Fear Is Not A Family Value

Homo sapiens need a wake up call. Our hearts and minds have been heavily armored and who can blame us. The news programs and networks, that have proliferated and the "reality" television shows show us the most awful images and posit the most fearful views of life for us ad nauseum. We have been terrorized by the media for so long that it seems almost naive to trust, believe in, or count on anyone else. Other than our religious and political leaders, who have the most to gain from lying to us, we can include commercial interests, murderers, thieves, crazy people and sexual predators to the list of people who may be lurking around every corner. We have been led to fear nearly every bite of food that enters our bodies and every fluid that exudes from us as well. We now are beginning to understand that our water may be dangerous, the air definitely is and the very ground that we walk upon is "filled" with bacteria and fungus that might kill us if we have contact with it.

This morning, on a local news program, I learned that a local municipality is embarking on a program that will cut down hundreds of ash trees on city property to prevent them from being killed by the emerald ash borer, an invasive insect that only feeds upon these wonderful shade trees. The fear of what might happen is being allowed to dictate to us how we will act, what we will do and how we think about our relationship to the world around us. Similar issues are played out daily in operating rooms across the US. There are probably few of us by now that have not heard of women being told that by having a mastectomy, or hysterectomy, they may be able to outlive their genetic "predisposition" to die from cancer, or that exposing their breasts to radiation might just save their lives. Fear is probably the most profitable industry to be in at present, although we are on the whole healthier and more secure than at any time in our history.

Before you let your mind wander down the slippery slope of what you have been told, we are actually living in the least violent time in history. that being said, we are all going to die. If we live long enough, it is almost certain that we will pray for a quick and painless death, but fortunately or unfortunately depending on your perspective, doctors will almost certainly try every trick that they have up their sleeve to extend your life, expend more and prolong your life as long as possible. Feeling that heroic measures that allow people to suffer just a few months or years longer is worth their effort. It has been over a year since my father passed away, so I'm not just saying so because I am filled with grief. after his second, and third heart surgery, the effort to rehabilitate himself was extremely painful and no amount of schedule one narcotics could touch his pain. Luckily, when he was driving under the influence of these drugs, he did not kill anyone. I'm sure that it was mostly because of quick thinking and rapid action on the part of those who saw him coming in the nick of time. The last time I rode in a car with him, he nearly took out three other cars within about a mile.

The things that we really should be spending time in fear of often go unnoticed.I have shared with many people my feeling that the true terrorists in our midst are the millions of drivers who continue to use their cell phones in the car. these people just don't know when they are going to kill. doctors too fit into that category as well because iatrogenic (doctor caused) deaths, from prescribed medications are approximately equivalent to all deaths in car accidents in our country. Some sources have documented the fact that they are even a greater number. If we are to trust one another, we need to be acting in a trustworthy manner. The almost universal rejection of responsibility in our culture has fascinated me for the better part of half a century. In the last few weeks I have been reminding myself of the fact that when we point at others, there are three fingers pointing back at us. We are encouraged to fear by the powerful interests who wish to divide us and keep us isolated amongst our neighbors.

When we investigate most of the subjects that get covered by the popular press, we find that the causes and effects of these events are frequently left out of the coverage. The heroic actions of those who exhibit bravery or courage are usually not covered, nor are the actions of those who quietly persevere. These activities, quite often, don't photograph well or take place behind the scenes. My contention is that these actions and activities are far more common than we ever realize. Living is not a series of investments in insurance, or installing locks on everything that we value, nor is it the blocking out of all that threatens our way of life or ideas. In fact, the happiest people on Earth spend the least time on these sorts of activities. I have always wanted to be a preacher of sorts, but the reason is pretty much the opposite of any preachers that you might have heard speak before. I openly admit that I cannot tell you what to do. I'm not even sure that what I might say is right and i certainly don't want anyone to take any action in my name or in the "name" of the Lord or Lady, but rather because it is coming from your heart. I often write about the fictions that our minds spin for us into the illusion of truth. The ego is adept at lying to us and the weak of heart often subvert their true selves for the edification of their own deceitful egos. I am not who I think I am. Neither are you. The threats to your health and well being that you believe in do more to take you away from living your bliss than you may ever know. I apologize to those of you who may understand this already, but what speaker can resist the urge to preach to the choir from time to time.

Living our lives requires that we accept some risk. The more we hide behind layers of fear, the less we are able to see and understand the world as it truly is. There are many who reap the benefits of us shuttering our windows, living with our heads in the sand and turning our backs on those in need. We all have the power to live heroic lives, lives of infinite abundance and lives that recognize the fact that each and every human being is entitled to a life of love and realization. If each one teaches one, the process of growing into the people we want to be, rather than victims becomes much easier. We need to let go of fear if we are to have the power of love flow through us. The values that came down to us from our parents and theirs have been assaulted, attacked and undermined by the media for the better part of two generations. The threats that we face today are straw men, fabricated and propped up by those who want us to leave the churches, our government, the financial institutions and the schools available for their use as tools of oppression and they also want us to relinquish the airwaves to be used as an insidious tool for spreading fear. If we allow them to sell us a bill of goods that states that our children, their mothers, the elderly, teachers, gays, unions, pot smokers, liberals and conservatives are "the problem", then we will be sufficiently afraid of everyone and everything and we will be unable to do the things we need to do to break free of these mental shackles. We are always left to make one decision either from the depths of our hearts, or from our own tiny ego. Will we lead lives of quiet desperation or will we rise to the challenge that faces us today? I am willing to stick my neck out. Please look into how you might follow your own bliss and let me know what you find.

I Refuse to be Made an Enemy Without My Consent

Last evening I was at a party. I enjoyed my time there immensely, and it was at a beautifully restored farmhouse in the country. It is an annual event that we were invited to last summer, but for some reason or another, we were unable to attend. Several dozen people enjoyed a large spread of food, including booyah (a local favorite), the beer trailer, fireworks and a giant fire pit raging with a great pile of wood. There were about a dozen people that I had met before and a few close friends who meet monthly for a roving campfire group that meets all Spring, Summer and Fall as well as part of the Winter for great conversation, visiting with old friends and meeting new ones.

Everything was going great until I approached the garage, where the food was set up. In addition to a large banner stating "You Are In Steeler Country!" (which I cannot tell you how out of place that is in our normally staunch Green Bay Packer Fan country), there were several political signs that made me feel a bit unwelcome.

Liberal bashing is apparently becoming trendy, but it seems that some people forget how to abide by the rules of a democracy. When your side loses, you have to accept the consequences. I have held the same values and many of the same opinions since before most of the right-leaning activist groups touting inflammatory rhetorical statements as reason enough for their existence and dubious "evidence" as "proof" that we are on the road to ruin, were formed. In all my years of voting, the first time that the person I voted for got elected was this last Presidential Election. Talk about taxation without representation! I should be the one jumping up and down yelling "We need to take our country back." In our culture however, majority rules, or at least it is supposed to. The revolution that can only take place in the voting booth has occurred, get used to it. When the popular vote went to Al Gore, say what you may, the public's will was overthrown by the Electoral College. The majority has been seeking change for quite some time, they have only now wrested the power of the White House to help beat back the greedy elites that have dictated policies for the last half century.

"Deport Liberals" was the most ridiculous and perhaps the most upsetting sign that I saw hanging in the garage. As if there is something less American about people who believe in the same founding documents and the same process that we deem American, but have a different view about how to assure liberty, freedom and security. I am struck by the similarity that politics is taking to the old ways that bullies took to win at any cost when we played "friendly" games of ball as children. If the rules change to meet their needs and are designed at a moment's notice to allow them to win, how long can the charade last? I began hating baseball when bullies brought their baggage to the game. Eventually, no one wants to play with you. Win at all costs can't possibly be worth it if you have to sacrifice your morals or your standing amongst nations of the world. Isolationism never works in a democracy.

One of the reasons that I developed an interest in politics is because I was told that in that realm, one would win or lose on their merits, their intellect and their astute observations of society, the ability to understand it's ills and by finding ways to create a more perfect union, meeting the needs of many through efforts of the few, as well as protecting and meeting the needs of the most vulnerable few by the deeds of many. I actually studied democratic values, civics they called it back then. I have read historical accounts, studies and scientific reports, gleaned data from countless Blue Books, done the difficult tasks of knocking on doors, raising public awareness of issues that impact our lives daily and occasionally thought about running for office, but somehow I deserve to be deported? For doing my best? For developing an acute sense of what is truly screwed up in our land? For treating others the way I would like to be treated?

Those who refuse to consider my position valid may choose to assault my beliefs this way. I however, do not deserve to be painted with such a wide brush. Astute observation can reveal truth, but people who jump to conclusions regardless of evidence, cannot be allowed to have their lies stand. Those who deny evidence that Saddam Hussein was right about slant wells coming from Kuwait into Iraqi oil fields, which started the first Gulf War, still believe that terrorists threaten U.S. "interests". Their math skills are seriously deficient. The death toll of innocents killed by our forces dwarfs the numbers killed in all terrorist incidents (including homegrown terror) combined. These same, "righteous" followers of fiction turn their wrath on "liberals" for leading our country to ruin. This just turns my stomach.

Conservatives have eviscerated our collective conscience. This in turn creates spiritual scars that may remain for centuries. Perhaps it is they who need to either: "Love America or Leave It." The tide has finally turned in favor of the little guy, or so it seems. Identifying with the captors is an age old tradition in slave circles, but We the People need to remember that we all have a lot more in common with other wage slaves than we do with the aristocracy that welds it's power against us. If we allow others to dictate the terms of our arguments, or forget that they will always defend one another, no matter how awful their behavior, leaves us to toil at their behest forever. Our system of government is supposed to give us power, not keep us captive. The tables have been turned however, to make us believe that we are free, while our liberties are stripped away. We are constantly told that we enjoy free choice, while our desires are manipulated and corrupted. The American dream has been bought and sold to the highest bidder and we are left with crumbs. The extreme fascination with positive thinking, psychology, body image and self-help are all reflections of our perceived lack of self worth. Can we afford to overlook the part this plays in our society? We have endless ways in which to hate our selves, but people in charge know that this is just a first step to hating others. The reason that I stand up and refuse my consent to be made into an enemy is because I believe in democratic principles. I believe in the concept that all men and women are created equal. No greater expression of self respect can be made than to respect another.

I honor the right of others to disagree, but do not abide people demonizing others either. When we use fictitious pigeon-holes to segregate people into deserving and undeserving categories, we also debase ourselves. Our country, if it is to remain a beacon of hope for the oppressed masses around the globe, must not undermine the high aspirations of our founders. We must hold to the spirit of the words that they penned over two hundred years ago. In a free society, we must all be allowed the freedom to make mistakes. We must regain freedom of thought, association, and belief, even if that puts us at odds with others. We must also be willing to engage our opposition in constructive discussion rather than combative rhetoric. If we base our belief in the need for change on lies and deception, the change we welcome will be dark and oppressive. Seeking truth must be an all out assault on ignorance, tempered with compassion and understanding of everyone, even those we may disagree with. I am a friend of free thought and a defender of liberty. Those who would write me off as a single word, and deny my right to freedom will not be free for their hate and lies will consume them. I truly hope that the close-minded reactionaries come to their senses before they ruin what may very well be our last chance to right the ship of state that has foundered in rocky times.

Our "ship of state" is in trouble. I offer my words as an inspiration start to bailing, if enough people band together, we might get it right. Working together always gets more done than toiling in isolation or putting down those you do not agree with or understand. Rather than being cheerleaders for a dubious "cause", screaming slogans that don't make sense, what we need is a true political rebirth, one that allows us to grow beyond the us-them schism and learn to honor and respect one another. The urge to kick people out needs to be replaced with the goals of getting rid of hateful ideas and rhetoric. Our nation needs to concern itself with eliminating greed which has the power to override good sense. Our people need to come together and make a plan for ending our reliance on dangerous and violent ways of getting our "needs" met and we need to set our sights higher than putting down the other guy, because that will always diminish us. The race to the bottom needs to end and we need to respect the rights that we all had, that have been taken away by fear mongering and deceit.