Sometimes there are examples of a different way of doing politics and trying to make the world a better place. Watching from London, I have been fascinated by the way the Democratic Primary in New York panned out. It seemed to me that Mamdani demonstrated a different way of doing politics - not verbally beating up people who are not immediately on your side, but trying to win them over, in language that is comprehensible, straightforward, honest. And the ending of cross-support and joint campaigning/interviews with Brad Lander gave a different meaning to the word 'dream team'. I am sure you could tell me of all sorts of weaknesses and errors that I wouldnt know about from over here, but the overall story, the strategy, the sheer humanity of it all, was hugely impressive. As for Israel/Palestine, I think Hamas are much more like the extreme Israeli right in the Knesset - by and large they speak the truth. We may hate their truth, but they are reliable and can be judged on what they say as well as what they do. Netanyahu lies and lies and lies. Meanwhile, Israel's war is not WITH Hamas, it is ON the Palestinian people of Gaza, and on the Palestinian people of Massafer Yatta, East Jerusalem, the refugee camps which were emptied of their entire populations overnight without most of your - and my - politicians and media even blinking, and most of whom are too young ever to have voted for Hamas or anyone else. And most scary of all - the vengeful response of the majority of Israelis in backing any repressive actions Israel may take.
Our little group in ever-redder Great Neck, Long Island varies from 8-18 people each week, with signs that say things like "STRONGER TOGETHER" and "TRUST SCIENCE" and "DEMOCRACY, NOT FASCISM." Last week I made a two-sided sign, one side said "DO NOT DESPAIR" and the other said "MAKE GOOD TROUBLE" (thank you, John Lewis). We also have "HONK FOR DEMOCRACY" and it always lifts our spirits when we get honked at. And we have American flags, too, because we are the true patriots. (another good sign idea!)
I'm fascinated by the interactions with pedestrians walking by, also. Many ask "what are you protesting?" and I tell them, "We're not protesting anything, we're just saying what we stand for: Democracy, freedom, compassion, progress..." and they usually nod and smile, and sometimes they join us (I always have extra signs and we also have blank paper and markers). Most of the group is "alte," to be honest, but we have had some young people discover us and return to stand with us. And in this once proudly liberal town, now leaning ever further rightward, many people have commented as they pass us, "I'm so glad to see you doing this." Last night a policeman approached us and asked what we were doing, and when I told him, he smiled and said "That's really cool."
Are we changing the world? I don't know, but we are doing our bit to make a besere velt and to shine our light and spread positivity. I highly recommend it!
Thanks to Lawrence Bush for his often “right on the mark” comments about today’s crises. Fascism, in the U.S. of A. and Israel are matters of terrifying reality. They are not exactly new, but recurring themes of pain, despair, and tendencies to say, “What can we do? Homo sapiens has been a failure as a species.” Remembering Martin King and recently reading Albert Einstein’s brilliant essay, “Why Socialism?” makes me ashamed of myself as a radical turned failure in my questions as to whether ¡Venceremos! is still possible in these disastrous times.
These are not recent concerns. From the chapter “FLOWERS” in The Book of Tea, by Okakura Kakuzo, published by Charles E. Tuttle Company in 1906, comes the following:
“Sad as it is, we cannot conceal the fact that in spite of our companionship with flowers we have not risen very far above the brute. Scratch the sheepskin and the wolf within us will soon show his teeth. It has been said that man at ten is an animal, at twenty a lunatic, at thirty a failure, at forty a fraud, and at fifty a criminal. Perhaps he becomes a criminal because he has never ceased to be an animal. Nothing is real to us but hunger, nothing sacred except our own desires. Shrine after shrine has crumbled before our eyes; but one altar forever is preserved, that whereon we burn incense to the supreme idol—ourselves. Our god is great and money is his Profit! We devastate nature in order to make sacrifice to him. We boast that we have conquered Matter and forget that it is Matter that has enslaved us. What atrocities do we not perpetrate in the name of culture and refinement!”
This, along with Pete Seeger’s poignant song “Where have all the flowers gone?”, stimulated me to write the following sonnet:
I appreciate the touch of optimism.
Sometimes there are examples of a different way of doing politics and trying to make the world a better place. Watching from London, I have been fascinated by the way the Democratic Primary in New York panned out. It seemed to me that Mamdani demonstrated a different way of doing politics - not verbally beating up people who are not immediately on your side, but trying to win them over, in language that is comprehensible, straightforward, honest. And the ending of cross-support and joint campaigning/interviews with Brad Lander gave a different meaning to the word 'dream team'. I am sure you could tell me of all sorts of weaknesses and errors that I wouldnt know about from over here, but the overall story, the strategy, the sheer humanity of it all, was hugely impressive. As for Israel/Palestine, I think Hamas are much more like the extreme Israeli right in the Knesset - by and large they speak the truth. We may hate their truth, but they are reliable and can be judged on what they say as well as what they do. Netanyahu lies and lies and lies. Meanwhile, Israel's war is not WITH Hamas, it is ON the Palestinian people of Gaza, and on the Palestinian people of Massafer Yatta, East Jerusalem, the refugee camps which were emptied of their entire populations overnight without most of your - and my - politicians and media even blinking, and most of whom are too young ever to have voted for Hamas or anyone else. And most scary of all - the vengeful response of the majority of Israelis in backing any repressive actions Israel may take.
Thanks for the realist uplift, Larry. I’d love to have one of your signs!
Yes, yes, yes! I am out on the streets every Thursday from 7-7:30pm as part of the Beacon, an interfaith group started by Rabbi Kleinbaum that is focused on nonviolent resistance and positive messaging. More info here - tinyurl.com/thursdaylight and even more info here - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSceXM6ybEm4_RClM--nf5iON5PaEqy4XMh-emJvi7V6KXoX4Q/viewform There are groups all over the country and now in Europe, too... and there's one in Accord, NY, on Route 209 and Main Street! The website has a link to find a group near you - beaconfordemocracy.org
Our little group in ever-redder Great Neck, Long Island varies from 8-18 people each week, with signs that say things like "STRONGER TOGETHER" and "TRUST SCIENCE" and "DEMOCRACY, NOT FASCISM." Last week I made a two-sided sign, one side said "DO NOT DESPAIR" and the other said "MAKE GOOD TROUBLE" (thank you, John Lewis). We also have "HONK FOR DEMOCRACY" and it always lifts our spirits when we get honked at. And we have American flags, too, because we are the true patriots. (another good sign idea!)
I'm fascinated by the interactions with pedestrians walking by, also. Many ask "what are you protesting?" and I tell them, "We're not protesting anything, we're just saying what we stand for: Democracy, freedom, compassion, progress..." and they usually nod and smile, and sometimes they join us (I always have extra signs and we also have blank paper and markers). Most of the group is "alte," to be honest, but we have had some young people discover us and return to stand with us. And in this once proudly liberal town, now leaning ever further rightward, many people have commented as they pass us, "I'm so glad to see you doing this." Last night a policeman approached us and asked what we were doing, and when I told him, he smiled and said "That's really cool."
Are we changing the world? I don't know, but we are doing our bit to make a besere velt and to shine our light and spread positivity. I highly recommend it!
: INCREMENTAL PROGRESS NOW !
Thanks to Lawrence Bush for his often “right on the mark” comments about today’s crises. Fascism, in the U.S. of A. and Israel are matters of terrifying reality. They are not exactly new, but recurring themes of pain, despair, and tendencies to say, “What can we do? Homo sapiens has been a failure as a species.” Remembering Martin King and recently reading Albert Einstein’s brilliant essay, “Why Socialism?” makes me ashamed of myself as a radical turned failure in my questions as to whether ¡Venceremos! is still possible in these disastrous times.
These are not recent concerns. From the chapter “FLOWERS” in The Book of Tea, by Okakura Kakuzo, published by Charles E. Tuttle Company in 1906, comes the following:
“Sad as it is, we cannot conceal the fact that in spite of our companionship with flowers we have not risen very far above the brute. Scratch the sheepskin and the wolf within us will soon show his teeth. It has been said that man at ten is an animal, at twenty a lunatic, at thirty a failure, at forty a fraud, and at fifty a criminal. Perhaps he becomes a criminal because he has never ceased to be an animal. Nothing is real to us but hunger, nothing sacred except our own desires. Shrine after shrine has crumbled before our eyes; but one altar forever is preserved, that whereon we burn incense to the supreme idol—ourselves. Our god is great and money is his Profit! We devastate nature in order to make sacrifice to him. We boast that we have conquered Matter and forget that it is Matter that has enslaved us. What atrocities do we not perpetrate in the name of culture and refinement!”
This, along with Pete Seeger’s poignant song “Where have all the flowers gone?”, stimulated me to write the following sonnet:
The flowers have gone
In life there are times we need to conserve,
moments of beauty often obscure, frail
glimpses of lovely moments to preserve
a deeper meaning. We often will fail
to see moments of beauty and of peace,
dismiss what others need as much as we,
a place to grow and love and find release
from pain, from devastation. Those who see
beyond the boundaries of selfishness,
too often obscured by those of great wealth,
continue the struggle, for out of less
might come more, lead to freshness and to health.
They persist. They will never close the door.
And will the flowers bloom again once more?
Lots to think about here. Thanks!