Welcome to Our Home, Joyful!

Joyful is the one on the left. She's a pretty 3-5 year old black cat with luxurient long fur and sparkling green eyes. Gail is the one on the right. Gail and her mother, Laverne, brought Joyful to me after a search for a new human Mom--that would be me. Joyful's previous Mom died unexpectantly, so Gail and her Mom set about caring for Joyful until they could find a new home. Never once did they consider taking her to the pound or any place else where she might not have a future.

Thanks be to God for good people who love animals. It's been lonely since Stretch died, and now Joyful and I can both be...well, Joyful!

It's Over and We Awaken to a New World

Election 2008 is in the books.

Barack Obama is now the President-elect of the United States of America. What a journey he has made! And we will have a young, vibrant First Family to inspire continuous participation especially among young people. Barack was elected by the young people with a little help from their voting elders. It is a joy to see new life in people's faces reflecting new hopes and dreams for our nation.

Thank you, Senator John McCain! You are an American hero, and you are a gracious man, a statesman, to have conceded so magnanimously. I pray that your work in the senate will continue to be for the good of our country. I can imagine an Obama-Biden adminstration with you in a prominent cabinet position. And it would be magnanimous and smart of our new administration to use your talents to our country's best advantage.

On a personal note, I am disappointed and frankly hurt, that anti-gay marriage constitutional amendments have been added to the constitutions of Arizona, California and Florida. I almost expected it in Arizona and Florida, but I was appalled that California mustered enough deluded "Christians" to pass a blatantly discriminatory admendment. What will become of the marriages of over 18,000 couples who are married in the state of California since the California Supreme Court ruled that marriage was a right for gay couples as well as straight couples?

It must break the heart of God to see such vitriole from His children in the name of Jesus Christ who taught us to love one another. Discrimation is not a Christian value.

How Racism Works

Thanks to my friend, Jane R, who sent this by email. The writer, Kelvin LaFond, wrote this as a letter to the editor of the Star-Telegram in Dallas/Ft. Worth for the September 5th edition. I find it helpful in discernment for the election, but also a sound life lesson:

How racism works:

What if John McCain were a former president of the Harvard Law Review?

What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class?

What if McCain were still married to the first woman he said "I do" to?

What if Obama were the candidate who left his first wife after she no longer measured up to his standards?

What if Michelle Obama were a wife who not only became addicted to pain killers, but acquired them illegally through her charitable organization?

What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard?

What if Obama were a member of the Keating 5?

What if McCain was a charismatic, eloquent speaker?

If these questions reflected reality, do you really believe the election numbers would be as close as they are.This is what racism does. It covers up, rationalizes and minimizes positive qualities in one candidate and emphasizes negative qualities in another when there is a color difference.

--Kelvin LaFond, Fort Worth

Alaskan Women Reject Palin Rally

Today I got this email that brought joy to my heart. Governor Sarah Palin is NOT recommended for veep by her own constituents in Alaska:

[The] Alaska Women Reject Palin rally was to be held outside on the lawn in front of the Loussac Library in midtown Anchorage . Home made signs were encouraged, and the idea was to make a statement that Sarah Palin does not speak for all Alaska women, or men. I had no idea what to expect.

The rally was organized by a small group of women, talking over coffee. It made me wonder what other things have started with small groups of women talking over coffee. It's probably an impressive list. These women hatched the plan, printed up flyers, posted them around town, and sent notices to local media outlets.

One of those media outlets was KBYR radio, home of Eddie Burke, a long-time uber-conservative Anchorage talk show host. Turns out that Eddie Burke not only announced the rally, but called the people who planned to attend the rally "a bunch of socialist baby-killing maggots", and read the home phone numbers of the organizers aloud over the air, urging listeners to call and tell them what they thought. The women, of course, received some nasty, harassing and threatening messages.

I felt a bit apprehensive. I'd been disappointed before by the turnout at other rallies. Basically, in Anchorage , if you can get 25 people to show up at an event, it's a success. So, I thought to myself, if we can actually get 100 people there that aren't sent by Eddie Burke, we'll be doing good. A real statement will have been made. I confess, I still had a mental image of 15 demonstrators surrounded by hundreds of menacing "socialist baby-killing maggot" haters.

It's a good thing I wasn't tailgating when I saw the crowd in front of the library or I would have ended up in somebody's trunk. When I got there, about 20 minutes early, the line of sign wavers stretched the full length of the library grounds, along the edge of the road, 6 or 7 people deep! I could hardly find a place to park. I nabbed one of the last spots in the library lot, and as I got out of the car and started walking, people seemed to join in from every direction, carrying signs.Never, have I seen anything like it in my 17 and a half years living in Anchorage.

The organizers had someone walk the rally with a counter, and they clicked off well over 1400 people (not including the 90 counter-demonstrators). This was the biggest political rally ever, in the history of the state. I was absolutely stunned.

The second most amazing thing is how many people honked and gave the thumbs up as they drove by. And even those that didn't honk looked wide-eyed and awe-struck at the huge crowd that was growing by the minute. This just doesn't happen here.

Then, the infamous Eddie Burke showed up. He tried to talk to the media, and was instantly surrounded by a group of 20 people who started shouting O-BA-MA so loud he couldn't be heard. Then passing cars started honking in a rhythmic pattern of 3, like the Obama chant, while the crowd cheered, hooted and waved their signs high.

So, if you've been doing the math? Yes. The Alaska Women Reject Palin rally was significantly bigger than Palin's rally that got all the national media coverage! So take heart, sit back, and enjoy the photo gallery. Feel free to spread the pictures around to anyone who needs to know that Sarah Palin most definitely does not speak for all Alaskans. The citizens of Alaska , who know her best, have things to say.

There followed numerous delightful pix of intelligent Alaskans expressing their opinion of Sarah Palin, all delightful.

And I wish I could reproduce them all, but here is my favorite:

SNL Lives!

Saturday Night Live is back! And what a way to start. If you haven't already seen their Palin & Clinton segment, here's your chance:

Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!

Godparenting A Gay Child

I have been asked to prepare a reflection about being Godparent to a child who may be gay. This is the first draft. I invite your comments. (Careful now; be as critical as you like, but be nice!)


My Godchild May Be Gay: How Can I Help?

Children are not as shielded from references to sexuality in today’s culture. What they may be shielded from at home will likely be picked up at school or play. Most grade-school children know rudimentary (and sometimes erroneous) facts about sexuality, and some are shockingly knowledgeable at a young age. As a result a child may realize at quite a young age that he or she feels attracted to children of the same sex, or get crushes on adults of the same sex. Such children may or may not talk to their parents or other adults in their lives about this. Or they may approach the topic obliquely, saying something like “I have a friend….” Other children may display signs of gender confusion like dressing up in the opposite gender parent’s or friend’s clothing, or behaving more like opposite gender children.

Like me some children, no matter how cognitively knowledgeable they are about sexuality, may have no conscious feelings of same or different gender attractions, may never talk about gay* sexuality or demonstrate any signs of cross-gender behavior. Such children may not awaken to their sexual identity until their late teens or even later in life. This is as prevalent, or more so, than children with early conscious awareness of alternative sexuality. I was a tomboy from the time I could crawl with a swagger. Yet I had no conscious awareness of alternative sexual expression until my early twenties.

Sexuality is one facet of our God-created lives. We are physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and sexual beings. We who may affect the lives of children need to evaluate how we feel about gay (or other) sexuality. If our feelings are negative or if we feel we don’t know enough about the subject to be able to help our Godchild, one of the best resources is PFLAG--Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. PFLAG’s website, http://community.pflag.org/, provides a wealth of information, including ways for you learn more about supporting anyone in your life who may be gay. There are local chapters in every state and if one is not far from you, I urge you to meet with members personally. I will recommend some additional resources later.

Here are some suggestions to help a child who may be gay:

Ø For all children, know that ‘gay’ behavior is not a predictor of adult sexuality. Keep an open mind, but realize that a child is trying on different personas as he or she is growing up.

Ø Let your Godchild know that some people are gay, just as some are of other races. Point out that God creates diversity in humanity just as in all nature.

Ø If you have a gay relative or friend that your Godchild knows also, express your appreciation of that person. It’s not necessary to point out that he or she is gay, just that he or she is a valued person in your life. (Think you don’t have any gay people in your life? Look again!)

Ø Let your Godchild know that there are different forms of family, and that love, respect, and spiritual well-being are characteristics of healthy families, whether large multi-generational families or single parent families, or same-sex families.

Ø Let your Godchild know that you are always open to questions about confusing subjects or things that come up at school that are not easily understood. Be open to “I have a friend…,” or other subtle openings to teachable moments.

Ø If your Godchild shares that he or she may be gay or is gay, ask how that is going. Open a conversational avenue to get your Godchild’s feelings about this. He or she may be elated or depressed or even hurt. Be prepared to provide tangible assistance if your Godchild is having a hard time with this. Know gay-friendly resources in your town such as doctors, counselors, clergy who can help support good mental, emotional, and spiritual health as your Godchild adapts to a new or renewed self-image.

Ø If a child under the age of 12 says he or she is gay or is going to grow up to be gay, treat it respectfully and check for support needs as above. Know, however, that it can probably be safely filed with I’m gonna be a fireman when I grow up, I wanna be an astronaut, and the myriad of other trial and error imaginations of most young children. The closer to twelve-years-old, however, the more carefully you need to assess for reality vs. imagination.

Ø Remind your Godchild that God created each of us just the way He meant us to be and that “God don’t make no junk!” God loves us with the sexuality He gave us, but he expects us to use the gift of our sexuality responsibly. The values we learn in our families, schools, and faith communities apply just as much to gay relationships as to straight ones.

For some people, coming out to a loved one about minority sexuality takes more courage than they will ever have to muster again. Our culture is not supportive of gay sexuality. Children and teens can be especially cruel to a ‘sissy’ classmate, even if that child is not gay. There is a frightening high incidence of suicide among gay or questioning teens and young adults. Likewise many states still do not have hate-crime legislation to prevent gay-bashing. Gays awakening to their sexuality are at high risk.

They also fear hurtful responses from their families and loved ones. A loving Godparent can manifest God’s love for a gay Godchild through acceptance and support.

* 'gay' meaning gay, lesbian or other minority sexual expression

Additional resources: For The Bible Tells Me So, Soulforce, Metropolitan Community Churches, Integrity, Dignity, etc.

Wise Words for Governor (VP Nominee) Sarah Palin

I am only one of hundreds who finds this quote relevant to Gov. Palin's criticism of Senator Obama's work experience as a community organizer:



"Mrs. Palin needs to be reminded that Jesus was a community organizer, Pontius Pilate was a governor." ("MJR, Michigan" via the NYT comments .)



Like my source, Rev. Elizabeth Kaeton's Telling Secrets, I'm guessing MJR, Michigan is a woman and an Episcopalian.

Careful There, Barack Obama!

Tip of the Hat to Gail who sent me an automobile sized bumper sticker, the same one that now electronically graces the sidebar of this blog. If we ban Republican Marriage, people like me--daughter of two stalwart Republicans--will not be able to counterweight them later. What to do, what to do?? Should we continue to allow them to marry and reproduce, knowing that they are apt to produce solid Democratic Party off-spring? Or should we ban such marriages so they will taste the pain of ostracism? Something to mull.

Gail also brings my attention to an opinion piece in the July 7th (2008) Seattle Post-Intelligencer written by syndicated columnist Amy Goodman: To Whom Does Obama Respond? Ms. Goodman documents several actions of Senator Obama that seemingly go against his own stated values. And she is right about Obama's motives. He is likely stretching himself beyond his personal values in an attempt to appeal to the broadest spectrum of potential votes.

Ms. Goodman cites an apparent position change on the pending (as of 7/5/08) FISA amendments. However days later, Sen. Obama voted with his colleagues, Sen. Dodd and Sen. Feingold, to oppose giving communication companies immunity for past releases of customer records to the federal government Homeland Security agencies. When that amendment failed, however, Sen. Obama voted for the overall package of FISA changes that included the immunity provision. As I say both of these votes took place after Ms. Goodman's article.

It is noteworthy that the senior senator from Arizona was only one of two Senators who were not present to vote on either FISA amendment. Senator Ted Kennedy was in treatment for glioblastoma cancer. Senator McCain was....?

I'd have preferred that Sen. Obama continue to oppose a FISA that permitted immunity; many of us would have preferred that he continue to vote with Sen. Dodd and Sen. Feingold. That he chose to do otherwise was probably a practical choice, but not a morally sound one.

As for Ms. Goodman's opinions on other Obama statements, some of which I like and some of which I don't, Obama is answering questions in the context of the moment--never a good situation for a candidate's credibility. I would like to know what details surrounded these other issues. For example, overall I dissapprove of the way NAFTA has worked in practice. I'm guessing he feels the same way overall. But if he were being asked a specific question about a narrow issue within that topic such as establishing NAFTA with Colombia, his anwer might indeed appear to conflict with previous statements. Free trade isn't fair trade, but regulating and increasing trade with a Colombia, seriously working to clean up its historical drug cartel economy, may give them badly needed alternative economic support in transition.

Ms. Goodman also cites Obama's opinions of Supreme Court decisions on overturning DC's ban on handguns (favors the ruling) and on prohibiting the death penalty for child rapists (disagrees with the ruling). Taking Ms. Goodman's accuracy as a given, these statements give me the willies. These are 180 degrees from my opinions on these decisions. Watch it, Barack!

She concludes that Senator Obama may well be losing some voters in an attempt to appease others. One of the most attractive qualities of Candidate Obama was his apparent commitment to values like my own. He is not going to lose me over this, because the alternative is unthinkable. But it's a shame that he's slip-sliding on his own values. I like him for his values, and failing his integrity in this way may lose him as much as believes he will gain.

Different, Just Different!

What is good? What is bad?

What is good to you may be bad to me, and vice versa.

I strive to remember that judgment is God's business, not mine.

When I catch myself identifying a person or situation as 'bad', I try reframing it as different rather than bad.

Funny how things that are different become interesting--or even good!

So What Happened at Lambeth 2008?

...my friend, Kristin, asks...

Well as nearly as I can tell, it happened exactly the way the ABC planned it. The Willing-to-Try-Gang met for a few days in highly-structured activities designed to promote a thorough deep conversation in which all sides actually HEARD each other. The indaba group process produced a document that digested their communications. It set forth the discussions of MANY problems in the Anglican world, not just sexuality issues.

So it gave the Willing-To-Try-Gang a rich perspective of the Anglican Communion and its difficulties in each province, some of which desperately need help with protecting women and children in the most basic ways, for instance. Put into perspective, my particular little gripe aint nothin'. The inclusive church folks got their voice into the indaba process and the get-outa-Dodge extremists got their voice in the indaba process. The voices that the bishops often haven't heard for all the clammor of sexuality extremists, are the ones who are saying, "Our children are dying, our women are being raped, our battle with AIDS and other diseases is not working, we have arable land but no way to develop agriculture, and on and on and on....

Where does this leave the Anglican Church in Canada, the Episcopal Church, and others who may be ready to become inclusive churches? Once again the whole and healthy part of the Anglican Communion is placing the moral burden of that decision on the individual provinces. Right where it ought to be. That Abp. Rowan Williams is a smart cookie.

Bishop Smith's Lambeth Daily blog was an insightful look at the process. He gave a sketch of what was happening every day and expressed his feelings about the progress. Some days, good and hopeful, some days apprehensive. It was a good perspective to observe.

The Integrity blog was pretty comprehensive for the inclusive church organizations.

The one grinding regret about Lambeth 2008, one which Abp. Rowan may regret also, was the deliberate and very enforced 'disinvitation' to Bp. Gene Robinson. But I think it made the Willing-to-Try-Gang bigger than it would have been otherwise. It was not only a heart-rending insult to a good and Godly man, but it was an insult to the good and Godly people of his diocese and to the Episcopal Church. Bp. Gene had two blogs, The Gene Pool, and Canterbury Tales from the Fringe.

A respected blog from the traditionalists' point of view is Canon Kendall Harmon's Titus 1:9. I am directing you to Canon Harmon's blog that quotes Bp. Smith followed by KH's comments which are mild compared to the 10 (or more) comments from readers.

So, in as far as you'd like to...read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest. General Convention 2009 is right around the corner. And the moral burden of where do we go from here rests on TEC's shoulders.

How Does the Holy Spirit Work in the Episcopal Church?

The Holy Spirit teaches most freely in democratic practice. As democratic polity leads the Episcopal Church toward the inclusion of all, the exclusion of none, the Holy Spirit is at work inspiring behavior that Jesus taught us to practice. We are Christians, followers of Jesus Christ and the teachings of Jesus in his lifetime.

Now the Anglican Communion, largely dominated by men, is trying to reform in a way that will create a hierarchal power structure. This is antithetical to its historic beginnings as the Church of England, formed in Elizabethan Great Britain. We are talking Elizabeth I, btw. Think of the times of Shakespeare for reference.

Queen Elizabeth watched Roman Catholics and Anglican Catholics killing each other off in droves over religious beliefs. Her Majesty had the wisdom to pull all factions together with agreement on basic principles and a Book of Common Prayer, then pointed out that having room for many shades of belief within that common structure allowed the Holy Spirit to help the church and Merrie Olde England to grow and prosper. (My words, my very abreviated version of history.)

And so it has happened. The Church of England evangelized as it colonialized and the Anglican Communion is now a world wide denomination with 38 provinces, each subscribing to the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds and sharing Books of Common Prayer. Colonization subsided, but the teachings of the Anglican Communion have survived and thrived. Each province has grown in grace by the teachings of the Holy Spirit and each has structured its manner of internal governance, its polity, in ways that fit local customs and traditions. So it is that the Queen of England today, HRH Elizabeth II, appoints bishops, and that American bishops are elected by the clergy and laity of their diocese. There is more to it than that on both sides of the pond, but the key difference in polity is democratic action vs. appointment.
Other provinces govern themselves in ways that fit their cultures and some of them select by democratic process, too.

Tradition 2 in 12-step programs states: "For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority--a loving God as He may express Himself through our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern." The group, meeting together with differing ideas, prays for guidance and votes on leaders and issues. The outcome is believed to be the best outcome God could give and is accepted by most participants.

Doesn't this sound like 'servant leadership'? And doesn't it compare with our elected bishops chosen through the Holy Spirit-led group conscience of the diocesan members? Not all will agree, but we accept that God is working in the election process to give us the best possible candidate. Likewise, the Episcopal Church resolves issues through a Spirit-led democratic process. This can happen on vestries, in diocesan deliberations, or at the triennial General Convention.

So, back to the original point: The Holy Spirit has led the Episcopal Church progressively forward at a different pace than other parts of the Anglican Communion through freedom to explore those shades of belief. The group conscious of TEC has gradually devined that slavery in today's world is counter to Jesus' teachings; that prayer need not be in archaic language to be valid, but may be in contemporary language more meaningful to the pray-er; that women can be deacons, priests, bishops and yes, Presiding Bishops, serving God and their communities with grace and dignity; that we are called by Jesus and led by the Holy Spirit to reach out to all marginalized people in our society and to see in them the reflection of God's love. These people are the hungry, the homeless, the immigrant, the orphan, the sick, the disabled, the prisoner, and the despised. We are called to make society whole through the love of God and the salvation of our Redeemer. That the American church continues to seek and embrace new people is a product of God's grace through our democratic polity.

By having faith in the Holy Spirit's guidance and by getting on with the business of welcoming all of God's children into communion, the Episcopal Church can grow in grace and prosper as Elizabeth I's Church of England did. As long as we quarrel and deny our God-given mission, our church will remain stagnant.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

This is indeed a tragic comment on stewardship of our planet.

I was called to do a little research about my previous post(see below), to be sure I wasn't blowing smoke. Now you can do the same. The Wikipedia article leads to links from agencies such as National Geographic and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as well as others.

One resource said the size of this deadly patch is as least as big as Texas and perhaps as big as the continent of Africa.

And it is growing. Plastics are the worst component. Let's be careful with our trash, friends. Let's start thinking about reusable containers, biodegradable alternatives to plastics, etc. Please.

Flotsam and Jetsam

Somewhere in the north Pacific Ocean there is a mass of accumulated flotsam and jetsam. It is reputed to be miles across it's diameter. It is loosely bound together by a vortex current that moves with the ocean currents generated by weather conditions. It is a toxic malignancy on the ocean comprised of plastic products, shipping fuel and spilled oil, scrapped or lost fishing nets, shoes (with or without feet) and other fabric products, and the other wretched trash of careless humanity. It continues to grow, and it is too immense to clean up by any normal means. It traps wildlife and kills. It is a shame.

My original idea for this post was to deliver a variety of topics briefly and concisely and to practice embedding links. I thought 'flotsam and jetsam' would be a cute way to say, "A Variety of Topics." And what comes out of my diverse mind? A mini-rant about Topic A, flotsam and jetsam.

The long pause since July 7th is the result of my apt attention to the goings on of the World Wide Anglican Communion (hereinafter WWAC), a loose association of 38 provinces, originated by the excellent evangelism of the Church of England around the world. The archbishops and bishops (with some exceptions) are met in Canterbury UK for the decennial Lambeth Conference. Why do I care? Because I am an Anglican.

I was born a cradle Episcopalian (aka American version of Anglican), baptized into the body of Christ within a week of my birth. I grew up with an active, church-going family and I loved church, loved Sunday School (for kids), and loved teen youth groups and activities. I have learned in advanced adulthood that one cannot just shuck off such beginnings. I have distanced myself from the Episcopal, first in my youth and then more recently. But I continue to be fascinated by the interactions of this incredibly diverse religious community.

With us it is always something. Changes in the Book of Common Prayer drove traditionalists to start 'orthodox' Anglican churches. The ordination of women--only since 1977 puh-leeze!--drove traditionalists to start 'orthodox' Anglican churches. Well, guess what? Now the movement to provide full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender folks is driving traditionalists to start 'real' Anglican churches.

The nouveau 'orthodox' or 'real' Anglican churches aren't recognized by the WWAC. Yet over this latest issue, HUGE parts of the Anglican Communion are talking schism. This issue has become a slow motion side-show to the Lambeth Conference and if you like watching paint dry or grass growing, you might like to check out a daily official summary of the Lambeth Conference here.

More entertaining are blogs from articulate advocates of either side. Here are a few examples:

• Integrity is a leading advocacy group in the Episcopal Church working toward full inclusion of sexual minorities.
  
• Titus 1:9 advocates to maintain the status quo in the Episcopal Church. Its author, Kendall Harmon, seems to be respected as an articulate spokesperson for this point of view. (Full disclosure: His is not my point of view, tho' I respect his presentations.)
  
• The Right Reverend Gene Robinson, Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire, has become the focal human being for this issue. He was singulary uninvited to the Lambeth Conference by the Archbishop of Canterbury. His two blogs, Canterbury Tales from the Fringe and The Gene Pool pull at my heart especially. Over $50,000 was raised, not for his travel, but for his security team in Canterbury. He and his partner of twenty years, Mark, have had death threats since before Bishop Gene's consecration. The threats continue to this day.

When you've had your fill of all this sturm und drang, do what I do: Check in with the very droll Fr. Christian Troll to lighten your heart and blacken your soul: He's Fr. Christian and he reads The Bible. A certain degree of prior knowledge about Anglican high jinks is prerequisite for Fr. Christian. (Big eye roll.)

If you've read this far, you are an Episcopalian or an Anglican or an Anglophile. You are also bored stiff. But I have mastered embedding links. Next time I'm going to learn how to embed a link that generates a new window. Can you wait??

God loves us, each and everyone, beyond our wildest imagination! (With or without the WWAC)

So Many Subjects; So Little Writing

One scarcely knows where to begin:

• McCain vs Obama
• Economic changes
• Transportation challenges
• Education
• Health care
• Railroads

Railroads??

Yes, railroads. I have a friend named Bruce, whom I call James. It's a long story. But this gent told me railroads would be a good investment and would pay off handsomely in the future. He said that in the early 1990's.

I scoffed. I hooted. I couldn't imagine the dying railroad industry being resuscitated in the 21st century. And I told him so.

Yet the trend is beginning. With diesel fuel prices knocking on $5.00 per gallon, major trucking companies are loading cargo containers and long haul semi- trailers onto railroad flat cars for shipping of any distance. The trade-off for this cost saving innovation is somewhat delayed delivery of goods at the destination. As I drive to work along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe tracks parallelling Highway 60 I watch car after car roll by with key names in the trucking industry: Schneider, J. B. Hunt, Swift, even UPS loaded up. My path takes me past a mechanical unit that loads and unloads the frieght containers. It is always busy.

I dream of boarding a commuter train that will trek me out to my job in Sun City on the same tracks, and trek me home in the evening. Local transportation mavens favor exactly this future to move people from the northwest valley to the southern and southeast valley. So far it is talk only, but James may be right about this soon.

Here's the kicker. We have carbon-spewing airplanes long-hauling people at ever increasing prices. Aviation fuel has risen proportionately with diesel and gasoline. Airlines are doing the best they can to hold airfares down by instituting poly-fees, fees for luggage, fees for food, fees for beverages, and on it goes. To survive, the airline industry needs to pare the number of flights down as much as possible and begin charging airfares sufficient to cover their expenses and make a decent profit.

So how fast can we build additonal tracks? How fast can we build passenger cars, dining cars, club cars and sleeper cars? How soon can we offer passengers lower cost long distance transportation with a trade-off of delayed arrival at the destination?

Let's talk just a minute about that delayed arrival. Many of us are too young to have passenger train travel experience in America. Let me tell you.... Room to stretch your legs. Comfortable enough to get up and walk up and down aisles or even into other cars. Pleasant dining cars with menus--yes, choices! Sleeper cars that rock one to sleep to the hypnotic clickety-clack, clickety clack. Big picture window to watch the world roll by. Upon arrival one is rested, relaxed and ready to be productive at the business meeting or attentive to the family or primed for vacation.

Yes. It will take longer. So you have time to finish your homework, prepare your Power Point presentation, read a book, meet new friends. Life is more enjoyable and restful at a slower pace.

Economic circumstances are likely to slow us down anyway. This is one idea--James' idea--whose time has come.

God Is Smiling from Ear to Ear

"There is a growing pluralistic impulse toward tolerance, and that is having theological consequences," [D. Michael] Lindsay said. Good news! And more good news.

Today's Arizona Republic* reports 70% of Americans with a religious affiliation said they believe many religions can lead to eternal life. For many of these believers this represents a conflict with their religious teachings.

America's pluralistic and mobile society puts each of us in touch with people whose beliefs differ from our own. As we live near, work with, and sometimes even love people of differing beliefs, we learn to appreciate and respect other faith traditions. Likewise we have the opportunity to know and appreciate people of different cultures, nationalities, races, sexual orientations, and abilities.

My faith tradition tells me to love God and to love my neighbor; to love myself; and even to love my enemies. It seems to me that 70% of faithful Americans are loving their God and their neighbors with intelligent respect and kindness. I'm proud to count myself among them.

Could it be that American secular pluralism is challenging religions to teach tolerant love of our neighbors?

Thoughtfully, Pat

PS: Please bear with my footnotes until I learn to imbed links :)

* http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0624religion0624.html