Generating Tolerance: A Process even in Christianity

The Jewish and Christian Scriptures have transitioned from the times before the finding of the Dead Sea Scrolls to ever expanding understanding of how they were written. The Dead Sea Scrolls were clearly an eye-opener to those who thought that these Scriptures were unique. The Scrolls showed clearly that there were similar stories present in other groups. Since then, scholars like Raymond Brown, Dominic Crossan, and others have added insight into the process of how these Scriptures came to be. Clearly, the end product was designed and engineered by humans.

Robert Wright has written an engaging account of how he understands the Christian ethic of universal love developed. Since he notes that the early work of Mark lacked virtually all of the stories in Luke and Matthew that expressed the extent to which we should love all, he concluded that Jesus did not say all that was included in these latter Gospels. He attributes this ethic to Paul's missionary work to non-Jews in other places, e.g., Corinth. The expansion of the former Jewish religion to include (1) Gentiles and (2) peoples of other places, required an ethic of love and generosity if the extended communities were to become a whole rather than distinct settlements. In short, the process of extending Christianity afar was akin to the process of globalization as we know it now. And, in conclusion, Wright has hope that this process will work now for all religions, including Islam, as the world becomes more interconnected.

Warning about our Economic Future

Everyone reads what others think about what is happening to the economy or what is being done to address the economy or when the economy is going to improve. It is hard to avoid the elephant in the room! We are all impacted by the economy and are concerned about the future.

I have had my opinions about what should be done. I have agreed with some of the economic gurus and disagreed with others. Since no one can be sure about what to do, it is hard to dispute any view.

Simon Johnson is a very unusual economist. He has a long and distinguished history at the IMF and is now at MIT. He regularly shares his view on his blog. His new article in the Atlantic, however, is worth reading even if it is most disturbing.

In this lengthy article, he references his work at the IMF and how the IMF dealt with other nations facing economic circumstances similar to our own. Ultimately, his concerns are very serious because never has the global economy been impacted as now. Concerns that the Eastern European banks will bring down the rest of Europe and our failure to address the failures of our nation's banks result in questions whether this economic downturn will exceed the dimensions of the great depression.

There are two points in particular that are worrisome.

One, like Krugman and others, he stresses the need to "nationalize" the distressed banks and see the restructured banks preferably to many investors that create smaller banks from the original whole. Banks too big to fail are, in fact, too big to exist.

Second, he is concerned that the financial oligarchs have too much power and, until they are brought down, there will be problems in our recovery. The ties between Wall Street and Washington have been long-standing, i.e., people transition from one to the other seamlessly, e.g., Rubin and Paulson and our present Secretary of the Treasury. As in all other instances where nations are rescued by the IMF, there is a need to restore justice by getting rid of these oligarchs.

Expert Opinion

I was intrigued by Nicholas Kristof's column today reflecting that expert opinion on average was no better than chance and the more "expert" the source, the more apt that the opinion ultimately was wrong.

It made me think about myself who always has an opinion and is always reading the opinions of others. I admit quite frequently that i was wrong about this or that opinion I had. Sometimes, my opinion (opinion relates to any held view, including belief) is terribly wrong, e.g., I would say that my history of advocating religion in general and Catholicism in particular to be a great example. However, there are times when I appear to be right. For example, I can recall my views that our economy had a lot of problems and I was worried about the future. To show that I was sensitive to my history of erroneous opinions, I never had to confidence to say, "let's move the money!"

So, one needs to be cautious about expert opinions and yet, we have to adopt some view. If you cannot trust the expert and you know that you are in error more often than not, what can you do?

It all gets back to existentialism! The angst of life is that there is anxiety associated with every decision because there is no way to avoid the inherent dilemma that we don't know the real answer to anything dealing with future!!

"Why We Fight": A Film

This documentary builds on Eisenhower's warnings about the impact of the military industrial complex on our democracy. He feared that if the American public did not oppose the forces of this force that builds the weapons of war that leads to the empire-building efforts of the United States, our democracy will fail. Chalmers Johnson has continued to press our nation to attend to the consequences of our growth in building an empire throughout the world.

"Why We Fight" is a great documentary that makes all the books come even more real. It is a serious indictment of our nation's involvement in war. The Pentagon is driven by forces deep into the fabric of our society, seldom known to most Americans.

"American Fascists" by Chris Hedges

Chris Hedges is not a well-recognized author; at least, I never knew him. After graduating from Colgate, he intended to follow in the footsteps of his father by becoming a preacher. While receiving his Master’s at Harvard Divinity, he regrouped and focused more on the problems associated with war. He became a correspondent for the New York Times and other publications and was a witness to many wars (Central America, Africa, Southeast Asia, Turkey, Bosnia). His prior books dealt with his perceptions of how war influenced human personalities, including its brutalizing forces.

In “American Fascists”, he focuses on a very disturbing phenomenon of the power of the extreme right-wing Christian groups, epitomized by James Dobson, Pat Robertson, Paul and Jan Couch and, in general, those who expect the Rapture of those saved and the damnation of all others.

My first glimpse into this potential harm to us all was Kevin Phillips’ book, “American Theocracy” in which he painted the disturbing picture that his hopes for a Republican and conservative majority was taken over by religious ideologues. Conservative principles, e.g., fiscal integrity, was overwhelmed by belief systems focusing of social issues, e.g., abortion.

Hedges spells out in great detail the agenda of these groups, labeled dominionism because their goal is to dominate the nation and world in a political system dictated by the few authoritarian figures.

You would think that such a scenario is preposterous, except for his point that those who advocate tolerance to the point of tolerating such errors can result in their own demise. Referencing Germany and how Hilter took over with the benign neglect of the liberals, he campaigns for the pushing people to see the need to fight such groups. Their extreme views are repugnant, but it is times such as ours when people feel desperate, alienated, and frightened by the economic meltdown that they pursue comfort by joining with others who offer a simplistic avenue to a hopeful eternity!

Popularism Rises!

I am struck by the fact that I, a person who often sides with views associated with the "masses", do NOT agree with the current flare of popularism resulting from the AIG fiasco. The anger against the bonuses awarded AIG people who ruined so much of the economy is understandable, the result is disturbing, viz., legislative actions designed to "rectify" the damage.

With so many losing so much, especially those who are retired or approaching retirement with 401K losses, it is rational to be angry when hard-earned monies evaporate. Yet, when people are determined by anger, the consequences can be catastrophic, e.g., history shows dictators arise in such circumstances.

it is clear that this is a most depressing time, regardless of how we label the degree of recession/depression. We are in a pickle!

I am hoping that the administration's plan to address the toxic assets work, in spite of Krugman's views. I admit to some doubts but I am also sharing concerns about our deficit. Surely, I am aware that our national survival depends on others buying our treasury notes. If such were to become "less valuable" for reasons related either to inflation (too much printing of money) or perception (others concerned that we can not make payments), we could experience real pain.

Krugman today is more specific about this opinion that the proposed plan WILL NOT work. He still advocates the need for the government to temporarily take over the banks until toxic assets can be sold at reasonable prices and then, sell the banks to new investors. How can I not cringe when Krugman is not on board with the Administration's plan!

For the moment, I want to remain rational and somewhat logical. I admit that my circumstances are more benign than those of many expressing their anger. At the same time, we have to keep our perspective clear. Greemway's fear is not unrealistic!

AIG

I share the anger of the American public regarding the bonuses paid to AIG executives even after receiving so much money from the Bailout.

Having said that, I am concerned about the methods employed by Obama to deal with the economic meltdown. I think that there is a need for far more money to be drained from the American public to address the banking and investment communities. I wish that Obama would have addressed the entire package in one gigantic bailout rather than the piecemeal version. It is torture to see large amounts of money distributed without seeing an end to continued need for more.

"Unintended Consequences" by Peter Galbraith

As his previous book, "The End of Iraq", this book is great (if you agree that the Iraq War was a colossal failure. He voices the perception that incompetency reigned in the Bush Administration, accounting for tragic errors, resulting in a series of virtually hopeless scenarios. To think that Iran is a victor because of our intervention is itself horrendous. To consider that the surge never achieved any form of political reconciliation is most troubling. As in the past, the author is convinced that the "best" scenario would be a weak federation of strong ethnic groups (Kurds in north, Sunnis in the middle, and Shiites in the south).

I would be most pleased if some form of stability could be achieved, but I don't see it happening. The Shiite Prime Minister is stronger than ever and he has not demonstrated any ability to achieve reconciliation. No one has dealt successfully the Kurds or Kirkuk where the oil lays.

At the same time, I still can't see how we can leave Iraq without a greater tragedy occurring. I am so angry at Bush! and so fearful for the future of the Mideast.

"The Gamble" by Thomas E. Ricks

This author is great! Following "Fiasco", "The Gamble" is another insightful coverage of the Iraq War. In this case, he zoned in on the surge and how the policy developed. I doubt that anyone is unaware of the roles of Generals Patraeus and Odierno, but it may be new information that the latter person had more to do with the surge policy being adopted than commonly known. Secondly, it was most interesting to note the number of highly educated officers in the Army, i.e., those with doctorates, and the number who were females.

In general, Patraeus and Odierno prevailed against most of the military leaders and politicians to come up with the surge with the strategy to achieve stability and some level of reconciliation. Dreams of a democracy were discarded as well as ideas that there would be no violence.

However, the author's conclusion is far from happy. There are few reasons to think that stability and reconciliation will occur. Civil War may occur when US forces leave. Dictatorship with harsh and cruel reprisals, e.g., those of the infamous Sadam Hussein are quite possible. US forces remaining in Iraq for over a decade is not impossible, albeit, a reduction in force UNLESS we have to return because of outright internal war that threatens the entire MidEast.

In short, the book is most interesting to see how the military was able to change its approach even if the increased stability does not signify "victory".

Amazing: No Disagreement!

Never in my "conscious adulthood", viz., a time when I seriously gave thought to our government, have I been in such agreement with the direction taken by our president. His budget was breathtaking in its adoption of virtually all that I could envision as taking our nation on a better course. Some agree with me, e.g., Eugene Robinson. Others, like David Brooks, are skeptical that such drastic change can actually be done successfully. Such concerns are understandable since the result of Obama's vision surely takes our nation onto a dramatic different course. Others, e.g., Rush Limbaugh, are angry and upset as I have been in the past (as in the recent eight years).

What do I like?

1. I like that we are at least tempering our war efforts. I am hoping that he rethinks our involvement in Afghanistan which is a real quagmire. I would have liked to have gotten out of Iraq totally and sooner, but I tend to agree that it is necessary to moderate that view based on the facts.
2. I like the redirection of the tax initiatives. There is a need for more revenue and those with the most are in the best position to do the most. However I am hoping that he sees the need for many, many more to contribute as part of the need to make healthcare universally available. While I remain a supporter of national healthcare with one card, I will accept anything as a means to get on the road that will ensure that everyone can access healthcare. I am a supporter of a board to review technology and medical practices so that only those that really make a positive difference are funded.
3. I surely am optimistic that there will be a healthcare bill that will make us all happy,
4. I agree totally with the need to redirect our efforts to modernize our energy program, with better access to green technology and improved transmission of electricity.

I am a happy camper!

Depressing Times

I marvel at the onslaught of news that indicates how woeful our economy as well as that of the rest of the world. It is amazing how many are writing about their ignorance about what is happening. While attributing blame here and there, the actual mechanics of the various elements of failure tend to be a step beyond their immediate horizon. Today, for instance, I find out that many of the bigger banks never attended to the basic accounting of the actual mortgage backing the securities, resulting in some foreclosures to be stymied since there was no ability to identify the basic underlying note! And then, writers are now being honest about their ignorance about what to do regarding any investments. What is the best or even better strategy? Who knows? When is the bear market to bottom out? When will the GDP start to rise? Who knows?

It is depressing and should we live long enough, we will be able to tell stories about this historical event. If we don't live long enough, our children will relate some stories. No longer do we have to talk about the "Great Depression". We now have our own.