“All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”         Edmund Burke



I woke this morning to the news that violence against Muslims has again increased across the country.  In New York City a hard working cab driver was attacked and is now in hospital with multiple stab wounds about his neck and face.  His attacker is proud of himself.

And so congratulations must be offered to those who profess loudest their great patriotism; those who claim to be proud of the freedom, justice and democracy we enjoy while attempting to deny it to certain others; to those who claim they are upholding the constitution all the while ignoring the very foundation of our democracy and ignoring the law. Congratulations, you have shown the world the worst and perhaps, sadly, our true selves – you have confirmed the accusations made against us with your hateful, shortsighted and cowardly actions and are making us less safe.

Maybe this is indeed who we are, for there should be a deafening chorus of reasoned and educated voices muffling the croaking of the ill-informed, radical minority perpetrating these hate crimes and stirring up fear. But Michael Bloomberg notwithstanding, the reasoned voices are few. A robust cry of outrage should be coming from every citizen as well as from every official in every state capitol and in Washington. Our voices should be raised loud, often and with heads held high for in protecting others rights we espouse true democracy and that is the true patriotism. Elected officials need to expose, disavow and rightfully shame the intolerant, vindictive political celebrities who are irresponsibly and intentionally exploiting the fears of some Americans for self-aggrandizement with their anti-American and fear mongering rhetoric.  To be silent among this malice is to condone it as a legitimate path of argument and behavior.

The America that I thought I knew, that I grew up believing in, is not the one I see reflected on the morning news. I see a country in which young men are beaten to death because of sexual orientation, doctors who perform legal procedures are shot and where the color of your skin or the religion you follow or none targets you for violence. I see citizens advocating for arbitrary application of the rule of law.   

In the America that I believe can exist, people of all walks of life band together, particularly in a crisis or over sensitive issues. In the ideal America that we aspire to, and that certainly our founders aspired to, we allow ourselves to feel but not act on fear, uncertainty and discomfort. We help each other through it with respectful dialog and respect for each others’ rights and freedoms. In that America we do not brandish placards with hateful words aimed at the innocent. Instead, we say to our enemies: “you will not take our commitment to democracy, our freedom and our respect for each individual to live his or her life in safety and in a manner of his or her choosing regardless of his or her race, religion or orientation. We will not punish the innocent many for the acts of an intolerant few with our own intolerance. We will not veer from our founding ideals and we will not be brought to bend to your level of hate and cowardice.” 

The America I grew up believing in would have a very different response to the proposed Islamic Cultural Center and to Muslim Americans. That America would, at least figuratively, put a mosque at one cornerstone of ‘ground zero’ and a synagogue, temple and ashram on each of the other three, respectively. In other words, a finger in the eye of those that would threaten, terrorize or mock us. That America would celebrate and respect diversity and uphold freedom equally.

Those of us who have not succumbed to fear and hate are the majority.  We embrace the opportunity to extend to others the same freedom we enjoy.  We believe in the vision of America put forth by our founders.  It’s our responsibility to defend that vision and stand with those individuals who are the scapegoats of fear. It’s time to over-shout the voices that would destroy our democracy.
 ©2010 Dawn Murphy

 
 
     Today I'll join other citizens concerned about the usurping of our rights and the democratic process by corporations in the delivery of boycott intent letter to Target stores.

     The Citizens United decision to allow unlimited corportate spending in elections jeopardizes our democracy. Individuals from both sides of the aisle are uniting behind a movement to stop the purchase of elections and overturn, via ammendment, the flawed decision. Corporations are not persons. They do not have the same rights or the same interests as I. When corporations - concerned only with profit and not the welfare of the people or the state - are allowed to 'buy' government, we've lost democracy and entered into fascism, which by definition aims to structure a state and the government of the state according to a corporate worldview. A democratic government is not a for profit business; it does not dismiss individualism or allow individual voices to be silenced and individual rights usurped.
     For those who are fond of saying they love America and think themselves patriotic, I say now is the time to walk the talk. This is the issue to get behind before the democracy you love is gone.
 
 
Following is a suggested playlist for Earth Day

One World                                                  Sting
Big Yellow Taxi                                          Joni Mitchell
I Need to Wake Up                                    Melissa Etheridge
One Sweet World                                       Dave Matthews
3 R's                                                             Jack Johnson
What a Wonderful World                          Tony Bennett & K.D. Lang
Mercy, Mercy Me                                         Marvin Gaye
It's About Time                                           John Denver
Out in the Country                                      Three Dog Night
Imagine                                                       John Lennon
Saltwater                                                     Julian Lennon
Calypso                                                       John Denver
Where do the Children Play                    Cat Stevens
Earth Song                                                  Michael Jackson
Whose Garden Was This                        Tom Paxton
 
 
New Audio Book Excerpt Available

Listen to a preview of World of Women: What Women Must Do and Be Now, read by the author, Dawn Murphy on PeaceDovePress.com

Click here to listen now: http://www.peacedovepress.com/world-of-women-audio-excerpt.html

Building on the themes in her first book, Separate No More: Inviting Peace, Embracing Diversity & Creating a Positive Future, Murphy speaks candidly and specifically to women of all ages in this second installment intended to help readers recognize and use their unique talents for the greater good.

PeaceDove Press appreciates your interest and welcomes your feedback.  Please post a comment on the site, send an email or post a comment to the blog and let us know what you think.

In Peace and Optimism,

The PeaceDove Staff

 PeaceDove Press is committed to the promotion of peace, justice and, sustainability. PDP publishes work that embraces diversity, respects all humans, animals and the planet and celebrates the beauty and wisdom of nature.

 

 
 
New Year 01/01/2009
 

Happy New Year!

It’s the first day of the New Year and many of us are beginning to act upon or are formulating a resolution. These often take a negative form (something we vow not to do any longer, like smoking) or seem more like an imposed punishment (something we feel pressured to do, like more time on the treadmill).  I’d like to suggest a different approach.

Sit quietly and alone.  Let your mind wander into the land of day dreams. In dreams, we are the person we want to be.  We’re engaged in activities we love, there are no obstacles and we achieve our hearts desire. Take note of where your mind goes when you dream.  You’re probably not counting calories or reorganizing the garage.  It’s likely you envision yourself following your passion, spending more time with loved ones, engaging with your community and simply doing things you enjoy.

As another year begins we are reminded how quickly time marches.  Don’t let another year go by only doing the things you ‘should’ do; focused on the things you ‘shouldn’t do’.  Instead, take the first step to being the person of your dreams and living instead of only doing. Break a few rules, play longer with the dog, learn how to ice skate, dust off that guitar. I guarantee doing the things that mean the most to you will result in a healthier you.  Time spent following your passion or at least an enjoyable pursuit is time and energy you won’t spend on the things you feel you ‘shouldn’t’ do. If you’re completely engaged in the enjoyment of planting a garden, for example, then you’re not lying on the sofa devouring a bag of cookies.  Doing what you love is an excellent investment for you and for everyone around you. It moves your focus from what you don’t want to the things and feelings you want to increase. It makes you a happier and more interesting person.  So before you begin the year with a sentence of activities of no genuine interest, step back and get in touch with the things you really want to do and how you really want to feel. Resolve this year to live life as you’ve dreamt it.

Good health and happiness to all!