Archive for the ‘Politics’ Category
Yes We Can
Comments (1)Inspiring. What if there were hope in this election?
Good articles/notes on Barak Obama
Comments (2)Well, I haven’t really gotten into politics much on this blog, but with the election next year, I’m sure I’ll get into a little bit of it. I’ll just say that I’m excited about the hope Barak Obama has brought to the stage. This might shape up to be a very significant election, on many, many fronts. Here are a couple of good articles I’ve read recently about Obama.
Brian McLaren: Advice for Barack Obama
Text from Senator Obama’s Presidential Bid Announcement
Obama Formally Enters Presidential Race
Election 2006: On the internet and being disconnected
Comments (3)Just finished up my absentee ballot for the 2006 elections. As I think about the process I’ve just engaged in, I am amazed at how fortunate I am to live in the age that I do, while at the same time how completely out of touch I am with my world and the goings-on of government.
It is fascinating that I can sit down at my computer and spend time reviewing different politician’s statements, looking up their history and political affiliations, and come up with something of an idea on who I should be voting for. From the historical perspective, this is ridiculous. To be able to review the words of a candidate, to scan over the pro’s and con’s of an initiative. That’s the kind of thing people had to hear word-of-mouth from their communities, not even a century ago. It’s wild to think that I can sit at my table and browse the political world.
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
Man, that movie sure made me feel all warm and fuzzy about big business. What a bunch of jerks. Now, I’m not honestly too pissed about this movie because part of me really just wants to say they got what was coming to them. But it still is sad and frustrating to see the amount of corruption in corporate America. You know they aren’t the only story like this out there.
I hadn’t really followed the Enron story when it was happening. I’m not so much of a major news outlet kind of guy (unless it’s FOX, but only when Bill Clinton’s on). So this was a pretty fascinating movie to watch and take in a bit more of the story than I had heard. The idea that the greed of big money, big business would corrupt people so far, that people would fake numbers or make up profits to boost their stock prices is incredible. It’s obvious why they did it – clearly the big bucks were worth it at the time. And I guess that delusion from the greed and the whole "selling your soul to the business" bit.
While I’m no business analyst, it is clear to see that this is not the only way and not the most prominent way these people operate. But to think that this kind of thing took place right in broad daylight (I remember the California power shortage, I just figured it was actually a power shortage) is incredible. Maybe it goes to show that bigger ideological shifts need to be made. Maybe we stop slapping these people on the wrist and we look for ways to reevaluate business in more ethical ways. I worked in business for awhile and I think I saw a different picture. While I was told to "make sure you’re always doing something that’s making the company money" (paraphrasing), I at least felt like the people who ran the businesses I’ve worked for were motivated by more than greed. It was more about believing in something you were passionate about. I think it must be a horrible existence for the CEO, who’s life is focused solely on making a buck, not on the bigger purpose, not on serving their family, not on loving their neighbor. Or maybe they’ve fallen into believing in their little empire so much that nothing else matters. I don’t know, I just makes me sad (remember, I’m not a business analyst).
Good documentary, albeit pretty bent on showing how insane the leaders at Enron were.
God’s (lack of) Politics?
"There is no such thing as a ‘Christian politics.’"
A friend sent me a New York Times article a couple days ago titled "Christ Among the Partisans," which included the previous phrase as its lead. Intrigued by the nature of the article and the boldness of this statement, I read on.
Bono at the National Prayer Breakfast
Earlier this week, Bono spoke at the annual National Prayer Breakfast to President Bush and members of Congress, along other religious leaders from various affiliations. He focused heavily on the idea of Jubilee and aid to victims of AIDS in Africa.
His voice is significant at this time and place because he is not holding back in talking about the real problems that face the people of the forgotten continent. It is also important to see his recognition of Muslim, Jewish, and Christian calls to action on behalf of the poor. By making this issue more than a Christian issue, more than an American issue, but a global/universal issue, it makes it clear how necessary it is that we all take action.
Remembering the concept of Jubilee (not remembering, but actually acting upon) seems like an impossible task in our world of loans, debt, and interest payments.
God mourns for the deaths of the innocent. God judges those who forget the "least of these." I pray that prophets like Bono or Jim Wallis or others would continue to stand on the street corners and cry out for the much needed redemption.
I pray that my complacency will break as well.
Read the full transcript of Bono’s speech
