This Other Eden

The Old Rugged Cross

Gabrielle — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:33:34 +0000

First up on the Supreme Court’s docket: Salazar v. Buono. This case poses two questions for Justice Sotomayor & Co.: Does a retired employee of the National Park Service have standing to sue over a cross erected in the Mojave National Preserve to honor the nation’s war dead? And did Congress succeed in bypassing the establishment clause dispute by transferring the land to private ownership? In what would appear to be a dry, boring civil matter, Justice Scalia entered with guns blazing.

ACLU attorney Peter Ellasberg on the symbolism of the cross: “It signifies that Jesus is the son of God and died to redeem mankind for our sins,” therefore, “due to its special religious significance, it should not stand alone as a prominent symbol in a national park.”

To which Scalia responded: “It’s erected as a war memorial. I assume it is erected in honor of all the war dead.”

Not so, Ellasberg objected: “I have been in Jewish cemeteries. There is never a cross on a tombstone of a Jew.”

Scalia blasted back: “I don’t think you can leap from that to the conclusion that the only war dead that the cross honors are the Christian war dead. I think that’s an outrageous conclusion.”

On and on it went.

What then, is the meaning of the cross? When atheists, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Wiccans, etc., join the military, do they instantly become “saved”? The same people who complained about the flag with President Obama’s countenance on it (saying it disgraced the memories of those brave soldiers who died defending it) now say it’s the cross they were defending. I for one understand neither the logic or the fervor of those who have taken this position.

“He spends his life explaining from his pulpit that the glory of Christianity consists in the fact that though it is not true it has been found necessary to invent it.” – Hector Hugh Munro

Defending Olympia

Gabrielle — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:32:33 +0000

Many conservatives believe Republican Senator Olympia Snowe is guilty of treason for advocating on behalf of her constituents, the majority of which support a major overhaul to the current healthcare system. She voted in favor of the Baucus Bill. Many liberals feel Snowe exerts too much influence in the process, simply because she is a member of the opposition party. Bottom line: She voted in favor of the Baucus Bill.

A bill that is far from perfect, yet frames the financial foundation on which the final bill will be built. A bill that fails to meet the goals of most reform proponents, yet without which the process would be dead in the water.

Olympia Snowe crossed the line in casting her lot with the democrats. It is not the first time, and probably will not be the last. But this bill is especially important to republicans – not only must they defend their most ardent supporters, the insurance lobbyists, but more importantly, this is supposed to be Barack Obama’s Waterloo; and one of their own is siding with Napoleon…

“What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step.” – Antoine De Saint-Exupery

A Tale of Two Cities

Gabrielle — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:11:02 +0000

It was the best of signs, it was the worst of signs. While a proud supporter hoisted an American flag with the President’s face in place of the field of stars in Kokomo, Indiana, the owner of the Georgia Peach Oyster Bar in Temple, Georgia hoisted a sign describing what he thought of the President’s healthcare policy – using the “N” word.

Conservatives were absolutely apoplectic that an American would deface the American flag by putting the American President’s face on it. Fox News enthusiasts are decrying the devastation this act has caused to the memories of our fallen heroes who died defending the honor of the red white and blue. Many have somehow managed to find a way to blame Barack Obama personally for the actions of this patriotic individual.

Conversely, conservatives speedily jumped to Patrick Lano’s defense; the owner of the Oyster Bar is not a racist because he said he’s not. Pay no attention to the Georgia White Pride Picnic/Rally Lano held this past Fourth of July. He has the right to free speech just as well as any other red-blooded American.

Our reactions to both stories truly tell the tale; we have a long way to go toward becoming a more perfect union…

“Such is hope, heaven’s own gift to struggling mortals, pervading, like some subtle essence from the skies, all things both good and bad.” – Charles Dickens

Center of the Storm

Gabrielle — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:06:38 +0000

Pronouncement on the Obama presidency: utter failure. True, conservatives perceive it that way, however in this instance it is the left who are criticizing the President. A majority of liberals feel betrayed – that the person they voted for has not delivered on his promises. Are they correct?

Last night’s fund-raiser for the Human Rights Campaign is an excellent place to start. While Obama served up his usual rhetoric, he received a lukewarm reception. Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is still on the books, as is the Defense of Marriage Act. Yet the hate-crime’s bill Obama pushed for is just days away from passage. He is also working a package of domestic-partnership benefits for federal workers through Congress. Still, with Afghanistan in flux and certain conservatives calling for our military to overthrow our own government, gay rights advocates refuse to wait for equality. Perhaps the most alarming statistic Obama has seen is that only 37% of Americans favor gay marriage.

Even the progressive media has forsaken the President. Keith Olbermann regularly rails against him for delaying the fulfillment of the gay agenda, for not forcing the issue with the public option, and for his hawkish stance on Afghanistan. Bear in mind, Barack Obama painted his promises in broad strokes during the campaign. Everyone interpreted his words through the filter of their own agenda. Jon Stewart has lambasted the President non-stop; one day Obama has too much on his plate, the next, he’s not moving fast enough.

Perhaps those who feel slighted disapprove of the President’s attempts to revitalize our economy, reform healthcare, and relentlessly navigate the international community toward a safe, green, peaceful planet. Being a centrist may be good for the country, it is, however, a sure ticket to being a one-term President. Barack Obama will never please conservatives, if only because there is a (D) affixed to his name; yet appeasing his base may be the hardest job of all.

“Half the promises people say were never kept, were never made.” – Edgar Watson Howe

Circle of Evil

Gabrielle — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:42:52 +0000

Like most liberals, I was crestfallen in 2000 when the Supreme Court stopped the Florida recount, thus vaulting George W. Bush into the White House. Again, like most liberals, once he was sworn in, I hoped Bush’s presidency would be successful. Like most liberals, I opposed the invasion of Iraq. Again, like most liberals, once the order was given, I hoped for a swift victory. Although I disagreed with many of Bush’s policies, I hoped both parties would work together for the good of the country.

Most conservatives were crestfallen last November as Barack Obama handily defeated John McCain – no recount was required. These conservatives have vociferously attacked the President since the moment he was sworn in. Most conservatives oppose every decision Barack Obama has made thus far; be it the Stimulus Bill, closing Guantanamo, giving a speech to the Muslim world, or even giving America’s children a stay-in-school message.

The contrast is quite evident. The liberal tendency is toward inclusion. Let’s all work together. Taken to extremes, Marxism prevails. The conservative tendency is toward exclusion. Divide and conquer. Taken to extremes, Nazism prevails. Obviously, both extremes are abhorrent; America is best served by moderacy. Ironically, this plays favorably with democrats, while republicans are loath to accept such fundamental compromise. Thus, we are right back where we started.

“He knows nothing; and he thinks he knows everything. That points clearly to a political career.” – George Bernard Shaw

Oppositional Logic

Gabrielle — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:01:54 +0000

Fraught with angst over the precipitous decline of America under the new administration, conservatives spent the summer voicing outrage at townhalls all across the country. Their two most pressing concerns? Exploding deficits and governmental usurpation of our freedoms. The gravest threat to our way of life was, according to many, healthcare reform.

We now know the Baucus Plan will drastically cut the deficit. There is also talk of allowing individual states to opt-in, or opt-out of a public option. One would assume that having more options meant having greater freedom. Not so, say the majority of republicans. A majority which would like to revoke former Republican Presidential Nominee Bob Dole’s Right to Free Speech, since he just advocated that both parties should work together on the issue of healthcare reform for the sake of all citizens.

Rush Limbaugh openly admitted he desires to see the President fail. Republicans were jubilant when Rio de Janeiro was chosen to host the 2016 Olympics. Even the breaking news that Barack Obama has been chosen to receive the Nobel Peace Prize was met with negative rhetoric from the right. One has to wonder whose side republicans are on, as it seems to be anyone else’s except the country they claim to put first.

“Against criticism a man can neither protest nor defend himself; he must act in spite of it, and then it will gradually yield to him.” – Goethe