September 2012 - OE - lists.wedgeblade.net

A good reflection on Romney
by Herman Greene 18 Sep '12

18 Sep '12

<http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/09/18/the_real_romney.html> The Real Romney <http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/09/real-romney-is-a-sneering-plutocrat.ht ml> Jonathan Chait says the <http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/09/17/romney_explains_obama_voters.h tml> hidden camera video that went viral yesterday exposes Mitt Romney "as a far more sinister character than I had imagined. Here is the sneering plutocrat, fully in thrall to a series of pernicious myths that are at the heart of the mania that has seized his party. He believes that market incomes in the United States are a perfect reflection of merit. Far from seeing his own privileged upbringing as the private-school educated son of an auto executive-turned-governor as an obvious refutation of that belief, Romney cites his own life, preposterously, as a confirmation of it..." "The revelations in this video come to me as a genuine shock. I have never hated Romney. I presumed his ideological makeover since he set out to run for president was largely phony, even if he was now committed to carry through with it, and to whatever extent he'd come to believe his own lines, he was oblivious or naïve about the damage he would inflict upon the poor, sick, and vulnerable. It seems unavoidable now to conclude that Romney's embrace of Paul Ryanism is born of actual contempt for the looters and moochers, a class war on behalf of his own class." _____________________________________________ Herman Greene 2516 Winningham Drive Chapel Hill, NC 27516 919-929-4116 (h) 919-624-0579 (c) 919-942-4358 (f) Skype: hgreene-nc hfgreene(a)mindspring.com

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Where would you put color?
by Len Hockley 18 Sep '12

18 Sep '12

What do you think? Did Sophie Matisse (Matisse's daughter) get the colors right. This full size (8.5ft x 20ft) Guernica hangs in the Flint MI Art Gallery. Len

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Mulling over current chaos
by Del Morril 17 Sep '12

17 Sep '12

Dear family and friends, Have been mulling over recent events: "They will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name." (Jesus) This has proved to be true - Jesus and many of his followers went to their deaths because of their beliefs. It amazes me the tremendous sacrifice many have been called to make as martyrs to their causes - Jesus and his disciples, MLK, Jr. and all those who preceded him in the Civil Rights movement, Gandhi and all those who chose to follow into the sticks and stones of those who didn't agree in nationalizing India, and all the other incredibly brave souls in history who held their beliefs so strongly that they faced death daily. They knew each day could be their last, yet moved forward and let others follow; doing the same because they truly believed that act would build a better world for others. Most of us spend our lives making the world better for us! That certainly includes me. Is it any wonder that so many who think they can follow such brave leaders give up - they get scared (understandably - I certainly would under sustained assault), or they become convinced the cause isn't as important as they first thought, or they get upset with a colleague who uses the cause for their own gain, or for who knows how many other reasons. I may be appalled by the terrorist of our day who strap their bombs to themselves, yet I have to admire such amazing dedication - that and the other "kamikazes" of the world who believe in something so fully (rightly or wrongly from our point of view) that they are willing to give up their most precious gift - their own lives for that cause. My daring acts have been very sudden and brief, and may have made a difference to only one person at any one time. I'm too much of a coward to every go any farther than that! Today the news is filled with hatred toward America - so what else is new? I am in awe over those who choose to take on assignments in such areas of the world where their lives are constantly unsafe, to say the least. Locally, I continue to be in awe of police and fire workers for the same reason. They don't do this for themselves, or they would find safer ways to work. They do this for their society's safety and betterment. Today, I am especially grateful for this. With continued affection and friendship, Del

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Bekah's going to canvas in Reno, Nevada, the weekend of Oct 28th
by Paula Philbrook 16 Sep '12

16 Sep '12

Does anyone have a place where 2 people could stay? -- Paula *Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow*. *Melody* Beattie

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Re: [Oe List ...] Mulling over current chaos
by James Wiegel 16 Sep '12

16 Sep '12

Quote attributed to Hillary Clinton that seems to add to this conversation: "As long as there are those who are willing to shed blood and take innocent life in the name of religion--in the name of God--the world will never know a true and lasting peace." Seems as though religions, especially the 3 Abrahamic ones, put the greatest emphasis on death as the ultimate sacrifice . . . see also this cartoon . . . Jim Wiegel "The problem with quotes on the internet is that it is hard to verify their authenticity." Abraham Lincoln 401 North Beverly Way, Tolleson, Arizona 85353-2401 +1 623-363-3277 skype: jfredwiegel jfwiegel(a)yahoo.com www.partnersinparticipation.com Upcoming public course opportunities: ToP Facilitation Methods, Sept 11-12, 2012 ToP Strategic Planning, Oct 9-10, 2012 The AZ Community of Practice meets the 1st Friday- Sept 7, 2012 Facilitation Mastery : Our Mastering the Technology of Participation program is available in Phoenix in 2012-3. Program begins on Nov 14-16, 2012 See short video http://partnersinparticipation.com/?page_id=55 and website for further details. --- On Sun, 9/16/12, Marge Philbrook <msphilbrook(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Marge Philbrook <msphilbrook(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] Mulling over current chaos To: "Order Ecumenical Community" <oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> Date: Sunday, September 16, 2012, 5:47 AM Thanks for your time to make this statement. Several of us are focusing on archives these next few days and are looking for the wisdom that needs to be preserved from our past, that is in our present and still needs to be disseminated again and again. Grace and Peace, Marge Philbrook On Sat, Sep 15, 2012 at 1:18 PM, Del Morril <delhmor(a)wamail.net> wrote: Dear family and friends, Have been mulling over recent events: “They will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name.” (Jesus) This has proved to be true – Jesus and many of his followers went to their deaths because of their beliefs. It amazes me the tremendous sacrifice many have been called to make as martyrs to their causes – Jesus and his disciples, MLK, Jr. and all those who preceded him in the Civil Rights movement, Gandhi and all those who chose to follow into the sticks and stones of those who didn’t agree in nationalizing India, and all the other incredibly brave souls in history who held their beliefs so strongly that they faced death daily. They knew each day could be their last, yet moved forward and let others follow; doing the same because they truly believed that act would build a better world for others. Most of us spend our lives making the world better for us! That certainly includes me. Is it any wonder that so many who think they can follow such brave leaders give up – they get scared (understandably – I certainly would under sustained assault), or they become convinced the cause isn’t as important as they first thought, or they get upset with a colleague who uses the cause for their own gain, or for who knows how many other reasons. I may be appalled by the terrorist of our day who strap their bombs to themselves, yet I have to admire such amazing dedication – that and the other “kamikazes” of the world who believe in something so fully (rightly or wrongly from our point of view) that they are willing to give up their most precious gift – their own lives for that cause. My daring acts have been very sudden and brief, and may have made a difference to only one person at any one time. I’m too much of a coward to every go any farther than that! Today the news is filled with hatred toward America – so what else is new? I am in awe over those who choose to take on assignments in such areas of the world where their lives are constantly unsafe, to say the least. Locally, I continue to be in awe of police and fire workers for the same reason. They don’t do this for themselves, or they would find safer ways to work. They do this for their society’s safety and betterment. Today, I am especially grateful for this. With continued affection and friendship, Del _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE(a)lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE(a)lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net

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Lindsey Buss career move
by Sarah Buss 16 Sep '12

16 Sep '12

Colleagues, Yet another reason to be proud of my son, Lindsey. I assume more information on this soon. I think he will be at Martha's Table through October. Sarah Sent from my iPad Begin forwarded message: > From: Lindsey Buss <lbuss(a)marthastable.org> > Date: September 12, 2012 12:03:07 PM CDT > To: Sarah Buss <sbuss(a)austin.rr.com> > Subject: FW: A Fond Farewell to Lindsey Buss > > > > Lindsey F. Buss > President & CEO > Martha's Table, Inc. > 2114 14th Street, NW > Washington, DC 20009 > 202/328-6608 x210 > www.marthastable.org > This transmission and all accompanying documents are confidential. The information is intended for the exclusive use of the individual(s) that is/are the named addressee(s). If you are not a named addressee or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to a named addressee, you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message or any part of it. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by e-mail, discard any paper copies and delete all electronic files of this message. Thank You. > From: Cathy Sulzberger, Martha's Table [mailto:cathy.sulzberger@gmail.com] > Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 4:45 PM > To: lindseybuss(a)marthastable.org > Subject: A Fond Farewell to Lindsey Buss > > Having trouble viewing this email? Click here > > > > > > > > > > Martha's Table > September 10th, 2012 > It is with a mixture of gratitude and sadness that we announce Lindsey Buss's departure as President and CEO of Martha's Table, Inc. His extraordinary leadership skills and community work experience will have a broad impact at the World Bank, where he will run the philanthropic, volunteer and other community outreach initiatives. Although we will miss Lindsey terribly, we are incredibly proud of all that Martha's Table has achieved during his tenure, which leaves us well positioned to continue fulfilling our mission of transforming lives by engaging the community in developing sustainable solutions to poverty. > > As the Board of Directors conducts a search for Lindsey's permanent successor, Michael Bartscherer, Director of Food and Clothing Programs, will act as Interim President. During his years at Martha's Table, Michael has had an impressive record of success and increasing responsibility. Before coming to Martha's Table, Michael had a range of experience in management and community work, from Senior Vice President for Corporate Services at AOL, to soup kitchen and homeless shelter volunteer. Members of the Board and Senior Staff will also be assuming additional responsibilities to ensure a smooth transition and Martha's Table's continued success. We are grateful to them all for their service and skillful leadership. > > Under Lindsey's direction, Martha's Table has become widely recognized as one of Washington, DC's best run non-profit organizations with influence that reaches far beyond the city's boundaries. A look at some of our accomplishments says much about Martha's Table's organizational strength and Lindsey's effectiveness as a leader: > Enhanced program quality > Increased external relationships and influence > Developed infrastructure and staff > Increased funding and in-kind resources > Improved physical facility > Lindsey is quick to share the credit for all that has been accomplished at Martha's Table with staff and supporters. Martha's Table's key strengths include our hardworking staff, corps of dedicated volunteers and donors, and an engaged Board of Directors. This strong community, all committed to Martha's Table and the people we serve, will ensure our continued success. > > We cannot thank Lindsey enough for all he has given to Martha's Table, and we look forward to our work together to support Washington, DC's children, youth and families. We hope we can continue to count on your support and friendship during this time, and we thank you for all you do to help our community. > > Sincerely, > > Cathy Sulzberger > Chair, Martha's Table Board of Directors > > Forward this email > > > This email was sent to lindseybuss(a)marthastable.org by cathy.sulzberger(a)gmail.com | > Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. > Martha's Table | 2114 - 14th St. NW | Washington | DC | 20009

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If You Don't Like Capitalism or State Socialism, What Do You Want? by Gar Alperovitz
by Roger Alexander 16 Sep '12

16 Sep '12

I hope some of you system thinkers who participated in the research, development, and implementation of 5th City, the Human Development Projects and other ICA and International community building efforts will find this article of interest and value. I read through it once but don't think I grasp it very deeply yet even though I like to think of myself as a systems thinker. I'd be interested in your comments. Do his proposals agree with what we learned in the 60's and 70's and what you've learned since? http://neweconomicsinstitute.org/publications/lectures/alperovitz/gar/if-yo… Roger Alexander 5809 Meadowcrest Bartlesville, OK 74006 918-333-5299 ralexan934(a)sbcglobal.net "Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead

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Streaming Chicago (ICA) Accelerate 77 (today): Link to Reception Video
by Ellie Stock 15 Sep '12

15 Sep '12

Hi folks-- Greetings from Chicago where today the Accelerate 77 event takes place at Truman College, a few blocks from 4750 N. Sheridan Greenrise Building (formerly known as the Kemper Bldg) The program begins with registration, informal visiting tables of local initiatives, 10am (Central time) introductory remarks, then connection workshops. This will be followed by a reception back at the Greenrise building on the first floor MLK room and Lumumba Room (4-6pm) You're invited to join in! Here’s the link for the Ustream video. . http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/25387580 For more info, check out the website: www.accelerate77.net Ellie Stock elliestock(a)aol.com

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Re: [Oe List ...] Lindsey Buss career move
by LAURELCG＠aol.com 15 Sep '12

15 Sep '12

Congratulations to Lindsey, and to you, Sarah. Blessings, Jann McGuire In a message dated 9/15/2012 2:37:48 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, sbuss(a)austin.rr.com writes: Colleagues, Yet another reason to be proud of my son, Lindsey. I assume more information on this soon. I think he will be at Martha's Table through October. Sarah

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The Race is On: The Theological and Human Issues in the 2012 Election
by Ellie Stock 13 Sep '12

13 Sep '12

HOMEPAGE MY PROFILE ESSAY ARCHIVE MESSAGE BOARDS CALENDAR The Race is On: The Theological and Human Issues in the 2012 Election The nominating conventions for both parties are visible now only through the rearview window. The banners have been taken down, the balloons have fallen, the local bars are back to their normal patrons and the campaigns are now in full swing. The nominating conventions are actually a strange ritual, something of a dated hangover from our political past. They have not been nominating conventions since 1960 when during the role call Wyoming’s votes actually put the Democratic front runner, John F. Kennedy, over the top, defeating Lyndon B. Johnson who hoped that by stopping Kennedy, he might emerge as the winner of a brokered convention. The choice of the vice-president today is left up to the presidential nominee alone who taps the running mate. The last contested vice-presidential nomination came in 1956, again at the Democratic Convention, when presidential nominee Adlai E. Stevenson II, then the former governor of Illinois, threw the nomination of his running mate open to the convention without a recommendation. Senator Estes Kefauver won that spirited battle over two primary opponents, Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts and Senator Al Gore Sr., of Tennessee. Today, these conventions nominate no one. The nominees have normally been picked long before and are not only known, but have also been actively campaigning. These gatherings have become little more than political theater or “infomercials” and are used primarily to launch the campaign. They are carefully crafted to recognize all the special interest groups that gather around each party, to showcase either those rising star candidates seeking national office (one thinks of Ted Cruz, Republican senatorial nominee in Texas and Elizabeth Warren, the Democratic senatorial nominee in Massachusetts) or to give a boost to a candidate deemed to be in a tight race. They also serve to introduce or re-introduce the nominees of each party and hopefully to frame the issues that will be at stake in the election. All of us are familiar with the hackneyed phrases that are endlessly repeated: “The next President of the United States,” “This is the most critical election in our lifetime” and “Mr. Chairman, the great state of Wisconsin where cheese is our state product, Green Bay is our football team and cheese heads are our fans, casts its 28 votes for the next, etc.” There is little objectivity in the speeches. Rather, in many voices, speakers say again and again words that sound like: “Our candidate will save America. Our opponent will ruin America.” Nonetheless, in these political gatherings there are occasionally inspiring moments that become indelible memories. I recall James Brady, still paralyzed from having been shot by the would-be assassin of the then president Ronald Reagan, appearing at a Democratic Convention to endorse a plank in the platform calling for the passage of the Brady Bill, limiting the use of legal firearms. I remember the tribute to Ronald Reagan at the Republican Convention after his death that brought back memories of his career allowing the nation to relive: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” I even remember the Republican galleries in 1940 chanting, “We want Willkie” and stampeding that convention until they got him as their nominee. In my life as a weekly columnist, I have attended these conventions in the past and watched them from gavel to gavel. In 2000 I saw the long kiss planted on his wife Tipper by Al Gore, Jr. It lasted 30 seconds! In 2004, I heard the keynote address delivered by the young state senator from Illinois named Barack Obama. It was a moving speech. I filed a column that week saying, “I have now seen a black politician who has the potential to be elected President of the United States.” I did not think it would happen four years later. Election year is an American ritual and despite terribly long campaigns and countless “robo” calls it is one that we treasure. I see the election of a president every four years as a time to read the cultural and political signs that tell me where my country is at that moment, what is happening to its values and dreams and where this nation appears to be headed. The placement on the ballot in Ohio in 2004, of a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriages, for example, probably brought out enough anti-homosexual voters to win that state and thus re-election to a second term for President George W. Bush. In 2012, the Democratic Convention endorsed gay marriage in its platform and in countless speeches. I don’t think either the anti-gay amendment in 2004 or the pro-gay marriage platform plank in 2012 would have been employed by either party had not the consensus developed that this was a winning strategy. That means that on the issue of homosexuality this country has shifted its majority opinion dramatically in just eight years. Overt gay-bashing politics has thus gone the way of overt racist politics. Homophobia and racism are both still present, but neither is any longer socially acceptable unless well disguised. Today only code words are allowed. In the two recent conventions it was clear that women are a crucial voting block that must be wooed. The rhetoric was far more positive than the platforms, however, which in the Republican case reflected issues not debated in America since the 1950’s. Both campaigns featured women. Both showed off their elected female senators, governors and representatives. Both listened to magnificent speeches made by the wives of the presidential nominees. I have a hard time imagining Pat Nixon or Bess Truman giving a speech! As I look at America today, it seems to me that we are in a dramatic period of consciousness raising. It began to be visible in the campaign four years ago when among the serious and viable candidates for the presidency were a woman, an Hispanic, an African-American, a Mormon and a man who had been married three times. None of these would, in all probability, have been taken seriously twenty-five years earlier. Consciousness breakthroughs always raise up a hostile reaction from those who feel displaced by the broadening of those who are considered acceptable for leadership. We are living with that reaction. The real issue to be measured in this year’s election is how rapidly we, as a people, will be able to embrace this new consciousness. One party says it focuses on individuality and freedom, the other on the quality of our corporate society and the corporate good. One party is rooted in the quality of leadership coming from traditional sources and it does not appear to be welcoming to newcomers. They value merit, ability and the kind of competitiveness that produces wealth. The other is rooted in a wider demographic pool, stressing openness to rising minorities. One party is conservative because it values and wants to conserve the virtues of the past, which, it argues, have made us the great nation we are. The other party is liberal because it believes that all people must have equality of opportunity that will allow a steady influx into leadership of those, who have not been born into wealth and privilege, enabling merit to rise to the top of our political, economic and social pyramids. I think both emphases are needed. Conservatives need the challenge of new ideas and new people lest they become quickly dated and irrelevant. Liberals on the other hand, need the witness of the traditional values that conservatives espouse lest they become wide-eyed and kill the goose that lays the golden egg. The nation is healthiest, I believe, when elections are close. The minority must be strong enough to challenge and to rein in the excesses of the majority. Progress should come through the hard task of compromise. We are in danger of losing that in today’s polarized politics. Someone once observed that “politicians are like underwear the only way you can keep them clean is to change them regularly.” In the last 52 years of American history, the Republicans have controlled the White House for 28 years, the Democrats for 24. That balance is part of what makes our nation great. I worry most in this election about realities that are real, but unspoken. America is changing demographically. We are no longer a nation that is overwhelmingly of European ancestry. The non-white population is today right at the tipping point of 50%. How well this nation incorporates its Asian citizens, its Latino citizens and its African citizens into its body politic will go a long way in determining the stability of our nation in the future. The fact that we have elected an Afro-American male to the White House was a signal accomplishment. The fact that his citizenship, his legitimacy and even his place of birth are regularly challenged indicates that racism is still alive, hiding below the surface in America. When a consciousness shift in our national self-identification occurs there is always anxiety, anger and sometimes violence. Today, minorities are rising, women are rising, gay and lesbian people are rising, but fear is also rising. Political gridlock, the inability to compromise, is a manifestation of this fear. When members of either party put political victory ahead of the well being of the nation, that is a danger sign. The yellow light flashing a warning sign in this year’s election is twofold. One is the result of the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision in the case known as “Citizens United.” That decision opened the floodgates to individuals and corporations to give unlimited money to a campaign without having to disclose the donor names. The effect is to maximize the power of the vote of the wealthy and to minimize the power of the vote of the poor. One person, one vote is compromised. The second is the attempt by various methods to suppress, handicap or stop the elderly, the poor, the young and minorities from voting. Special ID is a modern poll tax. Its purpose is nothing less that to disenfranchise some voters. It is an expression of great fear. I hope this nation will move to correct both of these assaults on democracy itself. America is too precious an experiment to allow the integrity of a vote to be challenged. An election that ends not with a winner, but with a court challenge reveals a nation in trouble. ~John Shelby Spong Read the essay online here. Question & Answer Paul of Rockport, Maine, writes: Question: As much as I thoroughly appreciated Eternal Life and Jesus for the Non-Religious, I would welcome your thoughts regarding what has traditionally been called "contemplative prayer." I feel pretty squared away as to the prayers of petition and the question of flattering God in hopes of getting God to change the divine mind. But what about contemplation and the mystics? Is it auto-suggestion or a self-induced mystical experience? Even if self-induced, is it an authentic experience of the divine or an illusion? Answer: Dear Paul, If we could remove from prayer the idea of request or petition, then prayer would be defined as the awareness of a relationship with the ultimate reality, however that reality is defined. That awareness could take the form of contemplation or meditation, but it is still a relationship. Relationships can grow and deepen, but they can also fade and become shallow. Relationships require time, sensitivity and nurturing. That takes dedication, commitment and attentiveness. “Self-induced” does not appear to me to be the word I would use. Everything we do is self-induced. If you mean by “self induced” that it is not real but delusional, that is always a possibility and one should never rule out that possibility. That is not my approach, however. I simply bear witness that I live in a relationship with what I call the Source of Life. I practice that relationship by living life fully. I live in a relationship with the Source of Love. I practice that relationship by loving, loving wastefully. I live in a relationship with the Ground of Being. I practice that relationship by having the courage to be all that I can be. Contemplation is, therefore, not something that I do so much as it is something I am. Contemplation, defined this way, then makes sense to me. I never fall into the idolatry of pretending that I am defining God. I am trying to define only my human experience of God. I thus believe that I live in and into the reality of transcendence. I hope this helps. Thank you for your letter. ~John Shelby Spong Announcements Any questions or concerns, please contact us at support(a)johnshelbyspong.com or 503-236-3545. Copyright © 2012 ProgressiveChristianity.org, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have a membership at our website. Our mailing address is: ProgressiveChristianity.org 4916 Pt Fosdick Dr, NW #148 Gig Harbor, WA 98335 Add us to your address book

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