Islamic Cultural Center 08/26/2010
“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 Target Protest Citizens United 08/06/2010
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. Songs for Earth Day 04/20/2010
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 Audio Book Excerpt World of Women 08/19/2009
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! |
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