I suggest you read the rest of the article here. And if you are one who says that the government should not be involved in the welfare of the poorest I suggest that you point me to religious institutions (i.e. churches, mosques and synagogues) that spend more money on the poor than they do on brick, mortar and salaries. They may be out there but most of these institutions look more like fraternal organizations than advocates for the poorest amongst us.As an evangelical Christian who believes the Republican Party does not have a monopoly on moral values, I believe this discussion is long overdue. The “compassionate conservatism” espoused by President George W. Bush and many prominent evangelical leaders has been supplanted by a Tea Party ideology that bears more resemblance to the anti-Christian philosophy of Ayn Rand than it does to the Gospel.
Whether the Christian duty to love our neighbors is compatible with a political movement that embraces radical individualism and rejects the ethic of collective responsibility is a central question as the GOP attempts to cement the Tea Party and the religious right into a cohesive base. Tea Party activists and Republican leaders have consistently targeted for cutbacks vital government programs that protect the poor, the elderly, children and other vulnerable Americans. Yet calls for shared sacrifice and proposals to modestly raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans in order to fund investments and protections that promote the common good are derided as “class warfare.” This is what passes for family values?
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At a time when our nation is plagued by the worst poverty rates in decades, religious leaders are not buying this narrow ideological agenda. In fact, evangelicals, Catholic bishops and Protestant leaders are leading a “Circle of Protection” campaign to defend government programs that provide a basic measure of dignity and security to those struggling to make ends meet. We are also urging a balanced approach to deficit reduction that doesn’t put the greatest burden on those hit hardest by the economic crisis.
The Values Debate
Richard Cizik was the vice president for governmental affairs of the National Association of Evangelicals from 1998 to 2008. He left that group and started the New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good. He understands the political issues relevant to evangelical voters at a very detailed level. So I was interested in his Washington Post editorial titled "The values debate we’re not having". Here are a few clips from it:
Ancient Sounds
Well maybe not really ancient but these sounds from the folks at Mental Floss bring back a lot memories.
Here is the list in short of "11 Sounds That Your Kids Have Probably Never Heard":
Any of those bring back memories? I suggest that you check out the entire post, replete with videos, here.
Here is the list in short of "11 Sounds That Your Kids Have Probably Never Heard":
- Rotary Dial Phone
- Manual Typewriter
- Coffee Percolator
- Flash Cube
- TV Channel Selector
- Record Changer
- Gas Station Driveway Bell
- TV Station Sign-Off
- Cash Register
- Film Projector
- Broken Record
Any of those bring back memories? I suggest that you check out the entire post, replete with videos, here.
What is an Abundant Life?
Last week in our small group we read and talked about John 10 where Jesus speaks of a life filled with abundance. Our leader asked us what the words "abundant life" meant to us. Each shared a different perspective. Some mentioned experiencing life with your heart and others talked about having a life described as a cup that is filled to over flowing. I mentioned a life that is filled with the fruit of God's spirit (i.e. love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control). What do you think of when you hear the words "abundant life"?
The Inequality Map
I am a big fan of David Brooks and find his writings to be interesting and thought provoking. Such is the case with his most recent NY Times editorial titled The Inequality Map. In it he writes about inequality that is acceptable and inequality that is not. Here is a clip that speaks to his point:
He goes on to sarcastically speak of inequality in the realms of academia, ancestry, church, sports, income, spending, technology and other areas. I particularly like this example of inequality:Fitness inequality is acceptable. It is perfectly fine to wear tight workout sweats to show the world that pilates have given you buns of steel. These sorts of displays are welcomed as evidence of your commendable self-discipline and reproductive merit.
Moral fitness inequality is unacceptable. It is out of bounds to boast of your superior chastity, integrity, honor or honesty. Instead, one must respect the fact that we are all morally equal, though our behavior and ethical tastes may differ.
Travel inequality is acceptable. It is perfectly normal to have separate check-in lines and boarding procedures for airline patrons who have achieved Gold, Platinum, Double Ruby or Sun God status.I think that you will find the whole piece interesting especially if you enjoy a bit of a sarcastic approach to this kind of topic. I recommend that you read it here and let me know if you have a favorite inequality line.
Institutionalized Congressional Corruption Revulsion
The 60 Minutes episode titled "Congress: Trading stock on inside information?" is one of the most troubling things that I have ever watched. Here are a few telling clips from the transcript:
You would do well to watch the 15 minute installment at the 60 minutes webpage here. If you do please let me know if you came away with as much revulsion for our lawmakers as I did.Most former congressmen and senators manage to leave Washington - if they ever leave Washington - with more money in their pockets than they had when they arrived, and as you are about to see, the biggest challenge is often avoiding temptation.
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Schweizer says he wanted to know why some congressmen and senators managed to accumulate significant wealth beyond their salaries, and proved particularly adept at buying and selling stocks.
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There are all sorts of forms of honest grafts that congressmen engage in that allow them to become very, very wealthy. So it's not illegal, but I think it's highly unethical, I think it's highly offensive, and wrong.
Facebook as Evidence in a Divorce
Sometimes it is even heard to believe the headlines these days. Such was the case when I read a ZDNet post titled "Couple ordered to swap Facebook passwords in divorce case". Here are a few clips from it:
You can read more of the story here. Had not really thought of all of the implications that social networking sites like Facebook could present when a marriage goes south. Wonder how much things like this happen?New London District Superior Court Judge Kenneth Shluger recently ordered a divorcing couple to hand over their “Facebook and dating website passwords” to each other’s lawyers.
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Interestingly, the ruling forces both parties to violate Facebook’s terms of service.
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The issue was first raised when Stephen found some information on the couple’s computer regarding her feelings toward their children and her ability to take care of them, according to Forbes.
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Courtney initially refused, but on her own lawyer’s advice, she eventually handed over the passwords. She then reportedly texted a friend and asked him or her to change said passwords and delete some of her messages. Since the destruction of evidence is illegal, Traystman went to the judge and asked him to issue an injunction, so that she would not delete be able to delete any further material and so the attorneys could exchange passwords for both spouses.
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As I’ve reported in the past, the evidence from social networking sites is becoming more and more useful in lawsuits and divorces.
The Company Men | ★★★
This movie was billed as one of the best of the year. It was not and maybe that is it's subtle message. The movie tries to mirror the angst in modern day America where fat cat executives get richer as they lay off their employees.
The movie begins when a junior exec, played by Ben Affleck, is laid off with others as his company downsizes. The separation package includes twelve weeks of severance and six months of help finding a job. Things get bad as he goes through the grieving process and eventually is forced to eat a slice of humble pie and work as a laborer for his brother-in-law. That worked but I thought that his eventual job ending was pretty unrealistic.
In some ways the movie was thoughtful and got me thinking about the year after I was laid off and looking for work. Even so the story came across as more of a caricature rather than reality because of how the main character is a junior fat-cat himself who made big bucks, drove an expensive car and lived way above his means. It was simply hard to feel sorry for someone who seemed so detached from reality. The movie would have worked better if the character was an assembly line worker for that same company.
So despite a wealth of great actors I cannot give this one high marks. On a scale of ten I give this movie ★★★.
FYI: Access my new movie reviews web page by clicking on "Movie Reviews" in the navigation bar above.
What it means to Let Go
To “LET GO” is not to cut myself off, it’s the realization I can’t control another.
To “LET GO” is not to enable, but to allow learning from natural consequences.
To “LET GO” is not to regret the past, but to grow and live for the future.
To “LET GO” is to fear less and love more.
To “LET GO” is not to judge, but allow another to be a human being.
To “LET GO” is not to care for, but to care about.
To “LET GO” is not to be protective, it’s to permit another to face reality.
To “LET GO” is not to fix, but to be supportive.
To “LET GO” is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes,
but to allow others to affect their own destinies.
To “LET GO” is not to try to change or blame another, it’s to make the most of myself.
To “LET GO” does not mean to stop caring, it means I can’t do it for someone else.
To “LET GO” is to admit powerlessness, which means the outcome is not in my hands.
To “LET GO” is not to nag, scold, or argue, but instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.
To “LET GO” is not to criticize and regulate anybody, but to try and become what I can be.
To “LET GO” is not to adjust everything to my desires, but to take each day as it comes, and cherish myself in it.
..complements of Barbara.. one of my favorite bloggers.
An Aging Veterans Prayer
"America i loved you in my youth,with all my heart and soul....And i still believe in what you stand for, now that i have grown grey and old.
We live in a republic where freedom of speech, justice,liberty and equality for all, are the mortar, brick,foundation and cornerstone of our great democracy.
Precious guidelines and undeniable truths that our founding fathers weaved and express so eloquently in the U.S.CONSTITUTION.
Principles to strive for and live by not for just the present moment,but for a lifetime. Every second, minute,hour and day of each and every passing year.
Our past and present veterans blood was shed and flesh was torn on foreign battle fields in defense of these shining truths and principles so others should remain free.
So please keep us vets in your heart felt thoughts and prayers for we are growing old, you see.
Liberty and freedom comes at a high cost and is never really free,For without the sacrifice of our brave armed forces there would be no liberty.
So, always remember the one's who fell in combat and the aging veterans who still remain... and when you meet and greet them tell them their heroic efforts in defense of freedom and liberty were not fought in vain."
Copyright Joseph P. Martino 2005
Misplaced Allegiance
The big story this week about how child abuse was overlooked by management at Penn State reminds me of how people sometimes misplace their responsibility to the helpless for a perverted allegiance to people in power. It gets me to wondering how many people misplace national, political and religious allegiances. Sadly responsibility and integrity is often sacrificed on the altar of allegiance to undeserving people.
Can you think of any examples from this week's news?
The Anyone but Romney Candidates
Conservative blogger Erick Erickson over at RedState.com is frustrated with the race for the GOP presidency. Here are a few clips about the candidates Erick feels can win next year from his recent post titled "Perry, Gingrich, Cain, and Huntsman. Oh My."
- Rick Perry: He just has to improve his debating skills and figure out how to reconcile his immigration views with the base (not easily done).
- Herman Cain: I do not know that he can improve his image with women quickly enough.
- Newt Gingrich: Throughout his long career, has a habit of shooting himself and others in the foot and I sometimes get the impression that Gingrich, like George W. Bush before him, thinks conservatism is what he says it is and not what it actually is.
- Jon Huntsman: I still find it shocking that the guy running as the liberal in the race, or at least the media accepted moderate, came up withe boldest, most conservative economic plan. His deficit reduction plan alone makes all the others look weak.
What Earthquake?
Seeing this funny pic on Facebook reminded me that folks on the first and third floors of my building said that they felt some shaking from the Oklahoma earthquake last Saturday night. We are on the second floor and felt nothing. I wonder why?
Atheists have Commandments?
Magician and atheist Penn Gillette recently listed his version of the ten commandments. You can find the list here. Following is my take (in italics) on the first two commands on his list:- "The highest ideals are human intelligence, creativity and love. Respect these above all."
The longer I live the more I understand how love really trumps everything else. I think that the secret to integrating love into the reality of our lives is humility. This, I think, is where many (including atheists) come up short.
- "Do not put things or even ideas above other human beings."
Hard to argue this point. Religious people have been doing this for ages. Interesting that even atheists seem to operate from commandments.
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