Ponderings

The kids are both at school, the house is ready for the cleaning lady, and I had nine (now 6) minutes to reflect on the morning news. Impossible.

I did however spend (or waste?) the missing three minutes reading about a new movie, “Jesus Camp”. It explores one specific example of fundamentalism in America, it’s effects on children, and also it’s agenda for American politics. The movie promises to be a must-see.

But with 4 minutes left and my fingers flying, I’m beginning to understand why we have become a sound-byte culture. We structure our lives with barely room to read the news and no space with which to absorb the issues of the day. But having taking time to whine about the busyness, I’m down to 2 minutes.

With 2 minutes to go, I just remembered that I still have to find a prayer (affirmation of faith) for Sunday’s bulletin, due today. 1 minute and counting, I’m off to google.

I confess that I did not listen to the President’s address last night. But as I read CNN Quick News this morning I was troubled that our President had reassured Americans of the connections between 9/11, Afghanistan, Hizbollah and Iraq. On the one hand this is not news, this is what we have been told all along. And to be sure there are grains of truth in the address. All of these “enemies” are Muslim. Does that mean that all Muslim’s are our enemies? All of these “enemies” are bitter about American foreign policy. Does that mean that everyone who is bitter about American foreign policy is our enemy? All of these “enemies” have made hateful comments about our government. Are all dissidents the enemy?

The problem with this kind of thinking is that it denies the ambiguity and assumes a duality that does not exist. We are not good or bad, enemy or friend, Muslim or Christian. We are human and that means we are streaky. We are an experiment in tie die.

In a world of red and blue, my vote is for purple.

But even so, if you’ve not already discovered www.worldcantwait.org please check it out.

From Michael Lerner’s way too serious Tikkun page, I read the most delight and insightful article on the plight of America’s laborers. Given that I’d just preached on this very subject, without such incisive wit!, I was particularly appreciative of Greg Palast’s writing.
Enjoy!
“Today’s Pig is Tomorrow’s Bacon”
http://gregpalast.com/section/articles