extremism

Friends have heard me expound on extremism in the recent past, sticking to my position that there are extremists across all belief systems; they are not limited to those who follow the Muslim faith. If you are dead set on the belief that your path is the right one it doesn't take much of a leap to determine that everyone else should follow your path as well.

Here in the states we have seen the actions of such extremists as those who follow the teachings of Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church as they protest at the funerals of solders who, they say, have died because "God hates fags" -- their best known, and reviled, slogan. Additionally, there are those who are so anti-abortion they find it necessary to blow up clinics and murder doctors who perform abortions.

The late Rev. Jerry Falwell, after 9/11, boldly proclaimed "I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen.'" He also said: "I therefore believe that they created an environment which possibly has caused God to lift the veil of protection which has allowed no one to attack America on our soil since 1812." Falwell later apologized for his remarks, but from my perspective, his extreme views were accurately represented.

While I've not met pagan extremists as yet, I suspect they exist too. Perhaps they take the position that the Gardnerian path is the only true Wiccan path -- one possible example.

At any rate, whomever speaks (allegedly) as the mouth of God/Allah/insert the name of your favorite deity here - averring they know, understand and represent the truth - has the potential to become an extremist. It doesn't take much of a leap to believe "my way is the right way" and, thus, that all other ways are wrong or, worse yet, against the ways of that extremist. To the extremist emboldened with that certitude violence may be seen as the only solution.

Extremism is dangerous, and must be countered by raising children who think, question, learn and understand. While we may well be good role-models, it is important not to fall into the potential trap of guiding our youth by teaching them only one religious belief is right, only one political viewpoint is right, or only one government is right. If we take that path, we will be lead by those who are little different than the extremists and terrorists we hear about on a daily basis -- in Iraq, Iran or here in the United States.

reclaiming dead timber -- and saving a tree

This evening's "Nightly News with Brian Williams" segment "EarthWatch" ended with a report that -- from my perspective -- represented a brilliant idea in tree conservation.

A firm in British Columbia, Canada has started to log trees submerged by the formation of resevoirs for hydroelectric dams. According to the report, there an estimated 300 million trees which can be found and harvested in these resevoirs and used for construction purposes. Due to the lack of oxygen and cold water temperatures, the tree trunks are very well preserved and just ripe for harvesting.

The company uses specially developed equipment, a so-called "sawfish," mounted with cameras, metal arms and saws. Using remote viewing capabilities, they are able to find a tree, attach an airbag to it and remotely operate the chain saw which cuts the tree "down". The company doing this salvage logging is hard put to keep up with the demand for their product.

With the high demand for lumber, and ongoing clearcutting and devastation of our forest, this is an excellent and environmentally sensibile idea. I hope American companies will follow suit.

bring back the old gods

I was thrilled to read that Ellinais (The Holy Association of Greek Ancient Religion Believers) successfully organized and staged a Summer Solstice ritual at the temple of Apollo in Vouliagmeni, Greece, on June 21st. Incense was burned, libations to Apollo offered, and hymns to Apollo and his sister, Artemis, were read.

Pagan groups have been strongly resisted in this country, home to Mount Olympus, home of those familiar Greek gods -- and goddesses -- by the very vocal and strong Eastern Orthodox church. However, the recently founded (2005) Ellinais has managed to receive state recognition of the ancient Greek religion which, until last year, was not given equal rights. In 2006, a court in Athens officially declared the worship of the old gods unbanned.

Supporters of the old religion in Greece are still afraid to turn up at public ceremonies, concerned that a photograph or a video of them can get them into trouble with church authorities or their employers.

Those of us in the US who follow a Pagan path are similarly afraid of retribution, particularly during this period of time when Christian fundamentalism is a very vocal component of our society.

Of Greek descent, I celebrate the Solstice and honor Apollo with my Greek brothers and sisters. Apollo is the light of the world.

on cheney

The Washington Post started running a four-part series on VP Dick Cheney this morning. The first installment details the Veep's staff/cohorts and some of their methodology in terms of getting Cheney's decisions to and approved by the President.

The series looks to be a good bit of investigative journalism, though thus far the strongest point is to affirm what many of us have thought all along; Cheney is the power behind presidential decisions.

Of particular interest in installment one is the method used to circumvent the Geneva Convention's guidelines in terms of treatment of prisoners. Humane treatment, in my view, has never been considered a "quaint" idea of the past. Additionally, the details of the efforts to keep secret communications surveilliance and how Cheney's team bypassed those who would have the strongest objections is interesting.

It's unfortunate that this investigation is so late into this administration's "ownership" of the White House. It may well have served the American people better several years ago.

Right after the 2006 mid-term elections I breathed a sigh of relief. In a clear-cut demonstration of naiveté, I presumed we'd have six months or so until the battle for the Run to 1600 -- the 2008 presidential race -- would begin.

Clearly, and obviously, I was completely wrong.

The Democrats are duking it out amongst themselves. While Obama seems a good man, I'm still not sure where he stands on most issues. Hillary? I'd really, really like to see a woman president, but truthfully I think the Clinton name carries too much baggage -- at least in these very conservative-sounding times. I like John Edwards. Liked him since the 2004 elections. He's got some good ideas. Will he take my vote? It's way too early to tell.

The Republicans are busy doing what they do best, bashing the Democrats. Maybe the eventual Republican candidate will be the one who slammed the Demos most effectively.

And once again, the same issues are trotted out. Abortion rights. illegal aliens. Taxes. Oh... and by the way, the Democrats want us to surrender in Iraq. You didn't know that? Ask any Republican.

Are these the important issues? Not from my perspective. This country needs sensible and available health care. Better quality education, available to all young people. Reduction of those things making us one of the largest contributing countries to global warming, including sensible research for alternatives to fossil fuels, and actually using those alternatives.

This morning I read an excellent excerpt from a book by Lee Iaccoca, "Where Have All the Leaders Gone?" Remember him? He saved the Chryler Corporation. Iaccoca got my attention right away as the piece began with: "Am I the only guy in this country who's fed up with what's happening? Where the hell is our outrage? We should be screaming bloody murder. We've got a gang of clueless bozos steering our ship of state right over a cliff, we've got corporate gangsters stealing us blind, and we can't even clean up after a hurricane much less build a hybrid car. But instead of getting mad, everyone sits around and nods their heads when the politicians say, 'Stay the course.'

Born in the 50s, I lived through the tumultuous 60s and early 70s. Against the Vietnam war, I marched, protested, wrote letters, signed petitions. Important to note: I did not spit on any returning Vietnam vets. On a recent Bill Maher program I was in agreement with Bill Bradley, who said the war in Iraq is a bigger mistake than Vietnam.

For how may years can the American people foot the bill for us to be the world's policemen? How much killing will happen before we see that not every country in the world wants to operate under the guise of democracy? (BTW, the US is a Constitutional Republic. Look it up if you're not familiar with the term.)

Lee Iaccoca says it's time to throw the bums currently leading this country out. I agree. Unplug yourself from the computer for a while... turn off your iPod. Read newspapers. Pay attention to what's going on. For heaven sake, get mad. Do something about where the US is going.

A patriot is NOT someone who drives their Hummer around town flying a couple of tattered American flags. A patriot is NOT someone who blindly parrots the current phrase of the day without question.

A patriot IS someone who supports their country from all detractors and enemies, even the enemies within -- those same people who attack, subtly, your Constitutional rights and spend, recklessly, your hard-earned tax dollars in the name of fighting "evil-doers" while intimating your free speech is treasonous.

Stand up. Speak out. Be prepared to vote. Make your voices heard. This is YOUR country. I don't think I can say it better than Mr. Iaccoca, who closed the excerpt with these words:

"Hey, I'm not trying to be the voice of gloom and doom here. I'm trying to light a fire. I'm speaking out because I have hope. I believe in America. In my lifetime I've had the privilege of living through some of America's greatest moments. I've also experienced some of our worst crises—the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean War, the Kennedy assassination, the Vietnam War, the 1970s oil crisis, and the struggles of recent years culminating with 9/11. If I've learned one thing, it's this: You don't get anywhere by standing on the sidelines waiting for somebody else to take action. Whether it's building a better car or building a better future for our children, we all have a role to play. That's the challenge I'm raising in this book. It's a call to action for people who, like me, believe in America. It's not too late, but it's getting pretty close. So let's shake off the horseshit and go to work. Let's tell 'em all we've had enough. "

Say you've had enough.