working together for social inclusion in America

Friday, September 19, 2008

Politics of Bigotry

Why mince words when it comes to the politics of bigotry? The religious right, of which vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin is an active participant, is committed to depriving homosexuals of equal protection under the law. Anyone who doesn't believe as these religious zealots do are considered agents of Satan, and thus their enemy.

Palin isn't distantly related to these and other intolerant beliefs, she built her entire political career on bigotry and bullying at the behest of cults founded on the psychological abuse of children and political violence against non-believers. McCain's use of her as a titillating sex kitten for right-wing pundits, and as a poster girl for recruiting religious right fanatics known to harass and intimidate political opponents, was a tactical electoral decision.

We've seen this type of political violence before in the anti-immigrant campaign the GOP mounted in 2005, as well as in the GOP-supported violence against American Indians and other environmental activists in the 1990s. As the core constituency comprising US domestic terrorism, the violent religious right is America's greatest threat to democracy and human rights. What's to negotiate with people like that?

Thursday, September 11, 2008

A Sacred Mission

Poverty and pollution are not acts of god; they are acts of man. God provided enough water, air and food for everyone to prosper; only by theft are billions deprived.

The fact the United States has a military presence in 90% of the countries on earth is not an accident; theft requires force. Theft also induces resentment and revenge, thus perpetuating the use of force against the many for the prosperity of a few.

Opposing poverty and pollution may be inspired by god, but it is an act of man; as an act of gratitude, it is thus a sacred mission.

Monday, September 01, 2008

Restoring Democracy

Courage is not something often witnessed in America. I thought about that when watching Pakistani lawyers standing up against militarized police protecting the recently resigned tyrant of their country. Can you imagine American lawyers doing that?

Chronicling America's tyranny is good as far as it goes, but bearing witness only does so much. Removing tyranny requires refusing to go along; refusing to participate in criminal enterprise as government, refusing to benefit from militarism.

Everyone has a role to play in restoring democracy to America. All it takes is courage.