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Saturday, February 26, 2005 Answers To Bette Bette, Many subjects - short answers > Aloha Michael: > > I'm not sure you'll receive this as we're having a dreadful time with our > verizon e-mail as are a number of people on Kauai!!! > Mahalo for sending your blog, it's impressive, there's so much information it > will take time to absorb all of it. > However, here are a few comments. I'm interested on how "spirituality" is > defined, and I'm not sure I understand "not preaching religion, but pleading > spirituality?" For me the Christ is always there, like the sun, even though > it's behind clouds I know it's there, or like a drop of water that is one with > the ocean. From this infinite source all human needs can be met if one taps > into it. It's always there. To me spirituality is recognizing that there is a 'force' for belief in ethical life. Now the problem is how one decides what is ethical. Religion is supposed to do that. Unforunately most organized religions have been opted or taken over by political forces to dominate others. >globalization is here to stay, however, I > dislike the idea of global socialization. The positive side of globalization was to free markets so that world supplies would come from sources which would help developing countries while at the same time lower the prices to consumers. Agricultural products are prime examples ex. cotton and sugar. It has not always, in fact mostly, worked that way as powerful lobbies have had the politicians in their thrall. >As for foreign aid, I have some > grave concerns as to where the money goes. For example, Indonesia is a > country I love and where we've wandered about, when doing so I witness women > doing laundry and the dishes in the river and streams all over the country, > which made me wonder where US aid goes, and I've decided it doesn't get by > the front desk. You are right on, most aid lines the pockets of the local rulers. Our system of aid has been for years tied to influence and domination of the recipients. Another example is aid given to countries with powerful lobbies in the US. For instance the former is Egypt and the latter Israel. America has had a shameful record in comparison to most countries. Our share of GDP which goes to aid is one of the lowest in the world. Except for items supplied by the MIC's (Military Industrial Complex). >Basically I'm a positive thinker and tend to put my energies > into solutions that work for the betterment of all. Keep it up - much needed > Have you read "I Dreamed of Africa?" No, I am a multiple reader, currently "The End of Faith', "America's Right Turn", "God's Politics" > A hui hou, Bette Irie, Michael Thursday, February 10, 2005 Render unto Caesar... ...What is Caesar's and render unto God what is God's. Recently we have had a plethora of mentions that America was founded by people escaping religious persecution. For this reason we are told our country is the most religious country in the world. It is interesting that economic reasons, those of better opportunity, are rarely given equal credit. Our founders clearly established the separation of church and state. Presumably they were concerned about the possibility of religious bodies becoming controlling factors in government. This did not mean they lacked a respect or even a love of God. Our forefathers were spiritual people. They simply felt that politics and religion should not be joined. We are now witnessing the rise of the 'religious right' increasing power in our government. Using fear the present administration has 'put the fear of God' into a coercive force to influence political events and policies. The term 'moral values' has been co-opted by fundamentalists to serve their extreme points of view. This has entered domestic and even foreign policy. In many ways ignoring the existence of other religious philosophies. It is important that we realize that we are one part of a small world. A world rapidly shrinking in size. A world increasingly interactive which desperately needs compassion. Such hubris on our part can only lead to our own peril. Michael Butler Wednesday, February 02, 2005 More On Merchants of Death Bette from Hawaii reponded to the armaments article, 'I find the military industrial complex a challenge. Oklahoma City, Tucson and here (some of the places I lived) have big military bases. Any time anyone hinted at closing or downsizing there was an horrendous response. Obviously these bases contribute enormously to the economy of each community. Here I think the Pacific Missile Randy Facility is the second largest employer on the island. There are only about 80 Navy stationed here, but about 800 go to work on base every day (private contractors) not to mention all the consultants etc. that stay at hotels, etc. I think military props up the economy! But selling and dealing in arms seems to be a big part of the economy of a number of other nations?' Those community responses are very real. As usual the politicians are able to use fear to stimulate these reaction. We have such a short term approach to most of our problems. We also have the same short term attitude about earnings. This timing approach creates all sorts of problems. The long term approach of building sound entities is no longer fashionable. So let us approach the bases closings on a long term plan. We have many projects which will take time. Just consider the critical drive for a replacement of oil. That is going to take time. The politicians could create a long term plan, for example 10 years to phase out the bases. We don't need the short term. Remember the Savings and Loan debacle. The situation was created by new laws relaxing of regulation. When it got out control Congress took a knee jerk, short term reaction. This made the situation worse. The armament business is major in many countries. The USA is by far the largest world supplier. Selling so much armaments to hot areas with military cliques who would rather have the hardware, and in many cases the bribes, than give the people better infrastructure or oppurtunities. Carpe Diem Michael |
ARTICLES
OF NOTE
Remarks for Friends of Conservation Probably Our Major Problem Today All In The Name You Give It We All Have The Same Problems Questions About HAIR Fury, Rage, Sadness, Embarrassed, Ashamed Answers for Simon "But I Can't Make A Difference" "God said it. I believe it. That settles it" ARCHIVES December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005
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Monday, February 21, 2005
Come Back Jesus
The other night I was driving in a hurry to a show. I turned on the radio, found nothing of interest on NPR so I hit on my disc player magazine. Suddenly I heard "Jesus, We Need You". As I was feeling no pain this really turned me on. It was Alpha Blondy on his album, "Live Au Zenith".
You may know I am a reggae fan. I knew and loved Bob Marley. I produced "Reggae On Broadway" and am working on a new version of that show. I got stoned with Toots in a Rastafarian church, admired Jimmy Cliff, worked with Max Romeo. I believe that reggae music then and now has more to say than any other form of music. I respect the Rastafarian religion as a succor for so many humans.
Alpha Blondy is from Africa, Cote d'Ivoire. He performs usually in Europe, mostly in Paris where this album was recorded. He is one of the great reggae singers, one of the best currently doing concerts and albums.
Alpha Blondy is seeking Compassion, Peace, Love, he says War is terrible. Referring to Jesus - "We Need You". Poverty, Education, opportunity, Freedom - "Lead Us".
He is not preaching religion. He is pleading spirituality. He is appealing to Jesus - who no matter in what religion is a great spiritual symbol. He is asking for help as are the majority of humans on our planet.
May we have a Messiah whose influence will make this world a better place.
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