Letters and Notes on Issues
Letter to Editor: Republican Foolishness on Environment (with some help from Democrats)
In regard to the past comments of Republican candidates on Pope Francis encyclical on the environment - most of them need to go back to school - Sunday school. They clearly do not understand the message of Jesus, which is meant for the whole world and everything in it, all of God’s creatures. Jesus said that the meek shall inherit the Earth - not that those who rape the earth will inherit it. If you do not love the earth, then you love nothing - not God, not Man, nor especially not your own children. And love means action. If you do not act you do not love. The Republicans have acted against every environmental effort and do not care if the earth is destroyed as long as it brings more wealth to themselves.
The Pope is doing his job. It is not the Mexican immigrants who are rapists, but Republican leaders who are raping the environment with the evil of their actions and inactions. In fairness, there are many Democrats and others who fall into this category.
Letter to Editor: Black Lives Matter and a Larger Movement
It is right that Black Lives Matter assert their primacy in the social justice debate in this country, simply because African Americans have suffered the most of any group, (excepting the ‘American Indians’), at the hands of the white establishment, for hundreds of years. The United States economy was founded and built on slavery and the products of slavery, North and South. Rhode Island was the center of the African slave trade in North America well into the 19th C.- (Brown U. Slavery and Justice Report 2006, all). Yet, I would suggest that the protest must be broadened, or form a coalition with other groups, to include all the factors that create oppression - joblessness, inequality of wealth, the housing crisis, etc.; and include all the groups suffering from the hypocrisies of our society - millions with low paying, oppressive jobs; women as 2nd class citizens; millions in prison unnecessarily. United, a movement or coalition can be created to deal with these issues that affect the middle class as well. I would suggest that such a coalition could continue protest, mount civil disobedience actions and nationwide strikes (fast food, health workers, etc). Separated and divided, we are at the mercy of big money, big politics, and big mouths. Don’t splinter and fade like Occupy.
In regard to the past comments of Republican candidates on Pope Francis encyclical on the environment - most of them need to go back to school - Sunday school. They clearly do not understand the message of Jesus, which is meant for the whole world and everything in it, all of God’s creatures. Jesus said that the meek shall inherit the Earth - not that those who rape the earth will inherit it. If you do not love the earth, then you love nothing - not God, not Man, nor especially not your own children. And love means action. If you do not act you do not love. The Republicans have acted against every environmental effort and do not care if the earth is destroyed as long as it brings more wealth to themselves.
The Pope is doing his job. It is not the Mexican immigrants who are rapists, but Republican leaders who are raping the environment with the evil of their actions and inactions. In fairness, there are many Democrats and others who fall into this category.
Letter to Editor: Black Lives Matter and a Larger Movement
It is right that Black Lives Matter assert their primacy in the social justice debate in this country, simply because African Americans have suffered the most of any group, (excepting the ‘American Indians’), at the hands of the white establishment, for hundreds of years. The United States economy was founded and built on slavery and the products of slavery, North and South. Rhode Island was the center of the African slave trade in North America well into the 19th C.- (Brown U. Slavery and Justice Report 2006, all). Yet, I would suggest that the protest must be broadened, or form a coalition with other groups, to include all the factors that create oppression - joblessness, inequality of wealth, the housing crisis, etc.; and include all the groups suffering from the hypocrisies of our society - millions with low paying, oppressive jobs; women as 2nd class citizens; millions in prison unnecessarily. United, a movement or coalition can be created to deal with these issues that affect the middle class as well. I would suggest that such a coalition could continue protest, mount civil disobedience actions and nationwide strikes (fast food, health workers, etc). Separated and divided, we are at the mercy of big money, big politics, and big mouths. Don’t splinter and fade like Occupy.