Buddhism

Was it the Jonas Brothers? Hannah Montana? No. Those kids were screaming for Craig Kielburger and the Dalai Lama

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Imagine thousands and thousands of teens and tweens in a gigantic auditorium, leaping out of their seats, screaming, applauding wildly…… Is it a Jonas Brothers concert? Hannah Montana? Nope – those kids were going nuts at the We Day gathering in Vancouver as Free the Children founder Craig Kielburger introduced the Dalai Lama to talk about how kids could change the world. If you needed just a bit of hope that the next generation was ready to build a better world than the one we have created, this was the perfect boost.

Politics & Society

Congress: Support Our Troops – Investigate Torture

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This morning I woke up at “Oh Dark Thirty” (5:30am for you civilians) and by 6:34 was on a train heading to San Mateo for a meeting with staffers of Representative Jackie Speier (D – California) to talk about torture. The organizer of this gathering (BARCAT – Bay Area Religious Campaign Against Torture) had asked each person in the delegation to be prepared to share ONE thing about torture, that represented their unique perspective on the issue. I wear many hats when I attend such a meeting. Today, I was representing Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice, a ragtag group of folks from various faith traditions who have been working for peace and social justice since the lead up to the Iraq war. I call myself a Jewbyterian, Jewish by birth, Jewish in much of my spirituality, but who spends most of my time among progressive Presbyterians at the First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto.

Politics & Society

Will Slightly Worn Shoes Break the Blockade and Reach the Rachel Corrie Ramadan Football Tournament?

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My friends at the Rebuilding Alliance are struggling to get slightly-worn tennis shows past the Gaza blockade and onto the feet of soccer players in Rafah. Donna Baranski-Walker, founder and executive-Director of the Rebuilding Alliance, just sent an email to all her supporters and posted news on Huffington Post, letting us know that folks carrying uniforms for the players finally got into Gaza after being delayed ten days at the border. Now they’re hoping the shoes will get released from the Egyptian embassy so that they can distribute those too. I remember the event months ago at the Rebuilding Alliance’s office when dozens of people gathered to learn about what was happening in Gaza and to donate lots and lots of tennis shoes. When confronted with terrible tragedy, many sides of a difficult story, and unsure if steps that you take to get involved are helpful or hurtful, it was a terrific thing to be able to do something concrete that you knew in your heart could only do good.

Islam

Where are the peaceful Muslim leaders? Fox News knows.

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In the years since September 11th, I’ve often heard radio-talk-show hosts / callers, chatterers at family gatherings, and TV pundits asking “Where are the peaceful Muslim leaders?” as though there were none out there condemning violence and encouraging friendship and peace. Whenever I have a chance to directly answer that question I’m very happy to have some solid examples of incredible Muslim leaders who have spoken out and continue to work for peacemaking and friendship. On September 11th, one of my closest friends and colleagues helped organize a gathering outside the White House, lighting the night for peace and friendship. This event, like many such gatherings which have been put together over the years, didn’t get the same kind of coverage as violence or loud protests typically do.

Politics & Society

A September 11th Prayer for Myrna and Kristina

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Something had struck one of the twin towers in New York. I got out of bed having heard that on the radio and went into the living room and turned on the TV. As I watched and listened to some TV news-people, I saw the second plane strike. Surely something terrible must be wrong…. radar systems must have gone crazy…..

General News

A Tiny Minority of Small-Minded People, Sitting on Their Asses

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As I watched President Obama address a joint-session of Congress, I couldn’t help but notice how many times the Republicans remained in their seats while the rest of the people stood up and applauded. I’m not surprised by that, of course. It is what happens to any President, Republican or Democrat during almost any joint-session of Congress. Of course Congressman Joe Wilson’s outburst (You Lie!) was unusual. Where did he think he was?

Politics & Society

Have you no sense of decency sir, at long last?

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Van Jones (right side of photo) resigned last night after an onslaught of attacks led by Fox News’ Glenn Beck. Being involved in the peace movement, and specifically the anti-war movement, since soon after September 11th, I’ve had many opportunities to hear amazing people speak. Van Jones was one of those people. The first time he spoke he was promoting “books not bars,” a movement to consider alternatives to the prison-industrial complex that cost so much money per prisoner and provided such dismal outcomes. He talked about models being used in other states and countries that dealt with youth crime but, instead of turning out adult criminals at the end of imprisonment, were turning out productive citizens who didn’t end up in jail again.

Health

Fight Truth Decay

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I simply could not resist posting this photo of a woman we met at the San Francisco City Hall health care reform rally. Her button, combined with her winning smile, were priceless. Adding dental care to health care reform…… may be a good idea! As we head into this weekend and await President Obama’s speech to a joint session of Congress this coming Wednesday, the “tea-partiers” will be out spreading lies and fear.

Health

Boy who survived brain surgery wants all children to have access to health care

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“I came here because I have health issues and I want other kids, ones that aren’t as lucky as me, to have access to health care.” We had asked his mother why they had come to San Francisco City Hall today and she pointed at the kids and said “Ask them.” Her older son, munching on the addictive kettle corn on sale at the City Hall Farmer’s market quipped “I was hungry” and then her younger son had talked about his health issues and why he worried about other kids not as lucky as him. “Health issues” Mom piped in, “He had brain surgery, spent two months in Children’s Hospital, the bills were staggering even though we had insurance…. my husband had lost his job, and we got sent to collections.

Health

Why does Rush Limbaugh hate veterans?

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Rush Limbaugh has gone on the warpath over the VA’s advanced-care directives planning booklet, Your Life Your Choices. He’s describing it as a “death book” designed to kill off our veterans, when in fact, it is a quality of life tool that empowers veterans to clearly articulate their wishes. Without advanced-care directives, our veterans and their families would suffer, either from being forced to undergo treatments they didn’t want, or by being denied treatment that they did want. One of the most important ways the VA takes exceptionally good care of my father is by making sure the treatment he’s receiving is based on HIS wishes. With him slipping further into dementia, it was critical for them to get his wishes for handling extraordinary situations on the record.