I continue to hear protestations from both far right and far left thinkers (using that word loosely) that discussions and debates must decide what’s right for America.
But the problem as I see it is you cannot have a fruitful discussion or debate when one side, the other, or both have completely closed and made up their minds on whatever issue is to be discussed.
Inorder for a debate or grown-up discussion to work those involved must be willing to listen and learn. They may not like what they hear or end up in agreement but they will at least understand another’s point of view.
Unfortunately the loudest voices are coming from those far sides.
As an example of those with closed minds I offer the 20% of Americans who believe that President Obama is of the Muslim faith. This even though he has continually stated that he is a Christian and was criticized for belonging to the activist Trinity United Church of Christ of Pastor Jeremiah Wright.
Well folks you just cannot have it both ways. He is a Christian when you don’t like the Church or Pastor therein and he’s a Muslin when saying that allows you to continue your hatred of an African American as President. And yes, I said American, not Kenyan. Get over it!
The underlying prejudices of many of the radical so-called right wing nut jobs are obvious but so is their agenda. To these closed minded politically charged people it matters not what lie they use as long as they propagate hate.
And frankly I would like to know what place the man’s religion has in the discourse about moving America forward? Dowe not claim to be proud of our credo of religious freedom and our equally important separation of Church and State?
When radical groups use and abuse parts of the Constitution to suit their agenda they are as dangerous to this country as any enemy agent.
For example our freedom of speech is not a total right when that speech is used to incite riot.
The second amendment that allows for the arming of a militia does not implicitly give every citizen the right to carry and conceal weapons, especially assault rifles!
The fourteenth amendment, proposed, backed and written by Republicans was a good one. It should not be repealed just because some politicians are too cowardly to state their hidden agenda and not bright enough to figure ways to fix separate problems that are unrelated.
When I was a teenager I walked away from a heated argument when my opponent called me an idiot. He came running after me and pulled my arm to ask why I stopped. I told him I was no longer capable of arguing with him since, “I’m an idiot, end of story!”
Name calling does not move a debate forward. It actually bogs it down to the point of stagnation. And this nation cannot afford to go stag at this moment.
The debates and discussions needed to move America forward must not include the President’s religion or his vacations, working ones though they be.
Hollywoodand Disney parks produce enough fantasies for our amusement. The media, Congress and the politicians therein must not.
Remember when Mae West chimed in with her famous (infamous) quip, “Is that a pistol in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?” She was far more prophetic than she might have believed.
Nowadays the gun lobby that owns a large portion of our government no longer worries about concealing their intentions. If there is a gun in your pocket that’s cool, but if not then you are at a disadvantage.
The tipping point came when larger than life libertarian-like actor activist Charleton Heston aimed his chariot at gun control. His rallying cry of, “From my cold head hands” became anthem and the movement has not looked back.
Recently Louisiana Governor and puppet of many corporate interests Bobbie Jindal signed into law House Bill 1272 which is affectionately known as the “Gun in Church” bill. It effectively allows the carrying of concealed weapons into churches of any faith.
Hmmm. Faith in what you may ask. Certainly it would seem if you feel compelled to carry concealed killing weapons into the church of your choice then faith is not your utmost concern.
Bobby Jindal is no stranger to hypocrisy as he continues to demand the Federal Government clean up his coast line from the massive oil spill while fervently advocating the continuance of drilling in the same area without demanding implementation of proper safety measures.
All in all those two points are similar. They are both concealed weapons of mass destruction and they are championed and funded by the totally for profit industries that also fund Mr. Jindal and his party.
The cold hard steel facts are guns do kill. When children point their fingers and pull a make believe trigger nothing bad happens. But if you place a gun in their hands they are suddenly spouting second amendment rights.
Unfortunately gun control would hurt many industries including ammunitions manufacturing and funeral parlors. The unemployment numbers would rise. Republicans would point to that as counterproductive. Of course, as they have shown recently once those people were on unemployment they would automatically become lazy good for nothing drug addicts using public money to fornicate.
The bottom line is normal law abiding peace loving citizens of this country are in way over their heads in the fight against the piece loving Neanderthal gun lobby.
Their new slogan should be, “Is that a gun in your pocket? Then I’m happy to see you!”
Some of the most contentious political fights these days are being fought by political outsiders. At least they are supposed to be outsiders. I am referring to the church and by church I mean every religious group or institution.
In New YorkState the debate concerning same-sex marriage continues with the majority of law-makers seemingly in favor. The Governor has already stated that he would sign a bill into law allowing same sex marriages if it should ever reach his desk. One of the many vocal groups who oppose allowing law-abiding tax-paying citizens the same right that every other citizen has, the right to get married in New YorkState does not actually pay taxes to the state or to the Federal Government for that matter. They have tax exempt status as religious entities or churches.
Ruben Diaz, who not only happens to be a Democratic State Senator but also a minister in the Bronx calls same sex marriage a “disgrace.” Amazing! I find fact that Mr. Diaz was elected to office in a land where we have a fundamental belief in the separation of Church and State to be quite disturbing especially since his religious concerns obviously taint his every day decisions.
The same dilemma comes when we examine the debate between the two camps in the Roe V. Wade arena. The “Pro Choice” group is in favor of rational thought determining the fate and future of a pregnancy while the “No Choice” group states that every possible child must be born. There is no thought given to the well being of the mother or of the child for that matter. If the child is determined to be at great risk of being born with a life threatening disability the “No Choice” group still states there is no choice. Their feelings are religiously based in the belief that both mother and child are in Gods hands.
Aside from the fact that many misguided “No Choice” followers have taken to committing murder in order to allow a fetus to continue to term once again we see the Church meddling in State and Federal law. Blindly following a belief without regard to how it might affect others is what the world expects from religious fanatics such as Al Qaeda and other Jihadists. To think that the “No Choice” people are following that path should be a chilling wake up call to the FBI and law enforcement groups all across America.
Human beings cannot separate themselves from their heritage or their life experiences. We are conglomerates of ‘nature’ and ‘nurture’ and as such we carry our beliefs with us everywhere we go. When one political party argues that a current Supreme Court justice nominee is no good because she has had “Latino experiences” they are showing their stupidity as well as their desperation. Naturally she had those experiences but can she separate right from wrong? Can she uphold the law and make judgments based on the law?
In 1776 our fore-fathers said we should not have taxation without representation. The converse must be true as well and citizens who eschew their tax obligations should find themselves facing penalties and jail time. Church leaders should try to work within our system if they wish to continue reaping the benefits of our free society. However if the Church wishes to get into the political game then they must start paying the price of that ticket, namely taxes! The cost is the same for all attendees wishing to have a seat and the IRS has all the forms needed for them to get a turn at bat. No umpire should be allowed to call balls and strikes from outside the park.
