The rise of "fanaticide," i.e., extremist violence, is but a symptom of the more serious issue facing our world today: too much fear and hate, too little faith and love. We've allowed our hard-held truths to slam our minds shut to the point we permit, even welcome, the most vile attacks on "the other."
What once was unspeakable vulgarity is now acceptable in arena for the battle of ideas. Those who believe differently than radio shock jocks are ruthlessly demonized as worthless pieces of humanity.
Even worse, radio and TV give these attackers a patina of credibility they do not deserve, for the public assumption is that they would not be allowed to say such things on the air waves -- our air waves -- unless it were true.
Locally, think of WHAS, a proud Kentuckiana institution for many a decade. When the same mega-tower-of-power 50,000-watt blowtorch that carries the Crusade for Children also features prime-time piranha Michael Savage, an air of credibility is automatically attached to his hate-filled propaganda that he should never have.
Where have you gone, Mr. Milton Metz, our nation turns its lonely ears to you.
Such contempt enters our consciousness, festers in our hearts, spews through our mouths and e-mails and eventually finds physical expression by those without a moral compass.
The cure is up to us. First, we must realize that just as we truly believe in the righteousness of our causes, those with contrary views feel the same. We must therefore embrace the paradox of inconsistent truths and allow space for the other even as we take our stand. This demands a faith in the ultimate authority of a higher power that most of us profess and a serenity to accept that the process, the way we treat each other, is as important as the cause, if not more so.
Second, we must love, and I mean love as a verb. Intentionally and with concentrated effort, work hard at being the best person you know your higher self to be, each and every day. Yes, be more diplomatic, tame the impulse to lash out, refrain from sexist or racist jokes. Focus on trying to understand the other and always wish them well, secure in your faith that taking the high road will lead to eventual reconciliation.
In short, we should be the person we'd want our children to be.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Sanity on the slots debate
"100,000 jobs and $4 billon." The slots promoters have been throwing these numbers around so often and so loudly that Kentuckians now know them by heart. These are the total number of jobs and money that they say will be lost if we are not scared enough to give in and support casinos in Kentucky.
But nothing good ever resulted from actions made out of fear, especially fear based on exaggeration. First, if they really want to stick to those numbers they will be admitting, absolutely admitting, that Kentucky's horse industry has grown exponentially since 2002, about the time that other states' racinos began.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority's 2004-2005 Biennial Report states: "According to a 2002 study by the Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky, the horse industry generates over 31,800 jobs and had a total economic impact estimated at $1.77 billion."Therefore, according to the pro-casino camp, Kentucky has actually managed to triple the number of jobs and more than double the economic impact of our signature industry despite the arrival of racino competition in other states.
Of course, the more likely scenario is that they grossly exaggerated the real state of the industry as part of their propaganda campaign to rile emotional fervor for casinos to a fever pitch.
Now, I don't deny that our horse industry needs assistance. I am sure most Kentuckians would want to help Kentucky's breeding and racing industries, which is a policy matter for the legislature to decide. Once decided in the affirmative, the issue becomes one of funding, of how best to support them.
Casino-style gambling options like VLTs are but one option, and by far the worst for the long run. First, to pursue this poverty-inducing enterprise now, in the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, is a gross failure of vision and leadership.
Second, they amount to a voluntary tax, one paid disproportionately by the poor. Long term, they will destroy economies around the country, just as the main gambling activity, lotteries, did in the late 1800s.
If the state needs more money to fund breeder and racing incentives, the legislature need only do so through the traditional tried-and-true methods that best preserve our long-term welfare.
Tax reform that makes Kentucky's tax system more progressive would help. Perhaps adding a small sales tax, say 3 percent, to out-of-state buyers at Kentucky's world-leading horse sales would bring in much needed revenue without hurting the industry (currently we get nothing).
The point is that we must look coolly, objectively and accurately at the totality of issues surrounding our whole economy, a major part of which includes the horse industry. Only then can we assure ourselves of ideal solutions that will lead to the best overall long-term outcome.
But nothing good ever resulted from actions made out of fear, especially fear based on exaggeration. First, if they really want to stick to those numbers they will be admitting, absolutely admitting, that Kentucky's horse industry has grown exponentially since 2002, about the time that other states' racinos began.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority's 2004-2005 Biennial Report states: "According to a 2002 study by the Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky, the horse industry generates over 31,800 jobs and had a total economic impact estimated at $1.77 billion."Therefore, according to the pro-casino camp, Kentucky has actually managed to triple the number of jobs and more than double the economic impact of our signature industry despite the arrival of racino competition in other states.
Of course, the more likely scenario is that they grossly exaggerated the real state of the industry as part of their propaganda campaign to rile emotional fervor for casinos to a fever pitch.
Now, I don't deny that our horse industry needs assistance. I am sure most Kentuckians would want to help Kentucky's breeding and racing industries, which is a policy matter for the legislature to decide. Once decided in the affirmative, the issue becomes one of funding, of how best to support them.
Casino-style gambling options like VLTs are but one option, and by far the worst for the long run. First, to pursue this poverty-inducing enterprise now, in the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, is a gross failure of vision and leadership.
Second, they amount to a voluntary tax, one paid disproportionately by the poor. Long term, they will destroy economies around the country, just as the main gambling activity, lotteries, did in the late 1800s.
If the state needs more money to fund breeder and racing incentives, the legislature need only do so through the traditional tried-and-true methods that best preserve our long-term welfare.
Tax reform that makes Kentucky's tax system more progressive would help. Perhaps adding a small sales tax, say 3 percent, to out-of-state buyers at Kentucky's world-leading horse sales would bring in much needed revenue without hurting the industry (currently we get nothing).
The point is that we must look coolly, objectively and accurately at the totality of issues surrounding our whole economy, a major part of which includes the horse industry. Only then can we assure ourselves of ideal solutions that will lead to the best overall long-term outcome.
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