Food for thought

 

The above picture of me was taken at Washington, DC's Kennedy Center.  It seems such a long while ago that I felt safe in visiting DC as Marian, and I don't plan on visiting there until the present regime is gone. But I'm wondering whether it is still safe t stay in "Civilized" areas of this country anymore, now that the Orange Snowflake is calling out the National Guard to suppress anti ICE ("La Migra") protests in Los Angeles, CA.

Our "Chief Executive"  believes that universal cruelty in oppressing his enemies, and that a disregard for law and order to feather the nests of him and his friends is OK.  He has no respect for women, people of color, as well as the LGBTIQ community.  He is a narcissist who has decided to imitate his authoritarian friends by holding a military parade in our nation's capital on his birthday.  

In a previous entry, I mentioned that the Catholic Church may be sending a message that it is time to send a message that people like the Snowflake are evil and must be resisted. But how?  As much as my heart wants to see violence used against the violent, this might not be the right approach when dealing with the Snowflake, as he will likely use even more violence against us.  So, what can be used against him?  Malicious compliance may be the best answer.  Bureaucracies exist for good reason. In addition to administrating public services provided by the government, they serve to subconsciously remember "lessons learned" from prior systemic failures, and help prevent them from happening again.  As the church provides for spiritual welfare, government bureaucracies provide for economic and social welfare.  Without some of the protections provided by today's governments' social programs, we would have likely seen our republic fall during the great depression of the 1930's.  Sadly, we are in a position where our nation will soon need to choose one of two paths to preserve a social order: (1) Authoritarianism, where a dominant group oppresses all others to maintain its power, or (2) Democratic Socialism, where the social leadership uses its economic power to deal with the needs of the less powerful, reducing the chance for a revolution like France had in the 1700's.

In short, our society has a simple choice: (1) Use violence to maintain an increasingly corrupt social and economic order, or (2) Use economic power to deal with the needs of the underprivileged to maintain the stability of society.  Citizens can help make it easier for our leaders to make the right choice by making our voices heard, and getting in the way of people who would choose wrongly. Demand accountability whenever possible.  Attend public forums.  Scream and shout, as squeaky wheels get the most grease. 

Years ago, Gandhi used non-violent methods to make it untenable for the United Kingdom to remain in India.  It is unlikely that America will ever develop something like the "Great Internet Firewall of China" to prevent Americans (and the world) from having access to the truth, and not just what the Snowflake wants us to hear.  We must use this tool as a weapon against authoritarianism while we can....

You'll note that I've said nothing about the new Pope.

 

I am not religious.  But if I were a regular church goer, I'd either attend services at an Episcopalian or Lutheran church. The Roman church has a bug up its collective ass about the LGBT community and treats us as sinners for recognizing who we are.  When I read the part of the Bible they use to say that Homosexuality is a sin, I find that it actually means two things: Soldiers shouldn't be hiding as civilians, and (more importantly) that only male bisexuality is forbidden.

Why is this important?

What went on in Rome in the first 2 weeks of May took the Orange Snowflake off the front page of the news.  He became a mere afterthought when the election of a new pope took place.  This is a good thing.  But what about the pope?  Right now (as I write this) the media is basking in the afterglow of this man's election to the papal throne.  To me, this doesn't mean much, as the Roman church is incapable of systemic change due to its stability through the ages.  Even if everyone knows some part of dogma is wrong, they are unable to de-emphasize it simply because things get written in stone.

Two millennia ago, Middle Eastern society was run by men.  Women were little more than baby machines to be fucked at the pleasure of males.  Today's Roman church may talk a great deal about liberation of the poor, but they do little to empower women while many other Christian denominations have included women in the power structures of their denominations. 

From what has been reported so far, this pope is not as concerned about the welfare of the LGBT community as the former pope was.  Only time will tell if this stays true.  Right now, people know very little about this pope in America, save that he was born in America and lived in Chicago at one time. Americans mistakenly think that he will have a loyalty to the United States, when his loyalty will be to the world at large.

Until we know more and see more from the new pope, I won't have much to say about him.  He could evolve to be a friend, or be one of our worst enemies.  Only time will tell.