The Maycomb Diaries

And the Past Still Speaks

2008-02-02T21:23:00.000-08:00

It is said that those who ignore the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them. I believe this, and I think it a travesty that most schools make history a very dull and dry subject so that most students are bored to tears and learn nothing. I'm also saddened that great historical speeches are not included in course curriculum, and that I, at 41 years of age, have only just now read some of the most amazing speeches by our founding fathers. Would that I and many others had been required to read them during our formative years. Perhaps the world would now be a better place if we had.

These speeches from the past are full of insightful instruction and advice that America has blatantly disregarded, most probably from ignorance. It is amazing that these voices from hundreds of years ago are so very relevant to many of the different and difficult issues facing present-day America. If only we had been aware of these glimpses into our future and the evils that could befall us! Below I will cite a few passages from 3 I find relevant. I encourage you to read each in its entirety and hope you will see the monumental truths in each.

For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken...we shall be made a story and a by-word throughout the world. We shall open the mouths of enemies to speak evil of the ways of God...We shall shame the faces of many of God's worthy servants, and cause their prayers to be turned into curses upon us til we be consumed out of the good land whither we are going. -- John Winthrop 1630

John Winthrop was Puritan settler fleeing religious prosecution in England. He foresaw this country as a shining example of what liberty could be, and assumed the church would lead the way. Maybe if we had listened. Most of the religious institutions of of today are highly segregated social clubs full of judgement and hypocrisy. Its members sit in multi-million dollar ampitheaters on padded pews in their designer finery and listen to someone tell them what the Word of God says and how they should think and act. Few have actually read the Word with any understanding, but have instead followed only those passages which were quoted and used to make the speaker's point.

The spirit of religion kills everything it touches; it creates conflict and fosters forced conformity, breeding hatred and intolerance. The uniqueness of individual expression cannot survive this rigid and hostile environment. The mandates to walk in love and peace, to esteem one's fellow man as highly as oneself, and to give and help the needy have been supplanted in a debacle of pompous self-righteousness, feigned piety, and outright ignorance. It has gotten so bad that when a Christian speaker is announced I often cringe, loathing the blasphemies and stupidity I will hear!

Let me now take a more comprehensive view and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally....The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation on the ruins of public liberty....It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party
passions. --George Washington 1792 Farewell Address

Hmmm...This looks a lot like what we have today...2 parties bickering and fighting, a president that does whatever he pleases whether the American people or congress agree..widespread corruption in the goverment and corporate arenas and increased interference in personal liberties and what are supposed to be free market systems. We have only to look at the looming economic crisis to see the impact this is having upon our government and our society. I feel like the huge beauracracy of goverment is in a feeding frenzy, preying upon the citizens it is supposed to protect and serve, selling us out to other countries through uncontrolled spending and debt, along with a complete disreguard for the common good, all for the sake of ego and profit.

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together...The prospect of domination of the nation's scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present -- and is gravely to be regarded....Another factor in maintaining balance involves the element of time. As we peer into society's future, we -- you and I, and our government -- must avoid the impulse to live only for today, plundering for our own ease and convenience the precious resources of tomorrow. We cannot mortgage the material assets of our grandchildren without risking the loss also of their political and spiritual heritage. We want democracy to survive for all generations to come, not to become the insolvent phantom of tomorrow. -- Dwight Eisenhower 1961 Farewell Address

Does this hit home for anyone else? The military industrial complex is here, and it is strangling us with its waste and mismanagement to the tune of 1+ trillion per year. Money, which I might add, we do not have so we borrow from other countries with no possible means of repayment other than extremely high and oppressive taxation. Homeland Security now has the right to spy on the citizens of this country, violating their privacy and human rights with the ability to detain them indefinitely as it sees fit on nothing more than suspicion. I dont remember voting for this...do you?

An alert and knowledgeable citizenry got lost somewhere in federal mandates and regulations, taxation, and deception. Our antiquated and bloated public education system ranks as one of the lowest in any developed nation. Jobs go by the thousands to foreigners who work for far less pay. Phd's are working at WalMart for minimum wage because they cant find a job in their field. Instead of brain drain we have brain waste. How stupid!

Politicians are paid for by corporate leaders in Armani suits, who pillage our natural resources and demand runaway spending on nothing that benefits "WE THE PEOPLE". Will Mother Earth continue to support us as we rape, plunder, poison, and abuse her? In her quest for survival, she is rising up with increasingly deadly displays of the magnitude of her suffering at our hands. What will it take to pay off the mortgaging of our future generations? Will they be forced to face our creditors calling loans due by taking over institutions and destroying their liberties? Is anyone else in the least bit frightened of becoming the insolvent phantom of tomorrow? I'd really like to know that I'm not the only one.

In ignoring the voices that speak from the past we have likely created a future darker than any forewarned. And if we continue to do nothing about it...be afraid...be very afraid.

Inspiration

2008-01-26T09:49:00.000-08:00

Inspiration comes from many things, and what may inspire one may not touch another in the same way. This is because we are all unique, and while the basic needs for survival are the same, our wants can be very different. I think there are things that are almost universally inspiring. A breathtaking sunset, with all its colours and shapes and imagined castles in the sky; or the ocean with its waves alternately lapping or crashing onto the shore, even trees and flowers have been immortalized by the penning of famous poets. Many of these works are required reading, and it is to our benefit that this is so. Then perhaps not just the subject, but the writer also becomes an inspiration.

How people become the basis for inspiration is not limited to literature, others promote ideas and work towards goals for the greater good. Where would this world be without the likes of Gandhi, MLK, or Mother Theresa? The world sees these people as superheroes, and rightly so, for they suffered and overcame much in the implementation of their beliefs. But in raising them to this status I think we also tend to put them out of reach for the average person. We feel like we could never accomplish anything on this scale so that our small contribution can never be effective or have an impact. This kind of thinking has to stop.

So what if people never know your name and crowds never gather to listen to you speak or hear your ideas? Does that make null any contribution on the average person's part? NO! Not all of us will be Nobel Laureates, and if that is the prize for or the context by which we measure our contribution then we are misguided. I do not believe that any of the above mentioned people started with this goal in mind. They each started where they were. They looked around them and saw things that they disagreed with and thought needed correction. They then took action to address these wrongs. They had no government funding or huge charities to support them in their missions, but as people listened and saw that it was good and joined with them, each was able to make a profound impact on society.

Where did their inspiration come from? I'm sure some came from their religious beliefs and texts, but as most of the world has access to these same writings and theologies, if that were the only factor then every believer would be such as these. This, as we well know, is not the case. More atrocities than I care to think about have been committed in the name of one religion or another. But that is for another post. So what is it that set these people apart from the masses and made them such powerful forces for good? The answer is simple. Action. What good does it do us to identify problems if all we do is rant and rave about how to solve them? Does anything get accomplished? NO.

These great people all took action to change something in their own area. When they started, they had no clue what it would become, only a dream that it was possible, and a willingness to work for it. What if these people had felt overwhelmed by the sheer enormity of the task at hand? What if they had never put forth any effort on behalf of their beliefs? I shudder to think what this world might now be; I am sure it is not one in which most people would wish to live. I definitely would not. With this in mind, I ask you....where is the next great person to come from? Well it certainly cant be me, you say, I dont have any great ideas or the time and energy to do anything even if I did. What if they had said that?

Now, I'm not saying you have to start a revolution and devote all your energy and time into "saving the world" or anything so dramatic as that. I think thats whats wrong with most philanthropy today. It looks at the forest, or the big picture, and forgets to see the individual trees, or pieces of that picture and how they make the whole. This world we live in is like a puzzle, with millions of tiny and many damaged pieces. To reach the pinnacle of human and world potential, all of these pieces must fit together and flourish upon this earth. How well each fits and flourishes will depend on the people and circumstances of each little portion. Does this mean we all have to conform to some cookie cutter mold mandated by world systems and economics? GOD FORBID! Talk about the death of inspiration!!

Each person lives in a piece of this big puzzle. Some are great big shiny pieces with great pay and high standards of living. Some are small and worn and not so great. Still others hang by a thread on the very edge of existence, with so many problems that it seems impossible that they will ever have any measure of stability or prosperity. Even in the great big shiny parts, there are still things that are not quite right, people that need help to rise up from whatever besets them. These people may or may not be poor. Rich people have problems too..never doubt it. And face it...havent we all needed a little help every now and then, even if it was just someone to listen to us or a hug when we were down? What inspired that person to listen or give that hug? Most often friendship or love or compassion or some nobler part of us that rises to the occasion. So how can we, with all the demands of modern life, including limited time and resources, do anything at all that makes a difference?

1. Choose to live an inspired life. Look for things that take you beyond yourself and your circumstances. Look at world around you...see the beauty of Mother Earth in her green glory and colourful beauty, with all the complexities and varieties of sciences and ecosystems and interactions. Look at the sky and its blues and reds and golds of the day, and the luminescent moon and twinkling stars of the night. I never cease to be astounded and amazed by it! Look at the life around you, the other humans that make this journey with you. See each of them as the unique individual they are, and find the beauty and dignity in them. Hear Mother Earth in the wind and the rain, and in the sounds of her life which we call nature, and let her riotous cacophony that dwells naturally in harmony and peace touch your soul. Listen to people and ideas, those around you and those from afar; for wisdom is found in many places both great and small. Learn all you can about the things that interest you. Discern between wisdom and rot, and keep only the wisdom. Begin a journey of rediscovery that does not take money or fame, just an open mind and 10 minutes a day if that is all you can spare.

2. Act! Let inspiration move you to do something for the greater good. One day a week take that 10 minutes and do something altruistic. Something for which you have no expectation of repayment, and I am not speaking of just money. On the flip side of that if you have more than you need, then giving money is a good thing as long as it actually helps. I personally dont give much to institutional type things...I think for the most part they are ineffectual, and I would rather give my money to the waitress down the street with 3 kids thats wondering how she is going to feed them and pay rent this month. Speak out for things you believe in when given the opportunity. Educate others about things that are important and matter to you. We dont have to shout either. Sometimes people strain to hear a soft voice and tune out the overly loud. Do different things until you find those that are most rewarding to you personally. Passion for your cause might infect another to also live larger and take action. Find other people with similar ideas and goals and work together to accomplish them...this is 'networking' at its simplest level and results in bigger impacts. Try it! You might find you like it. If you do, then ramp it up to twice a week or to whatever level you feel comfortable.

Who knows where all that could lead? If every person gave 10 minutes a week to something they believed worthy, what could be accomplished? Maybe nothing on a grand scale, but if it makes the little sliver of the world you live in a better place does it not have value and worth? What if by my failure to give the waitress down the street and her kids wind up hungry or worse, homeless? What if by not speaking well meaning philanthropists and governments keep razing the trees to save the forest? What if by our inaction we fail to inspire the next great humanitarian leader? What will this world become if we continue in our complacency?

Ooh, ooh that smell

2008-01-25T22:17:00.000-08:00

This is a piece I wrote in response to a post on the urbandigs blog I have been following recently. I think my view differs just a wee bit. I would like to say that the author's recent participation in a telecast covering the housing and stock market issues was very good, but another participant, a professor, was absolutely brill. I look forward to hearing more out of them both. My rant was aimed mainly at those readers posting comments on the blog.

Ok....lets talk $ and sense.

Nat. Debt 9.2 tril
2007 Deficit 600 bn
Tax Rebate 150 bn
Iraq War 168 bn
Other stimulus ??? bn
Proj 2008 Deficit 1.0 tril
The dollar is down...again

The tax rebate will give up to $600 to single americans with incomes up to 75k and $1200 to couples up to 150k. It only applies to those with earned income so many on social security wont see a dime. It also won't be hitting people's mailboxes until May. From reading the comments on various posts about incomes, I doubt many if any of the readership here qualify. And just how much stimulus is this really? 1 mortgage payment on a 150-200k loan? Is this enough to save a default? Maybe if you have a 50k mortgage--and you are married you might make 2 or 3 payments.

At this moment every citizen of this country owes over 30k due to nat. debt alone. Only about 20% of the population has the ability to pay this if it were demanded today. The majority of the readership of this blog is probably in the group that could, so maybe this doesnt affect Manhattan and similar markets at all.

So how far in debt does this country go to bail this thing out? Where does the money come from? We are in debt so we dont have it. Does the Fed print some more, and devalue the dollar further? Borrow some more from the Chinese and others? If these loans get called in how do they get paid back? Print some more money or borrow some more? Oooh wait, lets raise taxes! Those people really didnt need that tax rebate last year.

Throwing huge sums of money into stimuli that have so little impact on the root problems of this issue is sheer madness. Smell it piling up? Shovel some now or shovel more later...hmmmm....what if I'm too old to shovel later? Anyone care to shovel for me?

The Battle

2008-01-24T21:56:00.000-08:00

An old Cherokee was teaching his young grandson one of life’s most important lessons. He told the young boy the following parable:

“There is a fight going on inside each of us. It is a terrible fight between two wolves,” he said. “One wolf is evil. He is anger, rage, envy, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, resentment, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The second wolf is good. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, empathy, truth, compassion, and faith.”

The grandson thought about this for a moment. Then he asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win this fight?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

Which one will you feed?

Rage, rage against the dying of the light

2008-01-24T16:54:00.000-08:00

It is sad to me that a country, which in the past stood as a shining example of freedom and hope to the world, has become a bloated and despised force due to the greed and arrogance of its churches and government, and the apathy of its citizenry. I can stand silent no longer, but I am only one of the nameless, faceless masses. I cannot reach those that have the power and wealth to make the changes this country and the world so desperately need.

The internet gives me an avenue to speak to the world, and if what I say has value, for my voice to be heard. Will the world hear and take note? Only God knows and He isn't telling. But if it is heard, perhaps it will resound within someone and touch them, and they in turn will touch another, and it will keep growing and building. Then the possibilities are endless!

I write for this reason, to give voice to things that need to be said, to address concerns and raise awareness of issues that affect us, whether locally or globally. If I do not speak, then I am guilty of perpetuating the apathy that I find so appalling. If I do not speak I am failing to exercise the rights guaranteed to me by the founders and Constitution of this once great nation. If I do not speak and change never comes, who have I to blame but myself? This world has so much potential in its people and in the beauty and provision of mother earth. Yet it is careening out of control, full of uncertainy, fear, and pain. A world, I might add, that the politics of this country have been instrumental in shaping.

I wish to be a voice of reason, enlightenment, and encouragement in the midst of this turmoil. I pray that you also find your voice and speak. Speak truths, even if it is difficult, for the truth shall set us free. Give voice to the voiceless and bring to light the unseen and the ignored, for evil cannot exist in the light. I challenge you to make your voice count!! Allow it to inspire you to act, to make a contribution to your fellow man and country, however small or large, and wherever in the world you may be. Find like minded people to strengthen that voice until it becomes a harmonious roar resounding across the globe. May it be a force for good to help fight the darkness that overshadows mankind, and may you walk in peace and light for all of your days.

That being said, read on if you dare, but be warned...nothing is immune to the diatribes and ideas presented here. I seek to harm no one, but neither will I spare the punches, nor do I go gentle into that good night!