Tannishblog

Tonight is Rosh Hashanah. This week also marks the beginning of the celebration of Ramadan. These things I remained ignorant of until recently.  Zen, of course, was unheard of. Having been a recipient of the typical white, Christian upbringing in the sixties and seventies, knowledge of other peoples and their cultures was ignored. I feel the loss.

There is much in life denied those who keep to their own set of ideals. Insular communities lose much in their solitude by not sharing in the joys of others, the wider expressions of humanity available through intimacy with other cultures. Sometimes, even individuals, focused on their aspirations or troubles miss the bounty of earthly life, as is depicted in this Zen parable:

A man walking across a field encountered a tiger. He fled, the tiger chasing him. coming to a cliff, he caught hold of a wild vine and swung himself over the edge. The tiger sniffed at him from above. Terrified, the man looked down to where, far below, another tiger had come, waiting to eat him. Two mice, one white and one black, began little by little to nibble away at the vine. The man was a luscious strawberry near him. Grasping the vine with one hand, he plucked the strawberry with the other. How sweet it tasted!

Zen reminds us of the necessity of tasting that strawberry in every moment, to savor life no matter what it brings. One way we can do this is to open our houses and our hearts to people of differing cultures, learning about differences and sharing similarities. As hatred and fear are bourn of ignorance, so love and acceptance are bourn of knowledge. Celebrate the holidays of others, maybe they’ll help you celebrate yours with you.

To hell with International Talk Like a Pirate Day, which occurred last Tuesday. We need something more substantial to celebrate. While many people lose themselves in trivialities, thereby absolving themselves of any lasting contribution to world society, others are fighting the good fight of - well, not fighting at all!

Today is International Peace Day!

This holiday-we’ve-never-heard-of has been with us since 1981, when the United Nations dedicated a day to promote world peace. You won’t hear this on Fox News (or any Murdoch media outlet.) Bloodhawks and Warhounds don’t want us to know about this Unamerican holiday. As the UN created it, it must be FRENCH!

At noon today, I plan on taking a minute of silence to commemorate the remote possibility that humanity can come to its senses before it annihilates itself. Imagine:

September 21, the International Day of Peace, is a day on which
we reaffirm our commitment to this quest… It is meant to be a day of global cease-fire, when all countries and all people stop all hostilities for the entire day.

And it is a day on which people around the world observe a minute of silence at 12 noon local time. Twenty-four hours is not a long time.
But it is… long enough to look over the barricades, or through the barbed wire, to see if there is another path.

MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
Secretary-General Kofi Annan
New York, 21 September 2005

For all people’s talk about God lately, one would think also that God might want us to live together peacefully. Yet we can’t seem to manage this… We are truly pathetic as a species.

"All we are saying is Give Peace a Chance."

Crossposted at Democrats.org :

Happy Halloween! "What?" you say, "It's only September."

For the next few weeks, it might as well be Halloween or maybe a marathon Fright-Film fest. As Rep. Jim McDermott notes at Huffington Post, Expect to be frightened.

The Congress of the United States has reconvened in Washington, D.C., but don't expect Congress to legislate on behalf of the American people.

The Republican Party will spend the next 30 days trying to make you afraid. It is the Republican midterm election strategy.

For the rest of September, until the moment Republican leaders gavel the Congress into adjournment, Republican speakers will rise and implore the American people to be afraid.

He says 30 days. I say the fearmongering will continue until the photo finish in November and, if the Repugs have their way, well beyond. It's already begun.

President Bush mixed solemn remembrance of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks yesterday with a renewed call to complete the mission in Iraq, paying tribute to the fallen even while warning Americans that failure in the Middle East would leave the United States more vulnerable than ever to Islamic extremists.

"Whatever mistakes have been made in Iraq," Bush said last night in a prime-time address from the Oval Office, "the worst mistake would be to think that if we pulled out, the terrorists would leave us alone. They will not leave us alone. They will follow us. The safety of America depends on the outcome of the battle in the streets of Baghdad."

"I am often asked why we are in Iraq when Saddam Hussein was not responsible for the 9/11 attacks," Bush said.

"The answer is that the regime of Saddam Hussein was a clear threat," the president said, tapping his desk for emphasis. "The world is safer because Saddam Hussein is no longer in power."

Politicizing 9/11. Shameless. Especially when one notes how G. Warmonger Bush has missed the last few 9/11 anniversaries. Why attend this one? It's an election year, dummy!

Meanwhile, at the Pentagon:

Cheney told the crowd, which included families who lost loved ones during the attack on the Pentagon, that America has learned difficult lessons since that fateful day.

"We have learned that oceans do not protect us, and threats that gather thousands of miles away can now find us here at home," he said. "We have learned that there is a certain kind of enemy, whose ambitions have no limits and whose cruelty is only fed by the grief of others. In these years, we also found our mission, to defend America against a present danger, and to offer democracy and hope as the alternative to extremism and terror."

The vice president said America has a history of fighting tyranny and will never give in to terrorism.

"This nation has defeated tyrants and liberated death camps, raised the lamp of liberty to every captive land," he said. "We have no intention of ignoring or appeasing history's latest gang of fanatics trying to murder their way to power."

I especially love the way they try to cast themselves into the WWII imagery, as if they are the Saviors of the World Incarnate. Bullshit! Not a single one can match people like Montgomery, Eisenhower or Patton. To paraphrase Sen. Lloyd Bentsen: "You're no Winston Churchill, George." It seems the rest of America is noting this also: Who Left This Hole in the Ground, Mr. President?

So, prepared to be scared. Or to be disgusted some more. The Halloween season is upon us. While Education slips behind world standards, Health care impoverished us, while the wealthy reap benefits of vast tax cuts sent to off-shore shelters, while our vice President continues to work for the oil industry, while billions of dollars have been lost through graft and corruption, we on the ground floor get to watch the circus our Republican congressmen are planning to maintain their empire.

BOO!

As I troll the web looking for inspiration on Patriot Day, the fifth anniversary of the demolition of the World Trade Towers. While reading all the pablum and politics the papers are spewing, one thing occurs to me:

Al Qaida succeeded in its mission to disrupt America.

And we’ve helped them do it. From conspiracy theorists to antiwar activists, from spying governments to circuit judge rulings, our nation has fractured. The debate whether ABC is libeling Democrats or just exercising author’s licence in its portrayal of event leading up to the tragedy, its political fallout for both parties, is just the latest example of how the attacks at the pentagon and in New York were victorious.

Notwithstanding anyone’s feelings about our incumbents, the Grand Canyon of our political discontent has never been as wide or as deep as it has grown since that fateful day five years ago. And it’s still growing. I’m sure our discomfort is a pleasure to watch for those who dreamed up the attacks: their understanding of American cultural psychology must be keen. And our understanding of ourselves must be non-existent.

Well done, Osama: good job.

"EIGHT HOURS FOR WORK, EIGHT HOURS FOR REST, EIGHT HOURS FOR RECREATION!" Thus shouted the banners on September 5, 1882 the first Labor Day parade, held in New York City. Thanks to the efforts of Peter McGuire, son of an Irish immigrant who spent much of his childhood working while his father fought in the Civil War. He went on to organize the first labor union in Chicago: the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America a year earlier.

Congress was reluctant to acknowledge a "Workingmen's holiday," but a wave of support from municipalities crested until it was finally voted a federal holiday in 1894. This, in spite of recognition of the importance of the working class by none other than Adam Smith.

"Labor was the first price, the original purchase-money that was paid for all things. It was not by gold or by silver, but by labor, that all wealth of the world was originally purchased."

Since then, the US Department of Labor, established in 1913, took this stance:

The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership - the American worker.

A cynic would wonder if the original reluctance of government was subsequently reversed for political gains. The whole labor movement is designed to promote the welfare of the average worker, improve working conditions and increase opportunities for gainful employment, yet our "for the people" institutions were slow in the uptake. The same cynic might note that such ideals are rooted in a Christian tradition fundamental to the genesis of our democracy.

Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" ~Matthew 11:28~

"Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth." ~Ephesians 4:28~

Nonetheless, the Industrial Revolution grew quickly through exploitation of the workers. Entities in public and private sectors, motivated by profit, forgot their moral lessons, to be reminded through the self-organization of the unwashed masses. Only through local governmental structures, closer to the people, was our national political caste forced to pay attention to workers woes.

Since then, unions have had their heyday. Perhaps they've overstepped their humble beginnings and, through hubris over time, strained our economy. Would health care now be so expensive if for generations aspiring doctors hadn't been expected to reap great monetary rewards? How about the automotive industry: would the products of their labors be competitive in a global market if the industry wasn't hobbled by generations of accumulated unionized demands? As robotics take over the assembly line, should auto workers accept a new outlook towards what is fair compensation? Not doing so is perhaps causing them their jobs.

But that was then. Now, the situation is much the same. A few years ago, Norman Solomon dared to ask: What if We Didn't Need Labor Day? He proposed reversing the American media's focus away from the very rich and toward the people who make riches reality.

Labor Day may be a fitting tribute to America's workers. But what about the other 364 days of the year? Despite all the talk about the importance and dignity of working people, they get little power or glory in the everyday world of news media.

What if the situation were reversed?

Once a year, big investors and corporate owners could be honored on Business Day. To celebrate the holiday, politicians might march arm in arm through downtown Manhattan with the likes of Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and Donald Trump. Executives could have the day off while media outlets said some nice things about them.

During the rest of the year, in this inverted scenario, journalists would focus on the real lives of the nation's workforce. Instead of making heroes out of billionaire investors — and instead of reporting on Wall Street as the ultimate center of people's economic lives — the news media would provide extensive coverage of the workplace.

Indeed. Because this perspective exists, the semi-deification of the wealthy, labor issues from the 18th century still plague workers. Conditions have improved - to a point. Most of us enjoy an air conditioned workplace, a workload that can be accomplished with less than 10 hours overtime weekly, modest health and retirement benefits. Lately, though the bias toward tax breaks for the rich, years of incremental decreases in education funding, increases in the cost of health care, and alarming deductions in retirement benefits and employer contributions to health care, herald a shift in thinking favoring the industrial elite. The balance tilts anew.

Ponder, if you will, how current labor policy has helped you raise your family in the last decade. Has it made things easier? Is your economic situation better that that of your father's or grandfather's? If so, you are in the minority.

The underlying reality of all businesses is people. Without the human factor, business is meaningless. People build the goods, people buy the goods. People benefit from the improved lifestyle. People profit through their ideas, their labor, to the extent that is serves other people. To continue the false assumption of our corporate and political elite - that the driving force of business (and our economy) is money - is to continue to dehumanize an institution that is only possible through continued collaboration between humans. Without people, what's the point? Without a healthy, happy labor force, is any commodity possible?

Try as I might, I can’t get excited about Independence Day anymore. While I enjoy fireworks as much as anyone, I cannot buy into wrapping myself in stars-and-stripes, as so many will this week.

Label me unpatriotic. You’re probably right; I’ve never been one to toot the horn of nationalism. I’m less inclined these days. Patriotism, nationalism, the whole concept that America has all the answers and the world should just shut up and follow our lead, is arrogant. It is quintessential Ugly-American-ism, and it’s foolish. There are a lot of good ideas emanating from outside our borders that, if adopted, could make American life – dare I say – richer.

It used to be that America was the place to where the best-and-brightest of Europeans came to follow their intellectual dreams. We used to welcome them because we knew they would make us stronger. As a nation of immigrants, we understood them. Now, we shun the incoming hoards. Most are no longer from Europe, like our forefathers, and we and our newcomers have a harder time assimilating. Second- and third-generation Americans are rude to them, and they in turn recoil from our haughtiness, our sense of superiority. Is it any wonder that they send their money, their intellectual assets, and their loyalties back home?

Yes – America does have much to offer the immigrant, and many stay here. But our attitude of superiority is perhaps over-inflated, a bit over-the-top. America, and Americans could use a little humbling. To continue to act as if the old U S of A is somehow superior to the rest of humanity is outrageous. Is it any wonder the rest of the world scoffs at our hubris? We’re being childish.

While I’m happy to live in America, who’s to say I wouldn’t be happy to live someplace else? Rabid patriots would counter with examples of non-democratic, arguably backward nations in which I could have been born. But culture is learned; if your parents are okay with less of what we view as personal freedom, most likely you would adopt the same views. After all, one cannot lose what one never had. The Iraqis don’t seem to want our values, for example.

So on this Fourth of July, why don’t we remember our modest roots, dispense with the attitude, and relax. America has a lot to offer; it’s a great place to live. Remember, too, we are not the World’s Best at Everything. No nation can claim such a ridiculous title. True greatness lies in the acceptance of what we haven’t yet achieved. To be truly outstanding, we should understand how we can better ourselves and our place in global society. We’ve got things to offer, we’ve got things to learn – as everyone else does. If our nation can adopt a reserved stance with respect to other nations and peoples, then perhaps we could earn back the greatness we once owned.

Then we can take the Blues from the Red-White-and-Blue.

As I perused the news this week I experienced an epiphany. Our daily coverage of news from Iraq, in all its ubiquity, has never hit upon the truth. Now it has finally dawned on me, despite our cultural differences, what the Iraqi people are doing. I must say: hats off to the Iraqi citizenry. Let me be the first to thank them wholeheartedly for embracing Democracy so thoroughly.

As I read the news today I hear in the background the pops and bangs of fireworks as my neighbors share the sounds of their Independence Day frivolity. That's when it hit me: The Iraqis have been celebrating their new-found Democracy in the same way!

True - their fireworks are larger than ours. That just shows their unbridled enthusiasm for their new government. The fact that Iraqi bottle-rockets and M-80's are home-made probably stems from a lack of an established pyrotechnics industry, a deficit being rapidly corrected. That people are often hurt is an unfortunate effect of both their having no approved safeguards in effect - there are probably no firemen present during displays - and intense exhilaration regarding their recent liberation. The newness works against them here, too. Finally, their attenuated revelry can be attributed to the natural confusion brought on by the sheer number of fledgling governments they've had in the last few years. Nobody seems to know when exactly their Independence Day happened.

And who can blame them?

As you sit around the grill, beer in hand, watching the neighbor kids play with fireworks and thinking just how great our great nation is, think on those many Americans who have neither beer of barbecue this weekend.

America’s Second Harvest - the Nation’s Food Bank Network, the nation’s largest network of emergency food providers, has provided a Hunger in America study, based on in-person interviews with over 52,000 clients and on questionnaires from over 31,000 agencies. The gathered information provides insight into a silent epidemic of poverty and starvation within the richest nation in the world. think on that as you bite into that second bratwurst this Tuesday. Then go online and donate to other Americans who are down on their luck. Feel good about yourself.

Then expand that thinking to those in other countries whom are having trouble feeding their children. One of the best-kept secrets on the Internet is the Hunger Site, celebrating their seventh year, providing a free way for netizens to give to a diverse collection of worthy causes, from Hunger and Children’s Health, to Breast Cancer research, to Animal and Rainforest funds. Each charity cause has it’s own network of donors, and its own collection of unique goods to purchase to further aid the collection of proceeds. Click everyday on each site, and look for things for those dearest to you. Know you’ll benefit humanity as you do.

To my mind, participation in truly Democratic efforts like these is what makes our country great. To share our wealth with each other and with needy families worldwide is the best way to show the world just how Great America still is. Please, take the time to visit these and many more charitable organizations. Pick your favorites and donate the price of a good meal or more, if you can. Then, sit back and watch the fireworks knowing you helped sustain this great nation of ours.

We fathers have a woman to thank for this day - no different than any other day.

A recent addition to our history, Fathers Day began in 1909, in Spokane, Washington, as Sonora Smart Dodd thought of a day to honor her father William Jackson Smart, a civil war veteran widowed during the birth of his sixth child. He raised them all on the family farm. As a result of Sonora’s efforts, the first Fathers Day was held in Spokane in June, 1910, the month of Mr. Smart’s birth.

In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge supported a proposal for a national Fathers Day dads waited until recently the day became a holiday. During the same decade, Harry C. Meek, president of the Lions Club in Chicago, gave several speeches around the United States expressing the need for a day to honor our fathers. In 1920 the Lions Clubs of America presented him with a gold watch, with the inscription “Originator of Fathers’ Day”. Later, by some accounts, President Lyndon Johnson made the third Sunday in June, 1966 the official observance; other accounts site the induction of Fathers Day in 1972 by President Richard Nixon.

Somewhere between 57 and 63 years in the making, Fathers Day is a recent tradition. Enjoy it! As mothers rightfully get much of the credit for child rearing, the man who quietly supports his woman in that most important endeavor should be acknowledged. In many ways, his job is equally challenging. As is said: Any man can be a father; it takes a special man to be a dad.

As for me, I get to support my daughter in her tenth annual marathon Dance Recital Weekend. Fathers Day weekend, for me, is a chance to ogle sexy, young women shaking their midsections at me in real time - for two days. And this is not just socially acceptable in this context, but sanctioned by my wife! What red-blooded American dad would complain about that? I have a woman to thank for my holiday tradition, too.

It seems we’re supposed to get teary-eyed and maudlin over the Memorial Day holiday. Good Americans are to trot out their dusty flags and their threadbare national pride for display. We’ll open our Sunday papers to read OpEds about how free we are and how this directly relates to our fallen soldiers, and - most importantly – how we plebeians should be grateful for the generations of American warriors we’ve bred. In honor of the fallen, we expect to express our gratefulness by shopping, dirtying up our GrillMasters, guzzling bear and watching baseball – all in the sacred name of America.

Let us not forget this weekend that doing so is a right, a freedom. Our neighbors will expect us to act a certain way, say certain things, not to do so risks ostracism or worse. They might sell our phone number to the NSA. Therefore smile and nod to the fellow at his barbecue beyond your fence line, raise your Budweiser to the great red, white and blue and try to forget how this expression of freedom is tainted by enforcement.

Perhaps this is not the time to tear up this page with a rant about the underlying cultural assumptions pertaining to this holiday. I do wish you a restful weekend, so I refrain. Perhaps another day will suffice. Instead, partly because I’m lazy and wish to play a bit myself, I will re-post last years Memorial Day poem as a placeholder for my ranting. No sense not kicking the dead dog, he won’t mind….

Have a safe holiday.

In Memorandum
————————–

Give homage to our precious dead,
All those who do remain.
For policy and rhetoric,
For senseless death, in vain.
For principles and politics,
We send our young to die.
A grieving mother’s tear-stained face,
So plainly wonders why.

Send tribute to our newly lost,
Our love, it cannot die.
Kneel beside their fresh-turned graves,
Beneath the perfect sky.
Question all that brings such pain,
That God and Man forfend.
And send a prayer into the void,
Such folly soon will end.

Pay respects to Ideologues,
Who send your youth to die.
Why kiss the Ring of Priviledge,
To kiss their souls goodbye?
The Evil that is on this Earth,
Resides in any man,
Who sends our young to die for him,
As if that is God’s plan.

To die in the name of Freedom,
Is viewed as lofty praise.
Is politics superior
To the children that we raise?
At what point will we look about,
To see what is insane:
To kill in the name of Freedom,
Devalues what is gained.