Why no why? Lotsa who—Osama, Saddam, Bush and Blair. Plenty of where—Kabul, Karbala, Kirkuk and Khartoum. Too much what—bombs, missiles, war and death—and also When—9/11, 3/11, each day in Iraq. But oh so little why.
Why is holy, why is wise, why’s the essence of the learned eye. Every lasting solution is the product of why.
How many generations have looked but not seen, listened but not heard, thought but not known. How many doubted, how many knew, how many earnestly sought to be true?
Seems that today when we seek to ask “why?” the answer so sure from the right we decry: “they hate our freedoms--there’s always evil, always good--freedom and peace must be paid for in blood.”
When we doubt and offer alternative why’s we’re branded as traitors who’d rather go hide.
Buddha awareness and silent calm means acceptance of life just as it comes. Yet the Dalai Lama still seeks to be, in a free Tibet, his native country.
Perhaps it is in how we seek to ask why: honestly, peacefully with an ever open eye. Never grasping and holding to preconceived truth, but ever open to the highest truth.
Yes pray for those in leadership roles, that they may act justly on the path paved by why.
Richard F. Dawahare 1/23/05
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Bush's Call to War
In unmistakeable language President Bush has telegraphed an impending American military aggression in the ostensible pursuit of bringing "freedom" and "democracy" everywhere in our world: "So it is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world. This is not primarily the task of arms, though we will defend ourselves and our friends by force of arms when necessary...."
Attention Mr. President---It has ALWAYS been the goal of the US to promote freedom and democracy across the globe!!!! But we worked THROUGH international bodies and WITH other countries to do this PEACEFULLY!! The disastrous war in Iraq only amplifies the importance and necessity of continuing that highly successful path of working through and with other countries.
Alas, the President and his neocons are bringing to fulfillment the plan written long ago in the Project For A New American Century: [military success in] "multiple and simultaneous theatres of war" across the globe so as to acheive American dominance. I pray I am wrong, I pray for President Bush and his team and all the world leaders that they will make decisions for the welfare and peace of the world.
But he lied us to war in Iraq, and he is now using the emotionally-appealing call to patriotism in the name of "FREEDOM" and "DEMOCRACY" to embark us on a course that may instead make a mockery of both. There will either be a draft or the economy will be such that the only job opportunities for many youth will BE the military.
We can stop watching and waiting--the water's 'bout ready to boil!
RFD 1/22/05
Sunday, January 16, 2005
When Bubba Meets Baba
Big, corn-fed freckled country boy, biscuit and gravy belly flopping over his jeans, tongue waggin’-just can’t wait to dig in to that buffet –‘GET OUTTA MY WAY’ focus. Cracker Barrel? No. Bob Evans? No. Texas Roadhouse? No. The Oasis Mediterranean “cuisine”? Dang right!
Bubba meets Baba as he digs into the best tabouli, hummus and baba ghanouj this side of Mesopotamia. Does the heart good to see southern boys and swarthy, olive-skinned fer’ners cheek to cheek at the trough.
Fact is that our joys in general—and this Middle Eastern restaurant in particular—cut through our fears and prejudice to bring us together and show us that there is more that we have in common, than what divides us.
The really, really amazing thing is that the Oasis’s cook, a Lebanese immigrant, started with Aladdin’s, a Middle Eastern restaurant that opened right after 9/11. You can’t believe how successful and accepted Aladdin’s was, despite the supposed paranoia following that tragedy. It, like the Oasis now, was popular with Wasps, Southerners, Jews, Arabs, Asians---everybody. It bolstered my faith in the human spirit, as did the 2002 mayoral election of Teresa Isaac who is of Arabic descent.
Maybe the Bubba/Baba phenomenon points the way to harmony between combative cultures. Peace through the palate makes much more sense than peace through war. And it’s wholesome, healthy and delicious, too (Gee mom, can we go there?)
Like my Uncle Willy used to tell me, “you get more with sugar than you do with salt.”
Respectfully, Richard F. Dawahare 1/16/05
Moo on!
Bubba meets Baba as he digs into the best tabouli, hummus and baba ghanouj this side of Mesopotamia. Does the heart good to see southern boys and swarthy, olive-skinned fer’ners cheek to cheek at the trough.
Fact is that our joys in general—and this Middle Eastern restaurant in particular—cut through our fears and prejudice to bring us together and show us that there is more that we have in common, than what divides us.
The really, really amazing thing is that the Oasis’s cook, a Lebanese immigrant, started with Aladdin’s, a Middle Eastern restaurant that opened right after 9/11. You can’t believe how successful and accepted Aladdin’s was, despite the supposed paranoia following that tragedy. It, like the Oasis now, was popular with Wasps, Southerners, Jews, Arabs, Asians---everybody. It bolstered my faith in the human spirit, as did the 2002 mayoral election of Teresa Isaac who is of Arabic descent.
Maybe the Bubba/Baba phenomenon points the way to harmony between combative cultures. Peace through the palate makes much more sense than peace through war. And it’s wholesome, healthy and delicious, too (Gee mom, can we go there?)
Like my Uncle Willy used to tell me, “you get more with sugar than you do with salt.”
Respectfully, Richard F. Dawahare 1/16/05
Moo on!
Friday, January 14, 2005
Tax Reform for Fairness and the Future
I believe in the urgent necessity of tax reform for I see government as a positive force for good, not an evil to be flushed down the tub. My grandfather used to say that taxes were the cheapest rent he paid to live in the greatest country in the world. He was so appreciative of America—and his new Kentucky home—that he easily saw the many ways that his government helped foster an environment in which he could flourish.
Indeed Kentucky is officially a “Commonwealth” in recognition that we are all in this together—that we pool some of our resources to create public services for our COMMON GOOD.
But our state is in serious trouble. We are starving for funds essential to continuing those services so vital to our well being. Whether it’s educating our youth, healing our sick, securing our towns or protecting our lands and skies, investment in public services makes the kind of place that attracts and keeps job-creating businesses.
Since 2001 budget cuts have meant $1 BILLION has been lost to services that benefit Kentuckians and by 2010 we will be $2.3 BILLION short UNLESS we reform and repair our tax system NOW.
“Revenue-neutral” just won’t cut it. That would just put us in the same box as Colorado, which is disastrously under-funded. On the contrary INCREASED public investment does more than teach a man or woman how to fish—it helps insure that the ponds are clean, the roads to get there are in good repair and that their children are healthy and well educated.
I believe in the urgent necessity of tax reform because I can’t stomach sitting quietly by while Kentucky’s poorest citizens get taxed the most. The poorest 20% of us—those least able to pay—are paying 13% of their income in state and local taxes, compared to only 10% by the richest 20%. This is wrong, this is immoral and it is certainly against the values most Kentuckians hold dear.
Those of us with full bellies, fancy cars and the best seats at the games may not fully appreciate what just a few extra dollars a week means to those who live day to day, wondering how they will survive, much less prosper.
I believe in the urgent necessity of tax reform to insure corporations contribute our fair share to the general fund. My grandfather was grateful that his taxes, his public investment, made him part of the solution.
But today corporations are not paying our fair share. While businesses benefit from an educated populace, fire and police protection, roads and infrastructure we are contributing only 5% to the general fund as compared to 10% in 1990. So it is essential to close loopholes and treat all businesses equally, putting us on a level playing field. It will only serve to benefit our companies and make Kentucky a better place in which to do business.
Finally, I believe in the urgent necessity of tax reform because I can’t abide the deterioration of our social contract, the loss of faith in our “united we stand” sense of community. I don’t like the “each man for himself” trend. I much prefer the system that got us here, one with compassion and people coming together. Nothing is more Biblical than this concept of community caring and sharing.
The “no new tax” pledge and its goal of shrinking government so it can be flushed away is irresponsible and counterproductive. We’ve been down that road before! Where too little government allowed the wolves to guard our henhouse and the powerful to run roughshod over the public interest. It spelled disaster for our markets, destroyed our economy, our spirit and our country.
Fair and proper tax reform is an investment for our children and theirs. It is essential for the Public Interest, for our common good, for our COMMONWEALTH.
Indeed Kentucky is officially a “Commonwealth” in recognition that we are all in this together—that we pool some of our resources to create public services for our COMMON GOOD.
But our state is in serious trouble. We are starving for funds essential to continuing those services so vital to our well being. Whether it’s educating our youth, healing our sick, securing our towns or protecting our lands and skies, investment in public services makes the kind of place that attracts and keeps job-creating businesses.
Since 2001 budget cuts have meant $1 BILLION has been lost to services that benefit Kentuckians and by 2010 we will be $2.3 BILLION short UNLESS we reform and repair our tax system NOW.
“Revenue-neutral” just won’t cut it. That would just put us in the same box as Colorado, which is disastrously under-funded. On the contrary INCREASED public investment does more than teach a man or woman how to fish—it helps insure that the ponds are clean, the roads to get there are in good repair and that their children are healthy and well educated.
I believe in the urgent necessity of tax reform because I can’t stomach sitting quietly by while Kentucky’s poorest citizens get taxed the most. The poorest 20% of us—those least able to pay—are paying 13% of their income in state and local taxes, compared to only 10% by the richest 20%. This is wrong, this is immoral and it is certainly against the values most Kentuckians hold dear.
Those of us with full bellies, fancy cars and the best seats at the games may not fully appreciate what just a few extra dollars a week means to those who live day to day, wondering how they will survive, much less prosper.
I believe in the urgent necessity of tax reform to insure corporations contribute our fair share to the general fund. My grandfather was grateful that his taxes, his public investment, made him part of the solution.
But today corporations are not paying our fair share. While businesses benefit from an educated populace, fire and police protection, roads and infrastructure we are contributing only 5% to the general fund as compared to 10% in 1990. So it is essential to close loopholes and treat all businesses equally, putting us on a level playing field. It will only serve to benefit our companies and make Kentucky a better place in which to do business.
Finally, I believe in the urgent necessity of tax reform because I can’t abide the deterioration of our social contract, the loss of faith in our “united we stand” sense of community. I don’t like the “each man for himself” trend. I much prefer the system that got us here, one with compassion and people coming together. Nothing is more Biblical than this concept of community caring and sharing.
The “no new tax” pledge and its goal of shrinking government so it can be flushed away is irresponsible and counterproductive. We’ve been down that road before! Where too little government allowed the wolves to guard our henhouse and the powerful to run roughshod over the public interest. It spelled disaster for our markets, destroyed our economy, our spirit and our country.
Fair and proper tax reform is an investment for our children and theirs. It is essential for the Public Interest, for our common good, for our COMMONWEALTH.
Saturday, January 01, 2005
Every Day's A New Year!
HAP-PEE NYEW YEEEER Say we to thee!
With smiles and warm wishes so sincere
Comes hope for a super and prosprous new year.
Then the obligatory “we resolve” to do this
And of course the promise NOT to do that
We fear not the eventual slack of our will
For the next new year (or the next or the next)
Brings new chance to fulfill.
Better to see each and ev’ry new day
As a time to re-try without delay
To remake ourselves as we’d like to be--
Each sunrise an anniversary!
So I’ll say “Happy New Year”
With heartfelt intent
But mean it as if t'were daily sent!
Happy MOO year! RFD 1/1/05
With smiles and warm wishes so sincere
Comes hope for a super and prosprous new year.
Then the obligatory “we resolve” to do this
And of course the promise NOT to do that
We fear not the eventual slack of our will
For the next new year (or the next or the next)
Brings new chance to fulfill.
Better to see each and ev’ry new day
As a time to re-try without delay
To remake ourselves as we’d like to be--
Each sunrise an anniversary!
So I’ll say “Happy New Year”
With heartfelt intent
But mean it as if t'were daily sent!
Happy MOO year! RFD 1/1/05
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