No Work Today

I’m Feeling A Little Lightheaded This Afternoon

The following is from earlier today at another location, responding to the continuing crapola re: Reverend Wright and his God Damn America sermon.

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I’ve posted this previously, but, it is clear from the comments, nobody bothered to read it. As yet another public service, please join me in actually finding out what he said. I don’t expect it to convince anyone already dedicated to tearing Barack down, but, at least you can say you actually read it before making irrelevant, foolish comments. Ok, let’s roll……. This could take a while.

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The full story behind Wright’s ‘God Damn America’ sermon by CNN commentator, Roland Martin. (comments in parens by Buzz Daly)

I just finished listening to the nearly 40-minute sermon Rev. Jeremiah Wright gave on April 13, 2003, titled, “Confusing God and Government.”

For those of us watching and listening to the media in the last week, it is better known as the “God Damn America” sermon.

Wright’s scriptural focus was Luke 19:37-44 (reading from the New Revised Standard Version).

In this sermon, Wright spoke about the military rule during biblical days, led by Pontius Pilate. It was clear, through his language, such as “occupying military brigade” that he was making an analogy to the war in Iraq.”

(Many folks believe this, and, one would be hard pressed to describe our continued presence in Iraq, after declaring “Mission Accomplished” as anything other than an occupation, given the inability of our leaders to produce an exit plan. This is not a wacko idea. McCain’s 100 year remark should tell everyone we will be occupying Iraq for a long time, like Germany and Japan, which should make them very happy for some inexplicable reason).

The Rev wins that one.

“War does not make for peace,” he said. “Fighting for peace is like raping for virginity.”

(If he’s wrong, we should be at peace, right? We’ve been at war longer than we were in WW2, with no end in sight, yet, no peace, so, one might say that War does not make Peace and be perfectly correct, especially as it concerns Iraq. This isn’t a Buzz Daly rule, it’s in the Bible, as you will learn if you listen to the Rev.

That’s two in a row for the Rev.)

“War does not make for peace. War only makes for escalating violence and a mindset to pay the enemy back by any means necessary,” he said.

(Yep—one need only look to the MidEast to verify this. It occurs daily.)

Whoa, that’s 3 in a row for Jeremiah. So far: Jeremiah 3-0-0 Jeremiah Haters 0-3-0.

He then gets to the thesis of his sermon, saying, “y’all looking to the government for only what God can give. A lot of people confuse God with their government.”

(Any Libertarians got a view on that? I’m a non-Believer, so I’ll pass on this one.

That one is a draw. Rev 3-0-1 Haters 0-3-1)

Wright criticizes the Bush administration and its supporters for using Godly language to justify the war in Iraq. He equates using God in America as condoning the war in Iraq to the same perspective of Islamic fundamentalists.

(Right on, Rev. Silly claims of having “God’ on their side is a common practice of fools on all sides of a conflict. This is one of the the main points of this sermon. I’m pretty sure if God existed, He would not approve of mere mammals destroying his work. God does not like war. He is a Liberal Peacenik with a long white beard and Guarache sandals, who loves all his creations, not just United States Christians, OK?

Wow, another one for the Rev. That’s 4-0-1 for Jeremiah. 0-4-1 for Haters.)

“We can see clearly the confusion in the mind of a few Muslims, and please notice I did not say all Muslims, I said a few Muslims, who see Allah as condoning killing and killing any and all who don’t believe what they don’t believe. They call it jihad. We can see clearly the confusion in their minds, but we cannot see clearly what it is that we do. We call it crusade when we turn right around and say that our God condones the killing of innocent civilians as a necessary means to an end. WE say that God understand collateral damage. We say that God knows how to forgive friendly fire.”

(Are you starting to get where he’s coming from, yet? Sounds like he loves and trusts God more than Gummint. A wise path to follow in my view (if I believed in godfigures, I mean). Didn’t he just criticize Muslims? How can a Farrakhan lovin’ Marxist criticize Muslims? I thought he was a Muslim lovin’ fool. Something isn’t adding up here, is it?

Another one for Jeremiah. Rev. 6-1-1 Haters 0-6-1.)

“We say that God will bless the shock and awe as we take over unilaterally another country, calling it a coalition because we’ve got three guys from Australia, going against the United Nations, going against the majority of Christians, Muslims and Jews throughout the world, making a pre-emptive strike in the name of God. We cannot see how what we are doing is the same thing is the same thing that Al-Qaeda is doing under a different color flag – calling on the name of a different God to sanction and approve our murder and our mayhem.”

(You got that right, Jeremiah. Another one for the Rev. Rev. 5-1-1 Haters 0-5-1.)

He continues on his thesis of equating government with our God, saying that God sent the early settlers to America to take the country from Native Americans; ordained slavery; and that “we believe that God approves of 6 percent of the people on the face of this earth controlling all of the wealth on the face of this earth while the other 94 percent live in poverty and squalor while we give millions of tax breaks to the white rich.”

(Anyone disagree? I mean besides Karl Rove and the GOP. Why? Isn’t God’s mission to care for all his creations equally? When did that idea become passe? That’s one of my favorite parts of religion. It does seem to be used far too rarely, however.

Rev 6-1-1 Haters 0-6-1)

He also criticizes the “lily white” G-7 nations for controlling the world’s capital.

Group of Seven (G7), international organization officially established in 1985 to facilitate economic cooperation among the world’s largest industrial nations; summit meetings of the member nations began in 1975. Members are Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, and the United States.

(Hmmm……..Is the Rev onto something, here? With the exception of Japan, whose inhabitants were called Yellow in the past for some reason, (WTF is that all about–yuck) one might come to the same conclusion as Jeremiah did, as to the participant’s pigmentation and focus.

Good job, Jeremiah, another one for you. Let’s see—that’s Jeremiah Wright 7-1-1 Haters 0-7-1. Now, let’s get to the real meat of this issue.)

Then Wright speaks to:

1. Governments lie. “This government lied about their belief that all men were created equal. The truth is they believed that all white men were created equal. The truth is they did not even believe that white women were created equal, in creation nor civilization. The government had to pass an amendment to the Constitution to get white women the vote. Then the government had to pass an equal rights amendment to get equal protection under the law for women. (it wasn’t ratified, Rev). The government still thinks a woman has no rights over her own body, and between Uncle Clarence (Thomas), who sexually harassed Anita Hill, and a closeted Klan court, that is a throwback to the 19th century, handpicked by Daddy Bush, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, between Clarence and that stacked court, they are about to un-do Roe vs. Wade, just like they are about to un-do affirmative action. The government lied in its founding documents and the government is still lying today. Governments lie.”

(That sounds pretty accurate, with the exception of an unproven charge against Justice Thomas, and the Klan remark re: the Court. Surely with all the hyperbole and attacks directed at Jeremiah, he gets a pass for his colorful descriptions of some GOP folks. Other than that, and the exceptions noted, I’m OK with it.

However, because of his inappropriate remarks re: Clarence and the Court, yet, overwhelmingly telling the truth about the rest, I’ll call this one a draw. Rev 7-1-2 Haters 0-7-2. )

“The government lied about Pearl Harbor. They knew the Japanese were going to attack. Governments lie. The government lied about the Gulf of Tonkin. They wanted that resolution to get us in the Vietnam War. Governments lie. The government lied about Nelson Mandela and our CIA helped put him in prison and keep him there for 27 years. The South African government lied on Nelson Mandela. Governments lie.”

(Don’t know for sure about Pearl Harbor. It was probably an intel screwup, rather than a negligent act. The rest is right on. He’s right about ‘Nam. He’s right about Mandela. I would also like to point out that Jeremiah was an early and constant critic of the SA Gummint and Apartheid, and, supported Mr. Mandela from the beginning.

Definitely another win for Jeremiah. I’m starting to like this guy. Rev Wright 8-0-2 Haters 0-8-2)

“The government lied about the Tuskegee experiment. They purposely infected African American men with syphilis. Governments lie. The government lied about bombing Cambodia and Richard Nixon stood in front of the camera, ‘Let me make myself perfectly clear…” Governments lie. The government lied about the drugs for arms Contra scheme orchestrated by Oliver North, and then the government pardoned all the perpetrators so they could get better jobs in the government. Governments lie.

(They sure as hell do, Jeremiah. Not sure about the last part about better jobs in Gummint, but, let’s put another W in the Rev’s column. Rev. 9-0-2 Haters 0-9-2)

“The government lied about inventing the HIV virus as a means of people of color. Governments lie. The government lied about a connection between Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein and a connection between 9.11.01 and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Governments lie.

(NOW we’re gettin’ to the nitty gritty. This is apparently one of the overly “offensive” claims that seem to have created a bundle in many folks Fruit of The Looms. Let’s analyze it. Sorry, Rev. you’ve screwed the pooch on this one, Bud. I think the REV has fallen for a widely circulated inaccurate report from some intel jagoffs in Eastern Europe that claimed this, and, circulated a bogus document to support it. Dan Rather reported it on his so-called news show. Bad Reverend. However, the next point about Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein is correct and is accepted by nearly everyone, except Dick Cheney and GWB and a few of their most ardent backside smooching supporteres.

Let’s split this one. Another draw. Rev 9-0-2 Haters 0-9-2.)

“The government lied about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq being a threat to the United States peace. And guess what else? If they don’t find them some weapons of mass destruction, they gonna do just like the LAPD, and plant the some weapons of mass destruction. Governments lie.

(Now this one seems a bit of a stretch, as to actually planting WMDs like the LAPD uses “throw downs”, but “throw downs” are real, and, they exist. However, there were no WMDs, so he’s right on that one. Damn, Rev–you’re doin’ pretty good. Rev 10-0-3 Haters 0-10-3. Here’s where Jeremiah gets Revved up.)

2. Governments change. He said long before the United States colonized the world, so did Egypt.

“All colonizers are not white. Turn to your neighbors and say that oppressors come in all colors.”

(Hmmmm……….what about this? Surely an anti-White bigot wouldn’t say something like this, would he? Sounds like he doesn’t like oppressors of any color. I agree with him.

Damn, Rev, I’m gonna’ hafta’ start callin’ you “Butter”, cause you’re on a roll. Rev. 11-0-2 Haters 0-11-2)

He then went back to the Bible and spoke about the changing of kings in Babylonia.

“Prior to Abraham Lincoln, the government in this country said it was legal to hold Africans in slavery in perpetuity…when Lincoln got in office, the government changed. Prior to the passing of the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments to the Constitution, government defined Africans as slaves, as property. Property, people with no rights to be respected by any whites anywhere. The Supreme Court of the government, same court, granddaddy of the court that stole the 2000 election. Supreme court said in it’s Dred Scott decision in the 1850s, no African anywhere in this country has any rights that any white person has to respect at any place, any time. That was the government’s official position backed up by the Supreme Court – that’s the judiciary; backed up by the executive branch – that’s the president; backed up by the legislative branch and enforced by the military of the government. But I stop by to tell you tonight that government’s change.”

(I can’t disagree with that. Rev 13-0-2 Haters 0-13-2 )

“Prior to Harry Truman’s government, the military was segregated. But governments change.

(Yep. No points for the obvious.)

“Prior to the Civil Rights and equal accommodation laws of the government in this country, there was backed segregation by the country, legal discrimination by the government, prohibited blacks from voting by the government, you had to eat and sit in separate places by the government, you had sit in different places from white folks because the government said so, and you had to buried in a separate cemetery. It was apartheid, American style, from the cradle to the grave, all because the government backed it up.

(That’s true, my Brother. Tell it).

“But guess what? Governments change. Under Bill Clinton, we got a messed up welfare to work bill, but under Clinton blacks had an intelligent friend in the Oval Office. Oh, but governments change.”

“The election was stolen. We went from an intelligent friend to a dumb Dixiecrat. A rich Republican who has never held a job in his life; is against affirmative action (and) against education – I guess he is; against healthcare, against benefits for his own military, and gives tax breaks to the wealthiest contributors to his campaign. Governments change. Sometimes for the good, and sometimes for the bad.”

(Well put, Bro.)

“Where governments change, God does not change. God is the same yesterday, today and forever more. That’s what his name I Am means. He does not change.

God was against slavery on yesterday, and God, who does not change, is still against slavery today. God was a God of love yesterday, and God who does not change, is still a God of love today. God was a God of justice on yesterday, and God who does not change, is still a God of justice today.

“God does not change.”

(It would be inappropriate for a non-Believer to get involved in this one. Again, no points.)

3. He then speaks of the government in his Bible text and said the Romans failed. Then he said the British government failed even after it colonized the world. He said the Russian government failed. The Japanese government failed. The German government failed.

(True).

“And the United States of America government, when it came to treating her citizens of Indian descent, she failed. She put them on reservations.

(True).

“When it came to putting her citizens of Japanese descent fairly, she failed. She put them in interment prison camps.

(True. They were even paid, so protestations of the validity of restricting citizen rights during war are as bogus now as they were then. )

“When it came to putting the citizens of African descent fairly, America failed. She put them in chains. The government put them on slave quarters. Put them on auction blocks. Put them in cotton fields. Put them in inferior schools. Put them in substandard housing. Put them scientific experiments. Put them in the lower paying jobs. Put them outside the equal protection of the law. Kept them out of their racist bastions of higher education, and locked them into positions of hopelessness and helplessness.

(Yep.)

“The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three strike law and then wants us to sing God Bless America. Naw, naw, naw. Not God Bless America. God Damn America! That’s in the Bible. For killing innocent people. God Damn America for treating us citizens as less than human. God Damn America as long as she tries to act like she is God and she is Supreme.”

(With the exception of the drug part, I think he has shown justification for his choice to “God Damn America”. Or, do you think the America he mostly describes accurately, should be blessed for such a history? )

“The United States government has failed the vast majority of her citizens of African descent. Think about this. Think about this. For every one Oprah, a billionaire, you’ve got 5 million blacks that are out of work. For every one Colin Powell, a millionaire, you’ve got 10 million blacks who cannot read. For every one Condi-Skeezer Rice, you’ve got 1 million in prison. For every one Tiger Woods, who needs to get beat at the Masters, with his Cablanasian hips, playing on a course that discriminates against women, God has this way of brining you up short when you get to big for your Cablanasian britches. For every one Tiger Woods, we’ve got 10,000 black kids who will never see a golf course. The United States government has failed the vast majority of her citizens of African descent.”

(Although I have no idea what Balanasian britches are, I dig his delivery and enthusiastic presentation. I would add, however, that Black folks aren’t the only ones who our Gummint has failed. I would also note that Tiger Woods has a foundation whose main function is teaching golf to minority kids without access to facilities or the means to purchase instruction. Bad Reverend. I’m tired of scoring this contest, and I think I already messed up the math, but, the trend is clear to me. It seems to me the Reverend speaks a lot of truth.)

“Tell your neighbor he’s (going to) help us one last time. Turn back and say forgive him for the God Damn, that’s in the Bible though. Blessings and curses is in the Bible. It’s in the Bible.”

(Apparently, Sean Hannity and 95% of America didn’t read this far. Doesn’t quite sound like the wild-eyed raving maniac he’s described as to me).

Where government fail, God never fails. When God says it, it’s done. God never fails. When God wills it, you better get out the way, ‘cause God never fails. When God fixes it, oh believe me it’s fixed. God never fails. Somebody right now, you think you can’t make it, but I want you to know that you are more than a conqueror through Christ. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.”

(Geezus! Where do I sign up? That was pretty good.)

He then went on to talk about the salvation of Christians through the death of Jesus Christ. The sermon ended with a song proclaiming, “God never fails”.

This doesn’t seem to be all that Marxist to me, and, hardly the words of a hater and anti-American bigot who should be sent out of the country in my view. Did I miss something?

So, there you have it my friends. That horrid sermon that has been the toast of the airwaves for weeks and weeks. Not that scary, eh? Thanks for finally reading it. (if you did).

The losers in this debacle are O’Bama and the media and all those who think soundbites are news. They aren’t. So, please feel free to pick apart the Rev’s sermon and provide us with factual inaccuracies as to what he says. Or, would it be easier to move on to something relevant?

My Loyal Assistant and Office Manager, Toby

From another forum discussing solutions to our energy problems, in response to various proposals, including the “gas tax holiday” favored by the two GOP candidates, McCain and Clinton.  What about this?

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Dick Cheney should call up Hugo Chavez for advice, since gas is 12 cents a gallon down there, and $4 here, Dick wants to find out what’s up. Here’s how the call might go down. Warning: this could be rather annoying, and not as humorous as I originally thought. Proceed at your own risk.

Dick: Hey, Hugo–how’s it goin’?

Hugo: Quien es?

Dick: What?

Hugo: Quien es?

Dick: What?

Fortunately at this point, GWB, who speaks fluent Spanish, is walking by, and agrees to translate. Two oilmen taking on a Socialist Dicktater who likes to nationalize petroleum stocks—what a matchup. The following translation is in English, courtesy of GWB, and THE WHITE HOUSE.

Hugo: Oh, hello, Dick. How are the Nationals playing so far?

Dick: Not that good. How’s that FARC hostage thing working out for you?

Hugo: Not that good. Thanks for bringing it up.

Dick: By the way, the President is with me and he’ll be translating.

Hugo: So, I’ll be talking to two Dicks at once?

Dick: (silence)

Hugo: ¿hola, está el micrófono encendido?

Dick: (silence)

Hugo: Hola!

Dick: Uh, sorry–are you trying to be funny?

Hugo: Yes, few people know that I was a stand up comic before becoming a Socialist Dicktater. I had some great Capitalist jokes that went over well with the oppressed Peasantry. Here’s a sample: Two foreign Capitalists walk into an oilfield. (Wait) And exploit it! Now that’s surefire material around here. By the way, Jorge, I was just kiddin’ around with that Diablo (Devil) sulphur remark at the UN.

Dick: Thanks, that’s OK, I heard they had to repaint the whole speaker’s dais to remove the stench left by your black bean farts. Oh, and, the Vice President says he was just kiddin’ too about all that “Wacko” stuff when you were popularly elected.

Hugo: Great. I’m glad we cleared that up. Although I dispute the part about the black beans. So what’s on your minds?

Dicks: We were wondering why it is exactly, that gas is 12 cents in Caracas, yet, in Cucamonga, it is $4? It’s not that Brutal Socialist Dicktater thing is it?

Hugo: Yes. Sort of. Our people wanted to control their own natural resources because the deals in place with foreign Capitalists that had been negotiated by our previous governments were completely unfair, and, a disadvantage to the Venezuelan people. As shocking as it may seem, these people were pocketing bribes themselves to allow the situation to continue. So after taking power, needed adjustments were made to regain ownership of our resources, and, share any revenue from sales with the people, instead of watching it disappear into already full bank accounts in Houston, for example. It seems pretty simple and fair to us.

Dicks: Wait a minute! That’s Socialism!

Hugo: Yes, it is, as I just explained. And, that’s a contributing factor to why gas is 12 cents a gallon. We aren’t wasting lots of money maintaining the lifestyles of a bunch of fatasses lolliing around the pool checking their Blackberrys to see how much their stock has gone up because gas is $4 and climbing. I know it sounds crazy, but, we feel all the people should benefit from our natural resources, not foreign fatcats. Sorry. It is a way of ours.

Dicks: Wait a minute! That’s Socialsm!

Hugo: Yes. We just went through this didn’t we? Besides, you’ve already benefited from it yourselves. Did we not offer cheaper heating fuel to folks in your own New England? May I suggest you patronize our Citgo outlets in June. With a fillup you’ll get a free coffee, and half off a Little Debby cinnamon cake.

Dicks: Hmm…..that is quite a value. But, someone told me all you have are Donkeys down there, so that’s why gas is 12 cents a gallon. What about that, Pal?

Hugo: Well, we do have Donkeys, but, we actually have motor vehicles as well. Those who choose Donkeys can use the 12 cents a gallon they don’t spend on gas for a nice piece of sugar cane for the Donkey. Win-Win.

Dicks: (silence)

Hugo: Well, is that about it?

Dicks: Yeah, but that Socialism thing will never work as well as Capitalism. Real Americans like paying $4 for Capitalist gas. It’s Patriotic, and, way better than Socialist gas.

Hugo: OK, then, but you’re already paying us $4. That’s another reason we can sell it to ourselves for 12 cents. Talk to you later.

Greetings to my fellow Vets and those who witnessed the end of our involvement in the Vietnam War. Many don’t know, or, if young enough, don’t care, but, April 30, 1975 is our official date for disengaging from the Vietnam War, 33 years ago. Interestingly, (or not), 33, or, Ba Moui Ba in Vietnamese, was the name of a popular Vietnamese beer, but, I digress, way too early. I use disengagement in preference to losing. It wasn’t a pretty departure. Vietnamese swarmed the Embassy Compound in Saigon that was soon to be Ho Chi Minh City. Marines were physically preventing them from entering. These were our former allies and employees—those who had aided us in this useless waste of humanity, and, were now being beaten back by their former protectors to face the Commie onslaught. I’m not sure this is the “Peace With Honor” we sought with such fervor and seriousness. I heard Henry Kissinger had sacrificed his valuable Disco time with Jill St. John, to get the deal done. What a great guy! Sad it turned out so poorly. Crying, hysterical women sought to hand their babies over the barbed wire, hoping they’d be taken to freedom, only to be denied, and, in some cases, physically prevented from attaining their maternalistic goal. One can only imagine the trepidation of those not allowed to leave with us. Ships offshore were overwhelmed with the escaping humanity. The decks became so crowded, abandoned choppers, finally outliving their usefulness, as implements of war, were unceremoniously pushed overboard, their last mission now history. Well, what did we accomplish? What were the costs? As to the costs, we lost 40,000 of our young folks, and, drained the treasury. Several million Vietnamese also paid the price. For what? From what I can tell, my efforts and those of my Bros were responsible for our current Business Boom in ‘Nam. I like Veteran job programs, created by our business community, but, not so much when the Vets who benfit are ex-Viet Cong.  Ho Chi Minh and General Giap are probably spinning in their graves right now to see that the Capitalists, who actually lost the war, won in the end. Greed, and the accompanying worker exploitation trumps all ideologies, I guess. So, enjoy one of my favorite Gustav offerings on this special day. I’ll tip one for you all, and, when that is done, I’ll burn one as well. Thanks for your service. Is it just me, or does Gustav’s piece echo our current policies in an eerie way?

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It is a tradition of mine to publish the following somewhere on, or near this date, in memory of a Bro who could lay it out there with the best of them. Gustav was a talented, unique individual, who was not easy to get along with most of the time, but one never doubted his position on anything. You may remember his work from “Full Metal Jacket”. Please consider his “bitter” piece written 5 years after our withdrawal from ‘Nam. He is no longer with us, but, I certainly agree with many of his sentiments.

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FIVE YEARS LATER, THE NIGHTMARE REMAINS POISON
Still Gagging on the Bitterness of Vietnam
By Gustav Hasford
LOS ANGELES TIMES, April 30, 1980

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the final withdrawal of U.S. forces from Vietnam. After millions of words have been written trying to determine the lessons of Vietnam, I can only share what I, as a Vietnam veteran, believe that I have learned. (I am not, and will never be, a spokesman for Vietnam veterans. I speak for myself alone.)
The very first thing that I have learned about Vietnam as a writer is that I am no longer talking to two-thirds of you. The word “Vietnam” in the first sentence of this article triggered a negative response somewhere, and most of you are about to turn the page. To those stalwart few who remain: Welcome to the world of the disenchanted.
The second thing that I have learned after 12 years as an unreconstructed Vietnam veteran is that, while I deeply respect, and would fight to preserve, the Constitution of the United States, I am now and must remain a devoted enemy of the federal government of the United States.
Talking about Vietnam, I have learned, is like talking about cancer at the dinner table. For more than a decade now, my friends have humored me in what they have called my “tiresome obsession” as I continue to work at understanding the roots and lessons of our involvement in Vietnam. It is difficult for them to understand what I mean when I attempt to explain that I cannot forget the war because there’s gunpowder in my cereal bowl.
I write about the war in Vietnam in a more or less futile attempt to convince a dwindling handful of people that an important part of the American dream is dead and down there in the tomb with John F. Kennedy. When the battle is lost, the soldier attacks. When the cancer is malignant, the doctor operates. So do writers write. And I echo the words of Ron Kovic, author of Born on the Fourth of July, who said: “They should be glad that I came home from Vietnam and wrote a book. I could have bought a gun.”
I am not an expert on the Vietnam War. All I know is what I read in the newspapers and what I observed as a Marine Corps war correspondent in Vietnam.
During the five years since the fall of Saigon, I have learned almost nothing about the longest war in U.S. history from television, except that the world is full of violent Vietnam veterans who have inconvenient memories of combat experiences and who subsequently shoot at people they believe to be Viet Cong. After a satisfyingly dramatic climax, the crazed veterans are captured unharmed and turned over to sympathetic social workers by compassionate SWAT teams. Recently, the TV executives who during the war cut from body bags to beer commercials have given us a new sitcom called “Six O’Clock Follies,” featuring two GI reporters and a “cute weather girl” in the Armed Forces radio station in Saigon.
The most important truth that I have learned about Vietnam came from the Academy Award-winning documentary, Hearts and Minds, when Daniel Ellsberg, with tears in his eyes, said that when he heard that Robert Kennedy had been assassinated he suddenly felt that there was no longer any hope of changing America.
From politicians the verdict on our Vietnam adventure has been more encouraging. Jimmy Carter, the first political faith-healer to win the presidency, has granted the American people a verbal presidential pardon for any and all sins that we might have committed in Vietnam, and has officially designated Vietnam to be over and done with, case closed, blood under the bridge. Henry A. Kissinger, for whom no American ever voted, has called Vietnam a “mere footnote” to the great achievement of the new relationship with China. And former President Richard M. Nixon, ignominiously forced to leave the White House after the Watergate scandal, has assured us that Vietnam was “America’s finest hour.”
From my fellow citizens I have learned that people fear change more than they fear oppression. We Americans are like cancer patients who prefer to die before accepting the fact that we have sickness that requires treatment.
From my fellow veterans I have learned the most meaningful lessons of all. Vietnam veterans in America are the children of Frankenstein; you know that you are a Vietnam veteran when your sister won’t let you hold her baby. I have learned that for many Vietnam veterans life is a flower without color. Vietnam veterans are often unable to transcend Vietnam, to build on the experience, to go beyond the war to other stages of their lives. For many of us, the Vietnam experience damned the American way of life as a lie from top to bottom. The war shot away our roots.
I’ve seen the quiet vets who work organizing rap sessions, who publish newspapers for veterans, who have marched arm in arm into forests of police batons. But I have met the casualties as well. I’ve met the closet veterans who deny that they served in the war at all, cowed vets who are intimidated by their peers’ demand that they repudiate their true experiences and perform as dishonest mimics of themselves, touting the exciting fabricated war stories that everybody wants to hear. I’ve met the bitter veterans with “bad-paper” discharges who hate themselves and everybody else, too. And the maimed and the lame, the blind and the speechless, the victims of Agent Orange who love their deformed children fiercely, the multiple amputees who needed assistance when they came to throw their Purple Hearts and Silver Stars onto the steps of the Capitol, the apprentices at suicide, the angry and violent veterans who vowed to turn the guns around, who swore that “If we fight again it will be to take these steps . . . the Capitol steps . . . .” And then there are the endless ranks of psychic burnouts, the zombie veterans who were killed in action for all intents and purposes but who don’t know enough to lie down and die. And I have met dozens and dozens of Vietnam veterans who tell me that they have been completely unaffected by the war, while it is obvious that they have pushed it down deep, that they have swallowed a whole continent of pain and sadness that remains undigested and is choking them one day at a time.
Hawks hate the Vietnam veterans for being a candy-ass who couldn’t get the job done; those World War II boys won their war and didn’t whine about how tough it was, either. Doves hate the Vietnam veteran because, in their view, each and every one routinely slaughtered helpless civilians, especially babies.
America’s breast is a milkless stone, and she demands heroes from her sons. A recent Harris poll shows that 63% of the American people feel that Vietnam veterans “were made suckers, having to risk their lives in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Vietnam veterans probably will in fact go down in history as “suckers,” but we fall from glory alongside the nation that bred us, because a country that degrades, stigmatizes and humiliates its young for committing the heinous crime of steadfast loyalty can no longer be trusted or taken seriously by anyone. Even animals protect their young.
What have I learned about Vietnam from the federal government? I have learned, for one thing, that politics is a ballet of devils, and that politicians, with paper roses falling out of their mouths, cannot conceal the blood from distant wounds that stains their neckties–but they do try, and millions do listen and believe, and choose not to see.
Vietnam, in my opinion, never ended. Peace is only a continuation of hypocrisy by other means, just as Watergate, for example, was a continuation of Vietnam by other means.
Now, five years after the last American soldier left the soil of Vietnam, the sum of our added knowledge is small. Smug in our apathy, few of us would take time to admit that today’s problems might in some way be related to the war in Vietnam.
Our refusal to face our Vietnam experience honestly has meant that the national nightmare of Vietnam continues to poison this country’s sense of itself, and that refusal postpones the needed reckoning with our own dark history as well.
Today, I talk to the 19-year-old children who will soon be dead in the Oil Wars (to them Vietnam is some kind of Chinese breakfast food), and their face-value acceptance of what the government has defined as their patriotic duty puts a cold chord of fear and helplessness into my gut that is not unlike Daniel Ellsberg’s response to the death of Robert Kennedy–total impotence in the face of unbridled ruthlessness.
Recently I have been investigating the possibilities of living in Australia. Perhaps someday the survivors of America will come back and will build log cabins in the streets. At least, as Hemingway said, it’s pretty to think so.
Meanwhile, I ask you to join me in celebrating the fifth anniversary of the final withdrawal of the United States from Southeast Asia with a degree of pageantry and excitement comparable to that we all enjoyed during Vietnam Veterans’ Week–by popping open a cold can of beer and raising a toast: “Here’s to the good old days, when we knew who our enemies were and were sanctioned by society to deal with them accordingly. Here’s to the good old days.”
Goodby, America. And goodby to Vietnam and the friends who died for nothing.

Hey, everybody. I happened to watch the entire Rev. Wright event this morning, and, I was a bit disturbed by the coverage following. Mr. Wright made some very astute and relevant remarks on many things, and, he is obviously an intelligent individual. I commend him for speaking up for himself, his beliefs, and, his followers. Liberation Theology makes perfect sense to me. It is sad that America only knows this person for several incendiary remarks and the way the media wishes to portray him. Why not learn a little more about this guy? He was great answering questions at the Press Club today, and, pointed out that he served six years in the Marines, and, wondered if that made him patriotic enough. If the media is so taken with the REV, invite him to the next debate, and we’d have something interesting to watch. One would think he’s a candidate from all the hoopla, hubbub, ruckus, and similar situations that have been created around his remarks. He also pointed out correctly that Dick Cheney didn’t serve at all. BTW–as a medical assistant, he attended at one of Lyndon Johnson’s surgeries back in the day. (Gall bladder, I think). He received three Presidential Citations from LBJ. So, if anyone would like to actually know more about the REV than, “God Damn America”, check this out. Seems like a rather distinguished career to me. I certainly agree with his realistic view of the history of religion in this country as it pertains to African Americans, and, I salute these folks for trying to preserve and understand their roots, and, more importantly, show pride in their history and advancement as a people under unspeakable circumstances and humiliating conditions. That’s what he’s about. Is it a bit odd that one of the few voices speaking up for the Rev is a non-Believer? If I did ever decide to attend Church, I’d much rather have someone entertaining like the REV to lay out that Jesus speak, than any of those fundamentalist JesusJockeys on TV, tryin’ to get in your pocket. Cut the Brother some slack. The following is from Answers.com.  Enjoy.

Black Biography:
Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr.

Personal Information

Born on September 22, 1941, in Philadelphia, PA; son of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Sr. and Dr. Mary Henderson Wright; married Ramah Reed; children: Janet Marie, Jeri Lynne, Nikol, Nathan, Jamila
Education: Virginia Union University, 1959-61; Howard University, BA, 1968, MA, 1969; University of Chicago School of Divinity, MA, 1975; United Theological Seminary, DMin, Black Sacred music, 1990.
Religion: United Church of Christ.
Military/Wartime Service: U.S. Marine Corps, private first class, 1961-63; U.S. Navy, hospital corpsman third class, 1964-67.
Memberships:
Selected: Ministers for Racial and Social Justice, United Church of Christ, 1972-; Black Theology Project, Board of Directors, 1975-95; Evangelical Health Systems, Board of Directors, 1986-89; Chicago Theological Seminary, Board of Trustees, 1999-2000; Virginia Union University, Board of Trustees, 2001-.

Career

Zion Church, interim pastor, 1968-69; Beth Eden Church, assistant pastor, 1969-1971; American Association of Theological Schools, researcher, 1970-72; Trinity United Church of Christ, pastor 1972-. Chicago Center for Black Religious Studies, executive director, 1974-75; Chicago Cluster of Theological Schools, lecturer, 1975-77; United Theological Seminary, professor, 1991-97; Chicago Theological Seminary, professor, 1998; Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, professor, 1999.

Life’s Work

Reverend Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. is one of the most widely acclaimed black preachers in the United States. Combining social concern, spiritual growth, and political activism, Wright, who preaches in a black traditional style, brings a message of hope, redemption, and renewal. In 1972 he became pastor of a small United Church of Christ congregation in the inner city of Chicago. After over 30 years in the pulpit, his congregation has grown to 10,000 and is the largest United Church of Christ congregation in the United States.

Wright was born on September 22, 1941, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Sr. and Dr. Mary Henderson Wright. His parents were his earliest influences, instilling in him a deep religious faith and a strong, positive image of his African-American culture. His father, who served as the pastor of Grace Baptist Church for 62 years was one of the first African Americans to receive a degree from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, earning a master of sacred theology degree in 1949. Wright was educated in the public schools of Philadelphia.

In 1959 Wright enrolled at Virginia Union University, in Richmond, where he remained until 1961. That year he left school to join the military. He served in the Second Marine Division of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1961 to 1963, achieving the rank of private first class. In 1963 he graduated as valedictorian from the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, and from 1964 to 1967, he served as a cardio pulmonary technician at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. During 1965 and 1966, he was awarded with three Presidential Commendations from President Lyndon B. Johnson.

After his discharge from the military, Wright continued his education. He enrolled at Howard University in Washington, D.C., in 1967, and was awarded a bachelor’s degree in 1968 and a master’s degree in 1969. He then entered the University of Chicago Divinity School, receiving a master of arts degree in 1975. He ended his formal education in 1990 when he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree in black sacred music from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

While continuing his studies, Wright also began making forays into a career in the ministry. Between 1968 and 1971 he served short-term stints first as interim pastor and then as an associate pastor. From 1970 to 1972 he was a researcher for the American Association of Theological Schools. He was also a columnist for Chicago’s Independent Bulletin during 1972. Then, on March 1, 1972, 31-year-old Wright was hired as the pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, a position he continues to hold.

When Wright joined the staff of Trinity United Church of Christ as senior pastor, the inner city church boasted just 87 active members, most of whom came from the neighborhood surrounding the church. Wright embraced his new congregation and took up the phrase coined by his predecessor Rev. Dr. Reuben Sheares, “Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian.” Within months the church had adopted the phrase as its motto and vision. Under Wright’s leadership, fueled by his passion, and motivated by his preaching, the congregation began to grow by leaps and bounds. By 2004 there were over 10,000 members, with people coming from across the metro area. The congregation, which proudly notes its diverse socio-economic mix, dedicated a new 2,700 worship center in 1997.

According to Wright, the Christian call extends in two directions: upward to God and outward to the community. As a result, Wright takes seriously the need to reach out to others, especially Chicago’s inner-city residents. Trinity has 70 ministry programs, 22 of which target youth. Half of the programs target the community, including adult education, literacy, computer, child care, and education for unemployed or low-income families. For Wright, religion, social outreach, and political activism go hand in hand. He vocally opposed the U.S. involvement in Iraq beginning in 2003 and has tackled such previously taboo issues such as AIDS from the pulpit.

As Wright’s reputation grew as a powerful and dynamic preacher in the black sermonic tradition who incorporated music, politics, and social issues into his sermons, he became a sought-after lecturer and preacher. In 1993 he was named second on Ebony’s list of the top black preachers in North America. Once admitting that he had considered a career as a seminary professor, Wright satisfied his desire to teach by accepting invitations to lecture and teach at numerous universities and seminaries. He first stepped in front of a classroom in 1974 as an adjunct professor at Chicago Theological Seminary. In 1975 he was an adjunct professor at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and from 1976 to 1992 he served as an adjunct professor for the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education. He has also taught courses at United Theological Seminary, North Park Theological Seminary, and Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Chicago.

Wright has authored several books, including Africans Who Shaped Our Faith, Good News! Sermons of Hope for Today’s Families, and What Makes You So Strong? Sermons of Joy and Strength from Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. According to Cleophus J. LaRue in The Heart of Black Preaching, in his title sermon of What Makes You So Strong, Wright “demonstrates the power of the mighty sovereign at work in the lives of black people in twentieth century America. This sermon focuses on the root of black strength and survivability. Wright makes it clear throughout the sermon that the source of all strength, and especially black strength, is none other than the Spirit of God.” As in his preaching, in his writing Wright focuses on the dual issues of corporate concern and spiritual sustenance. His latest publication, What Can Happen When We Pray: A Daily Devotional, was published in 2002.

In recognition of his contributions, Wright has been awarded seven honorary doctoral degrees. He has also served on a number of boards and commissions, including serving on the board of trustees for Virginia Union University and Chicago Theological Seminary. He continues to be a highly sought after preacher, teacher, and lecturer.

Awards

Selected: Howard University, Dean’s List, 1968; The Fund for Theological Education, Rockefeller Fellowship, 1970-75; three Presidential Commendations from L.B. Johnson, 1965-66.

Works

Selected works

* What Makes You So Strong? Sermons of Joy and Strength from Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. (ed. by Jini Kilgore Ross), Judson Press, 1993.
* Good News! Sermons of Hope for Today’s Families (ed. by Jini Kilgore Ross), Judson Press, 1995.
* (With Colleen Birchett) Africans Who Shaped Our Faith, Urban Ministries, 1995.
* From One Brother to Another: Voices of African American Men (ed. by William J. Key and Robert Johnson-Smith II), Judson Press, 1996.
* (With Frank Madison Reid III and Colleen Birchett) When Black Men Stand Up for God : Reflections on the Million Man March, African American Images, 1996.
* Great Preachers: Jeremiah Wright (VHS recording), Odyssey Productions, 1998.
* Let Your Will Be Done (sound recording, with the Trinity United Church of Christ Sanctuary Choir), 2001.
* What Can Happen When We Pray: A Daily Devotional, Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2002.

Further Reading

Books

* LaRue, Cleophus J., The Heart of Black Preaching, John Knox Press, 2000.
* Sadler, Kim Martin, ed. Atonement: The Million Man March, The Pilgrim Press, 1996.
* Who’s Who Among African Americans, 16th ed., Gale Group, 2003.

Periodicals

* The Grand Rapids Press (Grand Rapids, MI), June 22, 2002, p. B4.

On-line

* “Jeremiah Wright’s Good News: God Triumph Overcomes Seas of Troubles,” The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, www.ltsp.edu/news/2002-2003/0303power_wright.htm (April 6, 2004).
* “Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr.” The HistoryMakers: ReligionMakers, www.thehistorymakers.com/biography/biography.asp?bioindex=331&category=religionMakers (April 6, 2004).
* “Reverend Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr.,” Corinthian Baptist Church (Philadelphia, PA), www.corinthianbaptistchurch.org/jeremiah_a_wright_jr.htm (April 26, 2004).
* “Reverend Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr.,” Trinity United Church of Christ, www.tucc.org/pastor.htm (April 6, 2004).
* “Seven Last Words,” Faith Community of Saint Sabina, www.saintsabina.org/spotlight/wright2004.htm (April 6, 2004).

— Kari Bethel
_________________
My Own Mind Is My Own Church—-Thomas Paine

I’ll be back

Addictions are everywhere. You cannot escape them. You may have them and not even know it. Someone may be making one up for you right now. Addictions, are big business in the US. Do not deny addictions, or, you’re in denial. Hmmm…that works rather well to stifle debate, eh? Did you know that there are more than 1,700 of them? Yep, that’s right. I heard a local radio show here the other day that spends two hours a week on The Twelve Steps, and the Law of Attraction. . If you tune in, you will find out how the 12 Steps and the Law of Attraction will take care of these 1,700 addictions.

By the way, the L.O.A. has nothing to do with the Law, and very little to do with Science, as far as I can tell by googling the internet(s). 1,700? Maybe I misheard that number. I’ve spent the last few days trying to figure out just what the heck that list looks like. What’s even more interesting, is that someone has actually taken the time to connect a “Higher Power” to curing shoplifting, let’s say. I thought “Thou Shalt Not Steal” was already well known. I think stealing has been around a lot longer than Higher Powers, (who, from what I can tell, were created several thousand years ago, in several different forms). Stealing preceded Higher Powers from what I can learn on Google. It probably occurs at about the same rate now, as it did, back in the day, when Grok had his eye on Dorp’s prestigious sharp stick and exotic clamshell, which he snatched at the first opportune moment. Sadly, he would have to wait for salvation until man had invented Higher Powers and the programs they inspire, to cure him of this affliction. Back then, a hot burning ember down the old loincloth usually took care of it, or, at least that’s what I heard on the internet(s), so I can’t vouch for its veracity. Being a caveman sucked sometimes fer sure. Identifying all these addictions and getting them taken care of is great, of course, but, making everything an addiction could get a bit silly, couldn’t it? Here’s an example: Is it possible that avoiding smoking a joint with your neighbor is an addiction to not feeling good? If someone says I’m full of crap for saying that, are they in denial? We need to be careful with this stuff. That’s all I’m suggestin’. Now, where’s my list? I’m trying to guess all 1,700 of those addictions. I’m only up to 11. Can someone help me out with the other 1,689? Thanks. May I close with what I consider a pretty good description of an addict.

From Addicted To Love……Robert Palmer

Your lights are on, but youre not home
Your mind is not your own
Your heart sweats, your body shakes
Another kiss is what it takes

You cant sleep, you cant eat
Theres no doubt, youre in deep
Your throat is tight, you cant breathe
Another kiss is all you need

Whoa, you like to think that youre immune to the stuff, oh
Yeah

Its closer to the truth to say you cant get enough, you
Know youre

Gonna have to face it, youre addicted to love

You see the signs, but you cant read
Youre runnin at a different speed
You heart beats in double time
Another kiss and youll be mine, a one track mind

You cant be saved
Oblivion is all you crave
If theres some left for you
You dont mind if you do

Whoa, you like to think that youre immune to the stuff, oh
Yeah

Its closer to the truth to say you cant get enough, you
Know youre

Gonna have to face it, youre addicted to love

Might as well face it, youre addicted to love

Guitar solo (once around)

Your lights are on, but youre not home
Your will is not your own
Youre heart sweats and teeth grind
Another kiss and youll be mine

Whoa, you like to think that youre immune to the stuff, oh
Yeah

Its closer to the truth to say you cant get enough, you
Know youre

Gonna have to face it, youre addicted to love

Might as well face it, youre addicted to love

———————–

This guy might need some help:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7353025.stm