Right to Life

Abortion is a big topic these days -- with the nomination of Alito for the Bench. The right-wing prepares for celebration, the moderate conservatives wonder what the party will use as its rallying cry once Roe v. Wade is overturned, and the leftists brace for a fight.

What is most striking to me however, is the hypocrisy of the parties involved - particulary the "right to life" group. No one in clear mind supports abortion or advocates it, and I admire the heart of people who believe that we should protect life. I myself, while in favor of limiting abortion only through dialogue and education, share this view. But it strikes me as odd that many people in support of overturning Roe v. Wade, also are in support of capital punishment. Shouldn't we also condemn the killing of an adult human being by a modern, civilized nation? What about the care for the child once he is born? Doesn't every child have the right to reasonable health care, nutritious food, and an equal education? Should we not support public programing and arts that enrich the lives of children? Why would we rather have children move from foster home to foster home, rather than be adopted by a loving homosexual couple that would love and provide for the child?

I agree that we should all support a child's "right to life." However, we should also be prepared to take care of our children when they are born. Universal health care for all under 18 years of age, an education that provides funding based on the number of students and not the zip code, and a food stamp and school lunch program that allows children to recieve foods that nourish them should be part of the "right to life" plan.

People love to say "children are the future." Let's come together has human beings and care for them from conception onwards with compassion, and not for trivial political gain.

Revolutionaries

Today, I feel its appropriate to remember the the Declaration of Independence:

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. —Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain [George III] is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.
…
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Wishing all well on this Independence Day…

Live 8

The Live 8 concerts were phenomenal in many respects. The number of people it reached through television, satellite radio, web casts, mobile phone casts, etc was incredible. Nowhere are the advances of technology more apparent than when comparing Live 8 with Live Aid of the 80’s. Live Aid never reached the mass audiences the way Live 8 did. AOL had a record number of simultaneous web casts (75 million). Organizers estimate 2 BILLION tuned in watch or listen to the event. Live 8 was NOT a fundraiser. The artists performed for free, tickets were free, and the broadcasting was free. The goal was to create worldwide awareness and pressure the G8 summit to produce results that tackle world poverty.

The concerts themselves were much better than expected. Sting’s “Message in a Bottle”, U2 singing with Paul McCartney, the reunion of Pink Floyd, and the Marley kids singing “Get Up, Stand Up” with the Black Eyed Peas were some of the highlights. Other particularly great performances included Sarah McLachlan, Muse, Bon Jovi, Alicia Keys, Green Day, Jet, and Stevie Wonder. Even Will Smith’s “Summertime” was fantastic. Perhaps most impressive was one of my least favorite artists – Maria Carey. After singing her first song, she began speaking and introduced her guests for her next song, the African Children’s Choir. She was experiencing severe shortness of breath after her last performance and could barely speak. However, only moments later, she went into a beautiful rendition with the choir of “Hero.” Her range is stunning...

The problem with the event however is two-fold – the simplistic recommendations to the G8, and the irony of millionaires talking about poverty. While standing up for a cause is a noble gesture, perhaps having the “Material Girl” telling people to solve poverty was ironic if not plain hypocritical.

The recommendations of the Live 8 group to the G8 are to solve poverty through trade justice, increased aid, and the 100% extinguishment of debt to poor (African) countries. There are a few problems with this. First, a 100% extinguishment of debt could significantly impact world banks and economies. Secondly, increasing aid will NOT solve the problem. Africa has received enough aid from the world for three or four Marshal Plans. Most of the aid money to Africa never makes it to those in need. The money is squandered through ill advised spending and stolen by corrupt leaders. The problem in Africa is inadequate leadership. Extinguishing debt and increasing aid will legitimize the current governments and slow the revolutionary changes needed.

Still, the Live 8 concerts did what may be most important – they created a forum for discussion and brought worldwide awareness to the cause. Starvation, AIDS, and other diseases (such as Malaria) are enormous problems in Africa. It is the duty of the modern world to help the people in need. The G8 leaders should make it their number one priority.

Finally, perhaps the greatest thrill was getting to hear Nelson Mandela:

"Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity; it is an act of justice. It is a protection of a fundamental human right. History and the generations to come will judge our leaders by the decisions they make in the coming weeks. I say to all those leaders, do not look the other way. Do not hesitate. We ask our leaders to demonstrate commitment, not engage in hollow promises. It is within your power to avoid a genocide of humanity. Sometimes it falls upon on a generation to be great. You be that great generation."

Symbolism of the Lotus Flower

White lotus
This symbolizes Bodhi, the state of total mental purity and spiritual perfection, and the pacification of our nature. It generally has eight petals corresponding to the Noble Eightfold Path of the Good Law.

Red lotus
This symbolizes the original nature of the heart (hrdaya). It is the lotus of love, compassion, passion, activity and all the qualities of the heart.

Blue lotus
This is the symbol of the victory of the spirit over the senses, of intelligence and wisdom, of knowledge. It is always represented as a partially opened bud, and (unlike the red lotus) its centre is never seen.

Pink lotus
This is the supreme lotus, generally reserved for the highest deity, sometimes confused with the white lotus it is the lotus of the historical Buddha.