Sunday, June 25, 2006
Where to Find Information about ChoicePoint:
June 2006
If you are not familiar with ChoicePoint you should find out how familiar you are to them. The government cannot legally gather extensive personal information on innocent Americans – so they get ChoicePoint to do it for them. It’s scary how much information they have on all of us, and how they’re handing it over to our government upon request, without a warrant or probable cause or any sliver of justification whatsoever.
But how they helped pervert the 2000 and 2004 Presidential elections, and how they intend to do it again in 2008 is the even scarier part.
Recommended reading: “Armed Madhouse” by Greg Palast, and “The Best Democracy Money Can Buy” also by Greg Palast. Mr. Palast is a former forensic accountant turned BBC journalist. (He’s an American but not welcome in this country because he goes after crooks and liars and people who subvert democracy – meaning the people running our country.) Check out the articles on his web site for a taste of the brilliant reporting from his books and work with the BBC:
Greg Palast Articles.
The following is a list of good information sites I found regarding CP. It’s important to talk about these guys and press for a public congressional investigation of this company and its founder, who happens to be a close friend of the Bush family and the President.
And his company makes touch-screen voting machines. ChoicePoint makes the controversial machines with no paper trail and no outside verification system. We have to take the company’s word for it. Do that inspire your trust in our electoral system at present?
I didn’t think so.
I – and many journalists and organizations outside the reach of the Bush Administration – believe this company has tampered with our last two presidential elections, and they are going to do it again. There is a growing body of evidence to support this claim.
At the very least this warrants an thorough investigation, but the Republicans will block any such move as long as they control all the branches of our government, along with all the other investigations they have blocked through procedural dirty tricks and close votes – a litany of valid criminal investigations like the one that is sorely needed when it comes to ChoicePoint.
Talking about this company and how they are violating our privacy and our rights is important. The next election we have will be about more than just Iraq and Hurricane Katrina, (as if that’s not enough.) If we don’t demand more openness from ChoicePoint when it comes to our voting system it will be difficult to overpower those who keep us mired in corruption, death, suspicion and fear. The Bush Administration and ChoicePoint will take the next election from us (again) if we don’t call attention to this now and until November 2006, and November 2008.
I urge you to learn about this company and talk about this company. They are just one facet of the problem but it’s a very big facet.
This matters. This is key to all Americans.
Here’s the rest of the links:
Electronic Privacy Information Center - ChoicePoint.
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.
Wired Magazine article.
Shareholders Sue ChoicePoint.
Consumer Affairs.
Alarmed – The Never-Ending Choicepoint Story.
June 2006
If you are not familiar with ChoicePoint you should find out how familiar you are to them. The government cannot legally gather extensive personal information on innocent Americans – so they get ChoicePoint to do it for them. It’s scary how much information they have on all of us, and how they’re handing it over to our government upon request, without a warrant or probable cause or any sliver of justification whatsoever.
But how they helped pervert the 2000 and 2004 Presidential elections, and how they intend to do it again in 2008 is the even scarier part.
Recommended reading: “Armed Madhouse” by Greg Palast, and “The Best Democracy Money Can Buy” also by Greg Palast. Mr. Palast is a former forensic accountant turned BBC journalist. (He’s an American but not welcome in this country because he goes after crooks and liars and people who subvert democracy – meaning the people running our country.) Check out the articles on his web site for a taste of the brilliant reporting from his books and work with the BBC:
Greg Palast Articles.
The following is a list of good information sites I found regarding CP. It’s important to talk about these guys and press for a public congressional investigation of this company and its founder, who happens to be a close friend of the Bush family and the President.
And his company makes touch-screen voting machines. ChoicePoint makes the controversial machines with no paper trail and no outside verification system. We have to take the company’s word for it. Do that inspire your trust in our electoral system at present?
I didn’t think so.
I – and many journalists and organizations outside the reach of the Bush Administration – believe this company has tampered with our last two presidential elections, and they are going to do it again. There is a growing body of evidence to support this claim.
At the very least this warrants an thorough investigation, but the Republicans will block any such move as long as they control all the branches of our government, along with all the other investigations they have blocked through procedural dirty tricks and close votes – a litany of valid criminal investigations like the one that is sorely needed when it comes to ChoicePoint.
Talking about this company and how they are violating our privacy and our rights is important. The next election we have will be about more than just Iraq and Hurricane Katrina, (as if that’s not enough.) If we don’t demand more openness from ChoicePoint when it comes to our voting system it will be difficult to overpower those who keep us mired in corruption, death, suspicion and fear. The Bush Administration and ChoicePoint will take the next election from us (again) if we don’t call attention to this now and until November 2006, and November 2008.
I urge you to learn about this company and talk about this company. They are just one facet of the problem but it’s a very big facet.
This matters. This is key to all Americans.
Here’s the rest of the links:
Electronic Privacy Information Center - ChoicePoint.
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.
Wired Magazine article.
Shareholders Sue ChoicePoint.
Consumer Affairs.
Alarmed – The Never-Ending Choicepoint Story.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Rethinking Gay Marriage:
Phillip T. Alden
June 24, 2006
I realized I was looking at the issue in the wrong light. I thought it was about a selfish agenda and shock value, but I’ve come to realize it’s about civil rights and equality. The agenda of the Radical Right is to marginalize us again, to burn our history and defame our good character. They wish to portray us as something less than human.
And marriage is one of those things that infers equality and legitimacy. It doesn’t matter how I feel about the institution of marriage, or my personal interest in it. The ring I wear being enough for me is irrelevant. If my GLBT brothers and sisters have their unions recognized as valid it puts us on the same level as everyone else.
It’s about dignity and respect.
It forces others to look at us as valuable, contributing members of society. It’s not enough that our friends and co-workers respect us, or that our families respect us. Don’t get me wrong, it’s wonderful they do so. I’m grateful to all our friends and supporters. But our contribution must be recognized, our validity affirmed.
Like the Blacks, Asians and Indians, we have been oppressed and treated with disdain. Looked upon as less than. The civil rights struggle has always been our struggle, and gay marriage forces even those who have been victimized as we have – yet refuse to recognize us – as having the same rights they do. It’s equality that flies directly in the face of ignorance.
It demands recognition of our right to love the same as everyone else.
Why did I not see it sooner?
Phillip T. Alden
June 24, 2006
I realized I was looking at the issue in the wrong light. I thought it was about a selfish agenda and shock value, but I’ve come to realize it’s about civil rights and equality. The agenda of the Radical Right is to marginalize us again, to burn our history and defame our good character. They wish to portray us as something less than human.
And marriage is one of those things that infers equality and legitimacy. It doesn’t matter how I feel about the institution of marriage, or my personal interest in it. The ring I wear being enough for me is irrelevant. If my GLBT brothers and sisters have their unions recognized as valid it puts us on the same level as everyone else.
It’s about dignity and respect.
It forces others to look at us as valuable, contributing members of society. It’s not enough that our friends and co-workers respect us, or that our families respect us. Don’t get me wrong, it’s wonderful they do so. I’m grateful to all our friends and supporters. But our contribution must be recognized, our validity affirmed.
Like the Blacks, Asians and Indians, we have been oppressed and treated with disdain. Looked upon as less than. The civil rights struggle has always been our struggle, and gay marriage forces even those who have been victimized as we have – yet refuse to recognize us – as having the same rights they do. It’s equality that flies directly in the face of ignorance.
It demands recognition of our right to love the same as everyone else.
Why did I not see it sooner?
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Starting Point - Community Action Group:
Starting Point – Community Action Group:
Phillip T. Alden
June 21, 2006
Preface: We all see our country going in directions we find alarming, to say the least, and we get frustrated when we see things like failure to pass a rise in the minimum wage or drug prices raised simply to increase profits. We read each other’s blogs and wonder what we can do to stop this slide, to make a difference.
In that spirit I propose some answers as long as I’m pointing out the problems:
We all want to write letters to our elected representatives but we feel our individual voices will just be ignored, that our efforts will be a waste of time and energy.
There are all kinds of groups that influence politics, usually people with a specific axe to grind, a single issue (that may have many facets) they wish to address. I call this Selfish Politics and define it as “engaging in the democracy only to serve our selfish personal ends.”
What I propose is a group of like-minded people who hold Democratic ideals, not focused on a specific issue, but flexible enough to respond to issues of equality and justice as they come up. I call it a Community Action Group, or CAG. If the name or variant thereof is being used by someone it doesn’t really matter. We can use CAG as a generic term and form a specific name for our group.
Our CAG would have a few writers who follow the news and politics, and write response letters when an issue of social justice comes up. We write letters to our political leaders, telling them to divorce themselves from companies like Choice Point and demand they use a voting system that cannot be manipulated by people looking to subvert our electoral process – as an example.
At the bottom of every letter we have a statement from our CAG saying what we are about, and that as a group we connect with others to bring these issues into the light.
We post the letter to a web log and send copies to all members. Those members copy and paste the name and address of their local representatives at the state and federal level, (as applicable,) to the letters, print and sign them, then mail them.
A written letter that is signed carries more weight than a form letter or an email, and post is treated much differently by political entities.
Each letter carries weight, and group affiliation speaks to consensus and discourse. We speak as one for social and economic justice for all Americans. We have no axe to grind per se, but focus on all issues that effect our fellow citizens.
It is the opposite of Selfish Politics.
For greater effect each member would forward the letter to friends and family who also care about democratic ideals and the future of our country, adding their voices to ours. We have no offices, no leaders to distract from the issues, no egos or personal agendas.
But as a member we make one Promise. As long as we are active members we promise to post all letters with which we agree. We do not decide to “blow this one off” because we are tired. We do not take our commitment to democratic ideals and social justice lightly. We do our part even when we do not feel like it because it’s the right thing to do. We do not shirk from our duty to our fellow citizens.
We Promise to stand up for Democracy and Social and Economic Justice Together.
How’s that for an idea for positive change?
Starting Point – Community Action Group:
Phillip T. Alden
June 21, 2006
Preface: We all see our country going in directions we find alarming, to say the least, and we get frustrated when we see things like failure to pass a rise in the minimum wage or drug prices raised simply to increase profits. We read each other’s blogs and wonder what we can do to stop this slide, to make a difference.
In that spirit I propose some answers as long as I’m pointing out the problems:
We all want to write letters to our elected representatives but we feel our individual voices will just be ignored, that our efforts will be a waste of time and energy.
There are all kinds of groups that influence politics, usually people with a specific axe to grind, a single issue (that may have many facets) they wish to address. I call this Selfish Politics and define it as “engaging in the democracy only to serve our selfish personal ends.”
What I propose is a group of like-minded people who hold Democratic ideals, not focused on a specific issue, but flexible enough to respond to issues of equality and justice as they come up. I call it a Community Action Group, or CAG. If the name or variant thereof is being used by someone it doesn’t really matter. We can use CAG as a generic term and form a specific name for our group.
Our CAG would have a few writers who follow the news and politics, and write response letters when an issue of social justice comes up. We write letters to our political leaders, telling them to divorce themselves from companies like Choice Point and demand they use a voting system that cannot be manipulated by people looking to subvert our electoral process – as an example.
At the bottom of every letter we have a statement from our CAG saying what we are about, and that as a group we connect with others to bring these issues into the light.
We post the letter to a web log and send copies to all members. Those members copy and paste the name and address of their local representatives at the state and federal level, (as applicable,) to the letters, print and sign them, then mail them.
A written letter that is signed carries more weight than a form letter or an email, and post is treated much differently by political entities.
Each letter carries weight, and group affiliation speaks to consensus and discourse. We speak as one for social and economic justice for all Americans. We have no axe to grind per se, but focus on all issues that effect our fellow citizens.
It is the opposite of Selfish Politics.
For greater effect each member would forward the letter to friends and family who also care about democratic ideals and the future of our country, adding their voices to ours. We have no offices, no leaders to distract from the issues, no egos or personal agendas.
But as a member we make one Promise. As long as we are active members we promise to post all letters with which we agree. We do not decide to “blow this one off” because we are tired. We do not take our commitment to democratic ideals and social justice lightly. We do our part even when we do not feel like it because it’s the right thing to do. We do not shirk from our duty to our fellow citizens.
We Promise to stand up for Democracy and Social and Economic Justice Together.
How’s that for an idea for positive change?
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Between the Hammer and the Anvil - Third Web Log Entry:
Elven elements in my stories –
There are elements in my books that may cause a little controversy so I want to explain the context in which these elements occur.
Elven Tobacco: This one may cause some people to think of me as pro-cigarette, which I’m not. I used to smoke and I quit in June last year, (2005.) It’s my opinion that cigarettes are unhealthy and should be avoided, but unlike some people, I feel people have a right to engage in any vice they choose. Alcohol, chocolate and sugar, even exercise can become a vice when taken to extremes. (Excessive exercise can lead to chronic muscle and bone injury, as it does in most professional athletes.)
I feel that, as long as you’re not hurting anyone else, you have a right to do what you choose. I do not believe everyone who chooses to use drugs is an addict, and there is a lot of hypocrisy right now because pharmaceutical drugs has made a lot of drug use invisible in ways traditional street drugs are not. There is little consequence for wealthy white people using pharmaceutical drugs while we throw poor black people into prison for using street drugs like crack.
I cannot abide hypocrisy and injustice that destroys lives and denies participation in our democracy, and there are no longer any viable arguments for the way our justice system is used against the poor and people of color. There have been reports published by the Department of Justice that admit the racism and bias in our justice system, but few have the will to correct this horrible state.
But back to Elven Tobacco:
Elves have ancient growing techniques that combine advanced farming and enchantment spells, giving everything they grow restorative qualities. Elven Tobacco taken in moderation can reduce stress and ease physical tension, but unlike its human counterpart it does not contribute to illnesses like cancer and respiratory disease.
Elven Marijuana (Elven Buds) –
Medical cannabis has been shown to have numerous medicinal properties in our non-elven (at the moment) world, including an Institute of Medicine (IOM) study about its unique ability to soothe nerve pain, the hardest-to-treat kind of pain.
It has been shown there are more cannabinoid receptors at nerve ends than there are opiate receptors, and a study in the British Peer Reviewed medical journal, The Lancet: Neurology – showed that cannabis has a neuro-protective effect that may help prevent Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and even strokes. The article is here:
http://www.cmcr.ucsd.edu/geninfo/lancetART2003.pdf
If our government were not so highly influenced by the Alcohol Industry, the Tobacco Lobby and the Pharmaceutical Lobby – we would have long since funded and published medical studies in this country as they have in places like Great Britain. There is a war being waged against marijuana by these three powerful industries because they are threatened by marijuana – or more to the point – their bottom line is.
When you look behind the war on drugs you get an ugly mix of reactionary politicians, the Radical Right (who disguise themselves as “The Religious Right,”) and powerful corporate interests. They use people, like those who have lost a loved one to hard drug use or drunk driving, as pawns to push an anti-drug message. They don’t really care about people, it’s all calculation aimed at increased profit.
The rise of organized crime, which is still a problem today, was caused by Prohibition in the 1930’s. History has shown time and again that prohibition does not work and only causes death and misery. I am firmly opposed to the so-called “War on Drugs” and the very real War on Medical Cannabis. We have over two million Americans in our sprawling prison-industrial complex, most of them for non-violent drug crimes. We imprison more people per capita than any other nation, including China. And we are about to find out the true cost of the dreadful way we’ve treated our fellow citizens and created a prison system that is a danger to public health and destroys millions of lives.
But back to Elven Buds:
The elves use their combination of growing techniques and enchantment spells to grow and harvest the flower-tops of high-grade cannabis. The finished product is combined with Elven Tobacco or by itself as a healing herb and a stress reducer.
A little of my background that relates to this subject:
I have been an activist, freelance journalist and educator for over sixteen years as of this writing, specializing in; HIV/AIDS, infectious disease, public health, medical cannabis, the prison-industrial complex, civil rights and the gay and lesbian community. I have published dozens of articles and my current interest is in physical pain treatment.
I have also done a lot of work with the Marijuana Policy Project:
http://www.mpp.org
Writing three novels is a time-consuming process, and I also have a hard-working partner to take care of, as well as two cats and a miniature Schnauzer named Max. But I’m on the Board of Directors for Ellipse Peninsula HIV/AIDS Services here in San Mateo County and I’m continuing to write articles and volunteer with MPP when I can.
Helping people with HIV and those suffering from chronic and acute physical pain is important to me.
Elven elements in my stories –
There are elements in my books that may cause a little controversy so I want to explain the context in which these elements occur.
Elven Tobacco: This one may cause some people to think of me as pro-cigarette, which I’m not. I used to smoke and I quit in June last year, (2005.) It’s my opinion that cigarettes are unhealthy and should be avoided, but unlike some people, I feel people have a right to engage in any vice they choose. Alcohol, chocolate and sugar, even exercise can become a vice when taken to extremes. (Excessive exercise can lead to chronic muscle and bone injury, as it does in most professional athletes.)
I feel that, as long as you’re not hurting anyone else, you have a right to do what you choose. I do not believe everyone who chooses to use drugs is an addict, and there is a lot of hypocrisy right now because pharmaceutical drugs has made a lot of drug use invisible in ways traditional street drugs are not. There is little consequence for wealthy white people using pharmaceutical drugs while we throw poor black people into prison for using street drugs like crack.
I cannot abide hypocrisy and injustice that destroys lives and denies participation in our democracy, and there are no longer any viable arguments for the way our justice system is used against the poor and people of color. There have been reports published by the Department of Justice that admit the racism and bias in our justice system, but few have the will to correct this horrible state.
But back to Elven Tobacco:
Elves have ancient growing techniques that combine advanced farming and enchantment spells, giving everything they grow restorative qualities. Elven Tobacco taken in moderation can reduce stress and ease physical tension, but unlike its human counterpart it does not contribute to illnesses like cancer and respiratory disease.
Elven Marijuana (Elven Buds) –
Medical cannabis has been shown to have numerous medicinal properties in our non-elven (at the moment) world, including an Institute of Medicine (IOM) study about its unique ability to soothe nerve pain, the hardest-to-treat kind of pain.
It has been shown there are more cannabinoid receptors at nerve ends than there are opiate receptors, and a study in the British Peer Reviewed medical journal, The Lancet: Neurology – showed that cannabis has a neuro-protective effect that may help prevent Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and even strokes. The article is here:
http://www.cmcr.ucsd.edu/geninfo/lancetART2003.pdf
If our government were not so highly influenced by the Alcohol Industry, the Tobacco Lobby and the Pharmaceutical Lobby – we would have long since funded and published medical studies in this country as they have in places like Great Britain. There is a war being waged against marijuana by these three powerful industries because they are threatened by marijuana – or more to the point – their bottom line is.
When you look behind the war on drugs you get an ugly mix of reactionary politicians, the Radical Right (who disguise themselves as “The Religious Right,”) and powerful corporate interests. They use people, like those who have lost a loved one to hard drug use or drunk driving, as pawns to push an anti-drug message. They don’t really care about people, it’s all calculation aimed at increased profit.
The rise of organized crime, which is still a problem today, was caused by Prohibition in the 1930’s. History has shown time and again that prohibition does not work and only causes death and misery. I am firmly opposed to the so-called “War on Drugs” and the very real War on Medical Cannabis. We have over two million Americans in our sprawling prison-industrial complex, most of them for non-violent drug crimes. We imprison more people per capita than any other nation, including China. And we are about to find out the true cost of the dreadful way we’ve treated our fellow citizens and created a prison system that is a danger to public health and destroys millions of lives.
But back to Elven Buds:
The elves use their combination of growing techniques and enchantment spells to grow and harvest the flower-tops of high-grade cannabis. The finished product is combined with Elven Tobacco or by itself as a healing herb and a stress reducer.
A little of my background that relates to this subject:
I have been an activist, freelance journalist and educator for over sixteen years as of this writing, specializing in; HIV/AIDS, infectious disease, public health, medical cannabis, the prison-industrial complex, civil rights and the gay and lesbian community. I have published dozens of articles and my current interest is in physical pain treatment.
I have also done a lot of work with the Marijuana Policy Project:
http://www.mpp.org
Writing three novels is a time-consuming process, and I also have a hard-working partner to take care of, as well as two cats and a miniature Schnauzer named Max. But I’m on the Board of Directors for Ellipse Peninsula HIV/AIDS Services here in San Mateo County and I’m continuing to write articles and volunteer with MPP when I can.
Helping people with HIV and those suffering from chronic and acute physical pain is important to me.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Stopping the Disconnect:
Stopping the Disconnect:
Phillip T. Alden
June 13, 2006
When we look at the so-called “war on drugs,” the prison system, public health, the denial of the vote to two million black Americans, drug use and addiction, education and bias – we have to stop pretending that all these things are not connected, they don’t affect us directly.
It’s a comfortable fantasy, but it’s also a destructive fantasy. When we countenance the “war on drugs,” when we let Choice Point manipulate the voting system, when we let HIV, HCV and MRSA run rampant through our prison system – it has a direct effect upon our lives.
Everything is connected. The people who read my journal don’t need me to draw them a map between these things.
The point is identifying the destructive nature of the fantasy. When we pretend our lives our insular and we are not affected by what happens outside our neighborhood, we acquiesce to destruction of the world at large. The homeless in America and the victims of genocide in Darfur are our business, our responsibility.
It’s not enough to simply donate some money and tell ourselves the problem is solved. As the most powerful democracy in the world we have a responsibility to drive the social agenda, to give our politicians their marching orders. We all need to lead, not abdicate.
There is a lot of negativity that comes from the Radical Right, and even rank-and-file Republicans, but at least they are taking part in the Democracy. I have lost count of the so-called “progressives” who love to complain about the injustice of our political system and they don’t even vote! (Not that voting fulfills one’s responsibility.) You can complain endlessly about George W. Bush – but if you don’t vote, you don’t write letters, you don’t march, you don’t volunteer your time – you give him tacit approval to do all the terrible things he does.
Silence means Approval.
You may not like it but that doesn’t stop it from being true. There is something truly pathetic in there being a larger percentage of people who “voted” on the last American Idol than voted in the last twenty elections. Those of you who do nothing are giving tacit approval to the Bush Administration. Your inaction has consequences.
My personal feeling is, if you don’t choose to participate in our democracy, you really have no right to complain. And complaining adds nothing to the situation. It’s just hot air and pointless negativity. Your personal fantasy is killing people.
Sadly, I’m preaching to the choir for the most part. Most people in the “blogo-sphere” participate in the democracy. But in case you don’t I urge you to start now.
And when you decide our country is as important as American Idol you must let compassion be your guiding principle. When you look at the homeless, the drug addicted, the abused – keep “there but for the grace of god go I” in mind. Because behind those problems those people are Americans just like us. If they had our advantages they would likely do as well as we do on a general basis.
Compassion is the only thing that will save human beings. Without compassion we are no more than another animal species. Compassion is what separates us from the lower orders. Every decision we make we must ask: “What if it were me?”
So if you were homeless and mentally ill and you turned to drugs in desperation, would you want to be thrown into prison for committing no other crime than being sick?
You want others to have compassion for you, right?
Your compassion is directly connected to other’s compassion for you.
Stopping the Disconnect:
Phillip T. Alden
June 13, 2006
When we look at the so-called “war on drugs,” the prison system, public health, the denial of the vote to two million black Americans, drug use and addiction, education and bias – we have to stop pretending that all these things are not connected, they don’t affect us directly.
It’s a comfortable fantasy, but it’s also a destructive fantasy. When we countenance the “war on drugs,” when we let Choice Point manipulate the voting system, when we let HIV, HCV and MRSA run rampant through our prison system – it has a direct effect upon our lives.
Everything is connected. The people who read my journal don’t need me to draw them a map between these things.
The point is identifying the destructive nature of the fantasy. When we pretend our lives our insular and we are not affected by what happens outside our neighborhood, we acquiesce to destruction of the world at large. The homeless in America and the victims of genocide in Darfur are our business, our responsibility.
It’s not enough to simply donate some money and tell ourselves the problem is solved. As the most powerful democracy in the world we have a responsibility to drive the social agenda, to give our politicians their marching orders. We all need to lead, not abdicate.
There is a lot of negativity that comes from the Radical Right, and even rank-and-file Republicans, but at least they are taking part in the Democracy. I have lost count of the so-called “progressives” who love to complain about the injustice of our political system and they don’t even vote! (Not that voting fulfills one’s responsibility.) You can complain endlessly about George W. Bush – but if you don’t vote, you don’t write letters, you don’t march, you don’t volunteer your time – you give him tacit approval to do all the terrible things he does.
Silence means Approval.
You may not like it but that doesn’t stop it from being true. There is something truly pathetic in there being a larger percentage of people who “voted” on the last American Idol than voted in the last twenty elections. Those of you who do nothing are giving tacit approval to the Bush Administration. Your inaction has consequences.
My personal feeling is, if you don’t choose to participate in our democracy, you really have no right to complain. And complaining adds nothing to the situation. It’s just hot air and pointless negativity. Your personal fantasy is killing people.
Sadly, I’m preaching to the choir for the most part. Most people in the “blogo-sphere” participate in the democracy. But in case you don’t I urge you to start now.
And when you decide our country is as important as American Idol you must let compassion be your guiding principle. When you look at the homeless, the drug addicted, the abused – keep “there but for the grace of god go I” in mind. Because behind those problems those people are Americans just like us. If they had our advantages they would likely do as well as we do on a general basis.
Compassion is the only thing that will save human beings. Without compassion we are no more than another animal species. Compassion is what separates us from the lower orders. Every decision we make we must ask: “What if it were me?”
So if you were homeless and mentally ill and you turned to drugs in desperation, would you want to be thrown into prison for committing no other crime than being sick?
You want others to have compassion for you, right?
Your compassion is directly connected to other’s compassion for you.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
The Illusion of Separateness:
The Illusion of Separateness:
Phillip T. Alden
Sunday, June 4, 2006
Those of you who read my blog know that my main soapbox is compassion and my main complaint is its absence in our society at large.
Today I was at a church service as part of my work with my ASO, (AIDS Service Organization.) We are trying to build community by being active in other groups and organizations and today it was the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) here in San Mateo County. MCC is known as the “gay church” and they have denominations all over the world. This one is a year old, trying to start a group that does not rely on going to the City (SF) for fellowship. I used to be a member for the short time I lived in Austin, TX and they are a nice bunch of people.
So I was sitting there, thinking about spiritual matters. If asked I would state my affiliation as Taoist but I feel comfortable in their environment. I have studied a few different spiritual texts and I find most of them have their roots in Lao Tzu. Though some would be loathe to admit it most religions are historically based in Taoism. Even Christ talked about being influenced by Lao Tzu though that part of his teachings are suppressed by modern Christian sects.
Eastern thought talks about the illusion of separateness, that we are always connected, and that much of the world’s pain is caused by the illusion of separateness.
I believe this.
Then there is expectation. The ancient school of thought is that pain is also caused by expectation, the two run parallel. “To live in expectation is to live in hell.”
But much of the expectation is caused by the illusion. If there were universal acknowledgment of our connectedness there would be little need for expectation because we would all be doing what we are supposed to be doing. No person would feel alone because no person would be alone. Feeling and paying heed to the connection, there would be little call for expectation.
Our pain and anger is caused by fear, and the fear is caused by the illusion, which in turn gives rise to expectation. It’s not hard to understand but it is hard to accept. We’ve created millions of groups for a sense of belonging when we need look no farther than the person closest to where we are standing.
The reason why this answer is so hard to accept is because it makes us responsible, more responsible than we have ever been. If we destroy the illusion we open the floodgates of compassion. Once the illusion is destroyed there is no going back and that scares the shit out of us. We are afraid to become the masters of our own destiny, the architects of our salvation rather than our destruction.
Once the illusion is gone we can no longer point to another human being and say they are less than or greater than us. We can no longer divide into groups and stake out territory. We all become responsible for each other and our planet.
But I believe the illusion is killing us. So does Lao Tzu, the Buddha and Christ. Our fear makes us more and more desperate to maintain the illusion. The thing is we can dispel the illusion with little effort on a personal level, and when we do we discover how comfortable and natural it is to live free of the illusion and its attendant fear.
In America we have to return to the illusion again and replace the barriers to function, and we find we hate it. We know the feeling those great men were talking about and the illusion and the fear become the abomination. The absence of compassion becomes the abomination. Hate, Selfishness and Greed become the abomination.
And there are many of us who have put aside the illusion or were never taught it in the first place. We know the answer and we know that some are not ready to hear it. We could preach until we are blue in the face to no avail. We find other people like us so we can live free of the illusion for short periods of time. If we’re really lucky we find a partner who knows what we do. Our circle widens until there are a few dozen people close to us who have cast away the illusion.
And it hurts like hell we cannot break the illusion for others. Like the Dali Lama we can only lead by example and that is very, very hard. Sometimes we want to put on the illusion like a suit of clothes but it never brings us satisfaction. We have to content ourselves with the company of others. It’s called enlightenment but we are afraid to think of ourselves as enlightened until we realize there are stages of enlightenment and we are at a primary stage. We fear our enlightenment will seem like ego, though it only appears so to those still stuck in the illusion. They fear what we are so they deride our words and actions, assign labels that make them more comfortable. But they never really become comfortable.
Even though leading by example feels like settling, and that it’s very hard, it is the only thing we can do. Meditation, ritual and discipline are tools to help us stay focused. When things are dark, as they are now, we fear the illusion will destroy all of us. It’s not death that causes the fear, it’s all those people shedding their current life without breaking the illusion. We are afraid for them, not for ourselves. Sometimes that is a hard truth to remember and keep in mind.
The illusion distracts us, frustrates us, worries us. We no longer hate other people, we hate the illusion that keeps them prisoner. We hate to see all the unnecessary pain. But all we can do is hang on day after day and do our small part to chip away at the illusion. Our mere presence does that and we have to remember that. Just being here is doing something about the one large problem we all face. It’s hard.
If you don’t believe this I urge you to read the sacred texts for yourself, especially Lao Tzu. Those who cannot see the truth are firmly caught in the illusion. We know how to look past the window-dressing people put up to use the illusion for their selfish advantage. Those people are about control over those who suffer under the illusion. If you do not live in the illusion I have only one thing left to say –
Hang in there. We have a lot of work to do.
The Illusion of Separateness:
Phillip T. Alden
Sunday, June 4, 2006
Those of you who read my blog know that my main soapbox is compassion and my main complaint is its absence in our society at large.
Today I was at a church service as part of my work with my ASO, (AIDS Service Organization.) We are trying to build community by being active in other groups and organizations and today it was the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) here in San Mateo County. MCC is known as the “gay church” and they have denominations all over the world. This one is a year old, trying to start a group that does not rely on going to the City (SF) for fellowship. I used to be a member for the short time I lived in Austin, TX and they are a nice bunch of people.
So I was sitting there, thinking about spiritual matters. If asked I would state my affiliation as Taoist but I feel comfortable in their environment. I have studied a few different spiritual texts and I find most of them have their roots in Lao Tzu. Though some would be loathe to admit it most religions are historically based in Taoism. Even Christ talked about being influenced by Lao Tzu though that part of his teachings are suppressed by modern Christian sects.
Eastern thought talks about the illusion of separateness, that we are always connected, and that much of the world’s pain is caused by the illusion of separateness.
I believe this.
Then there is expectation. The ancient school of thought is that pain is also caused by expectation, the two run parallel. “To live in expectation is to live in hell.”
But much of the expectation is caused by the illusion. If there were universal acknowledgment of our connectedness there would be little need for expectation because we would all be doing what we are supposed to be doing. No person would feel alone because no person would be alone. Feeling and paying heed to the connection, there would be little call for expectation.
Our pain and anger is caused by fear, and the fear is caused by the illusion, which in turn gives rise to expectation. It’s not hard to understand but it is hard to accept. We’ve created millions of groups for a sense of belonging when we need look no farther than the person closest to where we are standing.
The reason why this answer is so hard to accept is because it makes us responsible, more responsible than we have ever been. If we destroy the illusion we open the floodgates of compassion. Once the illusion is destroyed there is no going back and that scares the shit out of us. We are afraid to become the masters of our own destiny, the architects of our salvation rather than our destruction.
Once the illusion is gone we can no longer point to another human being and say they are less than or greater than us. We can no longer divide into groups and stake out territory. We all become responsible for each other and our planet.
But I believe the illusion is killing us. So does Lao Tzu, the Buddha and Christ. Our fear makes us more and more desperate to maintain the illusion. The thing is we can dispel the illusion with little effort on a personal level, and when we do we discover how comfortable and natural it is to live free of the illusion and its attendant fear.
In America we have to return to the illusion again and replace the barriers to function, and we find we hate it. We know the feeling those great men were talking about and the illusion and the fear become the abomination. The absence of compassion becomes the abomination. Hate, Selfishness and Greed become the abomination.
And there are many of us who have put aside the illusion or were never taught it in the first place. We know the answer and we know that some are not ready to hear it. We could preach until we are blue in the face to no avail. We find other people like us so we can live free of the illusion for short periods of time. If we’re really lucky we find a partner who knows what we do. Our circle widens until there are a few dozen people close to us who have cast away the illusion.
And it hurts like hell we cannot break the illusion for others. Like the Dali Lama we can only lead by example and that is very, very hard. Sometimes we want to put on the illusion like a suit of clothes but it never brings us satisfaction. We have to content ourselves with the company of others. It’s called enlightenment but we are afraid to think of ourselves as enlightened until we realize there are stages of enlightenment and we are at a primary stage. We fear our enlightenment will seem like ego, though it only appears so to those still stuck in the illusion. They fear what we are so they deride our words and actions, assign labels that make them more comfortable. But they never really become comfortable.
Even though leading by example feels like settling, and that it’s very hard, it is the only thing we can do. Meditation, ritual and discipline are tools to help us stay focused. When things are dark, as they are now, we fear the illusion will destroy all of us. It’s not death that causes the fear, it’s all those people shedding their current life without breaking the illusion. We are afraid for them, not for ourselves. Sometimes that is a hard truth to remember and keep in mind.
The illusion distracts us, frustrates us, worries us. We no longer hate other people, we hate the illusion that keeps them prisoner. We hate to see all the unnecessary pain. But all we can do is hang on day after day and do our small part to chip away at the illusion. Our mere presence does that and we have to remember that. Just being here is doing something about the one large problem we all face. It’s hard.
If you don’t believe this I urge you to read the sacred texts for yourself, especially Lao Tzu. Those who cannot see the truth are firmly caught in the illusion. We know how to look past the window-dressing people put up to use the illusion for their selfish advantage. Those people are about control over those who suffer under the illusion. If you do not live in the illusion I have only one thing left to say –
Hang in there. We have a lot of work to do.
Friday, June 02, 2006
IF we have to pass an immigration bill:
I’m against the idea in general even though I’m conflicted about the people it targets. But we do need to limit immigration for many logical reasons, and really we just need to enforce the laws we have in place instead of passing new ones.
But if lawmakers have their black hearts set on passing new immigration legislation, they should include a provision that makes it clear to any immigrant from anywhere in the world, that being an American means respecting the rights and freedoms of others.
Specifically, new immigrants should be taught that hate speech against gays and lesbians is anti-American, and engaging in such behavior could be cause to have their citizenship revoked and they could be sent back to their country of origin.
If we have to pass yet another immigration bill, (and I don’t believe they do,) let’s include anti-hate language. I wouldn’t support a boat-load of Radical Right Christians who want to come here and oppress me and other members of my community.
What do you think the chances of such language being considered by our oh-so progressive lawmakers in Washington?
I’m against the idea in general even though I’m conflicted about the people it targets. But we do need to limit immigration for many logical reasons, and really we just need to enforce the laws we have in place instead of passing new ones.
But if lawmakers have their black hearts set on passing new immigration legislation, they should include a provision that makes it clear to any immigrant from anywhere in the world, that being an American means respecting the rights and freedoms of others.
Specifically, new immigrants should be taught that hate speech against gays and lesbians is anti-American, and engaging in such behavior could be cause to have their citizenship revoked and they could be sent back to their country of origin.
If we have to pass yet another immigration bill, (and I don’t believe they do,) let’s include anti-hate language. I wouldn’t support a boat-load of Radical Right Christians who want to come here and oppress me and other members of my community.
What do you think the chances of such language being considered by our oh-so progressive lawmakers in Washington?
The Absence of Compassion:
Compassion. The thing that separates us from the lower species. So what happened to it? The Divided States of America has lost its national compassion and Americans as individuals have lost their compassion.
The drug war is one factor. The so-called “Office of Drug Policy” propaganda turned people who suffer from the disease of addiction into criminals, as well as people who simply use drugs but don’t fall victim to addiction. That’s when it became okay to throw sick people into prison for using medical marijuana. Even in California there is an atmosphere of contempt among academics towards medical cannabis, college professors turned toady for the new Dispassionate Divided States of America. They call themselves “progressive” while tacitly standing by as our country turns into a police state.
As corporate culture takes over too many aspects of our society compassion becomes disposable. Politicians driven by the Radical Right divide us by labeling some of us as “less than,” undeserving of the respect and dignity all human beings have an right to receive.
Arrogance and ignorance:
That is the combination of ugly behaviors Americans display constantly. Their actions and attitudes assume they know what’s right and wrong for everyone but themselves. Education, art and culture are devalued. Ego and false pride exert themselves in a desperate attempt to hide our abhorrent behavior. Shame no longer exists. It’s okay to ride the bumper of the driver in front and endanger their safety, because arrogance has convinced us the other guy should be speeding or pulling over because our time is more valuable than theirs. They are not another human being trying to safely get to their destination, they are just in our way.
And if we are called on our dispassionate and uncivil behavior we merely get indignant, offended because we have been called on our abhorrent actions and attitudes. We have no shame or guilt because we have been taught never to admit we might be in the wrong. We pretend at morality when we really don’t give a damn about the next guy. Our gas-guzzling SUV (Selfish Urban Vehicle) is our right. We have no responsibility towards the environment and we refuse to listen to anyone who challenges our right to mindlessly consume.
Shallow and empty:
Without compassion we are soulless, devoid of any depth or feeling towards anyone but ourselves. Even our children are merely reflections of our ego, their loss more about our fear than their welfare. Any relationship that becomes inconvenient is abandoned. We chase our desires heedless of the suffering of others. We are “hollow suits.” There is nothing truly civilized about us, yet we think we are the shit.
What’s a Darfur?
Genocide in Africa? That is not news. $3.00 a gallon gasoline is news. Our economic inconvenience is more important than the wholesale slaughter of an entire civilization. Maybe it would mean something if the victims had white skin. Our mass media reflects our selfish and soulless view of the world. Men who we would not invite into our homes because they are mindless, violent bigots are lauded on TV news for the hatred they scream at the top of their lungs.
There is no pride, only ego. We don’t care about any aspect of our world unless it affects us directly, interferes with our mindless consumption. If the truth is inconvenient we create a lovely fantasy and push reality far away. We don’t volunteer of our time and talent. We never give of ourselves. Our community means nothing to us because other human beings mean nothing to us.
Hate and division:
The order of the day. We violently oppose the right of others to live in peace, imposing our will on others becomes paramount. Freedom only applies to those who believe the same things we do. Privacy is a luxury reserved for the wealthy. The suffering of others is irrelevant. The guy who disagrees with you becomes anti-American. Division and polarization are the rule in America today.
Those who care:
Outnumbered. Shouted down. Dismissed. People who call for compassion are labeled “hippies” or “bleeding hearts” and cast aside as radical and out-of-touch. The mass media is dominated by cruel and egoistic people and Americans support them. Fox news gets the ratings. Good people are marginalized and intimidated by physical and verbal violence.
Hope for the future?
Maybe. It depends. We have to grow tired of behaving as raging animals. It could be we need a new leader like Dr. King, somebody outside politics who has no personal agenda. A person who we will listen to when they call us on our arrogant, casual violence. A person to tell us we must stop our mindless consumption. How said leader would overcome our poisoned mass media is a major question.
When we realize the folly of the death penalty, the folly of a drug war that has turned us into the world’s largest jailor, the folly of our insatiable need for fossil fuels, when we are truly ready to change our behavior – only then will we be willing to change. I have grave doubts. Arrogance and violence feels too good to us. We are addicted to our selfishness and lack of compassion. We enjoy acting like rutting animals. Self-examination repulses us.
Until, or if this behavior ever changes – don’t expect compassion or civility from others. We get off on the fear of others. We enjoy blaming people for problems beyond their control because that alleviates us of our responsibility. We are more than reluctant to give up our selfish ways. We continue to make humanity a joke. Those who care are on the point of giving up. We are fast becoming the architects of our own destruction.
And when our behavior comes back to bit us on the ass we will be outraged and surprised. 9-11 is a prime example. We want to be the outraged victim, completely unwilling to look at our part, our imperialistic behavior for the past hundred years. Assigning blame to everyone but ourselves gives us permission to keep behaving in an abhorrent manner. Then we can increase our violence on the rest of the world, increase others contempt and hatred of our society and our government.
We love our hate and we are loathe to surrender it.
Compassion. The thing that separates us from the lower species. So what happened to it? The Divided States of America has lost its national compassion and Americans as individuals have lost their compassion.
The drug war is one factor. The so-called “Office of Drug Policy” propaganda turned people who suffer from the disease of addiction into criminals, as well as people who simply use drugs but don’t fall victim to addiction. That’s when it became okay to throw sick people into prison for using medical marijuana. Even in California there is an atmosphere of contempt among academics towards medical cannabis, college professors turned toady for the new Dispassionate Divided States of America. They call themselves “progressive” while tacitly standing by as our country turns into a police state.
As corporate culture takes over too many aspects of our society compassion becomes disposable. Politicians driven by the Radical Right divide us by labeling some of us as “less than,” undeserving of the respect and dignity all human beings have an right to receive.
Arrogance and ignorance:
That is the combination of ugly behaviors Americans display constantly. Their actions and attitudes assume they know what’s right and wrong for everyone but themselves. Education, art and culture are devalued. Ego and false pride exert themselves in a desperate attempt to hide our abhorrent behavior. Shame no longer exists. It’s okay to ride the bumper of the driver in front and endanger their safety, because arrogance has convinced us the other guy should be speeding or pulling over because our time is more valuable than theirs. They are not another human being trying to safely get to their destination, they are just in our way.
And if we are called on our dispassionate and uncivil behavior we merely get indignant, offended because we have been called on our abhorrent actions and attitudes. We have no shame or guilt because we have been taught never to admit we might be in the wrong. We pretend at morality when we really don’t give a damn about the next guy. Our gas-guzzling SUV (Selfish Urban Vehicle) is our right. We have no responsibility towards the environment and we refuse to listen to anyone who challenges our right to mindlessly consume.
Shallow and empty:
Without compassion we are soulless, devoid of any depth or feeling towards anyone but ourselves. Even our children are merely reflections of our ego, their loss more about our fear than their welfare. Any relationship that becomes inconvenient is abandoned. We chase our desires heedless of the suffering of others. We are “hollow suits.” There is nothing truly civilized about us, yet we think we are the shit.
What’s a Darfur?
Genocide in Africa? That is not news. $3.00 a gallon gasoline is news. Our economic inconvenience is more important than the wholesale slaughter of an entire civilization. Maybe it would mean something if the victims had white skin. Our mass media reflects our selfish and soulless view of the world. Men who we would not invite into our homes because they are mindless, violent bigots are lauded on TV news for the hatred they scream at the top of their lungs.
There is no pride, only ego. We don’t care about any aspect of our world unless it affects us directly, interferes with our mindless consumption. If the truth is inconvenient we create a lovely fantasy and push reality far away. We don’t volunteer of our time and talent. We never give of ourselves. Our community means nothing to us because other human beings mean nothing to us.
Hate and division:
The order of the day. We violently oppose the right of others to live in peace, imposing our will on others becomes paramount. Freedom only applies to those who believe the same things we do. Privacy is a luxury reserved for the wealthy. The suffering of others is irrelevant. The guy who disagrees with you becomes anti-American. Division and polarization are the rule in America today.
Those who care:
Outnumbered. Shouted down. Dismissed. People who call for compassion are labeled “hippies” or “bleeding hearts” and cast aside as radical and out-of-touch. The mass media is dominated by cruel and egoistic people and Americans support them. Fox news gets the ratings. Good people are marginalized and intimidated by physical and verbal violence.
Hope for the future?
Maybe. It depends. We have to grow tired of behaving as raging animals. It could be we need a new leader like Dr. King, somebody outside politics who has no personal agenda. A person who we will listen to when they call us on our arrogant, casual violence. A person to tell us we must stop our mindless consumption. How said leader would overcome our poisoned mass media is a major question.
When we realize the folly of the death penalty, the folly of a drug war that has turned us into the world’s largest jailor, the folly of our insatiable need for fossil fuels, when we are truly ready to change our behavior – only then will we be willing to change. I have grave doubts. Arrogance and violence feels too good to us. We are addicted to our selfishness and lack of compassion. We enjoy acting like rutting animals. Self-examination repulses us.
Until, or if this behavior ever changes – don’t expect compassion or civility from others. We get off on the fear of others. We enjoy blaming people for problems beyond their control because that alleviates us of our responsibility. We are more than reluctant to give up our selfish ways. We continue to make humanity a joke. Those who care are on the point of giving up. We are fast becoming the architects of our own destruction.
And when our behavior comes back to bit us on the ass we will be outraged and surprised. 9-11 is a prime example. We want to be the outraged victim, completely unwilling to look at our part, our imperialistic behavior for the past hundred years. Assigning blame to everyone but ourselves gives us permission to keep behaving in an abhorrent manner. Then we can increase our violence on the rest of the world, increase others contempt and hatred of our society and our government.
We love our hate and we are loathe to surrender it.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
A Comprehensive San Mateo County Pain Center:
The San Mateo County Health Center, (hospital and clinics) is forming a comprehensive pain treatment center. They already have Dr. John Sorrell, a fabulous man who has been running a highly successful open behavioral study for the management of physical pain. SMCHC also has Dr. Steve Cummings, a psychiatrist who is at the top of his game.
I assume from what I’ve been told they are going to hire a pain specialist. This combination will mean SMCHC will have one of the most advanced physical pain centers west of the Mississippi River. And this is the county hospital, which treats those at the bottom of the economic ladder.
Why is this possible? The draw of these people can be laid squarely at the feet of Dr. Dennis Isrealski, probably one of the top immunologists in the country. Dr. Dennis runs one of the best HIV clinics (Edison/Willow) in the country, and his reputation means he can attract other top professionals. Much of the impressive progress at SMCHC has its roots in Dr. Dennis’ ability to put together top-notch staff and colleagues.
You will probably be hearing more about this in the media in the future, and if you’re lucky enough to live in San Mateo County you will soon have access to a frontline comprehensive pain treatment center.
Assuming what I’ve heard is accurate.
The San Mateo County Health Center, (hospital and clinics) is forming a comprehensive pain treatment center. They already have Dr. John Sorrell, a fabulous man who has been running a highly successful open behavioral study for the management of physical pain. SMCHC also has Dr. Steve Cummings, a psychiatrist who is at the top of his game.
I assume from what I’ve been told they are going to hire a pain specialist. This combination will mean SMCHC will have one of the most advanced physical pain centers west of the Mississippi River. And this is the county hospital, which treats those at the bottom of the economic ladder.
Why is this possible? The draw of these people can be laid squarely at the feet of Dr. Dennis Isrealski, probably one of the top immunologists in the country. Dr. Dennis runs one of the best HIV clinics (Edison/Willow) in the country, and his reputation means he can attract other top professionals. Much of the impressive progress at SMCHC has its roots in Dr. Dennis’ ability to put together top-notch staff and colleagues.
You will probably be hearing more about this in the media in the future, and if you’re lucky enough to live in San Mateo County you will soon have access to a frontline comprehensive pain treatment center.
Assuming what I’ve heard is accurate.
