes this year.
In 2008 the American people elected a black man, partly because he was a black man, but mostly because they were happy to have the opportunity to elect a black man because he was the best choice for the job. Those who oppose him underestimate the pleasure this gave many Americans.
In 2012, that was past. We had done it.
This was a very different race because it was such a clear choice between the old attitudes and the new. Conservatives simply could not, would not believe that the majority of the country had changed so much.
In 2008 I was cautiously optimistic. Cautious because I just wasn't sure my country was intelligent and mature enough to elect Obama. It was a real thrill when I heard the news not because he had been elected, but because my country was a better place than I had believed.
In 2012 I was pretty sure he would win because so many of the knowledgeable people had said he would. I was more worried about some of the other races, the vast majority of which turned out the way I want. In some ways I feel sorry for the losers, both the candidates and the supporters, because they really have lost the country they knew. I think it is for the best, but I can sympathise with how they must feel, living in such a strange place.
It finally sunk in to me a few years ago that we are in a transitional time, both physically and spiritually. This is difficult for everyone living through it. But many changes must be made if mankind is to have a good environment in the future.
We have made a good start on these changes this year.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
rich man, poor man
All through the recent campaign, I kept hearing talking heads say "The American people don't resent wealth." And every time I thought, "Well, I do."
Now I realize I was wrong.
It's not the wealth I resent, it's the attitude.
Wealthy people mostly really want wealth and did what it took to get it. OK, as long as it was legal.
The problem comes not with them getting what they wanted, but them demanding that we ALL want it too.
I personally didn't want to be wealthy, so I didn't 'work hard and get ahead'. I accept that they will have wealth and I won't, but I want them to accept it too.
I don't want 3, or 5, or how ever many houses, but I do want one.
I don't want 10 or 20 or how ever many cars, but I do want to be able to get around, be that with a car, bicycle, or mass transit.
In short, I want the basics to be comfortable in 21st century America, whatever that may mean.
Part of the problem is that 'the basics' keep changing. Some conservatives complain because the poor have microwaves and cable, but microwaves are actually the cheapest way to have hot food these days, and without either cable/satellite or a digital TV, you can't have TV at all anymore, and how will you hear about emergencies?
The other part of the problem is the feeling that we all have to be driven and ambitious. This is not and cannot be true.
There is infinite variety among people and many of us are not driven or want to be. We are honorable, responsible people and go to work and contribute to society, but we are satisfied with simpler lives. Without us, who would fill all the support positions that are still around?
And in return for that, we want basic human decency and a few comforts.
The idea that we can't have this life IS offensive and we DO resent it.
Or at least I do.
Now I realize I was wrong.
It's not the wealth I resent, it's the attitude.
Wealthy people mostly really want wealth and did what it took to get it. OK, as long as it was legal.
The problem comes not with them getting what they wanted, but them demanding that we ALL want it too.
I personally didn't want to be wealthy, so I didn't 'work hard and get ahead'. I accept that they will have wealth and I won't, but I want them to accept it too.
I don't want 3, or 5, or how ever many houses, but I do want one.
I don't want 10 or 20 or how ever many cars, but I do want to be able to get around, be that with a car, bicycle, or mass transit.
In short, I want the basics to be comfortable in 21st century America, whatever that may mean.
Part of the problem is that 'the basics' keep changing. Some conservatives complain because the poor have microwaves and cable, but microwaves are actually the cheapest way to have hot food these days, and without either cable/satellite or a digital TV, you can't have TV at all anymore, and how will you hear about emergencies?
The other part of the problem is the feeling that we all have to be driven and ambitious. This is not and cannot be true.
There is infinite variety among people and many of us are not driven or want to be. We are honorable, responsible people and go to work and contribute to society, but we are satisfied with simpler lives. Without us, who would fill all the support positions that are still around?
And in return for that, we want basic human decency and a few comforts.
The idea that we can't have this life IS offensive and we DO resent it.
Or at least I do.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Late October surprise
Some political talk shows like to choose who had the best and worst week. Well, this past week, I would say it was Progressive America.
First came Sandy, pointing out in a big way both the reality of climate change and the absolute necessity of big government. Hopefully this will move us far enough beyond the 'debate' over these issues to consign those on the Regressive side to the fringe for good.
Second, Mitt Romney redefined desperation with his ridiculously false Jeep to China ad. Not only was Chris Christie AND Mother Nature poking holes in his worldview, he was ripping off his Emperor's clothes himself.
One would think this would eliminate any chance he had of winning next week, but I'm still holding my breath. I could barely believe America had the sense to elect Obama four years ago. I'm not ready to believe any stronger this year. We'll see who has the best week next week.
First came Sandy, pointing out in a big way both the reality of climate change and the absolute necessity of big government. Hopefully this will move us far enough beyond the 'debate' over these issues to consign those on the Regressive side to the fringe for good.
Second, Mitt Romney redefined desperation with his ridiculously false Jeep to China ad. Not only was Chris Christie AND Mother Nature poking holes in his worldview, he was ripping off his Emperor's clothes himself.
One would think this would eliminate any chance he had of winning next week, but I'm still holding my breath. I could barely believe America had the sense to elect Obama four years ago. I'm not ready to believe any stronger this year. We'll see who has the best week next week.
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