Tag: Reproductive Rights

Opinion

Climate Crash and our politics

We live in important times that will either inspire our progeny or seal their doom. The Republicans deny elections, the climate crisis, the January 6 insurrection, Women’s rights to choose, and the truth; but they still have enough support to perhaps win the house and/or the senate. Americans seem to be confused or avoiding the horrible truth of our times. The desire for, and belief in strongmen signals a cowardice or child-like desire for a protector from thinking about the issues. Vladimir Putin has proven that giving power to one person is not a solution but creates more problems and disaster. I am hopeful that our country has enough people of character to make the best decisions about our leaders and our future. The eternal battle that continues today remains: It is a battle between those who want something for nothing versus those willing to work together for success. Between those who believe in themselves versus those who don’t. Insecurity can appear as racism, anti-semitism, nativism, or sexism, etc. but it is really about true confidence. Don’t let the cowardly Republicans fool you; desiring a strong man is not about strength. Research, communicate, and vote for a better future.

Opinion

Climate Crisis Sprint time is here

We live in a time that demands action. Joe Biden and the Democrats have been pushing to address climate change for a long time (since Jimmy Carter) while Republicans have been pretending nothing is going on. It is abundantly clear to rational people that Earth’s climate is turning hostile to human civilization. Most scientist tell us that we have not been responsible in the last few decades and time is running out to avoid catastrophe in coming decades. Republicans want to play games and fool people into spying on their neighbors while never holding politicians accountable. A nightmare in our society, our climate, and in our economy is a real possibility for us if we do not act decisively in the 2022 elections. There are many reasons to vote Democrat in 2022. If you don’t like fascism and lies; vote Democrat. If you believe in women controlling their own bodies; vote Democrat. If you want to live in a world with any hope of a decent future; vote Democrat.

Opinion

Pro-Life?

America has a problem. We love to destroy one another. We take issues and divide ourselves over them with a lot of lies thrown in to rationalize our positions; meanwhile reality tells us to stop lying. Deaths due to cigarette smoking continued for years while politicians and corporations lied. Pollution and Climate Crisis kill thousands in America and we still avoid the truth about the depth of knowingly caused destruction. QAnon and White Supremacist lie in a systemic way to point the heavily armed mentally ill at minorities or people they don’t like. Republicans claim to be pro-life but don’t support health care for all, or gun control to stop mentally ill 18 year olds with assault rifles. America is big into death and personal destruction. It is said that courtesy is the lubricant of society, but the “Pro Life” party uses personal attack on any who disagree with them. The January 6 coup attempt should have been enough. The children murdered in Uvalde, Texas are an atrocity that happens because we value the ability to kill and destroy more than the lives of children.

Opinion

Hold Republicans Accountable

One of our two major political parties is crumbling before our eyes and taking the country with it. Republicans lie to the point where they cannot stand for anything consistently. Examples: Republicans used to say keep government small and leave choice to citizens; now they want excessive meddling in women’s reproductive decisions with large prison systems and reduced voting/protest rights. Trump asks Putin for help in attacking President Biden and is not condemned by other Republicans; while those elected Republicans are not held accountable by the press. Republicans like Josh Hawley talked to NBC news reporter Garrett Haake about getting information on Hunter Biden while not being questioned about his January 6 insurrection behavior, or Trump asking a foreign dictator for help against an American president. A republic like the United States cannot last without facts and justice. Republican and media cowardice are an existential threat to America because of their persistent failure to hold the powerful accountable.

Opinion

Warriors against Evil

A core characteristic of evil is the belief that what one person desires is more important than what others want. Putin and his followers in Russia believe that what they want matters more than what the people of Ukraine want. Ukrainian refugees who abuse persons of color also attempting to escape war are guilty of exhibiting the same characteristic. I am not saying the evil acts are the same. I want to point out and clarify that evil can easily exist in any human being. The way that we can fight evil is to be clear about what it is. Rabbi Hillel described the Old Testament as telling us to ‘treat others as we would wish to be treated’; but modern life is full of examples and prompts that lead us to diminish others to maximize ourselves. Prompts for evil can be subtle or overt; a real estate commercial with testimonials from customers who all happen to NOT be Black or Asian people (are they too different or not transact real estate?), A presidential candidate telling police to handle suspects roughly, a political party denying accountability for criminal behavior while constantly lying and then saying “both sides do it”, state legislatures reducing the rights of women to control their bodies. Jesus told us “you will know the truth and the truth will set you free”. Liars attack decency and reality because they want to set up a world that puts them at the top of a hierarchy with EVERYONE else diminished. Do not buy the fascist idea that your group or tribe will be elevated over others, ultimately liars play everyone else for pawns in their delusional pursuit of power. Real power comes from controlling ourselves, not stealing it from others. Demand the truth and hold liars who damage reality to undermine others and aggrandize themselves accountable. Having a decent world depends on us being warriors against evil in all of it’s forms.

Opinion

Can America handle the truth?

America has not been dealing with the truth for years. Seeing a buffoonish, hateful conman like Trump as a leader was a manifestation of internal division, broken media, and power lusting politicians. The Republican Party practices the big lie with relish. Their mantra is to lie and keep lying without apology. Weak media combined with Americans not wanting to believe anything that doesn’t match pre-conceived notions foretell a devastating future. Lying has paid off so far for Republicans; if they ride it to victory in 2022 the path forward will reveal an America in steep decline. The January 6 commission will hopefully get the truth out about an attempted coup assisted by numerous Republicans in leadership positions. Hopefully the truth will cause Americans to exact a price for threatening the power of the people. The odds are reportedly favoring the Republicans right now despite clear evidence of ongoing corruption and lies. Americans who support Republicans want to believe immigrants, the truth, science, and minorities are a threat, America’s choice in 2022 and 24 will have monstrous consequences.

Opinion

A time to make choices

People living today need to know what they believe in and why. If you have not taken the time to develop a philosophy or belief system about life and your role in it; take the time to get it done. Average citizens will need to make decisions about the direction and survival of our society in the coming months and years. You will be targeted by a lot of information designed to confuse or overwhelm with the goal of influencing your decision making. Prepare yourself by examining who you want to be, what you believe in, who you are, and what you want the future to look like. Be honest with yourself, seek the truth, and act to be proud of who you are.

Opinion

Pro-Life, or Pro-Control

Many people want to impose their will to control the lives of women without regard to the impact on their lives or desires. The people who claim control over women’s reproductive decisions say they are Pro-Life, but typically support the death penalty while being against universal health care. People claiming to be conservative and Pro-Life typically tilt toward controlling other people through fear, punishment, and assaults on dignity. We sadly live in a time where the mask of religious pretension slides off to reveal a lack of empathy, with a proverbial unfitness to judge. The conservative drive towards autocracy and tribalism is a threat to our republic. Women are the current target in the news, but there will be others if people of good will do not rise up humble Republicans. Research and act to protect democracy and dignity.