Showing posts with label Bobby Kennedy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bobby Kennedy. Show all posts
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Wiccans And Pagans: It's time to Make Your Vote Count
Wiccans and Pagans: It is time to Step Of the Shadows And Make Your Vote Count
By
Theresa Chaze
I posted a political piece on my page at a Wiccan and Pagan Networking site. The first comment was made by someone who didn't give a damn. Being politically and socially active isn't optional; it is a responsibility that we all share. After the past seven years of the whittling away of civil liberties, corporate greed, and government spying on the citizens of this country, we don't have the luxury of not giving a damn. Unless we are willing to get involved and hold our representatives responsible for their actions, they will continue to be public masters instead of public servants. In addition, the religious zealots will continue to be the only source of information about who we are and what we do. What each of us must ask ourselves is do you want the Pat Robertsons, the Pat Buchanans or an other right wing religious extremists disseminating information about us and our religious practices? Unless we step up to the podium and speak our truths that is all the society will know about us.
In the past seven years, the only people who are better off are those in the upper 10% economic bracket. They are the ones who received the big tax breaks. The oil, drug and insurance companies make record breaking profits on the backs of workers whose wages remained stagnant, while their benefits shrank. The cost of living has risen to the point that people are losing their homes. No matter how hard people work, they simple are unable to provide for their families. Soldiers who are returning home from an unnecessary war aren’t being provided the necessary medical, emotional and physical care needed to heal from the damage done to them by extended and repeated tours. Civil liberties both on the local and national levels have been usurped in the name of national security when in most cases those involve have done nothing wrong outside of being different or unique. From law enforcement abusing their authority to telephone companies spying on the government’s behavior, the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are no longer guaranteed.
Recently the Livingston Parish Council in Louisiana tried to enforce the archaic fortunetelling ordinance. It was only after the Wiccan minister, Cliff Eakin, challenged the ordinance in federal court that the Parish Council decided to review their decision. Last Samhain, a witch being hung in effigy was considered a Halloween decoration, while empty nooses hung on a tree caused national controversy. At Yule, the city of Green Bay, WI opened it holiday display to other religions, yet the fair mindedness was short lived. The pentacle wreath was deliberately destroyed and was not allowed to be replaced, yet the nativity scene remained. In his State of the Union speech, Bush once again reaffirmed his commitment to the faith-based initiatives and support for religious schools at public expense; to date the only benefactors of those programs have been Christian.
Becoming political doesn’t mean that you aren’t spiritual. Protecting the environment, each other, and working towards peace is spirituality in action. It is walking the walk, instead of just talking the talk. Speaking out and being socially active does more than bring about positive change, it openly confronts the bigotry and misunderstandings that the small minds continue to spread. If all the public hears about how two girls were killed by a ritual gone bad or how a Wiccan couple lured teenage girls into their homes with sex and drugs, the stereotyping will only continue. The general public will never know the good we do in the world. If we don’t step up and out of the broom closet. We don’t have to march on city hall or protest in the streets to make a difference. However, if both as individuals or as groups, we openly volunteer for community service, become involved with charity events, run for political office or the many other socially positive options available, we will disprove the lies and build strong bridges. The more involved we become the clearly others will be able to se us for the people we are, instead of the lies that continue to be spread. Change will happen when we the people decide to make them happen. As long as we hid in the shadows, the world will not be able to see our light.
Technorati Tags:
Wiccan, Pagan, Election 2008, vote, change, getting involved, socially active, Obama, Edwards, Clinton,
By
Theresa Chaze
I posted a political piece on my page at a Wiccan and Pagan Networking site. The first comment was made by someone who didn't give a damn. Being politically and socially active isn't optional; it is a responsibility that we all share. After the past seven years of the whittling away of civil liberties, corporate greed, and government spying on the citizens of this country, we don't have the luxury of not giving a damn. Unless we are willing to get involved and hold our representatives responsible for their actions, they will continue to be public masters instead of public servants. In addition, the religious zealots will continue to be the only source of information about who we are and what we do. What each of us must ask ourselves is do you want the Pat Robertsons, the Pat Buchanans or an other right wing religious extremists disseminating information about us and our religious practices? Unless we step up to the podium and speak our truths that is all the society will know about us.
In the past seven years, the only people who are better off are those in the upper 10% economic bracket. They are the ones who received the big tax breaks. The oil, drug and insurance companies make record breaking profits on the backs of workers whose wages remained stagnant, while their benefits shrank. The cost of living has risen to the point that people are losing their homes. No matter how hard people work, they simple are unable to provide for their families. Soldiers who are returning home from an unnecessary war aren’t being provided the necessary medical, emotional and physical care needed to heal from the damage done to them by extended and repeated tours. Civil liberties both on the local and national levels have been usurped in the name of national security when in most cases those involve have done nothing wrong outside of being different or unique. From law enforcement abusing their authority to telephone companies spying on the government’s behavior, the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are no longer guaranteed.
Recently the Livingston Parish Council in Louisiana tried to enforce the archaic fortunetelling ordinance. It was only after the Wiccan minister, Cliff Eakin, challenged the ordinance in federal court that the Parish Council decided to review their decision. Last Samhain, a witch being hung in effigy was considered a Halloween decoration, while empty nooses hung on a tree caused national controversy. At Yule, the city of Green Bay, WI opened it holiday display to other religions, yet the fair mindedness was short lived. The pentacle wreath was deliberately destroyed and was not allowed to be replaced, yet the nativity scene remained. In his State of the Union speech, Bush once again reaffirmed his commitment to the faith-based initiatives and support for religious schools at public expense; to date the only benefactors of those programs have been Christian.
Becoming political doesn’t mean that you aren’t spiritual. Protecting the environment, each other, and working towards peace is spirituality in action. It is walking the walk, instead of just talking the talk. Speaking out and being socially active does more than bring about positive change, it openly confronts the bigotry and misunderstandings that the small minds continue to spread. If all the public hears about how two girls were killed by a ritual gone bad or how a Wiccan couple lured teenage girls into their homes with sex and drugs, the stereotyping will only continue. The general public will never know the good we do in the world. If we don’t step up and out of the broom closet. We don’t have to march on city hall or protest in the streets to make a difference. However, if both as individuals or as groups, we openly volunteer for community service, become involved with charity events, run for political office or the many other socially positive options available, we will disprove the lies and build strong bridges. The more involved we become the clearly others will be able to se us for the people we are, instead of the lies that continue to be spread. Change will happen when we the people decide to make them happen. As long as we hid in the shadows, the world will not be able to see our light.
Technorati Tags:
Wiccan, Pagan, Election 2008, vote, change, getting involved, socially active, Obama, Edwards, Clinton,
Monday, January 28, 2008
Kennedy Endorsment of Obama
I was just watching the Kennedy rally in support Barack Obama. What I saw was a connection between Obama and the Kennedy family that was beyond political. When I first time I saw Obama at the Democratic convention, I sensed the same kind of energy I saw in Bobby Kennedy. I also knew he was going to be President in 2012.
Ted Kennedy looked healthier and happier than he has been in decades. It is like a great burden and sadness has been lifted from his shoulders. For the first time in decades, his shoulders were no longer weighed down by a loss that he could not prevent. In his speech, Ted found a renewed passion and strength in the message he shared. It was like he had lost the missing part of himself or an old grief had been put to rest. However, when Ted referenced John instead of Bobby, it gave me pause. Though both John and Bobby were very similar in style and message, their energies were much different. John was more conservative in his message and style, while Bobby had a freer spirit and sought more radical change. John was more focused in his intent and mannerisms. Bobby was more relaxed and subtle in the way he not only got his message across but in the way he went around the people who tried to block it. His thought was--it is simpler to go around opposition instead of trying to force your way through it. Bobby was more passionate about building bridges between people of different ethic, economic, religious and lifestyle backgrounds and finding common ground. John was more straight forward and plan spoken; he truly said what he meant and meant what he said. As with the Cuba Crisis, John stood for what he believed with calm self-assurance. He didn’t need to raise his voice to get his message across. When he did, it was more for effect than an emotional release.
Originally, I thought Obama might have been the reincarnation of Bobby Kennedy, yet the birth and death dates didn't match, nor did the dates match for John. There were several years when all three existed on this plane together. Barack was born before the deaths of both John and Bobby Kennedy. Yet the closer I looked at Obama, the more his cadence, his tone and his message, the more I see John even through there is much of Bobby still in the message. It is as if when John continued to guide Bobby after his death as he did in life, he himself absorbed the passion that drove Bobby forward. It would be interesting to know if Obama had a near fatal accident around or soon after the deaths of John or Bobby that would have opened the door for a soul exchange, which would have allowed one of the two Kennedy brother’s souls to walk in the body known as Barack Obama. Or if on the grand scheme of life, those two souls have chosen to be the angels on his shoulders, whispering to him how to create the changes they had been prevented from making a reality.
Either way it is time for Obama to start building bridges, instead of playing tit for tat. It doesn’t matter who started the conflicts and the mud slinging, but who has the strength and courage to finish it. All three Democratic candidates have positive messages, experience and individual abilities to contribute to the country. When the bottom line is tallied on each of them, the good of the country should out weigh individual egos, ambitions and hurt feelings. To quote John, “Ask not what you country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” Each candidate must ask themselves in their hearts who would be best to step up to the plate and who would better at the supporting roles? If to no one else but to themselves, they need to answer why they want the Presidency. If their goal is the good of the world, good of the nation and the good of the individual, then their answer and their path will be clear.
Technorati Tags:
Obama, JFK, Kennedy, Ted, Bobby, Election 2008, Theresa Chaze
Ted Kennedy looked healthier and happier than he has been in decades. It is like a great burden and sadness has been lifted from his shoulders. For the first time in decades, his shoulders were no longer weighed down by a loss that he could not prevent. In his speech, Ted found a renewed passion and strength in the message he shared. It was like he had lost the missing part of himself or an old grief had been put to rest. However, when Ted referenced John instead of Bobby, it gave me pause. Though both John and Bobby were very similar in style and message, their energies were much different. John was more conservative in his message and style, while Bobby had a freer spirit and sought more radical change. John was more focused in his intent and mannerisms. Bobby was more relaxed and subtle in the way he not only got his message across but in the way he went around the people who tried to block it. His thought was--it is simpler to go around opposition instead of trying to force your way through it. Bobby was more passionate about building bridges between people of different ethic, economic, religious and lifestyle backgrounds and finding common ground. John was more straight forward and plan spoken; he truly said what he meant and meant what he said. As with the Cuba Crisis, John stood for what he believed with calm self-assurance. He didn’t need to raise his voice to get his message across. When he did, it was more for effect than an emotional release.
Originally, I thought Obama might have been the reincarnation of Bobby Kennedy, yet the birth and death dates didn't match, nor did the dates match for John. There were several years when all three existed on this plane together. Barack was born before the deaths of both John and Bobby Kennedy. Yet the closer I looked at Obama, the more his cadence, his tone and his message, the more I see John even through there is much of Bobby still in the message. It is as if when John continued to guide Bobby after his death as he did in life, he himself absorbed the passion that drove Bobby forward. It would be interesting to know if Obama had a near fatal accident around or soon after the deaths of John or Bobby that would have opened the door for a soul exchange, which would have allowed one of the two Kennedy brother’s souls to walk in the body known as Barack Obama. Or if on the grand scheme of life, those two souls have chosen to be the angels on his shoulders, whispering to him how to create the changes they had been prevented from making a reality.
Either way it is time for Obama to start building bridges, instead of playing tit for tat. It doesn’t matter who started the conflicts and the mud slinging, but who has the strength and courage to finish it. All three Democratic candidates have positive messages, experience and individual abilities to contribute to the country. When the bottom line is tallied on each of them, the good of the country should out weigh individual egos, ambitions and hurt feelings. To quote John, “Ask not what you country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” Each candidate must ask themselves in their hearts who would be best to step up to the plate and who would better at the supporting roles? If to no one else but to themselves, they need to answer why they want the Presidency. If their goal is the good of the world, good of the nation and the good of the individual, then their answer and their path will be clear.
Technorati Tags:
Obama, JFK, Kennedy, Ted, Bobby, Election 2008, Theresa Chaze
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