The constant noise from FOX News trying to connect the outbreak of Swine Flu to "illegal immigration" is shameful and racist.
Sometimes I wonder who watches this channel. Then I remember, I have friends who are demonstrably bright, learned and great parents; yet, they watch FOX News. I watch for brief moments now and again, but in a concentrated effort to keep my television from being destroyed, I've learned to change the channel, rather than throw the remote at the screen.
The FOX News mission to promote hate and fear by linking Swine Flu to "illegal immigration", is reprehensible; yet overshadowed by the constant pounding of the "water boarding is not torture" drum. Saying something loudly, over and over is a time honored tactic of all bullies.
I guess in this age of multiple media, we all get to choose what and how we want our news. I encourage you to choose to listen to multiple sources. Yes I know that the cable channels seem to have points of view. MSNBC and CNN try to present the story and find the truth. FOX News will lie to you if the truth doesn't jive with whatever editorial position they've been asked to take.
Perhaps one of these days, reason, integrity and a desire to practice journalism ethically will return to FOX News. In the meantime, please watch in small doses with a strong antidote at hand.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Integrity - Jeannette Rankin
Nicholson Baker writes in his book Human Smoke : Jeannette Rankin of Montana, the first woman to be elected to the House of Representatives, voted against declaring war on Germany. It was April 6, 1917.
"I leaned over the gallery rail and watched her," said her friend Harriet Laidlaw, of the Woman Suffrage Party. "She was undergoing the most terrible strain." almost all of her fellow suffrage leaders, including Laidlaw, wanted her to vote yes.
There was a silence when her name was called. "I want to stand by my country," Rankin said. "But I cannot vote for war. I vote no." Fifty other member of the House voted no with her; 374 voted yes. "I felt, " she said later, "that the first time the first woman had a chance to say no to war she should say it."
I don't remember learning about Ms. Rankin in school, shame on me. Her integrity is undeniable. Her sense of self and awareness of her place in history astounds me. I hope it's just my bad memory and not our schools who have forgotten to teach us about this amazing person.
Here is a link to the Jeannette Rankin Foundation.
A film was made about her life called "Peace is a Woman's Job".
I hope peace is a job we all own.
Peace.
"I leaned over the gallery rail and watched her," said her friend Harriet Laidlaw, of the Woman Suffrage Party. "She was undergoing the most terrible strain." almost all of her fellow suffrage leaders, including Laidlaw, wanted her to vote yes.
There was a silence when her name was called. "I want to stand by my country," Rankin said. "But I cannot vote for war. I vote no." Fifty other member of the House voted no with her; 374 voted yes. "I felt, " she said later, "that the first time the first woman had a chance to say no to war she should say it."
I don't remember learning about Ms. Rankin in school, shame on me. Her integrity is undeniable. Her sense of self and awareness of her place in history astounds me. I hope it's just my bad memory and not our schools who have forgotten to teach us about this amazing person.
Here is a link to the Jeannette Rankin Foundation.
A film was made about her life called "Peace is a Woman's Job".
I hope peace is a job we all own.
Peace.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Always
You are always on my mind and in my heart.
I feel like I am betraying myself letting go of you.
Yet I know you are already gone.
Memories deep and precious.
Warm and peaceful in your arms.
Now open for another.
When the honesty ended.
I saw the word stop.
And knew the truth.
My love flows deeper than my tears.
You will always be in that river.
Peace and Love and Joy.
I feel like I am betraying myself letting go of you.
Yet I know you are already gone.
Memories deep and precious.
Warm and peaceful in your arms.
Now open for another.
When the honesty ended.
I saw the word stop.
And knew the truth.
My love flows deeper than my tears.
You will always be in that river.
Peace and Love and Joy.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Peace and Maturity
In order for the world to become peaceful, people must become more peaceful. Among mature people war would not be a problem - it would be impossible. In their immaturity people want, at the same time, peace and the things which make war. However, people can mature just as children grow up. Yes, our institutions and our leaders reflect our immaturity, but as we mature we will elect better leaders and set up better institutions. It always comes back to the thing so many of us wish to avoid: working to improve ourselves. - Peace Pilgrim -
Here is a link to the Peace Pilgrim website.
Here is a link to the Peace Pilgrim website.
Life is this simple:
We are living in a transparent world,
and God shines through in every moment.
This is not just a fable or a nice story;
it is living truth.
If we remember God, abandon ourselves to God,
and forget ourselves,
we may see this truth:
God manifests everywhere, in everything.
We cannot be without God.
It's impossible.
It's simply impossible.
- Thomas Merton -
However, whatever or whomever you call/see God, I believe that what is written above is true. We are all one with the universe, with God. You are my brothers and sisters. We are all creating this world and everything in it together. Be kind to one another.
and God shines through in every moment.
This is not just a fable or a nice story;
it is living truth.
If we remember God, abandon ourselves to God,
and forget ourselves,
we may see this truth:
God manifests everywhere, in everything.
We cannot be without God.
It's impossible.
It's simply impossible.
- Thomas Merton -
However, whatever or whomever you call/see God, I believe that what is written above is true. We are all one with the universe, with God. You are my brothers and sisters. We are all creating this world and everything in it together. Be kind to one another.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Surrender
I've learned to surrender in the past few years.
Fearlessly communicating means different things to people. I find that I am willing to fearlessly communicate my wants, needs and desires... but choose to not give life, voice or light to the garbage and fear that can stream through my consciousness. I've learned to just, let it go. Some see this as me being unwilling to share intimately. They ask, "How did your soul get to that choice?" My soul didn't "get there", it waits patiently for me to clear my mind of the fears, judgments and history that prevented me from seeing clearly, and acknowledging my truth.
So much to learn. So simple if you can just let go. Surrender. I'm saying yes more often in life. I'm giving it up to the universe I share with you and every other soul. We are each all of it. What would happen if we just let people in, trusting that the universe had sent them to teach us what we need to learn next?
Fearlessly communicating means different things to people. I find that I am willing to fearlessly communicate my wants, needs and desires... but choose to not give life, voice or light to the garbage and fear that can stream through my consciousness. I've learned to just, let it go. Some see this as me being unwilling to share intimately. They ask, "How did your soul get to that choice?" My soul didn't "get there", it waits patiently for me to clear my mind of the fears, judgments and history that prevented me from seeing clearly, and acknowledging my truth.
So much to learn. So simple if you can just let go. Surrender. I'm saying yes more often in life. I'm giving it up to the universe I share with you and every other soul. We are each all of it. What would happen if we just let people in, trusting that the universe had sent them to teach us what we need to learn next?
Choose
We need to change our behavior.
There are two basic methods to effect this change.
Method one is quite popular: (1) We quiet our minds and create empowering beliefs, practice positive self-talk, sharpen our focus, and affirm our power in order to free our emotions and visualize positive outcomes to develop confidence and generate the courage to find the determination to make the commitment to feel sufficiently motivated to do what we need to do.
Method two reflects the warriors way: (2) We just do it.
In a more ideal world populated by saints, everyone would immediately opt for the second method. But in the real world, few people will "just quit" an addictive substance, or "simply exercise more and eat less" to lose weight. Many of us need a period of time and a step-by-step process to adapt to a new way of living. Group support, appropriate programs, and therapeutic processes can serve as transitions to finally "just doing it." the caterpillar doesn't become a butterfly overnight. Some transformations take a little time.
So let's be gentle with ourselves as we turn knowing into doing, and as we learn to use our emotions (instead of the other way around). As Mahatma Gandhi said, "As heat conserved becomes energy, our anger can become a power which can move the world.
From Wisdom of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman
I'm sure Gandhi was right, and I believe that anger is a tool that hides something about myself that I need to look at, and take responsibility for so that my soul can shine forth. While anger may serve as a catalyst to wake us up, I don't believe that there is a straight line from anger to positive action. I do agree with the underlying theme, we all, always, have the power to choose, now.
There are two basic methods to effect this change.
Method one is quite popular: (1) We quiet our minds and create empowering beliefs, practice positive self-talk, sharpen our focus, and affirm our power in order to free our emotions and visualize positive outcomes to develop confidence and generate the courage to find the determination to make the commitment to feel sufficiently motivated to do what we need to do.
Method two reflects the warriors way: (2) We just do it.
In a more ideal world populated by saints, everyone would immediately opt for the second method. But in the real world, few people will "just quit" an addictive substance, or "simply exercise more and eat less" to lose weight. Many of us need a period of time and a step-by-step process to adapt to a new way of living. Group support, appropriate programs, and therapeutic processes can serve as transitions to finally "just doing it." the caterpillar doesn't become a butterfly overnight. Some transformations take a little time.
So let's be gentle with ourselves as we turn knowing into doing, and as we learn to use our emotions (instead of the other way around). As Mahatma Gandhi said, "As heat conserved becomes energy, our anger can become a power which can move the world.
From Wisdom of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman
I'm sure Gandhi was right, and I believe that anger is a tool that hides something about myself that I need to look at, and take responsibility for so that my soul can shine forth. While anger may serve as a catalyst to wake us up, I don't believe that there is a straight line from anger to positive action. I do agree with the underlying theme, we all, always, have the power to choose, now.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Decision
Alone and quiet
Adrift in dreams
Find the courage
To act
No logic or sense
Following the dream
Others will worry
Locked in rationality
Responsibility screams
Heart responds
Go now take flight
Follow me
Soul commands
Head resistant
Courage wins
Feet respond
Future there
No guarantee
Love demands
Honor me
Decision made
Others quake
Mind is lost
Soul afire
Fear arises
Ego's ally
Breath. breath
Heart calms
Stepping to
Future lightly
Mind at peace
Heart full
Monday, September 8, 2008
Truth Hurts
Cause benign
Violent choice
Soul splintered
Cell silent
Inbox bereft
Choice owned
Left behind
Heart aches
Head pounds
Tummy tight
Tears flow
Truth hurts
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