Farewell to Jerry Falwell

Did Jerry Falwell emulate Jesus Christ?

"I think Mohammed was a terrorist."

"These perverted homosexuals...absolutely hate everything that you and I and most decent, God-fearing citizens stand for...Make no mistake. These deviants seek no less than total control and influence in society, politics, our schools, and in our exercise of free speech and religious freedom...If we do not act now, homosexuals will own America!"

"I really believe that the pagans and the abortionists and the feminists and the gays and the lesbians...the ACLU, People for the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America, I point the finger in their face and say, 'You helped [the September 11 attacks] happen.'"

"AIDS is the wrath of a just God against homosexuals."

Perhaps Mr. Falwell's heart problems were the wrath of a just God against false prophets.

Dixie Chicks

On March 10, 2003, at the Shepherd's Bush Empire theatre in London, England, Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks said the following: "Just so you know, we’re on the good side with y’all. We do not want this war, this violence, and we’re ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas." The crowd erupted in support. Ten days later, the United States military started dropping bombs on Iraq in the form of "shock and awe".

Little did the Dixie Chicks realize that the comments of Ms. Maines would set off another war. This war, however, would be waged in the U.S. by fair-weather fans, country/western radio stations, and other forms of mass media. Ms. Maines and the Dixie Chicks may have dropped the first bomb, but their new-found enemies would introduce them to a new form of "shock and awe".

The bombardment of the Dixie Chicks was relentless. Country/western radio stations across the nation systematically boycotted the Chicks' music at the request of many disgruntled fans. And what's more, many radio stations and other organizations held parties in which angry fans could burn or trash concert tickets, CDs, and Chicks' memorabilia. By the time the Chicks returned to the U.S. for the stateside portion of their tour, their remaining concerts were in jeopardy of being canceled or severely compromised. To add insult to injury, the American Red Cross refused a one million dollar donation from the Chicks.

In an attempt to lessen some of the "shock and awe", the Dixie Chicks, and Ms. Maines in particular, apologized to President Bush with the following statement: "As a concerned American citizen, I apologize to President Bush because my remark was disrespectful. I feel that whoever holds that office should be treated with the utmost respect. We are currently in Europe and witnessing a huge anti-American sentiment as a result of the perceived rush to war. While war may remain a viable option, as a mother, I just want to see every possible alternative exhausted before children and American soldiers' lives are lost. I love my country. I am a proud American" (emphasis added). However, the Chicks, to date, have refused to apologize to their former fans, radio stations, and the country/western establishment who turned their back on the Chicks.

Despite the disgruntled fans, boycotts, and death threats, the Chicks were able to finish their American tour to a number of sold-out crowds. However, the "shock and awe" and the resulting tension continued to mount. "On May 22, 2003, at the Academy of Country Music (ACM) awards ceremony in Las Vegas, there were boos when the group's nomination for Entertainer of the Year award was announced. However, the broadcast's host, Vince Gill, reminded the audience that everyone is entitled to freedom of speech. The Academy gave the award to Toby Keith, an outspoken critic of the group" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dixie_chicks#Political_controversy).

The damage was done, and the Chicks returned to the relative safety of their homes following the 2003 tour. The group had lost many fans, many country/western radio stations, the support of the country music industry, and perhaps an entire music genre. A fragile truce settled in bringing a halt to the war against the Dixie Chicks. In Iraq, war was still being waged and by the end of 2003, 486 U.S. soldiers were dead and 2,408 wounded.

The Chicks took a two-year break in order to rest and recuperate. During the vacation, one of the Chicks, Emily Robison, gave birth to beautiful twin girls. The time off also gave birth to a renewed spirit and sense of direction. The group decided to turn their back on the country music industry but not their love of country music. The Chicks hired Rick Rubin, an eclectic music producer, and temporarily moved to Los Angeles during 2005. What emerged from this unusual collaboration was a beautiful testament to the wonder of life an it's precious treasures. Their creation, Taking the Long Way, offers a variety of thought-provoking songs in a manner that is respectful, powerful, and ultimately true to themselves as artists. The album speaks truth to power and freedom.

In 2006, "Taking the Long Way debuted at number one on both the U.S. pop albums chart and the U.S. country albums chart, selling 526,000 copies in the first week (the year's second-best total for any country act) and making it a gold record within its first week." Taking the Long Way was the ninth best-selling album of 2006 in the U.S., and it won the 2007 Grammy for Best Album, Best Record, Best Song (Not Ready to Make Nice), and Best Country Album. And I wish the Chicks the best with their nominations for Video and Group Video of the Year on Country Music Television (CMT) on April 16, 2007.

The album includes a lullaby and songs about grandparents and the tragic loss of memory, the loss of loved ones, friends, hope, peace, and the importance of standing up for what you believe in. The album would not have been complete without Not Ready to Make Nice which reminds the public that the reactions to Ms. Maines' 2003 comment were not appropriate, and therefore, difficult to forget and/or forgive.

Here are the lyrics from Not Ready to Make Nice (Words and Music by Emily Robinson, Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines, Dan Wilson):
Forgive, sounds good. Forget, I'm not sure I could. They say time heals everything. But I'm still waiting. I'm through with doubt. There's nothing left for me to figure out. I've paid a price. And I'll keep paying. I'm not ready to make nice. I'm not ready to back down. I'm still mad as hell and I don't have time to go round and round and round. It's too late to make it right. I probably wouldn't if I could. Cause I'm mad as hell. Can't bring myself to do what it is you think I should. I know you said can't you just get over it. It turned my whole world around and I kind of like it. I made my bed and I sleep like a baby. With no regrets and I don't mind sayin' it's a sad sad story when a mother will teach her daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger. And how in the world can the words that I said send somebody so over the edge that they'd write me a letter sayin' that I better shut up and sing or my life will be over. I'm still mad as hell and I don't have time to go round and round and round. It's too late to make it right. I probably wouldn't if I could. Cause I'm mad as hell. Can't bring myself to do what it is you think I should. I'm not ready to make nice. I'm not ready to make nice. I'm not ready to back down. I'm still mad as hell and I don't have time to go round and round and round. It's too late to make it right. I probably wouldn't if I could. Cause I'm mad as hell. Can't bring myself to do what it is you think I should. Forgive sounds good. Forget I'm not sure I could. They say times heals everything. But I'm still waiting. (emphasis added)

Speaking of Shut Up and Sing, the Chicks released a film by the same name in February 2007, documenting their "controversial" statement, the inappropriate reactions, and the making of their new album, Taking the Long Way. The documentary closes with the Chicks "returning to the scene of the crime" at Shepherd's Bush Empire theatre in London, England in 2006. Natalie Maines tells the crowd that people have asked her what she planned to say in response to the infamous comment she made three years earlier. Ms. Maines boldly stated, "we’re still ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas." Once again, the crowd erupted in support. And in Iraq, the bombs are still dropping with 3,169 U.S. soldiers dead, 23,417 wounded and no end in sight.

Needless to say, the Dixie Chicks have a special place in my heart. Their courage is inspiring, and I wish them the best in the future. "Traitors, Dixie Sluts, Saddam's Angels, Hippies, Opinionated?"
I love you Dixie Chicks!!!

"Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." Thomas Jefferson.

WAR IS OVER! If you want it

Another 2 U.S. soldiers died today, and another 15 were wounded. Support our troops by bringing them home. I'm not for an immediate withdrawal, but I am for deadlines. All U.S. soldiers should be home by December 2008. Critics of withdrawal deadlines argue that such talk only emboldens the enemies. Might deadlines also encourage the Iraqi government to step up? Just something for the withdrawal critics to think about. The world doesn't function properly without deadlines.

Controlling terrorism is a matter of law enforcement, not military power. The solution to a stable Iraq is not more war, it's more diplomacy. Unfortunately, the U.S. government has created a difficult world for the Iraqi government and its neighbors to negotiate. Granted, Saddam Hussein was an evil dictator, but can supporters of the war really say Iraq is better off today with hundreds of Iraqis dying every day and thousands fleeing every month? Since when did America become the democracy police? Last time I checked Saudi Arabia was a monarchy and 19 of the hijackers on 9/11 were Saudis. So, when are we going to bring shock and awe and democracy to Saudi Arabia?

The withdrawal should take place as follows:
June 2007 reduce current levels to 125,000
December 2007 reduce levels to 100,000
March 2008 reduce levels to 75,000
June 2008 reduce levels to 50,000
September 2008 reduce levels to 25,000
December 2008 all troops home

At each stage of the withdrawal, the U.S. government should encourage and participate in diplomacy. This should include direct diplomatic relations with Iran. This is just one of many plans for ending U.S. involvement in Iraq. What's your plan?

Please watch short clip: How This Must End

The War on Peace

It looks like some people are waging war on peace this holiday season. According to the Associated Press, "a homeowners association in southwestern Colorado has threatened to fine a resident $25 a day until she removes a Christmas wreath with a peace sign that some say is an anti-Iraq war protest or a symbol of Satan." Link to story

Happy Holidays and
Peace on Earth!

Abbey of Gethsemani and Thomas Merton

My wife and I visited the Abbey of Gethsemani in Trappist, Kentucky for a silent retreat in April 2006. I totally reconnected with God and myself, and I highly recommend this journey for anyone who needs to refresh his or her spirit or would like to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

It was a wonderful spiritual experience, and I truly admire the men and women who can devote such a life to God. I also believe that Thomas Merton, a monk who once lived at the monastery, was a modern-day prophet. It was so peaceful and refreshing, and I would love to spend one Christmas there if possible.

For more on the Abbey of Gethsemani and Thomas Merton, please visit the following links:
Abbey of Gethsemani
About Thomas Merton
Books by Thomas Merton

bell hooks

My wife and I heard bell hooks speak at a multicultural event at Marshall University on November 28. We also attended her lecture at the University of Georgia in 2002.

bell hooks is a cultural critic, feminine theorist, and social activist who "focuses on the interconnectivity of race, class, and gender and their ability to produce and perpetuate systems of oppression and domination. She has published over thirty books and numerous scholarly and mainstream articles, appeared in several documentary films, and participated in various public lectures." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_hooks) She is currently teaching at Berea College in Berea, Kentucky, which participates in an Ecological Sustainability Education Program designed to reduce the footprint of humans on Earth. Berea was founded in 1855 by John Gregg Fee, an abolitionist.

I've just started to explore the books and other writings of bell hooks, but I thoroughly enjoyed her speeches, and I admire her ability to educate and inspire others to think critically and take action.

For more on bell hooks, please visit the following:
http://www.allaboutbell.com/home.html
List of Books
Selection of Writings

Will the Democrats Be Any Better?

I'm skeptical. I'm afraid the current political system in Washington DC is so out of touch with reality to effectively work on issues such as immigration, health care, education, social security, campaign reform, voting reform, term limits, corruption, poverty, minimum wage, foreign policy, and homeland security. Nonetheless, I wish the democrats well just as I wished President Bush well in 2004. Let's hope politicians work as hard for the American people as they work to obtain or protect their seats in Congress. Let's also hope our elected politicians show us some sincere bi-partisanship.

In America, unfortunately, you have to be a millionaire to run for president or senator. Will the House soon follow? Robert Byrd (D-WV) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA) have spent 46 and 44 years in DC respectively, and they will probably die in office. My God, kick them out! Thank goodness there is a limit on the presidency. The American people should demand a constitutional amendment to limit terms of senators and representatives! They will not limit themselves! But they will continue to increase their pay while the minimum wage remains a joke. When I was born in 1969 the minimum wage was $1.60 and the average cost of a new automobile was $3,500. If my math is correct, the minimum wage should currently be at least $9.60.

It's refreshing to see Rumsfeld step down. I opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning, but I agree that we should try our best to leave Iraq better than we found it. It would be nice to have some outside help, but our government's hubris has left us isolated. Where is the humility? I am not yet convinced that an increase in troops will solve the problem, and I'm just as confused as most people concerning the best solution for getting out without abandoning Iraq. Perhaps the government should have made better plans before the first bombs were dropped. After all, we do elect and pay them to make such decisions and plans. So far, both democrats and republicans have proven themselves incompetent. If I'm not mistaken, they both voted to send us there, and the insurgency is clearly NOT in "the last throes."

Saddam Hussein is a criminal and deserves to be punished, but I do not agree with a death sentence. Sure, Hussein was a bully and murderer, but the United States and other Western nations enabled him for many years. The United States and other Western nations worked behind the scenes to support the rise of the Baath party (including Hussein) many years ago. The US government was aware of Hussein's reputation and influence for many years but conveniently looked the other way when it served our interests. The United States and other Western nations also supported Hussein during his 8-year war with Iran when he used chemical weapons on Iran and his own people. American companies even supplied Iraq with some of those weapons. I'm not condoning Hussein's crimes any more than I am excusing the US government's hypocrisy.

America desperately needs a strong third party, and I encourage everyone to seek alternatives to the current political system. Obviously there are no guarantees a third party would be any better, but it's worth a try. It's too early to know who the 2008 presidential candidates will be, but please, no more Bushes or Clintons! Nothing against Hillary Clinton personally, but I think she and her husband have had their time in the spotlight. Anyway, she just spent 29 million dollars to protect her seat in the senate which doesn't expire until 2012. Barack Obama would be an interesting candidate, but will his current popularity last? I was hoping that Mark Warner (former governor of Virginia) would run, but he recently dropped out before the race even started. I seriously doubt the democrats can win, but their best chance of a 2008 victory would be if Jeb Bush or Dick Cheney got the republican nomination. Cheney said he will not run, but I'm not sure I believe him. Jeb Bush hasn't said if he's running, but his job as Florida's governor will soon expire. John McCain and/or Rudy Giuliani are the republicans' best bets (right now), but I doubt the religious right will embrace them. A religious right candidate outside the republican mainstream would obviously hurt the republicans' chances, and a strong alternative to the democrats would also make things very interesting. The more the merrier.

When will America elect a minority president? I can't believe we are still asking this question. I don't know enough about the candidates' positions to have a favorite yet, but I am ready for a minority president. It's the 21st century, and I think white males have had more than enough time to run the country. Sure, they've accomplished many good things, but they've also had their share of failures. It's time to give someone else a chance to succeed or fail. By the way, did the accomplishments or failures of white males have anything to do with their skin color or gender?