Thoughts from Thinkers

“The political leaders with whom we are familiar generally aspire to be superstars rather than heroes. The distinction is crucial. Superstars strive for approbation*; heroes walk alone. Superstars crave consensus; heroes define themselves by the judgment of a future they see it as their task to bring about.”

-- Henry Kissinger
[*ap·pro·ba·tion n: 1. approval, consent, or appreciation; 2. the official approving, authorizing, or sanctioning of something]

“God Almighty has set before me two great objects: the suppression of the Slave Trade and the reformation of manners.”

-- William Wilberforce

October 28, 1787

[Note: 46 years later and three days before his death, slavery was abolished throughout the entire British empire.]

Truth to Pierce the Heart

"This type of thinking and name-calling is the beginning of the dehumanization of a person or ethnic group. We objectify and project negative qualities onto those we fear or despise. It is difficult to discriminate against and mistreat a person when you identify with them or think of them as being "like us." However, if we can reduce them to 'ni----- [I chose to leave the word out], 'terrorists,' 'savages,' or 'dogs,' or distance them from ourselves as 'illegal aliens,' they become less than human and acceptable objects of mistreatment. After that, the transition from discrimination to hatred and bigotry becomes easier and easier; racism and 'ethnic cleansing' can be justified by well-meaning people as something they are doing to protect the good in the name of the Lord."

Brenda Salter McNeil
A Credible Witness
p. 31

This is a painful path that is brewing all around us. As a follower of Christ, I must live my life in step with Jesus as demonstrated in his encounter with the woman at the well.

Immigrant

I am 1/4 Dutch. My grandpa immigrated through Ellis Island at age 19 from Rotterdam. My heart goes out to others who immigrated through less politically popular circumstances. Many good people come to this country with much to offer, just the same as my grandfather, but coming from a different latitude to face other attitudes. Where is the justice? Just wondering. I understand there are limits to resources to care well for each other. But what is truly limiting those resources? And are those limits equitable?

I started thinking about this issue again when my friend recently told me she was third generation American, same as I am. She told me someone recently asked her what part of Mexico she was from. She wasn't sure if that question implied any attitude or not, but it caught her off guard. And she didn't know for sure where her grandfather was from in Mexico, anyway. No one ever asks me what part of Holland/The Netherlands I'm from. Made me think.

Foamy Soap

I just love foamy soap. This is currently one of the simple, little, inconsequential highlights in my life. And why not?!! I've been wrestling with all the propositions pending on our November ballot, trying to weave my way through the propaganda to find truth in light of Scripture, and form an opinion. That has been exhausting. So, soap is a pleasant distraction. I have a soap dispenser at the kitchen sink. It fills my hand with a squirt of soft, foamy, lemony bubbles. It has a light feel, a fresh smell, and a silly look -- this foamy soap in my hand. More public restrooms have it now, too. It's easier to wash my hands with that kind of soap, too. But I just enjoy the light, fresh bubbliness. It is just that simple. A little ahhhhhhhhhh in the day.

Pugs on Parade

In the "tail" end of an o-too-long campaign, I must have needed a lighthearted moment. I was driving to meet a friend for brunch this morning, stopped at a light. A man was crossing the street with his two Pug brand dogs on leashes marching along beside him. Suddenly and randomly, I realized the dogs' quick little legs were stepping along with the rhythm of the jazz piece playing on my car radio, and the man's stride was matching a second layer of beat in the jazz song. I just had to laugh. Yes, it was a "had to be there" kind of moment, but like a mini-marching band without instruments, on the move, it was musical fun to watch, listening to Saturday morning happy jazz. All in the few moments it takes to wait at the light, I realized the rhythms of life continue no matter what issues are on the ballot and who is elected to office. Sweet!

Homosexuality and Public Education

I am a public school educator. There are some ads and e-mails flying around California and a pile of strong emotions connected to Proposition 8: "Eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry, initiative constitutional amendment." The ads and e-mails (with video interview of a Massachusetts family and kindergartner) I have viewed highlight that homosexuality will be taught in public schools. I have contacted the California Department of Education and I'm waiting for their position on this because I'm sceptical we'd be teaching with moral implication. I imagine we'd continue to teach respectful treatment of life. I have also researched and found that, in fact, homosexuality is part of the History/Social Science Framework for instruction already. Homosexuality is to be taught in context of genocide, bullying, and Nazi Germany. Historically, homosexuals have been targeted for harm, along with others who are different, in those three contexts. I think respect for others identified as different is valid, and in those contexts is important. This is not a moral pronouncement on lifestyle choices. I'd leave that to parents to teach. I think most educators would.

Rember, the public schools also teach about the history of the church, including the Hebrew nation, Constantine, and Martin Luther. Not all teachers cover those topics in a way that would please all parents. If others protested that "religion" was being taught in public schools, what would we say? I encourage everyone to think deeply, seek the facts, and then pray as you decide on some of these government issues that can distract us from the Great Commandment.

Regarding the video of the Massachusetts family that is attached to one e-mail, it is persuasive. Because it is, I ask viewers to identify those persuasive techniques used to get the response wanted. Some problems include the assumption of the intent of the teachers and the administrators, and the challenge with telling teachers to not "teach" homosexuality. What are they really "teaching?" All kinds of families exist, including divorced couples, single moms, widows, step-families, etc. How do we instruct children of different situations? We cannot generally assume educators are promoting morality. Are only certain sexual behaviors an issue here? What about affairs? Living together? Sex prior to marriage? It remains the "parent's sacred duty to instruct children morally" -- that is not being taken away. The father in the video told that the school said they would handcuff him and take him to jail. That was probably in response to his stated threat to not leave the school office. Not in response to his request for an accommodation for his child regarding parental notification, etc.)

A Republican Called

Yesterday, I answered the phone and the caller stated that she was calling from the Republican Party and asked if I could answer a few questions. Well, I love a survey because I have plenty of opinions, so I said OK. I am registered as an independent which makes me a coveted swing vote for this fall's election. So, I've expected to be courted by both parties, and now it has begun.

Anyway, she asked me something like which of the following four issues is most important to me for the coming election:

1. Oil (I don't remember her exact phrasing on this one)
2. Low Taxes & Jobs (exact words)
3. Right to Life & Same-sex Marriage (phrasing is close to how she stated it)
4. Securing the Border (phrasing is close)

I asked, "Are those my only choices?" I was shocked by the lack of issues like the War in Iraq, the economy (though implied), caring for the poor, global responsibilities to equitably distribute wealth, health care, the environment, and education in the US, among others. Well, yes, those four were my only choices.

I, in a split second, then attempted to reason my way through them, even though none of these as stated was my top issue for the election. I wanted to discuss the complexities of each option, but this was not the format for that.

I selected "oil," because none of the others made sense as presented for a variety of reasons, including issues of state's rights, the current economic situation, what a president's role truly is, my world view in response to Scripture, and so on. Oil is not my most important issue for the election, but the only one of the four choices that remained after briefly thinking about each. So, now I am reminded again to be sceptical of statistics. If I hear "independent voters polled reported oil as the #1 issue for the 2008 election"...that would not be the whole story!

I think the only other question she asked was, "Can we count on your vote for John McCain?"

Homeschool Moms Are Heroes

I am a supervising teacher that travels around and visits my homeschool families. Homeschool moms work so hard and sacrifice so much to do the home education opportunity well. I know it is a contraversial subject. I don't think I'd homeschool if we had kids. But all the same these moms and even some dads are an amazing bunch. If homeschooling is right for the parents and the kids, it can work really well. Here is a funny video that expresses the sense of being overwhelmed that often comes with this role, especially in September.

Consumer Pressure Part V

My dear 84-year-young mom is cleaning out years of stuff to simplify life. I jokingly told her that if she left all that for me to sort through, I'd kill her (joking!). So, she is really hustling to get down to what she loves and what she uses, letting the rest go. It has been a hard journey for her. She has said she felt like she is letting her life go. There is some grieving.

I am challenged to remember that our stuff is not our life. Enjoying our stuff in life shared with others is wonderful, but it is not the stuff that gives life. Stuff gives you more to care about, more to clean, more to store, less to give to God's work (in time and money), often less time for others, often less time for who and what you love.

I say, if I have to dust it, sell it! OK, not quite, but sometimes I feel that way.

My mom wrote in a recent e-mail something like this...my advice to you is don't buy anything ever! I loved that! My mom teaches me many lessons and this is a big one. Go, Mom!

Consumer Pressure Part IV

So, I do feel a little peer consumer pressure to own a "modern" TV, and a flat screen does appeal for the lack of space needed to display it. There is a little voice that says, "Oh, be like everyone else...go pick out something shiny and new, and then you'll be truly happy." But we have an "old fashioned TV" that works. Our den is a small room where we watch it, so we don't need a large screen. This is even nice for watching movies, because the sound is so good -- thanks to my husband setting that up. So we are content. Not because of what we own, but because of who we are and simplicity aids serenity.

Now when this one breaks, we will have to make a decision. But for now, people who visit us may have to step back in time to watch TV or a movie, but that is OK.

Consumer Pressure Part III

This morning I was dusting in the bedroom. As I wiped off the TV, I remembered buying that TV. It was a big deal. It's a 14" color TV with a remote from Montgomery Ward. Anyone, remember Montgomery Ward, our 5th president? Just kidding. I think it was a national chain at one point.

I bought the TV in 1985. I had just moved into an apartment by myself and had always watched a roommate's TV, so I wanted one of my own. I needed it to watch Monday Night Football, of course. Really. That provided real urgency. So, I got a decent one that I could afford.

And you know what? It is 2008 and we still watch it, the remote still works. It works with cable or dish TV. And it has a "Sleep" feature, so it can shut off after we do, sometimes. And we can wake up to it instead of an alarm, though the value of waking up to local news is a disturbing way to start the day sometimes. It is good enough.

Am I unpatriotic because I haven't supported my country's economy in TV purchases and upgrades? Am I leaving a smaller footprint because for 23 years I haven't sent a TV to a waste disposal sight? Am I still watching TV with satisfaction. No. Yes. Yes.

Consumer Pressure Part II

Consumer pressure continued...Spending impacts education. Those crazy bottom-line driven (they are profit driven, so that is a good business plan) curriculum companies publish new textbooks constantly, of course. They know that unless they jazz it up, change the cover, and edit slightly to release a new edition, their sales will stagnate once a school has books on their shelves.

Consider history textbooks. How much history happens that needs to be added so soon after we invested in classroom sets? And science. Technology affords us scientific innovations and breakthroughs at lightning speed. But really now, at the elementary level, at least, the broadstroke science concepts and scientific method and reasoning remain the same and need to be grasped. And math. Is there new math we can't live without? Or is it a matter of better graphic design and more up-to-date children in photos?

As a homeschool supervising teacher for the state of California, we prefer to reuse curriculum. Yet, often we cannot. If the text has a newer edition and we want the student workbook to match the one already in our library -- good luck. Easier to just spend and get the whole new set.

And what happens to the "out-of-date" books? Storage space throughout the land holds tons of these "obsolete" items. We talk about getting them to schools that lost everything in hurricanes and floods for temporary use. We talk about getting them to third-world schools that want books in English. Not sure who that would be, really. There are shipping costs and other obstacles. So what happens to these books? Landfill?

Education budgets have been slashed again this year. So, stop buying new textbooks and test the kids every other year and pay teachers with the money saved. What would we lose?

Consumer Pressure Part I

Growth in our country's economy is greatly dependent on consumer spending -- shopping. Some statistics say it's about two-thirds of our economy rests on buying services and stuff. More stuff. Just about the time you get some new stuff that you are thrilled to have for your very own, a newer, brighter, faster, ultimate for a moment new thing arrives on the market. Some parents evaluate their effectiveness at being a loving parent by measuring how many days and for how many hours they are willing to stand in line with hopes of the UPS truck bringing just enough nuggets of happiness to get one into their eager hands to surprise a child.

Someone's Daughter

I passed one of those people yesterday. You know. Well, if you live in a big city you probably know. Those people. The first clue is they are pushing a grocery cart filled with things that probably go in a suitcase or moving van if it were me. And they are not in a grocery store parking lot.

She pushed the cart past me as I exited the building. She was pleasant and talking. Naturally, I listened to see if she was greeting me in order to look her in the eyes and be nice in response, as my mother taught me to do. It takes a split second to conclude I am not a part of the conversation though no one else is nearby. She was messy and the hair had that look to it. I just kept walking on out of the building and out of her life.

As I passed her, I heard her say, "I gotta call my mom." She wasn't coherent, but that phrase grabbed my heart. The reality hit me between the eyes. This is someone's daughter. A person of value, if not to herself or her family -- to God. I then saw her differently. Not with my eyes, but with my heart. A humility settled over me and an openess to care about her. Even if just for a moment in prayer. I am just as feeble at figuring out life at times, but the Lord loves me and cares for me. Sounds like a children's Bible song. But the truth can be profound at moments of clarity when I pause to notice the moment.

Perceptional Fog

per·cep·tion: the process of using the senses to acquire information about the surrounding environment or situation.
fog: a state of confusion or lack of clarity

[Encarta® World English Dictionary © 1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.]

Yesterday, I watched the weather news on Hurricane Gustav which was headed for New Orleans. At that moment, the storm is 305 miles away from Louisiana landfall. It has winds currently of 115 miles per hour with gusts up to 140mph. Mandatory evacuations were underway and seemed impressively organized. It is just hard to perceive what that must have been like. What would I take if asked to evacuate? Where would I go? How would I feel? And why do some folks stay behind?

Then there are the recent and current political party conventions and campaigns. These are politicians. They live on persuasive speech technique, among other things. It is also hard to perceive who is speaking truthfully, speaking accurately. Tonight Fred Thompson, at the Republican Convention, quoted a piece of something Obama said, but Thompson linked it to the wrong part of the issue. I know this because I actually heard the full context when Obama spoke the words in a prior interview. This evening, Thompson spoke it out of context and it was misleading and wrong, yet everyone in the room cheered wildly. It makes me question everything said about someone by the other party...either party. So perceptions are challenging. I'm in a bit of a fog processing reality through my perceptions in understanding the impact of a hurricane on human life and in understanding the good, the bad, and the ugly of candidates.

Vice Presidents, Evangelicals, and Campaigns

Just a few comments on election years. Some parts of this privilege of electing government leaders amuse me. Others annoy me. The party conventions are right around the corner. I am amused at the game "Guess the Vice Presidential Candidate," similar in some ways to "Deal or No Deal," a popular TV show I've watched maybe once. I'm annoyed by the mystical formula for picking a VP running mate: who will pull in the votes of the people currently disinterested in the presidential candidate, who will offend less people, who is from a big state with lots of votes. What does a VP do? Help out in the Senate, and replace the President in times of demise. So this choice, for me, will impact who I vote for in November. When people say, "Do you know who you are voting for?" at this point, I tell them no because I haven't seen the VP candidates yet nor have I seen party platforms or final positions on my pet issues: poverty (which includes the economy) and justice (which includes the war with Iraq) issues.

Today, both McCain and Obama are being interviewed by Rick Warren at Saddleback Church. I have deep respect for Rick Warren for his authentic journey of faith. It has been somewhere between amusing and annoying to hear what reporters are saying in anticipation of this event. Some news views I've heard show how so out of touch the news writers have been with "evangelicals." Whose fault is that? Evangelicals? News writers? I don't know. And that further reminds me to be cautious when reporters speak about any people group in general terms, which mainstream media seems to report with more spin and gossip as time goes by. I so appreciate those who come close to the fair reporting -- no, not Fox. Today on NPR with Scott Simon, the reporter did a great job of explaining the event without disparaging the main audience. I think Rick Warren will do an honest job of questioning the candidates on issues that are big on my mind. And that is not necessarily positions on gay marriage and abortion for me. It is bigger things. I hope we can just tell who is giving an honest answer. That's tough to do. I can't wait to watch the interviews and then to hear news coverage over the next day or so.

Campaigns -- the ads, the phone messages, the name calling, the magnifying lens on the weakness of each human, on and on...but only to November. It does get tiring. Once, as an intern for a state assembly, I decided to become an Independent because I'd been embarrassed by the behavior of Representatives from both parties. I still enjoy the status of an Independent for that reason. And this year, more than many, those Independent voters will be sought after as the big unknown. Power to the people - right on! Thank the Lord for true freedom and for just a few more months of this!

Still Walking...

I just returned from my 30-minute walk. Today I walked right around noon due to other scheduling limits. The temperature was about 80 and humidity around 50%, so it felt steamy, yet not oppressive for me since I was raised in the Midwest. I went mostly uphill today, except for when I came back, which would involve downhill. Yes, many admire my grasp of the obvious. Anyway, my legs felt strong, I got sweaty, my face turned red, and I had a very good time. I walked up to a point with quite a veiw of the valley and where the Los Angeles sky line would make a stunning impression on a clear day, but that was not today. This is my 12th week of my new walking plan. It is a simple plan:

Walk 30 minutes a day five days a week by the time you fall into bed at night.

That's the extent of the rules. It is really working for me. I randomly walk with friends, because I noticed the planning to coordinate that can be a road block. I don't plan a regular time to walk each day because I do not have a life with that much steadiness. I don't count steps or distance because I've found that to be too much math for me. The flexibility of going 30 minutes means now that I'm walking a little stronger, I'm going farther and that's all I know -- not other details, data, or measurement. It also allows me to take it easier on "those days." You know those days. Those days when the motivation tank is on "E" and the scheduled commitments tank is full. On those days, I just get up and go, and do what I can for 30 minutes, rewarded by the exercise of discipline, if not the exercise.

Some other beautiful things about the 30-minute walk is ease of preparation and lack of equipment needed -- throw on good socks and shoes and I'm heding out the door. No Lycra padded shorts, no set of clubs, no pool, no muscle-rocker-energy-shocker machines, no gas to drive somewhere. I do carry my cell phone for time keeping purposes and in case of emergencies, like the time I walked too far, but didn't know it until I was half-way back and called for a ride. Wimp, shall we say.

Plus, I feel way better. Being in my 50's had started to be a negative thing, but I've discovered that was largely due to major physical inactivity (thankfully we have a two story home and my office is upstairs!). So I feel younger, more confident, and less fearful of degenerating.

The best part is being outdoors with time to pray, think, reflect, and even greet others out in the community. I've recently decided prayer is just the formal word for conversation with God, though I'm the one doing all the talking. That wouldn't surprise my husband. And I'm not talking out loud like I have a cell phone ear piece or a person we make take as crazy. Just in my head and probably heart. But it is 30 minutes carved out for alone time with my focus on the Lord and what I'm learning about following Him and loving others. I am thankful for shoes and a good neighborhood for walking.

Clever C.S. Lewis

I've been reading The Chronicles of Narnia in the order of the story, not published order. I just finished The Silver Chair and have only The Last Battle to go. I am really enjoying the stories, the allegory, and the wit and charm of C.S. Lewis revealed in the writing. For example, he relates what happened to the leader of the school ("who was, by the way, a woman") after she began behaving like a crazy person when she encountered Aslan, Eustace, Jill, and Prince Caspian upon their appearance back in England at the end of the story. It goes like this:

"After that, the Head's friends saw that the Head was no use as a Head, so they got her made an Inspector to interfere with other Heads. And when they found she wasn't much good even at that, they got her into Parliament where she lived happily ever after."

I found this amusing, for the progression from crazy behavior to a promotion within the school system to landing in Parliament -- government leader, all the while being deemed less skilled for such positions, seemed humorous and perhaps a reflection on views towards government officials, or perhaps just some good natured satire. The part where "she lived happily ever after" -- the classic fairy tale ending used with time in Parliament was funny to me, too.

Interesting TV

After a day of March madness -- the upsets & drama of NCAA men's basketball tournament games, I was looking for other things to watch. I spent an hour on PBS learning about brain plasticity and brain fitness. I love learning about learning. Anyway, then I passed right by "The Ten Commandments" (yes, it is Easter weekend) and landed on The History Channel for "Protestant Reformation," which lasted to midnight. Not the Reformation, but the program.

Always eager, at least for the recent years, to hear and learn more about how faith and religion twist throughout world history, I watched this program and found it intriguing. That made for a wild Saturday night of viewing -- history does have it's wildness. The interviews and information connected many parts of current life -- in church and business -- to the Protestant Reformation. I've spent this morning reading my notes again and doing more research. I find it all fascinating and more extensive than I recall from earlier history lessons in high school and college. Age comes with a sort of enlightenment, perhaps. That's fun for me, but probably gets me scratched right off some party invitations. Maybe I'd lose some weight on a Diet of Worms.

Expression

"Law alone cannot secure freedom of expression; in order that every man present his views without penalty there must be a spirit of tolerance in the entire population."

Albert Einstein