Sunday, May 16, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
darlene coffman on lerner's criticisims of hedges
"Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are."
- St. Augustine of Hippo
I found myself becoming more and more angry as I read Lerner's criticism of Hedges. I think Hedges models perfectly what Augustine called hope's two lovely daughters--anger and courage. In fact, Chris Hedges's courage as a writer is more apparent than his anger. He is willing to stretch the acceptable discourse among "sophisticated" progressives by speaking his own truth boldly--at the risk of being labeled "too negative, too depressing." Lerner may be the psychotherapist but it is Hedges who has the greater claim to truth. Just notice the response from Hedges' readers. His writings typically draw 5 - 6 times the number of positive comments as other writers. (390 comments, mostly positive, to this article.) Lerner says Hedges should speak from a spirit of more compassion. It takes a lot of compassion to express the outrage Hedges has over the needless human suffering that Obama and the Democrats have not only been complicit in but have initiated this past year.
I have even less respect for Lerner's defense of Israel's behavior, claiming that the 'apartheid' label is not justified. In the next line he contradicts himself as he acknowledges that 'apartheid' accurately describes the treatment of the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
I don't know in what shape and from exactly what direction the alternative party will come, but I personally think we must shake ourselves free from the Democratic fetters and get involved in building it. “Progressive Democrats” won’t work. There would just a lot of infighting. --a waste of energy. If progressives don't strike out on a new path, other movements will fill the vacuum. People can't live with the level of corruption, betrayal, and deception that has gripped us. It will probably be messy and take a long time, so we should waste no time and get on with it. It would give us hope!
- St. Augustine of Hippo
I found myself becoming more and more angry as I read Lerner's criticism of Hedges. I think Hedges models perfectly what Augustine called hope's two lovely daughters--anger and courage. In fact, Chris Hedges's courage as a writer is more apparent than his anger. He is willing to stretch the acceptable discourse among "sophisticated" progressives by speaking his own truth boldly--at the risk of being labeled "too negative, too depressing." Lerner may be the psychotherapist but it is Hedges who has the greater claim to truth. Just notice the response from Hedges' readers. His writings typically draw 5 - 6 times the number of positive comments as other writers. (390 comments, mostly positive, to this article.) Lerner says Hedges should speak from a spirit of more compassion. It takes a lot of compassion to express the outrage Hedges has over the needless human suffering that Obama and the Democrats have not only been complicit in but have initiated this past year.
I have even less respect for Lerner's defense of Israel's behavior, claiming that the 'apartheid' label is not justified. In the next line he contradicts himself as he acknowledges that 'apartheid' accurately describes the treatment of the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
I don't know in what shape and from exactly what direction the alternative party will come, but I personally think we must shake ourselves free from the Democratic fetters and get involved in building it. “Progressive Democrats” won’t work. There would just a lot of infighting. --a waste of energy. If progressives don't strike out on a new path, other movements will fill the vacuum. People can't live with the level of corruption, betrayal, and deception that has gripped us. It will probably be messy and take a long time, so we should waste no time and get on with it. It would give us hope!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
"If you want peace, work for justice." [Pope Paul VI] I have always been fascinated by this statement. Does it always work? How about in the health care debate? How about in the illegal immigration debate? How about in the debate over the role of women in the Catholic church? What about in the narcotics war on the Texas/Mexico border? What about in the debate over subsidies to agriculture? What about the Israel/Palestine debate? Where has it indeed worked?
As a bumper sticker, it has helped peace in our family. My wife has agreed to that one bumper sticker for her car. She will attach none of mine. But her one bumper sticker is peace for us. Let's adopt a new quote: "Justice is a Bumper Sticker." And stick to it.
As a bumper sticker, it has helped peace in our family. My wife has agreed to that one bumper sticker for her car. She will attach none of mine. But her one bumper sticker is peace for us. Let's adopt a new quote: "Justice is a Bumper Sticker." And stick to it.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Washington looking for Israeli sign of commitment to peace
PJ Crowley, a US State Department spokesperson, tells Al Jazeera that the US has "outlined some concerns to the Israelis" and is waiting for a response from the Israelis to see "what level of commitment Israel has to move forward" on Middle East talks.
But both Israelis and Palestinians have the responsibility to take actions to help and not hinder the process, he says. (Mar 17, 2010)
But both Israelis and Palestinians have the responsibility to take actions to help and not hinder the process, he says. (Mar 17, 2010)
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