Regardless of my agreement for or against the opinions Sandra Fluke expressed before Congress, no woman who sits before Congress or any other body of our elected representatives to express her opinions should be demeaned or demonized for doing so. To demonize or demean a private individual for expressing their views in a civil manner devalues the constitutional right for all to express our views in a civil manner. To viciously attack such a person, regardless of their opinion, serves as an effort to silence that person or others for speaking views with which others may disagree strongly.
Let us take stock of our character in our dealing with those who differ from us, who express views that are well removed from our own. If we seek to silence views contrary to ours we are functionally saying two things. First, it says our views are not strong enough to withstand critiquing and the expression of contrary views, a sad commentary on our views. Second, it says that this nation is not strong enough to withstand vigorous debate and the exchanging of viewpoints, a sad commentary on the state of the nation and our support of free speech.
Yesterday and today I have heard statements that the withdrawal of advertisers from buying ads on Rush Limbaugh’s shows is an effort to silence him and is an attack on free speech. To frame the issue in such terms is fallacious. The issue is what is appropriate language and imagery to describe a young woman or any woman on the public airwaves.
If Fluke had used derogatory demeaning statements before Congress, we the public would have the right to criticize her for doing so, for being disrespectful of the institution and its citizens. Limbaugh, like Fluke, has a right to express his opinion. Sticking to the issue, critique the ideas she ventured and her reasoning is most appropriate. It is another thing to belittle her in such a disrespectful demeaning manner, particularly of a non-public figure.
Would I want my wife, mother, sister, daughter (if I had one), or a future grand-daughter, or my colleagues at work, demeaned and demonized for expressing their opinions? Absolutely not! The public is speaking soundly and rightly that calling her what she was called is inappropriate and should not be part of civil discourse. The attacks upon Limbaugh are about his language and civil discourse. It is that simple.
Though he is a significant voice in the party, Limbaugh is not the Republican Party. That said, what is most regrettable is presidential candidates and many other chief party officials muted and watered down comments. Their statements come across as pandering to the public, to say something without offending Limbaugh which only reinforces that impression that he is the high priest of the Republican Party who like a grand shaman must not be offended least he call down upon you ill or even worse, political death…and no person should ever have such power in our political system. That said, the general public is speaking and to its detriment the Republicans have lost the high ground on this issue.
Reflective Wanderings - Reflections on various topics that arise out of my personal, life and professional experiences. There are also are some family related news, travels and pictures.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
A March Contrast
Before Evie and I stepped of the aircraft in Winnipeg this past Friday afternoon I remarked that it was the first time I had seen snow on the ground in the second week of March since 1996. Spending a few days in Winnipeg brought into a greater relief that spring has arrived in the Washington DC/northern Virginia area. Here are just some differences I am noting.
In the DC area, the crews and sculls have been out on the Potomac for more than three weeks whereas in Winnipeg there is no open water on rivers or lakes evidenced.
In the DC area, the grass is starting to green whereas in Winnipeg the grass still rests under a good layer of snow that is only now starting to melt.
In the DC area, a fill of a car’s washer fluid will last you well into the summer whereas in Winnipeg you still keep a bottle in your trunk for a weekly refill.
In the DC area, street sweepers and roadside garbage collection is well underway whereas in Winnipeg, thick layers of sand cover the roads, and side streets continue to be snow roads.
In the DC area, people are walking the streets without winter coats and even in shorts, whereas in Winnipeg winter coats, hats and gloves are still required for venturing outside for more than ten minutes.
In DC our dogs are quickly shedding their winter coats and eager to sit outside whereas in Winnipeg they would still be doing their business and rushing to get back inside.
In DC the first trees and bushes coming into flower, and the daffodils are up whereas in Winnipeg the trees and bushes are not close to stirring.
In the DC area, ball field fences are being inspected with lights have been turned on at night to test and allow the community use the fields whereas in Winnipeg, community center fields still have snow from the ice arena dumped onto them.
In the DC area, the tourist lines are getting longer whereas in Winnipeg the tourist animal is still hard to find.
In the DC area we are seeing fishing boats, and small yachts that have been pulled from winter storage being hauled to the rivers and their summer docks, and RVs are being inspected for spring and summer trips where as in Winnipeg boats and RVs are still nestled under their tarps.
In the DC area, language has shifted from talking of a week’s trip south as a winter escape to a spring beach trip whereas in Winnipeg they still speak of their trip as escaping winter for a week.
In the DC area cars are getting a good cleaning inside and out whereas in Winnipeg the cleaning inside and out of cursory as sand will still be back inside and in the car will be covered in salt after fifteen minutes on the road.
Evie is now driving with her sunroof open most days and we are now seeing people driving convertables often having their tops down whereas in Winnipeg, there are few convertables around town even in summer.
In the DC area exterior seasonal lights are long removed whereas in Winnipeg, most homes still have them up, albeit not turned on at night.
In DC we also know spring has arrived when the bracketology game is underway and people are starting to talk about how the Nats will look this year.
The list is just some of what could be noted. The full force of spring is still four or so weeks away in Winnipeg while in the Washington DC area it has been is well underway for more than a week. While Evie and i do not miss the long winters, we remember our seven years there with deep fondness. Like Iowa City and St. Mary’s ON, Winnipeg is still held warmly is a place we love in many ways and regretted leaving.
In the DC area, the crews and sculls have been out on the Potomac for more than three weeks whereas in Winnipeg there is no open water on rivers or lakes evidenced.
In the DC area, the grass is starting to green whereas in Winnipeg the grass still rests under a good layer of snow that is only now starting to melt.
In the DC area, a fill of a car’s washer fluid will last you well into the summer whereas in Winnipeg you still keep a bottle in your trunk for a weekly refill.
In the DC area, street sweepers and roadside garbage collection is well underway whereas in Winnipeg, thick layers of sand cover the roads, and side streets continue to be snow roads.
In the DC area, people are walking the streets without winter coats and even in shorts, whereas in Winnipeg winter coats, hats and gloves are still required for venturing outside for more than ten minutes.
In DC our dogs are quickly shedding their winter coats and eager to sit outside whereas in Winnipeg they would still be doing their business and rushing to get back inside.
In DC the first trees and bushes coming into flower, and the daffodils are up whereas in Winnipeg the trees and bushes are not close to stirring.
In the DC area, ball field fences are being inspected with lights have been turned on at night to test and allow the community use the fields whereas in Winnipeg, community center fields still have snow from the ice arena dumped onto them.
In the DC area, the tourist lines are getting longer whereas in Winnipeg the tourist animal is still hard to find.
In the DC area we are seeing fishing boats, and small yachts that have been pulled from winter storage being hauled to the rivers and their summer docks, and RVs are being inspected for spring and summer trips where as in Winnipeg boats and RVs are still nestled under their tarps.
In the DC area, language has shifted from talking of a week’s trip south as a winter escape to a spring beach trip whereas in Winnipeg they still speak of their trip as escaping winter for a week.
In the DC area cars are getting a good cleaning inside and out whereas in Winnipeg the cleaning inside and out of cursory as sand will still be back inside and in the car will be covered in salt after fifteen minutes on the road.
Evie is now driving with her sunroof open most days and we are now seeing people driving convertables often having their tops down whereas in Winnipeg, there are few convertables around town even in summer.
In the DC area exterior seasonal lights are long removed whereas in Winnipeg, most homes still have them up, albeit not turned on at night.
In DC we also know spring has arrived when the bracketology game is underway and people are starting to talk about how the Nats will look this year.
The list is just some of what could be noted. The full force of spring is still four or so weeks away in Winnipeg while in the Washington DC area it has been is well underway for more than a week. While Evie and i do not miss the long winters, we remember our seven years there with deep fondness. Like Iowa City and St. Mary’s ON, Winnipeg is still held warmly is a place we love in many ways and regretted leaving.
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Quick Loans Are Unrighteous Usury
The other day I saw a television ad offering $5,000 quick loans. They admit in the ad the interest rates are high but say that the loan is quick and easy to receive. They say that they are there to help break the cycle of payday loans. Are they? The interest rate….116% with monthly payments of $486.56 spread out over 84 months. People are being enticed (seduced?) to sell their souls like a crack addict going after a quick fix.
Yes people are free will agents, but how many people fully understand the legal terms of contracts we have signed? If I take the position that it is right for people who are foolish to take such loans to pay the price, then what does that say about the biblical justice principle for protecting the vulnerable in our society from narcissistic manipulators and predators, as well as its statements about usury? Are we not legalizing a form of theft?
Every part of my being decries such loans and wonders why there is not a national cry for justice.
Yes people are free will agents, but how many people fully understand the legal terms of contracts we have signed? If I take the position that it is right for people who are foolish to take such loans to pay the price, then what does that say about the biblical justice principle for protecting the vulnerable in our society from narcissistic manipulators and predators, as well as its statements about usury? Are we not legalizing a form of theft?
Every part of my being decries such loans and wonders why there is not a national cry for justice.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Religion and Politics
The founders of the United States were wise in creating the separation of church and state. They were far from being anti-religion for nearly all attended church services from time to time. Church attendance and religious discussions in public were common practices. This did not mean that like today people of different faith backgrounds readily accepted one another as friends, co-workers and married across denomination backgrounds, and spoke well of denominations that were outside their own stream.
The culture in the 1770s and 1780s was vastly different than our cultural of broad acceptance of people of other Christian denominations. Marrying outside one’s denomination was far from being widely accepted. A Baptist marrying a Roman Catholic created a family scandal. Baptists viewed Methodists with suspicion. People tended to live, work and socialize within their faith tradition.
It was from this cultural milieu that those who signed the Declaration of Independence and shaped the American Constitution came. Coming from a diverse array of faiths, and some non-practicing any faith, they cautioned against the mixing of politics and religion. While they recognized that value faith played in the daily lives of themselves, family, friends and neighbors, they were also well aware of the problems that are created when one’s personal faith is a highly dominating factor in determining public policies. They were unlike the French revolutionaries who, in reacting against the abuses of the dominant religion of their culture, were anti-religion and created national policy that was strikingly anti-religion.
In shaping the national documents and in setting forth public policy the founders set aside their own religion’s doctrinal positions. Admittedly their religious believes shaped their thinking and moved their hearts to be more passionate on some issues than another, but they did not seek to entrench specific and narrow religious dogma or statements into public policy. For example, while all were of the Christian faith in background, and most in practice, they did not enshrine into the founding documents or in early documents that Sunday was to be a non-work day or speak in any manner to compel people to attend church, or that Christian values should be taught by the state to its citizens. They knew from oberservation and experience that when religion battles to be a dominate voice in shaping public policy in general that the consequences for the community, nation and citizenry as a whole has detrimental consequences.
Instead, these Christian men, many with strong religious convictions, established a religious neutral nation, a nation where people of different faiths can and should participate in public discussion and the shaping of public policy without any one faith stream dominating another. In an era when there is much pandering by various politicians to those of a particular religious persuasion, it is worth recalling the significance of the United States being founded as to be a nation that is religiously neutral and tolerant.
The culture in the 1770s and 1780s was vastly different than our cultural of broad acceptance of people of other Christian denominations. Marrying outside one’s denomination was far from being widely accepted. A Baptist marrying a Roman Catholic created a family scandal. Baptists viewed Methodists with suspicion. People tended to live, work and socialize within their faith tradition.
It was from this cultural milieu that those who signed the Declaration of Independence and shaped the American Constitution came. Coming from a diverse array of faiths, and some non-practicing any faith, they cautioned against the mixing of politics and religion. While they recognized that value faith played in the daily lives of themselves, family, friends and neighbors, they were also well aware of the problems that are created when one’s personal faith is a highly dominating factor in determining public policies. They were unlike the French revolutionaries who, in reacting against the abuses of the dominant religion of their culture, were anti-religion and created national policy that was strikingly anti-religion.
In shaping the national documents and in setting forth public policy the founders set aside their own religion’s doctrinal positions. Admittedly their religious believes shaped their thinking and moved their hearts to be more passionate on some issues than another, but they did not seek to entrench specific and narrow religious dogma or statements into public policy. For example, while all were of the Christian faith in background, and most in practice, they did not enshrine into the founding documents or in early documents that Sunday was to be a non-work day or speak in any manner to compel people to attend church, or that Christian values should be taught by the state to its citizens. They knew from oberservation and experience that when religion battles to be a dominate voice in shaping public policy in general that the consequences for the community, nation and citizenry as a whole has detrimental consequences.
Instead, these Christian men, many with strong religious convictions, established a religious neutral nation, a nation where people of different faiths can and should participate in public discussion and the shaping of public policy without any one faith stream dominating another. In an era when there is much pandering by various politicians to those of a particular religious persuasion, it is worth recalling the significance of the United States being founded as to be a nation that is religiously neutral and tolerant.
Monday, January 09, 2012
Common and Secular Time, Common and Secular Space for Salvationists
The following is offered as food to thought.
Grounded in it Wesleyan roots Salvation Army’s mission and purpose is to minister with passion and compassion to all humanity, to provide hope to and assistance to all without discrimination. We do not see anyone, regardless of what they may have done or how long they may be entrapped in a destructive lifestyle, as being beyond hope or transformation.
Life and the world are divine creations. All activity is an expression of worship and an expression of love for God. As such Salvationists make no distinction between common space and worship space, between worship time and ordinary time. The street, the office, the home are part of the worship space as the whole world is a sanctuary, a place for worship and ministry activities. Hence, for Salvationists all daily activities from office paperwork to scrubbing the floors at home, from providing a meal to the hungry to competing on the sports field, and from listening to a neighbor to driving a car to the store are as much an act of worship as praying and singing hymn in the sanctuary.
Grounded in it Wesleyan roots Salvation Army’s mission and purpose is to minister with passion and compassion to all humanity, to provide hope to and assistance to all without discrimination. We do not see anyone, regardless of what they may have done or how long they may be entrapped in a destructive lifestyle, as being beyond hope or transformation.
Life and the world are divine creations. All activity is an expression of worship and an expression of love for God. As such Salvationists make no distinction between common space and worship space, between worship time and ordinary time. The street, the office, the home are part of the worship space as the whole world is a sanctuary, a place for worship and ministry activities. Hence, for Salvationists all daily activities from office paperwork to scrubbing the floors at home, from providing a meal to the hungry to competing on the sports field, and from listening to a neighbor to driving a car to the store are as much an act of worship as praying and singing hymn in the sanctuary.
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