Wishing for a Great 2010 !!

Dear Friends,

I have taken note that I have not updated my blog since August of 2009 and deemed that I should do so before the year ends. Lack of updating has not been because yours truly had nothing to rant or rave about but rather was due to my laziness. I must confess that by nature I am a very lazy person; particularly, when it comes to updating and/or maintaining a journal or a facsimile of same such as a blog. Today while I have several subjects buzzing around in my head, I do not find myself inclined or prepared to expound on any of them. Therefore, I will end the year writing on a somewhat wistful note regarding the overindulgence many of us did over the holidays. Yes folks, it is that time of year when many of us are once again resolving to join a gym or start dieting in order to lose some poundage and obtain a healthier and shapelier physique.

Along those lines, I have just read an amusing article by Dan Fletcher in the January 11, 2010 issue of Time magazine. To paraphrase-be wary as dubious diets have roped in the well-intentioned for generations! William the Conqueror, after becoming too fat to ride his horse, devised an alcohol only diet in 1087. He died later that year; still being fat, after falling drunk off his horse. In 1820 Presbyterian minister Sylvester Graham touted the vegetarian Graham Diet. This was promoted as a cure for not just obesity but also masturbation. Tapeworm pills were marketed as a diet alternative in the 1900s. In 1903 nutritionist Horace Fletcher, also known as the Great Masticator, advised that one should choose their food exactly 32 times and then spit it out. Dr. George Harrop pioneered a skim milk and banana regimen. In the 1960s Dr. Herman Taller was touting his "Calories Don't Count" diet, which let followers binge provided they chased their meals with vegetable oil. In 1966 the Sleeping Beauty diet which advertised that weight loss could be achieved by means of sedation was a hit. While low-carob diets like Atkins and South Beach have earned some doctors approval and millions of followers, other modern diets are considered far-fetched. The cabbage soup diet promised that one could lose 10 pounds in a week. More challenging is the lemonade diet, which requires the brave to subside on a concoction of lemon juice, maple syrup, red pepper, and hot water for 10 days.

I confess that I need and should lose 20 to 25 pounds. However, after considering some of these diets, I am inclined to adopt the William the Conqueror diet; and since I am not an equestrian; I will herewith prepare myself a stiff drink. Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!!!

This blog was composed using Dragon Naturally Speaking software. I love this software. Most of the time, it interprets my dictation correctly and saves me mucho tedious (one figure, hunt and peck) typing.

Slim Jim or Slime Jim

I do not consider myself to be one of those fanatic vegetarians and have been known to eat a hamburger or a slice of bacon from time to time but I do believe it is important for us to make responsible and ethical decisions regarding the foods that we eat. To support those decisions and our resulting behavior, it is important that we educate ourselves on what constitutes food, how much should be eaten, where does our food come from, how is it produced and by whom? I plan to attend a workshop led by Rev. Nate Walker of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia to explore these very questions.

In the meantime, I came across an article in Wired Magazine (August 2009) that detailed the composition of a popular processed snack food (?) known as the Slim Jim. I am curious – am I the only one to find it disturbing and nauseating?

The composition/ingredients are as follows: Beef – but not prime, a utility cut that comes from old steers with partially ossified vertebrae; Chicken – mechanically separated poultry scrapes that are pulverized into a pink paste; Hydrolyzed Soy – also known as monosodium glutamate; Corn and Wheat Proteins – well Slim Jims are made by ConAgra, after all; Lactic Acid Starter – a bacteria/sugar substance to lower the ph level; Dextrose – serves as a food for the lactic acid starter (its alive!); Salt – one Slim Jim gives you more than one-sixth of the sodium your body needs in one day; Sodium Nitrate – an agent to prevent the meat from turning grey and hopefully prevent botulism.

Mm – is it any wonder that a Slim Jim processing plant blew up lately?

Unemployment Rate Drops ??

This past week, the unemployment rate unexpectedly dropped last month from 9.5% to 9.4%, which everyone seems to be happy about. This seems odd, since the percentage of adults without jobs actually went up.

The new jobs report shows a faster-than-expected slowdown in the pace of job losses—247,000 were shed in July, when economists had expected 325,000—and an increase in hourly wages. So this is definitely good news to be had. But as the New York Times' David Leonhardt points out that - the top line number that is getting the most attention - the first decrease in unemployment since last April—is a statistical chimera hiding an actual increase in the total number of people without jobs.

The one thing that doesn't deserve much excitement is what will probably garner many of the headlines: the drop in the unemployment rate. It happened only because more people stopped looking for work and were thus ineligible to be counted as officially unemployed. The share of adults with jobs actually fell: to 59.4 percent, from 59.5 percent.

Those people who are conveniently "ineligible to be counted as officially unemployed" are also officially ineligible for unemployment benefits, which are beginning to run across the nation as time runs out on the extensions included in the stimulus package. So we've managed to goose the employment numbers by cutting off benefits to people who don't have jobs and then denying that they exist. It's kind of like saying the cancer rate is dropping because once people die of cancer, they no longer count as having cancer.

Duh - I will drink to that!

Gay men and women are everywhere! They're “out”, being painfully gay, and this offends some folks, including some of the very gays who're out there being gay! For this reason, some gays attempt to convert to straightdom, which science now says is ridiculous.

As reported by CNN, the American Psychological Association conducted an extensive study on gay conversions and came up with some truly shocking findings. Excerpted below is the crux of the report, but just please be sure to sit down before you read any of this.

Contrary to claims of sexual orientation change advocates and practitioners, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of psychological interventions to change sexual orientation," said Judith M. Glassgold, chairwoman of the task force that presented the report at the group's annual meeting in Toronto, Canada. In addition, the report cited evidence that efforts to switch a person's sexual orientation through aversive treatments might cause harm, including loss of sexual feeling, suicide, depression and anxiety.

Many who tried to change and failed "described their experiences as a significant cause of emotional and spiritual distress and negative self-image," it said.

Gee, thanks for the enlightenment APA. However, we doubt that the Mormon Church or many other fundamentalist religious fanatics will be swayed one iota by your little report.

A Thought

Recently, I was required to complete a very extensive set of questionnaires in preparation for my ministry career assessment evaluation. An autobiographical portion involved recalling and documenting certain events that took place in childhood, adolescence, early and middle adulthood. Since I am somewhat advanced in years, I found it difficult to remember back in time some experiences and in particular how I felt, regarding my strengths and weakness that came into play during the occurrence.

Scientifically, it has been advanced that we humans have a built-in neural process of forgetting, which is why the average human brain is equipped with the ability to filter through seemingly irrelevant details. Since an average person does not have infinite memory resources, it appears to be an evolutionary trade-off that allows the majority of us to focus on the most relevant facts and more current experiences.

Okay, assuming this is factual and it sounds good to me, I suppose I should not be too anxious on not fully remembering what I experienced or felt at the age of five, fifteen, twenty-five, or even forty-five. Five minutes ago, that is a different matter. But a thought that crossed my mind, when we do remember, are we remembering the experience as it actually happened or as we now perceive that it happened? I submit it is the latter. Not only can’t we remember some past experiences and how we felt about them but when we do, our memories are not precisely exact, having been affected by time, experiences, and other’s conveyed recollections.

So what is the point of this rambling of mine? Only that when I related some autobiographic experiences in completing the questionnaire, some of them may not be entirely accurate as to what transpired back when they took place. More probable, the recollections are a current day perception of what happen and feelings about same are more that of today than what I felt back then. But maybe that is one of the reasons for the interrogation – how do I now feel about it and how is it affecting my current behavior? Any thoughts?

Vatican Attitude Change on Homosexuality ??

With his outrageous wit, clear disdain for figures of authority and openly homosexual lifestyle, Oscar Wilde is an unlikely pin-up for the Catholic Church. Persecuted and imprisoned for his sexuality, gay rights campaigners have long idolized the 19th century writer as one of their own.

But the Vatican, it seems, is equally enamored of Ireland's greatest wit. In a glowing review of a new study of Wilde by the Italian writer Paolo Gulisano, L'Osservatore Romano – the Vatican's official newspaper – praises the Irish playwright for being "an aesthete and a lover of the ephemeral".

Scant attention is paid to Wilde's well-publicized relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas and the ensuing sodomy trial which sentenced him to two years' hard labor in Reading prison. Instead the paper's review eulogizes Wilde for his "lucid analysis of the modern world" and his eventual conversion to Catholicism as he lay on his death bed.

A few of my favorite Wilde quotes:

~ A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything but the value of nothing.
~ A gentleman is one who never hurts anyone's feelings unintentionally.
~ A man can't be too careful in the choice of his enemies.
~ A man who does not think for himself does not think at all.
~ A thing is not necessarily true because a man dies for it.
~ Always forgive your enemies - nothing annoys them so much.
~ Ambition is the germ from which all growth of nobleness proceeds.

Would Jesus Discriminate?

Pope Benedict XVI (a/k/a Ratzinger) is at it again; this time proposing a new world political body that would supersede the United Nations. He would want this organization to have "real teeth." This body would give more aid to those in need, would enhance trade unions and would focus on an economy driven by the desire to do good as well as make money. (Of course, there is no place for birth control, abortion or marriage equality.) The Pope went on to observe, "As society becomes ever more globalized, it makes us neighbors but does not make us brothers."

I don’t understand and have to ask, isn’t one of the main purposes of religion - to make us brothers and sisters? And why do I allow the Pope to irate me so much – maybe because also being in the ministry, I feel this man, in particular, should not be so discriminatory and be promoting universal love for all men and women.

Through history, many religious institutions have used their interpretation of the scriptures to justify discrimination against women, ethnic minorities, and people with different sexual orientations. In particular, the dominant conversations in around sexual orientation and gender identity have been framed in religious bigotry and intolerance. People in groups that differ from the majority tend to be marginalized in society. People of faith probably would not imagine that Jesus would discriminate. Yet many still maintain discriminatory beliefs, not because thy think it is right, but because they have never actually examined their own beliefs closely and blindly follow those of certain religious leaders. I again, I ask would Jesus discriminate? My viewpoint is that discrimination was not part of Jesus’ message, nor should it be part of any church’s ministry. Amen.

"Possessing Courage" - Zen of OZ

My sermon given on July 5th at the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia.

My friends, we live in troubled times. When I last spoke with you during August 2008; it was the Sunday after the shooting tragedy that had occurred at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. Unfortunately not much has changed for the better with respect to mitigating the continual occurrence of various tragedies - as recently evidenced by the shooting of a well known gynecologist, the events taking place in Iran, missiles be shot off in North Korea, political scandals, extensive bankruptcies, employment at an all time low, blue people hating green people, orange people hating turquoise people, and purple people hating everyone, to name just a few.

Back then, I offered some thoughts on how we might use some Zen Practices of Healing and the virtue of love to help us cope and to achieve a more loving, peaceful, and caring world. By way of illustration I referenced a fairly well known book and movie, “The Wizard of OZ.” For it is within this simple story, not only did I find it beset with moral values, but something deeper – spiritual guidance (Zen wisdom, if you will).

Previously, I reflected on the Tin Man in the story, who was seeking a heart and the Wizard’s response that he should remember that “a heart is not judged by how much you love, but how much you are loved by others.” But in these times, it seems that the virtue of love (alone) is not sufficient and that it needs to be augmented with the virtue of courage. So this time my focus will be on Courage - a virtue that was so prominent within our forefathers and mothers in their struggle for this country’s independence which we commemorate this July 4th weekend.

Accordingly, today let us journey again down the Yellow Brick Road with a Lion in his quest for courage from the story of the “Wizard of OZ” and hopefully pick up some helpful, useable Zen philosophy, as well.

Let us consider briefly the meaning of Courage and of Zen.

Courage transforms fear into determination. It is the embracing of life fully and doing what must be done even when it is difficult, risky, or unpopular. It allows us to face adversity with confidence. Courage opens us to new possibilities and gives us the strength to sacrifice for what we love. It is being fearless and brave. Spiritually, it is acting on moral values of what is right.

Zen practice is Buddhist in origin; it is a form of meditation that seeks to attain an intuitive illumination of mind and spirit. One, hopefully, realizes an “awakening” and spiritual enrichment through the direct individual assessment of one’s own experiences rather than through theory and the study of religious texts.

Now with regards to the quest for courage, in one of the chapters and/or scenes during Dorothy’s journey to meet the Wizard, she encounters a Lion. The great Lion bounds out in front of her with a terrible roar, gnashing his teeth and striking out with his sharp claws. Dorothy’s dog Toto, in a protective stance, runs barking towards the Lion. When the great beast opens his mouth to bite the dog, Dorothy fearing that Toto would be killed and heedless of the danger, rushes forward and slaps the lion upon his nose as hard as she could. The Lion immediately retreats and starts to whine in a cowardly fashion. When asked why he was such a coward, the Lion replied – I don’t know; it is a mystery and I suppose I was born that way. But others expect a Lion to be courageous so I learned if I roar very loudly, I can frighten others and have them think I am very brave.

Let us consider who was really courageous in this episode. Not the Lion who admits to being a coward and because of what others think he must be - has been forced to play out a fraud to live up to their expectations. It is apparent that Toto and Dorothy in their protective stances were the courageous ones, not by “roaring” the loudest or making bolstering claims but by taking decisive action. And what spiritual lesson can we learn from this tale - - excuse the pun?

I submit that one’s true self – one’s spiritual essence, one’s very internal nature – is completely fearless and does not fear any challenge. Unfortunately, a lot of our thinking and behavior tends to be shackled by the material world and is generally based on fears. Consequently, there arises a compulsion to conquer others to compensate for not having conquered one’s own fears. We see this played out every day in the real world from the posturing of dictators, terrorists’ acts, so-called “ideological” murderous shootings, discrimination, to bullying on the playground. The Lion was foolishly confusing courage with intimidation. An individual possessing true courage does not resort to intimidation. Only a bully uses intimidation and is cruel and/or demeans others.

In another episode, the Lion is walking down a hallway towards the Wizard’s throne room, twisting his tail nervously when he suddenly wails out in pain. “Someone pulled my tail,” he cries. The Scarecrow points out, “You did it yourself.” This single moment captures a profound Zen teaching of “There is no greater illusion than fear.” Referencing back to one of our forefathers, Franklin Roosevelt put it this way: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Later on when marching through the Haunted Forest toward the Witch’s Castle, the Lion self-destructively chants: “I do believe in spooks, I do, I do.” Instead the Lion should be using a positive affirmation to conquer his fear – the same way Dorothy does by chanting: “Lions, and tigers, and bears – oh my!”

How then does the Lion finally find his courage? It is when the Lion discovers that Dorothy is being held prisoner in the Witch’s Castle and his love for her overpowers his fears. In a flash, the Lion discovers his higher self, recognizes his unique talents, and impulsively decides to use his strengths to save Dorothy. As a famous Zen sage wrote: “Because of deep love, one often finds courage.”

Finally when the Wizard presents the Lion with a medal for exhibiting courage and bravery, he states that the Lion is simply under the delusion that because you have fears, you have no courage. The Wizard then with Zen-like clarity confides: “You are confusing courage with wisdom. Courage lies in how one deals with fear, not in the absence of it.”

I believe the message here is clear. If you, like the Lion, discover your true self and your purpose in life, you too can access the infinite potential of the cosmos, freeing yourself to experience life as a miraculous expression of love. All it takes is a little courage.

I offer for consideration Six Steps in the Practice of Courage. 1) Reach beyond your comfort zone, 2) Welcome new challenges, 3) Do what you know is right regardless of the cost, 4) Face the truth - being humble and open, 5) Don’t let your fears hold you back, and 6) Fully accept life’s invitations.

Hopefully, I have illustrated a little of the Zen philosophy that is contained in the story of the Wizard of OZ. May your journey down the Yellow Brick Road make your life glorious and joyful in every way. Let us be thankful for the gift of Courage for it allows us to spread our wings. “May it be so.”

Home Again

The ruby slippers have returned to the National Museum of American History in Washington D.C., which re-opened last November 2, 2008 after a two year, $85 million renovation. This exhibit has become one of the most popular ones attracting thousands of visitors each year. One of only five pairs of shoes known to survive from the MGM 1939 Wizard of OZ film, were purchased at a 1970 auction for $15,000 by an anonymous buyer (not me), who then donated them to the Smithsonian in 1979. The whereabouts of the pair of ruby slippers stolen (not by me) from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota in 2005 remains an Ozian mystery. (Credit: Baum Bugle Winter 2008).

My Evening of Drugs and Television

The other evening, I decided to spend it watching some commercial television programs. To my surprise it turned out to be an evening beset with inducements to partake of various drugs; consisting of over 25 solicitations for drugs ranging from anti-depressants to remedies for erectile dysfunction. Considering the barrage of the drug commercials that our populace is subject to on a daily basis; not just via television but radio, magazines, newspapers, billboards, direct mail, etc., it is no wonder that there is such wide-spread drug dependency and addiction. I am bewildered by the government’s extensive efforts to control some drugs such as marijuana and steroids but is doing nothing with respect to curtailing or regulating some of these other advertised drugs that can be just as harmful, if not more so.

A sample of these drugs included: Crestar for plaque buildup, Flomax for urinary control, Calais and Viagra for erectile dysfunction, Omnaris, Claritin and Zyretec for allergies, Zantac for heart burn, Celebrex for arthritis pain, Alli for weight loss, Pamprin for period relief, Lunesta for insomnia, Excedrin, Aleve, and Tylenol for pain/headaches, Bayer aspirin for heart attack prevention, and (my favorite) Cymatia for depression – after watching that advertisement, it so depressed me that I could have gone for some. After praising all the benefits of the drugs (appeared that one would magically transport me to a Caribbean island complete with beautiful people and delicious foods and drinks), the possible side effects are mentioned very quickly and in a cheerful tone. What is with cheerfulness when side effects include: blurred vision, heart palpitations, fall in blood pressure, nausea, diarrhea, uncontrollable bowel movements, headaches, heart attack, skin rash, trouble breathing, swelling of tongue, agitation, hallucinations, confusion, vomiting, seizures, suppression of immune system, erection lasting for hours (Mmm), fainting, dizziness, and death?

In fairness, I should mention there was one anti-drug advertisement but I found it bewildering in that it featured a young man who stated that his supplier was his parent’s medicine cabinet. Then there was the attorney ad that blared out that you should call them if you suffered any incurable side effects, became disabled or DIED (not sure how you do that) from taking any “prescription” drugs.

What is the purpose of this rant? Nothing more than to express my aggregation and annoyance at the profusion and irresponsibility of these commercials, dismay over all the money that is spent on promotion instead of lowering drug costs, the false message that it is okay, even acceptable, to ingest this or that drug to remedy whatever twitch, ailment, or mood is being experienced and the hypocrisies of it all. I am just saying ----.

Ruffled Tail Feathers

I have been rather lax lately in blogging; mainly due to the fact that nothing of great significance has been happening in my life and there has not been any “event” that have ruffled my tail feathers. Well, of course that was not going to last. I was delighted to hear this past week that the House of Representatives finally passed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a/k/a Matthew Shepard Act, by a vote of 249-175 and hopefully will be sanctioned by the Senate.
The LLEHCPA will authorize the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute certain bias-motivated crimes based on the victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability. Currently, the federal government can only investigate hate crimes motivated by the victim's race, color, religion, and national origin. It will also provide local authorities with more resources to combat hate crimes and give the federal government jurisdiction over prosecuting hate crimes in states where the current law is inadequate.
What I found to be “disturbing” was, not just the very high number that voted nay but anti-gay speeches made by some of the representatives arguing against its passage. Particularly that of Rep. Virginia Foxx who stated that the Matthew Shepard incident was just being used as a “hoax” to get the legislation passed. Yes, she used the word hoax and it took some effort to contain an outburst of angry on my part. Breath in slow – Breath out slow. I am forever perplexed at the denial of substantiated facts and evidence that is maintained by some individuals and particularly so when they are propagated by those is positions of authority and responsibility. Perhaps legislation should be passed to require all members of Congress to take and pass an IQ test before they can “seated.”
Does Rep. Foxx still believe the world is flat, constellations are celestial beings, sea monsters swallow up ships at sea, the universe was made in six days, the holocaust never happened (Bishop Williamson), the stork brings babies, the sun moves around the earth (condemn Galileo for suggesting otherwise), use of condoms causes AIDS (thank you Pope Benedict), and that California is a country (oops that was Miss. California). What is so disheartening is that it is not just Rep. Foxx making such innate assertions but so many others who unfortunately have a public forum and that so many others listen and believe. I can only hope that in the end common sense and reason will prevail – in the meantime, I must go and smooth down my ruffled tail feathers. After all, they are rather pretty - don't you agree?

Pope & HIV/AIDS

In his inaugural address to Africa, Pope Benedict XVI, in speaking about the AIDS crisis, denounced the use of condoms arguing that they will not solve the problem and may even make the problem worse. This man’s opinion is that his remarks were unrealistic, inaccurate, and worse of all irresponsible. He is seemly ignorant of the harsh realities of today’s world where more than 7,400 new HIV infections surface each year. Condoms are a necessary and effective strategy for stemming the tide. The only other method more effective is abstinence which is impractical and again unrealistic – “the flesh is weak”. Abstinence until marriage also may not work in that one could get HIV from their newly married partner who was less celibate. Also, contrary to what the Pope says – there is no evidence that condoms exacerbate the HIV/AIDS crisis. While infections are higher in communities that use condoms, such a statement is both disingenuous and illogical. One must not confuse correlation with causality Fact, high condom use does not cause people to get infected! As the leader of the Catholic community, the pope has a moral responsibility to provide more intellectual and practical means of dealing with and curtailing this crisis. This is no longer the “dark ages” and another “reformation” may be just what needs to be initiated to “awaken” the papacy.

Chemically Infused Bodies

A current consternation of mine is the chemical infusion that is assaulting our bodies. It has become foremost in my “concerned thoughts” and has been prompted by a medical treatment that I am receiving for a type of cancer known as Chronic Lymphoma Leukemia (CLL) that has taken up an unwelcome residence in my body. Now I have been assured that the chemotherapy being administered is not only necessary but will hopefully suppress this cancer for some years. That being said, unnatural chemical agents and to some extent poisons are being infused into my body. The consequence is that it is not only killing the cancer cells but some good healthy cells; as well as, inducing some very undesirable side effects such as fatigue, loss of appetite, chemical mouth taste, hair loss, etc. Okay, okay – I know it must be accepted and tolerated but my alarm and anxiety regarding this chemotherapy prompted me (a list maker) to detail the chemicals being employed in my treatment. There are as follows: fludarabine, rituximab, pegfilrastim, sulfamethoxazole, allopurinol, ondansetron, prochlorperazine, and lunesta. Wow, wow – I said to myself while drinking a diet coke; it is a wonder that there is not a chemical reaction with this mix that might produce a spontaneous combustion. Then I glanced at the ingredients listed on the diet coke can and noted that I had just also ingested some more chemicals: aspartiame, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate, citric acid, and caffeine. And behold a miracle, I did not explode.

Now, I am thinking besides the chemotherapy and the diet coke, what other chemicals am I knowing or unknowingly ingesting into my body during a typical day. As might be guessed, it is absolutely staggering and mind bogglingly (if it hasn’t yet be turned into a chemical wasteland). Actually, it is more disconcerting and frightening than a horror movie. Here is just a preview (morning only) and is rated for adults only and not for the sensitive or squeamish. Morning hygiene: toothpaste (potassium nitrate, sodium flouride, others not listed), mouthwash (glycerin, sorbital, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, benzoic acid, poloxamer 407, sodium benzoate, sodium lauryl sulfate, saccharin, fdc blue, and fdc yellow), shaving cream (politic acid, tiethanolamie, olethy-20, sorbitol, isobutone, trocopheryl acetate, plus 20 more), body soap and shampoo (too many to list over 50). I surrender and turn now to some breakfast. Orange Juice (oranges chemically sprayed in the orchard, carton liner contains a chemical preservative), Fiber One cereal ( bht, trisodium phosphate, tripotassium phosphate, sucralose – sugar and corn syrup was not enough sweeter, tocpherols, calcium carbonate), Soymilk for cereal (calcium phoshate, potassium citrate, sodium polyphosate, dipotassium phosate), toast and butter (about 24 more chemicals). I think it is best not to light a match at this point. I am totally overwhelmed and lack the fortitude to list what chemical presence lurks in my lunch, snack, dinner, laundry and house cleaning products, air, water, etc. etc.

So what was the point of this blog post and exercise? In retrospect, what started out as a major concern of mine, having my body subjected to chemotherapy, pales in comparison to the chemical onslaught to which my and your body is subjected to on a daily basis and while there may not be much we can do to alleviate the situation, personal awareness is a defense in itself and maybe give ourselves pause before we pick up that next can of diet soda or prompt us to look critically at the ingredients list of some of the products we use on a regular basis.

Reversing Bush Policy, U.S. Backs UN Condemnation of Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation

Report - Thanks to Towleroad
Via UN Dispatch:

"In late December the United Nations General Assembly held a symbolic vote on a statement calling for the universal decriminalization of homoseeport - xuality. France spearheaded the resolution, which was a 13 point declaration "to ensure that sexual orientation or gender identity may under no circumstances be the basis for criminal penalties, in particular executions, arrests or detention." The statement received 60 votes in support, mostly from Europe and South America. Opposing the resolution, were the United States, the Holy See, and members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. At the time, the Bush administration couched its objection to the measure in legal technicalities. Well, that was then. This is now: At the so-called 'Durban Review Conference' on racism and xenophonia underway in Geneva, Europe again put forward language condemning 'all forms of discrimination and all other human rights violations based on sexual orientation.' According to UN Watch, 'The Czech Republic on behalf of the E.U., with the support of New Zealand, the United States, Colombia, Chili on behalf of the South American states, the Netherlands, Argentina and a few others, took the floor in support.'"

The efforts unfortunately failed due to lack of support from non-European countries (South Africa on behalf of the African Group, China, Egypt, Nigeria,Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Botswana, Iran, Algeria, and Syria), but the U.S. appears to be back on the correct side of the issue now.

Good for you - Argentina !!

By DEBORA REY
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - The traditionalist bishop whose denials of the Holocaust embarrassed the Vatican was ordered Thursday to leave Argentina within 10 days.
The Interior Ministry said it had ordered Richard Williamson out of Argentina because he had failed to declare his true job as director of a seminary on immigration forms and because his comments on the Holocaust "profoundly insult Argentine society, the Jewish community and all of humanity by denying a historic truth."
Williamson's views created uproar last month when Pope Benedict XVI lifted his excommunication and that of three other bishops consecrated by the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre as part of a process meant to heal a rift with ultraconservatives.
The flap led the Vatican to demand that the British clergyman recant before he can be admitted as a bishop in the Roman Catholic Church. It also prompted the Society of St. Pius X, founded by Lefebvre, to dismiss Williamson as director of the La Reja seminary in Argentina and to distance itself from his views. The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said the Vatican had no comment on the Argentine action.
In an interview broadcast Jan. 21, Williamson told Swedish state TV that no Jews were gassed during the Holocaust and only 200,000 to 300,000 were killed, not 6 million.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, Williamson declared in a 1989 speech that "Jews made up the Holocaust, Protestants get their orders from the devil and the Vatican has sold its soul to liberalism."
"There was not one Jew killed in the gas chambers. It was all lies, lies, lies," Williamson said in the speech at Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes church in Sherbrooke, Quebec, the Jewish group said in a report posted on the Internet.
He was quoted as asserting that "the Jews created the Holocaust so we would prostrate ourselves on our knees before them and approve of their new state of Israel."

Guest House (Rumi)

I am currently going through a "rough patch" with some significant health problems, trying to keep my seminary studies up, and affected by the economic impact. In consult with my minister and mentor, he provided me with this reflection by Rumi that has provided me some comfort and wish to share it with all of you; who also may be experiencing a "rough patch".

The Guest House - -

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

~ Rumi ~

(The Essential Rumi, versions by Coleman Barks

Individualism is it a threat?

I have been thinking about this a lot lately for some reason. Perhaps because of what I have been reading/hearing in the news and witnessing recently. It is no more than has always been the case but as we advance into this new era in America, one would think that there would be more tolerance for the expression of individualism and non-conformity. Yet, despite all the extolling that individualism is to be respected and embraced in these United States, conformity is what our society in subtle and not so subtle ways attempts to impose. Being somewhat of an individualist myself, I have found this societal influence to be at times mildly irritating and other times offensive and even threatening. I would like to explore this subject in multiple posts and welcome comments regarding same. To start things off for now, I am going to focus on individual choices versus inherent individual traits such as skin color, sexuality, physical stature, etc.

You may ask; where is this all going? Well, recently I made an individual (admittedly belated) choice to be a vegetarian. You would think from the reaction of some of my friends and acquaintances that I had just become a member of some subservience cult. There is bewilderment, questioning as to why, peer pressure to just eat a little of a “delicious” meat dish, frantic food preparation quandaries, concerns that meat eating in front of me is offensive, expressions that it is not healthy, and opinions that my menu choices are boring, tasteless, unexciting, non-nutritious and just plain yucky. There are many reasons (many private) why I made this choice and do not feel that I should have to justify it – sometimes repeatedly. I was surprised by the reactions and ask the question why. I never have felt compelled to ask omnivores or carnivores as to why meat is such a basic part of their diet, certainly have not subject them to twenty questions, nor offered opinions on the taste and nutritional value.

I have an opinion (and may be wrong) that the impetus for this reaction is not so much of my being a vegetarian but rather a reaction to me not being in conformity with the majority and thus in some way a threat to their life style. But why does my eating a bowl of steamed broccoli versus beef stew constitute a threat? This, I do not understand and would appreciate some insight.

Oh My !

A treat for all my hetero male friends who have stated that there is nothing of interest for them in the Merry Old Land of OZ. (Courtesy WizardofOZCostumes.com)

All embracing Mother Nature !

A gynandromorphic cardinal bird. Left side male, right side female.
(Courtesy - Towleroad.com)

BEST WISHES & GOOD LUCK GENTLEMEN !!

FAREWELL and GOOD RIDDANCE !!

Frustration

A New Year's Resolution

Deep Listening & Loving Speech

A Mindfulness Training by Thich Nhat Hahn

Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I am committed to cultivating loving speech and deep listening in order to bring joy and happiness to others and relieve others of their suffering.

Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I am determined to speak truthfully, with words that inspire self-confidence, joy, and hope.

I will not spread news that I do not know to be certain and will not criticize or condemn things of which I am not sure.

I will refrain from uttering words that can cause division or discord, or that can cause the family or the community to break.

I am determined to make all efforts to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.

A Year Reflected in Nature - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

EAR

Feeling Melancholy

It is New Years Eve, last day of 2008, and I am feeling very melancholy. Perhaps, it is because I am alone as I have been on my birthday, various holidays, and most other major life celebratory days that one usually celebrates with family and friends. I acknowledge that my being alone is a result of my own choices of being desirous of living an independent, self-sufficient, and libertarian life-style, Yet, by nature, man is a social being and while some alone time is essential to one’s well-being, being perpetually alone is dismal. I have strived to contravene this malaise by keeping busy with work, academic studies, cultural activities, social visitations and exchanges, travel, church work, volunteerism, etc.; but the bottom line is that I live as and am an alone being and accordingly have found myself rather despondent as of late. I write this, unsure why, not to evoke sympathy but to give voice to some haunting feelings that seem to shroud me as I age (now 67) increasingly into my twilight years. I realize that I am not unique in experiencing this phenomenon but when it beset one’s self – it is unsettling. The frailty of life is a fact for everyone but more impeding when you are in your senior years. This, plus having been recently diagnosed with CLL (Chronis Lymphocytic Leukemia), gives me pause as to whether I am living my remaining time as fruitfully as I should. For example, I am enrolled in seminary pursuing a Master of Divinity degree that hopefully will result in my ordination of a Unitarian minister at age 70 (can’t help wonder what the odds are that I will live and/or be functional by then). Yet, alternatively, should I be sitting around with my thumb up my ass – I think not. Traveling, maybe, but I don’t have the stamina and money to do very extensively. Golf, bowling, bingo, card games, gambling, and similar activities never attracted me as more than something to pursued on an occasional recreation basis. But I have stranded from the subject of loneliness. Fortunately, for me, it is usually a temporary condition as I have some close and great friends that I enjoy being with and as mentioned have my various activities. So consider this expression a little exercise in self-pity that I will probably unpost shortly after posting.