I love you Ted Kennedy. I have for a very long time. Please let me count the ways.
I have forever thought Senator Edward Moore Kennedy was the more effective, endearing, enduring, committed, and constant Kennedy. Perhaps it is my age, or the lackluster logic of hindsight. Possibly, I was too new to politics when I was very young. After all, my interest was only ignited at the age of five. Maybe, I might relate more to someone whose birth rank is more similar to my own, or to a person who, like me, throughout his life was thought to be more Liberal than the two older siblings he is often associated with. I know not with certainty why I feel as strongly as I do. Nonetheless, my impression of John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Robert Francis Kennedy cannot be compared with my sense of Ted, Edward Moore Kennedy. Oh, how I admired, appreciated, and adored Teddy Kennedy, and will for all of my days. The reasons . . .
Today, while not the actual anniversary of Martin Luther King Junior's birth date, is the occasion on which we commemorate the man who reminded all of us of our greatness. Reverend King reflected; we are human beings. When we are united, we can, and will accomplish grand feats. We can overcome injustice, hatred, and abuses of a perceived power. As a country, we need not continue on the path of prejudice. A dream of opportunity for all can be realized if we work to right the wrongs of the past that, at the time of his speech, and today, still live. In front of hundreds of thousands, Doctor Martin Luther King Junior cried out for an ethical, economic, and emotional equity.
The Courts and Congress have come to believe there is reason for fear. Enemies are everywhere. Those who wish to do us harm are in our homes. They talk to us on our telephones. Some sashay in through our computers. "Evil doers" are ubiquitous in the United States. Our open society places the public at risk. We, the people, must defend ourselves. Thus, the Supreme Court and Congress have given the government and us the means. The highest judicial body in the nation has made it possible for the common man to protect himself with a pistol; Legislators provided the President ethereal firearms. Indeed, individuals and the Commander-In-Chief were bequeathed more than either had asked for. In 2008, we have entered the Summer of Separation. In the United States we say, "Farewell to privacy. Hello to arms."
On the first day of the New Year, a banner headline screamed to elite readers of The Wall Street Journal,"What Kucinich Saw: Witnesses Described His Close Encounter." Murdoch News Corporation Journalist, Michael M. Phillips offered what booklovers yearn to learn, the personal history of each of the players in a Presidential campaign. Tall tales and tittle-tattle capture the attention of Americans. The substantive information provided in these yarns, is scant. Nonetheless, the entertainment value is vast. An expectant public wants the dirt. We are happy to sling mud and spit in the face of historical leaders.
I am thankful, not for the strife, the situation, or the state of affairs in Jena, Louisiana. I am grateful for the discussion, the focus on what for too long remains beneath the surface. For weeks, race relations, a topic conveniently hidden, is in the news again. I think this inconvenient truth must be made visible if we are to move beyond the bigotry that is America's signature.
It is official Brown versus Board of Education has been reversed. Providing equal education opportunities to all children, regardless of race, color, or creed is no longer a priority. The 1954 Court decision that invalidated the principle of 'separate but equal' was overturned on June 28, 2007. This day will live in infamy. In another of the many recent 5 to 4 split decisions, the neoconservative Supreme Court canceled the promise made to students of color.
This tiny introductory treatise is written as an apology. Belatedly, I was informed that, unintentionally, and might I add unknowingly, I penned a persuasive piece that advances the cause of an "applied religious philosophy." After viewing the most glorious video presentation, I inscribed what was thought to be a global truth; "We all have rights, equally." I still endorse that message; however, I do not embrace the practices or philosophies of an organization that on occasions is divisive. Sadly, I experience most assemblages are.
Your speech at the First Baptist Church in Selma, Alabama moved me. The words, as written are glorious. I cried as I listened to the sentiments; "It matters." Yet, I am conflicted. The issues you mentioned are important. I trust you care for your countrymen and women. Those of color are no less significant to you than their white counterparts are. I believe you too work to defend the rights of the impoverished. Still, I struggle. I have done so for days. I meant to share my thoughts with you alone, for Hillary, you were the object of my renewed realization. However, finally, I recognized that I am not equating your contrary views to a personal biased bigotry. I am speaking to all Americans that think combat cures all or any ills. Thus, I publish this treatise, a letter to you, or perchance to all of us. I offer possibilities, probabilities that we all might wish to contemplate.
According to the United States Constitution, we are or were created equal. All of mankind has or had the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is said that these are our inalienable rights. The Bill of Rights affords us freedom of speech, of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. We, the people have value and worth and must be able to express this or so the law states.
Only a day ago, it was announced, we, you, and I are the "People of the Year." Time Magazine declared this generation of bloggers bold. We go where no man or woman has gone before. With thanks to the net we have created a neighborhood unparalleled and powerful. Perhaps, our cyberspace community is too potent for some.
The corporate giants wish to reduce our influence; they are working to paralyze a thriving Internet. I ask you individually and as a group to speak out. It is your right! Please Save the Internet! Secure Net Neutrality for the next and following generations. Please prepare for the progeny seven score from now.
Weeks ago, a plane was "forced" to land. Actually, the crew chose to land; "character" was the concern. Who are these characters? Pakistani passengers were walking the aisles. People panicked. They knew. Pakistan is the breeding ground for terrorists; clearly these men must be among those. Passengers and the flight crew agreed; these men must be planning, pacing, and readying for an attack. Numerous people were puzzled; when would the suspicious swarthy men pull out the guns, the knives, and how were they able to get these on the plane. Actually, why were these men allowed on this or any airbus; they are dark characters. Their complexions were cause enough for concern. What was the airline thinking? Everyone knows of persons such as these.
What do we know? We know what they look like, not who they are. People judge and document the rationalization for their personal reality. They forget. A book, a boy, a man, a woman, a terrorist, or even a candidate, cannot be judged by its cover. Character cannot be captured in a moment; it is more than an appearance. Yet, people believe that they know. Individuals and groups alike deny the inevitability of xenophobia, the fear of strangers. Police and politicians, profess profundity, as does the general public. Opinions masquerading as "facts" flourish, and unjust practices become policy.
The facts are America was attacked on 9/11/2001. Terrorists claimed responsibility. These radicals were said to be Middle Eastern. Therefore, people in the West understand, they must fear Middle-Easterners. These individuals must be considered the "enemy." Trepidation for those that appear to be Muslim, Persian, foreign nationals, or merely "strange," is thought to be valid.
The President of the United Sates does not approve of gay marriage. He has repeatedly requested that the Constitution be amended to ensure that gay couples cannot legally unite. We know, that God speaks through Mr. Bush, for he has mentioned this often. Therefore, we can assume that God does not approve of gay unions. The current Pope, Benedict XVI is strongly opposed to the prospect; the past Pope, John Paul II was as well. The Vice President and his family are conflicted.
In November 2004, eleven states referendums rejecting recognition of gay marriages, passed decisively.
Public polls show that people throughout this country are more in favor then opposed.
This Sunday, after much dialogue, a committee of 50 United Church of Christ representatives gave their blessings. They believe the Church must sanction gay marriages. They rejected the notion that marriage be defined as "a union between one man and one woman." They are asking the General Synod to do the same in their Monday meeting.
On this, the week of March 21, 2005, there is much madness. There is madness in the message, madness among the masses, and madness in what we are missing.
Mass media, and public media are in a frenzy; each is covering the Schiavo situation in greater depth than any other story. Those that study the media and the message note that the networks have devoted more airtime to this narrative than those covered in the past. This saga dominates; in the last five days, each of the twenty-two minute news programs has devoted a full sixty-minutes to this accounting.
We the people are absorbed in words of wisdom. There are words of warning, words of woe, and of course, there are those words that tout the need for living wills. We are speaking of death, of dying, of deliverance and yet, we are barely speaking of dropouts [or a number of other important subjects.]
If you desire A Loving Perspective on Pain and Passing you may wish to reflect upon,
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