A Night Devoid of Stars

Said so well...

"The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through the violence you murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate.... Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

I war internally against war. I do support the troops -- but what does that really mean? I want them home safely. I thank them for their service. It is more complicated than that. There is a national deficit, economic struggles, and yet war is a financial priority in the U.S. budget. Forecasts of finances needed to proceed with the war in Iraq are staggering. The whole thing is troubling.

And as a side note, waterboarding is just plain wrong.

Presidential Campaign Innovation

I feel frustrated (slightly; why give too much emotion to all this) that the candidates for president with less money can't fairly compete in the campaigning that goes on during pre-primary season. It doesn't seem very democratic. So only the rich can be president? That's not so noble. I have three suggestions:

1. Give each candidate or perhaps the first seven to apply to run the same wallet with an ATM card and the same amount of funds deposited. Then, say, "Go!" Sit back and watch and see what each accomplishes with the fund.
2. Permit each candidate to raise money. Then proclaim the one with the most money president. The end. Do we let them contribute their own money? That would have to be decided.
3. If we agree on #2, here is a twist I really like. Take all the funds raised and contribute to organizations that combat world poverty and/or the global AIDS crisis. And go home feeling good about America. Like MEDA...Mennonite Economic Development Association. Wouldn't that be grand?!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4QExbeBc30
   

That's it from me. Happy Super Tuesday everyone!