Humans and the so-called lower animals
A few quotes about our relationship with the other animals of the world from the Sunbeams section of the November issue of The Sun Magazine.
It is an important and popular fact that things are not always what they seem. For instance, on the planet Earth, man had always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much - the wheel, New York, wars and so on - whilst all the dolphins had ever done was muck about
in the water having a good time. But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man - for precisely the same reasons.
The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for white, or women for men.
—Alice Walker
If one person is unkind to an animal it is considered to be cruelty, but where a lot of people are unkind to animals, especially in the name of commerce, the cruelty is condoned and, once large sums of money are at stake, will be defended to the last by otherwise intelligent people.
–Ruth Harrison
As often as Herman had witnessed the slaughter of animals and fish, he always had the same thought: in their behavior toward creatures, all men were Nazis.
—Isaac Bashevis Singer
If you’re not familiar with The Sun, check it out. Personal, political, provocative and ad-free. Plus it’s published right here in North Carolina, Chapel Hill to be exact.
Saturday, October 27th, 2007The Ellington–Downtown development at its worst
I’m not sure how three of our Asheville City Council members will be able to continue calling themselves “progressives” after voting to approve the construction of The Ellington, a 23-story luxury condominium and resort hotel in the midst of our downtown. This
project is totally out of scale, will wreak havoc on traffic on Biltmore Avenue and is designed to serve the privileged rather than the citizens as a whole, as progressives are pledged to do.
Below is my instaletter that I e-mailed to the Asheville Citizen-Times on this topic today. I only sent the first paragraph since the word limit is 50.
A 23-story luxury hotel in downtown Asheville? Sure, why not? In fact, let’s build four or five more close by, get the Billy Graham theme park to move to our city center, put a fence around the entire area, and charge $50 admission to get in.
Increase the tax base, pad the developers’ pockets, rid the downtown of undesirables and create the soothing, homogeneous environment that wealthy tourists crave. What more could you ask for?
One of the things that attracted me to this city ten years ago was the lively, diverse, amiable and human-scale downtown. I thought the Grove Arcade project was an excellent example of development that fit for Asheville–using an existing building that already had a great deal of character to create quality living quarters, offices and shops. There are still plenty of those buildings around for use in this manner but Mammon calls, and I guess there will always be those who heed that siren song over all else.
The Ellington could be the first step toward the gentrification of our city center, turning it into a playground for the elite. And yet I have an inkling that this monstrosity may not yet see the light of day. Just a peak oil hunch.
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We have always known that heedless self-interest was bad morals. We know now that it is bad economics.
–President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Thursday, October 18th, 2007Discontent deepens in U.S. Time for 3rd party?
I’ve been astonished by the lack of leadership from both political parties in D.C. as well as their refusal to listen to the folks who sent them there. People across the U.S. make it clear they want the war in Iraq to end, yet Congress keeps approving additional billions for a disastrous cause. We’re all aware that the disease care system is in shambles, and they can’t even pass a bill to provide healthcare for some additional kids in need. They can censure MoveOn.org, but they can’t pass a bill that has any real meaning for you and me.
So my thoughts have turned to a third political party lately. And evidently I’m not the only one.
66 percent of Americans believe the nation is headed in the wrong direction (from John Whitesides, political correspondent at Reuters on October 17)
Deepening unhappiness with President George W. Bush and the U.S. Congress soured the mood of Americans and sent Bush’s approval rating to another record low this month, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.
The Reuters/Zogby Index, which measures the mood of the country, also fell from 98.8 to 96 — the second consecutive month it has dropped. The number of Americans who believe the country is on the wrong track jumped four points to 66 percent.
Bush’s job approval rating fell to 24 percent from last month’s record low for a Zogby poll of 29 percent. A paltry 11 percent gave Congress a positive grade, tying last month’s record low.
“There is a real question among Americans now about how relevant this government is to them,” pollster John Zogby said. “They tell us they want action on health care, education, the war and immigration, but they don’t believe they are going to get it.”
57 percent of Americans now believe a third party is needed (from Angus Reid Global Monitor on September 30)
Many adults in the United States think their federal political spectrum requires a new choice, according to a poll by Gallup released by USA Today. 57 per cent of respondents believe a third major party is needed, while 39 per cent think the Republican and Democratic parties do an adequate job of representing the American people.
I lack enthusiasm for all of the current presidential candidates. Admittedly Obama would suit me better than Rudy, but none of these folks have yet displayed the boldness, authenticity, personal power and courage that it will take to take care of business in Washington, D.C. and inspire the people of this nation to do what’s necessary to create a more just, compassionate and sustainable society.
Update: Faux political pundit Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central fame is in the low single digits (10-12%) as a third-party candidate when pitted against likely Republican and Democratic nominees in the 2008 presidential race. In addition, the Facebook group “1,000,000 Strong For Stephen T Colbert” is the fastest growing group in the site’s history, surpassing one million members on October 26, less than ten days after its creation. If this trend continues, Colbert could take the lead in the presidential race by the end of the year.
Thursday, October 18th, 2007Congratulations, Al Gore! Now please run for president.
As you likely know, Vice President Al Gore is the co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, a well-deserved honor. As you may also know, there is a groundswell of activity from folks who want him to join the race for president. Below is a repost of a piece I wrote earlier this year and which I sent to Vice President Gore yesterday.
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Times like these call for a president like Al Gore
February 24, 2007
OK, let me handle this up front. After having supported Al Gore, Jr. for Vice President twice as well as in his campaigns for the House and Senate in Tennessee, I voted for Ralph Nader in the presidential election of 2000. Like a number of my friends, I was fed up with business as usual in Washington and, frankly, didn’t see a lot of difference between Gore and Bush. In my mind they were both privileged sons of politicians who believed it was their divine right to ascend to the presidency.
Bush’s weaknesses exposed, Gore’s leadership demonstrated
After six years, my views regarding Al Gore and George W. Bush have changed dramatically. I see Bush as a prime example of the Peter Principle, a man who has risen several levels beyond his competency from his ideal job as glad hander for the Texas Rangers
baseball team. I see someone who absolutely refuses to respond to the wake up calls that life sends his way, someone, in fact, who hunkers down and digs his heels in even deeper when reality smacks him in the face. I see an immature man with limited intellectual and emotional capacity who seeks to hide his insecurities by donning a mask of exaggerated masculinity and machismo. I see a weak leader who tries to frighten politicians and the populace into submission. I see someone who doesn’t understand the basic precepts of democracy and what this nation, at its best, stands for. I see a president who, given the opportunity, would move our nation toward authoritarianism. I see a man who is a great danger not only to himself but to all the rest of us as well.
On the other hand, I see Al Gore as a man who has gone through his dark night of the soul. He was on the path his father Al Gore, Sr., a Tennessee senator and presidential aspirant in the 1950s, had envisioned for his son early on. And things progressed in an orderly fashion for Al, Jr.—Representative from Tennessee’s Fourth District, Senator, Vice President. And he actually won the popular vote (and many contend the electoral as well) in 2000 but was denied the presidency by the U.S. Supreme Court.
I know that Al Gore’s detractors have fabricated fantasies about who he is—stiff, pretentious, 
detached, somber, geeky, etc. And many in the mainstream media have reported these fictions as the truth. Was he overhandled and overmanaged during the 2000 election? It certainly would appear so. But through the tribulation of coming so close to the presidency yet falling short, he has emerged a more powerful and compelling man. After failing to achieve what was likely his ultimate vision for himself, and taking some time for reflection, he stepped forward in a leadership role that might prove to be even more important than the presidency. For, as his Academy Award winning documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” has revealed, if we don’t deal with global warming without delay, nothing else is really going to matter. We’ll have traveled so far down the road toward creating our own extinction that who holds elective office may be the least of our concerns.
Al Gore and the Climate Project training
In early January, I had the opportunity to spend some time with Al Gore in Nashville at a Climate Project training where volunteers from around the nation and beyond learned to present the slide show on which “An Inconvenient Truth” was based. Gore spent one entire day with us going over each slide one at a time, then joined us for dinner that night. It was clear to me that I was in the presence of a man of genuine authenticity, impressive intellect and profound passion as well as a willingness to take himself lightly.
At the end of our three-day training, Gore was due to make the closing remarks. But before he entered, the video of his recent hilarious appearance on Saturday Night Live was played. A brief excerpt:
Announcer: And now, a message from the President of the United States.
President Al Gore: Good evening, my fellow Americans. In 2000 when you overwhelmingly made the decision to elect me as your 43rd president, I knew the road ahead would be difficult. We have accomplished so much yet challenges lie ahead.
In the last six years we have been able to stop global warming. No one could have predicted the negative results of this. Glaciers that once were melting are now on the attack. As you know, these renegade glaciers have already captured parts of upper Michigan and northern Maine, but I assure you: we will not let the glaciers win.
Right now, in the second week of May 2006, we are facing perhaps the worst gas crisis in history. We have way too much gasoline. Gas is down to $0.19 a gallon and the oil companies are hurting. I know that I am partly to blame by insisting that cars run on trash.
I am therefore proposing a federal bailout to our oil companies because–hey if it were the other way around, you know the oil companies would help us.
Through thunderous applause and hearty laughter Gore made his way to the front of the room and graciously acknowledged us for our willingness to be a part of the Climate Project Training. And he gave and inspiring and evocative speech, calling on us to go out into our communities and help awaken folks to the great challenge we are facing.
He continued, speaking of his son who, as a young boy, had wrenched free from his father’s grasp and dashed after a friend into traffic where he was hit by a car and subsequently hovered near death for days. He spoke of how, though his son ultimately fully recovered, this experience had changed his perspective on life, that it was this shift that led him to greater concern for our environment and the planet on which we live. He spoke of the earth as it hovers near a point from which we may not be able to reverse the damage we humans have done. “I know I can’t go back in time,” he almost whispered, “but sometimes I wish I’d held on to my son’s hand more tightly, that I hadn’t let him slip away.” He paused for a moment and continued. “Now our precious planet is slipping from our grasp,” Gore said softly, “and it’s up to all of us to hold on.”
Call on Al Gore to join the 2008 campaign for president
The George W. Bush presidency has been an essential wake up call, an administration so entangled in hubris, arrogance, incompetence and greed that most of us have gained a clear picture of what we absolutely do not want in a president. And now we can develop a clear vision of what we do want in a leader—someone who is authentic, someone who is courageous, someone we trust, someone with intellectual and emotional depth, someone who is responsive, someone who inspires us and, yes, someone with a sense of humor.
Al Gore is that leader. He was right on global warming, he was right on Iraq and he has more experience than any of the other presidential contenders. I urge you to help draft Gore to join the 2008 race for president by signing the petition at draftgore.com. He’s already won the Oscar for “An Inconvenient Truth.” Now visualize him winning the Nobel Peace Prize in December and the presidency next year. Spread the word, and help elect Al Gore again in 2008!
Note: Readers of this post are likely aware of the various statements by Gore in which he declares that he has no intention of running for president in 2008. While I acknowledge these statements, I believe that he would respond to a call from the citizens of this nation. My intention is to hold the vision of an Al Gore presidency from 2009 through 2016 and to do all I can do to help bring that vision into fruition.
Happy birthday, Desmond Tutu
Shonnie and I sent Archbishop Desmond Tutu (a personal hero and namesake of our cat Desmond) an electronic birthday card last week (he turned 75 on October 7). Below is the note we got back from him and our message in response to his.
Dear Friends,
I don’t what I did to deserve all this love and caring; whatever, I enjoy it. Thanks so very much. I’m touched.
God bless you,
arch
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Dear Archbishop Tutu,
Thank you for the acknowledgement of the birthday greeting we sent you. We want you to know that we hold you in high esteem–both for who you are and what you are doing to create a more just, compassionate and sustainable society for all of us.
We were particularly taken with a portion of your inspirational book, God Has a Dream, in which you write about the nightmare of apartheid in South Africa being an example for others. You state that if this seemingly intractable challenge can be overcome, so can challenges in other parts of our world. We truly believe this and work in our own way to deal with the challenges of poverty, racism, hunger and militarism here in the U.S.
There are millions of Americans who understand that the forgiveness, reconciliation and understanding that you put forward provide the path to a world in which we may all live peacefully together. And we believe that through your work and the work of others like you, we will eventually reach that promised land.
We send you our love and respect.
Bruce Mulkey & Shonnie Lavender
Asheville, NC, USA
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Read about the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation, by clicking here. From the foundation’s website:
The Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation is a New York-based non-profit organization. Its mission, in collaboration with the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre and Peace Trust, is to support and promote the creation of a culture of peace throughout the world. In the spirit of our founder, Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and the South African experience, we are dedicated to advancing reconciliation, peace-building, non-violence, conflict resolution and ethical leadership so that all may live in a more peaceable and sustainable world.
God bless you, Archbishop Tutu!
Saturday, October 13th, 2007Cecil Bothwell’s Billy Graham biography due out in November
Local author and investigative reporter Cecil Bothwell has published The Prince of War: Billy Graham’s Crusade for a Wholly Christian Empire. Bothwell’s book, which reveals an unflattering side of Graham not frequently portrayed in the mainstream media, will be released November 16. A number of release events are taking place in the Carolinas, including a reading at Malaprop’s Bookstore and Cafe on November 17 at 7:00 p.m. here in Asheville. For more info about the book and other local events, click here.
To read a review of The Prince of War by William Hughes at Counterpunch, click here.
Monday, October 8th, 2007Serenity now! Focusing on what I want
During my absence from blogging the last half of September, a couple of things have taken place:
- I have completed an initial draft of my next book with the working title Be Happy Now. The draft currently consists of 70+ short readings regarding actions one can take to become more happy.
- I have taken what I’ve written in Be Happy Now to heart. Sometimes you teach what you most need to learn. I can’t say I’ve put it all into practice yet, but I have the intention to do so.
First a couple of excerpts from Be Happy Now. Please keep in mind that this is an initial draft and these readings could be revised substantially, be merged with others or be eliminated entirely.
Serenity now! Serenity now! Serenity now!
–Frank CostanzaWhatever way we observe the world around us is what comes back to us, and the reason why my life, for instance, is so lacking in joy and happiness and fulfillment is because my focus is lacking in those same things exactly.
–Miceal LedwithFocus on what you want more of
What do you want more of in your life? Abundance? Intimacy? Wisdom? Spirituality? Love? Happiness? Do you typically focus on what you want more of? Or do you focus on what you don’t have?When you put your attention on what you want, you tend to attract more of that into your life. When you declare, “I want more friends in my life,” you’re broadcasting your desire to the universe, and you energetically become attractive to people who might become your friends. When you proclaim, “I don’t have any real friends,” you broadcast that to the universe and tend to push away those who might be open to friendship.
Each day spend 10 minutes visualizing just one thing that you want, imagine yourself already having it, then live like it’s a reality. Do this for 30 days and see what happens in your life.
* * *Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.
–Nelson MandelaNever does the human soul appear so strong as when it forgoes revenge, and dares forgive an injury.
–E.H. ChapinWe must develop and maintain the capacity for forgiveness. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies. Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude.
–Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Release your resentments and forgive
Resentment is a poison that pollutes your body, mind and spirit. It not only disconnects you from the person toward whom you are resentful; resentment toward anyone blocks you from connecting deeply with your closest loved ones. And it prevents you from connecting with that best part of yourself.Refusing to hold ill will against another is just good sense. For who is suffering from the resentment you hold? It’s not the intended recipient, it’s you! As long as you hold ill will toward the “perpetrator,” you are playing the victim, making your happiness contingent on what someone else did or didn’t do. Take back your power by completing the process below.
Make a list of all of those toward whom you have resentments and the resentments you hold (from not putting the cap on the toothpaste to being passed over for a promotion at work to an illicit affair). Don’t lie to yourself and pretend you have none. Next bring each person, one by one, into your consciousness Then release the resentments toward each and forgive him/her for all past transgressions. Finally bring your own image into your consciousness, release the resentments you have toward yourself and forgive that precious person too.
By forgiving for good—yourself and others—you feel a profound lightness, a deep sense of relief and a greater awareness of your personal authority. Having cleaned out this malevolent emotional baggage, you’ve made more room for truly being happy.
Focusing on what I want has been especially challenging when it comes to many of the present politicians in Washington, D.C. The current administration and others have done an excellent job of demonstrating what many of us don’t want in national leaders. But if I focus on saying “No, no, hell, no” to these politicians, Republicans and Democrats alike, I am giving more energy to what I don’t want. And I’m not putting my focus and power toward what I do want.
There are plenty of political pundits, blogs and websites that do an excellent job of letting us know when the emperor has no clothes. My favorite blog for local issues is Scrutiny Hooligans, especially Gordon Smith’s posts. My favorite blog for state issues is BlueNC. And my favorite national progressive news website is Cursor.org. For commentary, I recommend Arthur Silber’s Once Upon a Time. I suggest that you give them a visit.
My intention is to focus the creation of a community, nation and world that is more compassionate, just, peaceful and sustainable. And to do so, I know I must let go of the resentment that I’ve been holding toward our president, vice president and others in their administration. It seems that the poison I’ve been drinking has had no effect whatsoever on them, and it’s had a corrosive effect on me, my peace of mind and my happiness.
This is my path. And just so you know, I’m not there yet. But I’m definitely headed in that direction.
Friday, October 5th, 2007Granny D documentary to air on HBO: RUN GRANNY RUN!
Dear Friends of Granny D,
Several items:
1) Mrs. Haddock is in excellent health and is walking two miles before breakfast. She is traveling to make speeches here and there. She is very active in a campaign to bring
public financing of election campaigns to New Hampshire and several other states. New Hampshire has the nation’s largest legislature, with 424 members, and she has called them all several times and has been speaking around the state to build support.
2) If you are in New England, you may be interested in attending a documentary film premier about Doris (Run Granny Run). The details of the Keene, New Hampshire event follow at the bottom of this message. The dates and times of this and other showings in Boston, New York City and Woodstock, NY are on the http://GrannyD.com website, which has been temporarily turned over to Marlo, the filmmaker, to help her get the word out.
3) If you have HBO on your television, you may be interested to know that Run Granny Run will be aired on the evenings of Oct. 18 and Nov. 6.
4) Doris spoke in Madison, Wisconsin last weekend at the annual big tent revival honoring one of the fathers of progressivism, “Fighting Bob” La Follette. Her speech, which you really must read if you need a smile today, is printed below.
Sincerely,
Dennis Burke
As I am 97, I really did not expect to still be walking and talking when the careers of men including Karl Rove and Tony Snow and Scooter Libby and Bob Ney and Senator Larry Craig, David Vitter, Mark Foley, and probably Ted Stevens and Pete Domenici and a few others have come to an end. I’m afraid that just leaves Dick “Shotgun” Cheney chasing little George from room to room and we have seen this movie before: It’s called “Home Alone” –and it isn’t pretty.
If it’s starting to look like our old Republic might have a fighting chance after all, give yourself some credit for that. (more…)
Friday, October 5th, 2007
