Bits and Pieces, Again!

So many news bits that beg for a reply. I know you are thinking them. Maybe you agree with the principals involved, but maybe not. Here’s my take on recent snippets:

Confederate Flag, South Carolina Style!

The confederate flag is religious and historical artifact in the southland of America. In South Carolina even more so. So they fly that flag on their state capitol and elsewhere. Even with many people demanding the flag not fly, champions of that flag insist the flag should remain. And it does. But it shouldn’t. Not in America of the new millennium.

We have fought the horrible Civil War. For a lot of reasons the war was waged. Not just to abolish slavery. Not just to weld two sections and cultures into one unified nation. But principles of human decency that spelled equality for all mankind within our borders. That is not an easy concept for everyone to grasp. It is especially difficult for those who have an economic investment in keeping things unchanged.

But in the long run of time people deserve to be treated well, to be treated as you want to be treated. You know, the Golden Rule. The Rule most of us spout whenever basic principles are discussed. I want you to treat me with dignity and equality. I want to treat you the same way. If we both treat each other in this manner, we will feel accepted, welcomed, embraced. That’s a good thing.

The Confederate flag is a symbol when our nation did not truly support the Golden Rule between two regions of the nation. A war was fought to settle the issue. More issues were raised by the war than settled by it, but the war was fought, is now over, and it is time for true peace.

The Confederate flag is an historical relic. Let it be such. But not on display as a living symbol of what a people once yearned for. That would only keep resentments and yearnings alive for another day. And that day would not be one we would wish for. [Note: it looks as if the governor of the state will remove the flag from the capitol building.]

FIFA & Moon Walk! It’s a Match!

So Russia will host a World Cup soccer tournament. It ‘won’ that appointment from FIFA which was found to be guilty of international bribery and site-selection fixing. Russia paid for its hosting rights. But the competition among worthy hosts was not an honest process. FIFA leaders have resigned in disgrace. Management of the organization has been fired. Legal cases will settle the actual facts eventually but the organization and the sport will be in tatters.

The interesting thing is that Russia was caught with its hands dirty in this matter. And to cover its embarrassment, Putin has accused the USA of faking its moon shot program of the 1960’s. It claims the USA owes the world proof that they actually landed on the moon and returned our astronauts safely to their homes. They are rattling the cages of propaganda once again to cover their tracks of failure.

Trouble is multiple failures are on display using this propaganda technique. First is Russia never made it to the moon. Second, they have a war machine in Crimea before and after the last Olympics. Third, Russia’s adventures in Ukraine were ill-advised, ill disguised, and continue unabated as we write and read this sentence. Fourth, Russia’s leadership has been uncovered as bankrupt of ideas for global harmony and peace.

So it dabbles in outrageous dishonesty hoping others won’t notice. Not true, Vlad. Not true. Your wardrobe is missing; another naked emperor on the stage of history! How trite your methods!

Rick Perry: Charleston Hate Crime was an Accident:

As a republican, Rick Perry cannot utter the race word. As a Texan, Perry cannot demonstrate a policy that might suggest control of fire arms owned by citizens. As a conservative, Rick cannot be viewed as a wielder of government policy or rule that would bring order to a free market of ideas and behavior.

Trouble is hate develops naturally and people are harmed and even killed. Strong words you think? Just read the headlines, please. I don’t write those. The public reads what headline writers provide.

So in conservative Texas republican territory, hate crimes based on race are accidents of…what exactly, Rick?

Santorum: Charleston Hate Crime was against Religion, not Race:

Yet another republican, conservative, too, who feels race is not the issue in the Charleston church slayings. Rick says it was an attack on religion, not race. Well, no, Rick, it was all about race. The shooter says so, acted so, and wrote a manifesto so stating that. He wants another southern led civil war to place white people on top of the natural order of wealth, leadership and political power. If this is a new religion, then I have not heard of it. On the other hand, history is replete with racist chronologies that will keep you reading for more than a lifetime, Rick. Please spend some time researching the issues before you bark out your ignorance!  Please!

Jeb Bush? Oh Please!

And another Oh Please! Jeb Bush does the same republican dance. Don’t speak the R word for fear the party will be labeled white loving over black acceptance. Let’s see, what other label could possibly be used in its place? Why, religion, of course!

I’m a believer in religion, Jeb. I go to church each Sunday. Have for many decades now, even during the times it was not popular to say so let alone do so! I’ve spent some time in seminary and many years being active in my churches. So I know what the religious thing is all about. And it is personal, not political, not national, not constitutional, and decidedly not a republican thing. Religion is for each of us. Like person, don’t you know, Jeb?

The Charleston church attack was a racist attack by a mentally ill white young man who was never challenged to really understand the issues. He just felt delimited and side tracked by others in society. Somehow he felt this was the African-American agenda against all whites, or at least him. Perverted thinking, eh?  Yes, most likely so.

The shooter is mentally ill, a racist, and not a good example to follow for anyone on the planet. What do we do about such people?  Well, removing symbols of past distorted thinking like the Confederate flag would help. Establishing effective gun controls would also help. And actually demanding people keep their religious beliefs out of their political and behavioral speech! Those three changes would help the rest of us live more peacefully.

Do you think?!

June 23, 2015