[Oe List ...] Parker J Palmer's Standing in the Tragic Gap

Sun Feb 16 22:57:57 PST 2025

Dear Colleagues,

This past week I facilitated the annual Senior Leadership Team retreat (a planning session in reality) for the UN Economic Commission for Africa. I have been facilitating and training various teams in this institution for 7-8 years now and finally got the opportunity to facilitate the senior most team. Unlike with the counterpart commission for Asia Pacific where I started with the senior team, I had to build up to this opportunity. My equivalent of the Ronin story from the old LENS programs is Parker J Palmer’s writings (and short videos), particularly his piece (attached) on “Finding your Soul” from his book “ Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation”. I especially like his Quaker metaphor for a Power Point – the Mobius Strip. I pause reading and demonstrate at this point. As with previous groups, individuals in this senior leadership group wanted to have copies of the reading. 

His “Courage to Teach” curriculum reminds me of our “Courage to Lead”. In fact much of Parker J Palmer’s work resonates strongly for me with OE/ICA teachings. The link below is his take on the Trans-establishment Stance.

https://couragerenewal.org/library/hhd-standing-and-acting-in-the-tragic-gap/

Kevin Balm

From: OE <oe-bounces at lists.wedgeblade.net> On Behalf Of Bill Parker via OE
Sent: Monday, 10 February 2025 2:44 PM
To: Order Ecumenical Community <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>
Cc: Bill Parker <bparker1251963 at gmail.com>; Richard and Maria Maguire <richardandmaria at unfoldingfutures.net>
Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] 1. Re: [Dialogue] Masha Gessen article on the dangers of "anticipatory obedience"

We need a session on “a path forward”. Our specific experience, context, and process understanding is exactly what is needed now. 

Bill Parker 

On Feb 9, 2025, at 6:59 PM, Richard and Maria Maguire via OE <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net <mailto:oe at lists.wedgeblade.net> > wrote:

 Hi 

I agree with what Randy, Ken and Dharmalingam say to  a great extent, and would like to add something.  I believe that most if not all of the people on this list are in great pain about what is going on now and what has been going on for past many decades and even centuries that have led up to the current situation.  I know for sure that we have been working for decades to support and entirely new approach to society, but in spite of our efforts and those of millions of others, the powerful close ranks and push forward.  We are not alone in having done a lot and also not alone in feeling the pain.

To my mind the Trump clique, both the American and international one, would like to distract their citizens from the attacks on democracy that they and others have been carrying out for a long time.  At the same time it seems to me that they would like to push the colonial project on further against the will and wishes of most people.  They have grabbed the positions of power in the media, education, productive industry, government and so much more, and would love to go further.

That so many American citizens remain so ignorant of the rest of the world and even most of the rest of their own nation is another great pain, and this continues despite our and many others' significant efforts for many decades.  It's so hard to know what do to that will really change the direction.

Yes it is so painful that even though the consequences of "anticipatory obedience" are well known, not least though the events around the Nazi government, that many tend to still do the same probably out of fear of consequences for themselves as well as the pain of having to face up to what's going on and all this again in spite of the dedicated efforts of our selves and so many.

Maria and I have been quite grateful to have discovered and using the insights and meditations of Self-Compassion as developed by Kristin Neff and many others.  As I listen to what she says, it is really a practical application of what we have said about the Christ Word, especially, You are accepted, the past is approved, the future is open.  This is not about retreat into yourself, but empowering and supporting yourself and others.   If this approach is new to you as it was to us, you can learn more at www.self-compassion.org <http://www.self-compassion.org> .  

To get a view into the long term international anti-democratic strategies of the international political and economic elites, I highly recommend The Crisis of Democracy a research project of the TriLateral commission in the late 60's.  The "crisis" for them was the rising expectation of people for a more democratic society and they outlined a strategy that you will easily recognize has been going on since the early 70's to shut it down. Reading it is like reading the battle plan of the powerful and privileged to keep the world safe for themselves.  It is even available for free online on the Internet Archive 

https://ia801308.us.archive.org/23/items/TheCrisisOfDemocracy-TrilateralCommission-1975/crisis_of_democracy_text.pdf

On a contemporary note, we have become aware of the Atlas Network, a collaboration of anti-democratic organisations funded largely by fossil fuel billionaires, is also useful.  Their strategy is to fund think-tanks around the world, such as the Cato Institute, Heartland Institute in the US and the Institute of Public Affairs in Australia. Their website claims to now have 500 affiliates in over 100 countries.

Adam Smith described these efforts over 200 years ago with a concise phrase in "The Wealth of Nations" , "Whenever these people get together, even for sport or amusement, the public is worse off.  The talk is about how to reduce wages and raise prices."

Finally Maria I would like to thank everyone on this list for what you have done for peace and justice in the world, and catalysing awareness and action for so many, in our world, and we have all made a great difference against great odds.

Grace and Peace

Richard

On 10/02/2025 8:01 am, oe-request at lists.wedgeblade.net <mailto:oe-request at lists.wedgeblade.net>  wrote:

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: [Dialogue] Masha Gessen article on the dangers of
      "anticipatory obedience" (Dharmalingam Vinasithamby)
   2. West condones genocide (Ken Fisher)
   3. Re: Masha Gessen article on the dangers of "anticipatory
      obedience" (RICHARD HOWIE)
   4. Re: West condones genocide (Randy Williams)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Sun, 9 Feb 2025 01:46:26 +0000 (UTC)
From: Dharmalingam Vinasithamby  <mailto:dvinasithamby at yahoo.com> <dvinasithamby at yahoo.com>
To: Colleague Dialogue  <mailto:dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net> <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>,  Order
   Ecumenical Community  <mailto:oe at lists.wedgeblade.net> <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>
Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] [Dialogue] Masha Gessen article on the
   dangers of "anticipatory obedience"
Message-ID:  <mailto:2068938938.10282361.1739065586212 at mail.yahoo.com> <2068938938.10282361.1739065586212 at mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

 In his op-ed on the dangers of "anticipatory obedience", Masha Gessen presents ?The Chilling Consequences of Going Along With Trump? as a looming threat. Some may see this article as timely and relevant but I see it as part of Western media?s continuing effort to keep Americans in their bubble. From my possibly recalcitrant point of view from the other side of the world, the Americans are no strangers to anticipatory obedience. Most of them have confronted ?The Chilling Consequences of Going Along With Biden? without a cringe. After electing a warmonger as President who conspired with Netanyahu to make the US a partner in genocide, how much more trying would MAGA be? As long as Americans wail about Trump leading them without acknowledging what has been done in their name over the last four years, they will remain in their bubble while the world looks on with horror.?

    On Sunday, 9 February 2025 at 07:31:33 am MYT, Ellie Stock via Dialogue  <mailto:dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net> <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:  

 Hi Folks,Masha Gessen article on the dangers of "anticipatory obedience". . .Ellie?elliestock at aol.com <mailto:.Ellie?elliestock at aol.com> ?
This op-ed in The NY Times calls on us not to obey in advance:?https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/08/opinion/trump-power-surrender.html?unlocked_article_code=1.vU4.GN6W.UhwJBG0c4Bv_ <https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/08/opinion/trump-power-surrender.html?unlocked_article_code=1.vU4.GN6W.UhwJBG0c4Bv_&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare> &smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
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Message: 2
Date: Sun, 9 Feb 2025 00:49:40 -0600
From: Ken Fisher  <mailto:kenfisher1942 at gmail.com> <kenfisher1942 at gmail.com>
To: Dharmalingam Vinasthamby  <mailto:dvinasithamby at yahoo.com> <dvinasithamby at yahoo.com>, "O:E Lists"
    <mailto:oe at lists.wedgeblade.net> <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>
Subject: [Oe List ...] West condones genocide
Message-ID:  <mailto:A607120F-BD98-4F9B-BAD0-2D49805FCEB5 at gmail.com> <A607120F-BD98-4F9B-BAD0-2D49805FCEB5 at gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

https://open.substack.com/pub/charlieangus/p/trump-and-the-destruction-of-gaza?r=18u6j <https://open.substack.com/pub/charlieangus/p/trump-and-the-destruction-of-gaza?r=18u6j&utm_medium=ios> &utm_medium=ios

 Jesus wept.
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Message: 3
Date: Sun, 9 Feb 2025 06:58:01 -0500
From: RICHARD HOWIE  <mailto:rhowie3 at verizon.net> <rhowie3 at verizon.net>
To: Order Ecumenical Community  <mailto:oe at lists.wedgeblade.net> <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>
Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] Masha Gessen article on the dangers of
   "anticipatory obedience"
Message-ID:  <mailto:3AB29BC2-F90B-4887-8856-103A1D50E042 at verizon.net> <3AB29BC2-F90B-4887-8856-103A1D50E042 at verizon.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Thank You Ellie.  Such an important warning .
Love, Ellen 

Sent from my iPad

On Feb 8, 2025, at 9:14 PM, Ellie Stock via OE  <mailto:oe at lists.wedgeblade.net> <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:

?
Hi Folks,
Masha Gessen article on the dangers of "anticipatory obedience". . .
Ellie 
elliestock at aol.com <mailto:elliestock at aol.com>  

This op-ed in The NY Times calls on us not to obey in advance: 
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/08/opinion/trump-power-surrender.html?unlocked_article_code=1.vU4.GN6W.UhwJBG0c4Bv_ <https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/08/opinion/trump-power-surrender.html?unlocked_article_code=1.vU4.GN6W.UhwJBG0c4Bv_&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare> &smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

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Message: 4
Date: Sun, 9 Feb 2025 07:53:24 -0500
From: Randy Williams  <mailto:randycw1938 at gmail.com> <randycw1938 at gmail.com>
To: Order Ecumenical Community  <mailto:oe at lists.wedgeblade.net> <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>
Cc: Dharmalingam Vinasthamby  <mailto:dvinasithamby at yahoo.com> <dvinasithamby at yahoo.com>, "Lists O:E"
    <mailto:oe at lists.wedgeblade.net> <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>, Ken Fisher  <mailto:kenfisher1942 at gmail.com> <kenfisher1942 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] West condones genocide
Message-ID:  <mailto:E46FE122-5133-4B99-85B4-3354DB9E02EB at gmail.com> <E46FE122-5133-4B99-85B4-3354DB9E02EB at gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

I believe what many are saying about Trump, that his prating on and on about invasion, expansion, etc., including in Gaza, is to distract from his systemic dismantling of U.S. democracy. Trump is much more focussed on ethnic cleansing in the U.S. than in the Middle East. His talk about Gaza has the added benefit for him of reestablishing the bonds between him and Netanyahu. I thought the wry smile on Netanyahu?s face when Trump was announcing his ?vision? for Gaza was revealing. If distraction is indeed Trump?s ploy, the media, in the U.S. and internationally, have certainly taken the bait.
Randy

On Feb 9, 2025, at 1:50?AM, Ken Fisher via OE  <mailto:oe at lists.wedgeblade.net> <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:

?https://open.substack.com/pub/charlieangus/p/trump-and-the-destruction-of-gaza?r=18u6j <https://open.substack.com/pub/charlieangus/p/trump-and-the-destruction-of-gaza?r=18u6j&utm_medium=ios> &utm_medium=ios

 Jesus wept.
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