Poverty isn’t caused by a lack of character – it’s caused by a lack of money. read more…
Several stories in the news about Walmart and other large companies paying their workers salaries that are too low to cover even the minimum cost of living. Those workers, of course, don’t miraculously suddenly stop needing to buy food, clothes and shelter, just because Walmart pays them less. People will go to the government, and taxpayers for assistance. read more…
I’m a progressive, and I seriously didn’t even know some of this stuff. Wow. Now, if only the Democrats and our President could work on getting to the point, as clearly as this, in all their other efforts, maybe we could make some more progress. Anyway, just share this video with ALL your friends from any party. It’s the best summary explanation of Obamacare I’ve ever seen, and helps everyone just stick to the facts.
Interesting New York Times article today by Thomas Friedman – read more…
I read in MotherJones this morning that Mississippi has indicted a woman who gave birth to a stillborn baby. The potential outcome of this action could have a chilling effect on pretty much anyone who gets pregnant. Apparently, a woman’s job is to not only get pregnant, but also to produce a healthy baby. Otherwise, the religious authorities in Mississippi and elsewhere will try sending you to jail (or, ironically, possibly implement the death penalty) for murder. read more…
We will help Oklahoma recover. That’s what Americans do.
And in coming days, we must also deal appropriately with the Oklahoma representatives and senators who all voted against disaster relief for other states who have experienced disasters as well in recent months. There’s also a special place in Hell for all the other GOP politicians who keep calling for cuts in programs that both help prevent or minimize impacts of disasters, and those programs that provide relief and aid afterward. read more…
I’m progressive and pro-environment. But every time the paper bags (which I’m now forced to buy) tear apart, and all my groceries crash to the ground, I’m almost tempted to vote Republican. read more…
Adam Kokesh is promoting an “open carry” march on Washington, which actually threatens armed violence against a government that was democratically elected by American citizens. read more…
The George W. Bush Presidential Library officially opens tomorrow. Here’s a sneak peek.
I keep making incorrect assumptions about people in general… I grew up learning American history, about civil rights and segregation, and seeing those pictures from the 1940s and 50s showing those “Whites Only” signs hanging over everything in the southern states. Aside from being completely shocked that people in America actually held these beliefs – even so long ago – I had also just assumed all of that was over and done.
Fast forward to this century…
Three articles stand out for me, from countless hundreds one can find on Google right now:
- In 2012, an Alabama pastor convenes a “Whites Only” pastors conference. He says he isn’t a racist – just that “the white race is God’s chosen people” (source).
- Mississippi ratifies the 13th Amendement passed in 1865 to end slavery – 148 years later, in 2013 (source)
- And just last week, 2013, we find out there are schools in Georgia that apparently don’t see anything wrong with “Whites Only” school dances, lunch or study segregation (source).
How on earth a Christian pastor, a public school facility, and a state government could still, today, support any notion or belief that makes whites (or Christians for that matter) above anyone else is simply mind-boggling. They’ll probably try telling you it’s all about skin color, evolution, and some statistics about black crime – but don’t forget, these were the same folks who hated Irish settlers, white Catholics, Chinese and Jews too.
Today, in 2013, we still have people, institutions and entire states apparently that still support basic discrimination based on how someone looks or what church they attend. In America, this isn’t supposed to be possible – and yet, here we are.
It’s been 148 years since the civil war. 50 years since segregation was officially ended. And yet this racism and religious ignorance, by people who don’t even understand Jesus was a middle-eastern Jew, continue to corrupt our nation’s soul.
How can we, in a free society, rid ourselves of such ignorance? We can already see this stupidity creeping further into our public political discourse and proposed legislation by Tea Party and GOP politicians. We can see modern Christian churches turning ever further back to the Dark Ages and Inquisition. How can we resolve this?
The only answer I can think of is education… But then I read about Wilcox County High School in Georgia, and wonder if even education can make any difference.
