Can a person be bought? What price would it be?

My partner and I were just in a very serious conversation. It had to do with wars and the presidents who started what and why. I don't get why our leaders, who could be doing other things, making other things better seem to want to get us into battles, especially the Republicans. There are more wars started and carried out when they are in office. She brought up that Clinton had started a war too, and I did remember Kosivo(a NATO action), but I didn't remember an actual war. What it was, was the memory of the three/four day bombing that Clinton did of Iraq in order as the idea went to bring about a change of government. She brought up that the oil companies, munitions companies and weapons makers are making the money. I was not amused as we in this country have lost over 2 million jobs in the last few years. The housing market is going down hill, course not many of us everyday folks can afford the way over inflated cost of a house to begin with, but still. We as a country are greatly in debt, if China and Canada wanted they could call on the loans and they would own "our" country. Do the ones in power bring up such things? No they work to hide them as much as possible.

She was getting into it about all the last few presidents starting wars when the people they were going to war with could have been bought out in the beginning. I didn't think they could and had some memories of a time when we as a political force went to other countries and tried to work out deals. Course this was with the governments of the countries, not the Bin Ladens, the terrorists.

She thought we could buy out people like Bin Laden in the beginning before it got bad, buy out those who want to kill Americans and Israelis, ones who think that taking over and killing is the way to get what they want, as some of the ones in Africa are doing. Plain out right the terrorists. She thinks that in buying them out we could have gotten them onto another path that wouldn't have been so bad for everyone.
I don't think they can be, could never have been bought out. I think once we satisfied one thing they would just go on to wanting something else and as we had appeased them the first time they would think that they could just keep doing it. Isn't that what happened with Hitler? Isn't that what happened with Stalin? Mao? Our own president Bush? (and his religious right cronies) What more can we give them that maybe we can get them to think and do other things and let us live our lives safely, with out loosing anything that make us all viable people?

"Blood on one's hands is still blood" was her words, "how do you see the degrees of that ?"
While I see there are other ways to do things, I do also see that sometimes one needs to fight. No it isn't healthy to go into war, nor does it really bring any good, but it can get the attention of the ones who can stand up and stop the madness. It can and does bring others together to talk and to get other things going. Yes, blood is blood, yes this country is a bully and has been for many years. It didn't exactly start that way. It doesn't have to stay that way either. I am a warrior, I have to pick and choose my battles. I would rather not as there are so many things that can be done by the warriors and it's not only in physical fighting that warriors can make things happen. It is by showing we are not afraid to lead, to show the better ways to do things, to teach in ways that others don't understand. The passion of wanting better for the people is the way of the teacher and the warrior. We see in large pictures not in small ones. We don't go for immediate satisfaction, we look to the long run.

Where are the leaders who would lead in honesty? Where are the leaders who would speak for us in a voice that promotes the future and what we as a human race can be? Can the world be that out of it that the leaders are afraid to stand and speak for the better things to all humans? Do we have to continue being separated because of spiritual beliefs, national beliefs, and so many more?

Oh My Goddess! If it isn't Shrub it's some hack singer...

Who wants to be the leader of the NRA and put weapons of all kinds in the hands of the assholes and idiots.
The Second Amendment for it's time was not a bad thing, but this is a totally different time and what he advocates isn't sound in the long run. We here in Wichita have had more deaths since the conceal and carry law went through, so where is the "safety" that we were promised?

Now on to Shrub and his stupidity.
http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ci=108&ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=20909

Cure gays? Is it true we can be cured?

Only if straight people can be cured from being straight! People, it's not a choice!!!
I am who I am and I live a good life, I don't run around killing people, I don't steal from others, yet I am a bad person in his and many others minds because I am gay, queer, what ever.
I work, I pay my taxes and I give to charities as my wallet allows.

Who my partner is and what I do in my bedroom should not be fodder for the religious right or any other religious group, as not everyone is a part of their religion. Most definitely the person who is the head doctor for this country shouldn't be someone who founds a church where "reparative" or "conversion" therapy is used and in the long run harms the person they are trying so hard to "repair".
I have read from some of the original founders of some of the other ex-gay movements, that the "cures" are only around 1% as well as some of the "cured" committing suicide. Then many just going back to who they were supposed to be to begin with.

Now folks how scientific is that and how will that help our nation, that has taken far too many backward steps be the "super power" that it used to be?

From the land of Kansas and more!

From: Pagan Unity Campaign
Subject: You're Invited!
Date: June 3, 2007
Contact: Fallon Glenn (fallon_glenn@yahoo.com),
Ginger Strivelli(empressginger@charter.net)
http://paganunitycampaign.org

Do you support religious tolerance and diversity?
Do you have a few minutes to spare for some non-confrontational activism?

If you answered "Yes" to these questions, the Pagan Unity Campaign needs YOU!

On June 21, 2007, the Pagan Unity Campaign will launch the 7 th annual"I Am" campaign; and we would like to formally invite you to stand up and be counted alongside Pagans and Pagan friendly persons everywhere!

Your task is simple!If you're a Pagan American, we ask that you send post cards to your elected officials stating "I am a Pagan ______." (i.e. "I am a Pagan mother," "I am a Pagan Nurse," "I am a Pagan Soldier," or "I am a Pagan teacher," etc.)

We urge Pagan friendly citizens to send in postcards that state "I am the ______ of a Pagan _______." (i.e..: "I am the Christian mother of a Pagan lawyer.")

Even non-US citizens can be counted in this simple bit of worldwide activism by sending postcards to the "leader of the free-world" that state "I am a Pagan ________ from ___________" (i.e. "I am a Pagan banker from England.")Be creative!

Postcards can be anything from a religious symbol to a local scene to a homemade postcard to a drawing from the kids. The sky is the limit! All we ask is that you include the "Pagan Unity Campaign" byline after your signature and your zip code at the least!Together we can make a difference. It is up to you to decide if you're willing too help.
Let's let our elected officials know that we are out here, we are watching and we do stand together in support of religious diversity and tolerance for ALL!

###

You can find contact information for your Senators at:http://www.senate.gov/senators/senator_by_state.cfm

You can find contact information for your Representatives at:http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.html

You can write to President Bush at:
George W. Bush
The White House1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

And they said...

It wouldn't be like Nam.
Well folks here is a little something to think about.

'Half of the Iraqi security forces are insurgents.' Doubts Grow as G.I.'s in Iraq Find Allies in Enemy Ranks 27 May 2007 The pivotal moment came, Staff Sgt. David Safstrom says, this past February when soldiers killed a man setting a roadside bomb. When they searched the bomber’s body, they found identification showing him to be a sergeant in the Iraqi Army. "I thought, 'What are we doing here? Why are we still here?'" said Sergeant Safstrom, a member of Delta Company of the First Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division. "We're helping guys that are trying to kill us. We help them in the day. They turn around at night and try to kill us."

Remind anyone of the early '70's till the end in '75?
I wasn't there due to when I did graduate from High School, but I was in the Army after that and heard first hand from many others who were there, this same comment.

In this day and age...

I never expected that a state that I live in and yet one that is controlled by Republicans would pull something as stupid as this.

http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/state/16708968.htm

This kind of thing was prohibited with the accepting of the 24th Amendment, so I don't see how they can get away with it. We are not a border state, we have no more illegals then any one else in this country. Just another way to control the voters and bring "panic" to a state that has no need for panic.
Yes, I understand it's only for first time voters as everyone else is "proven" but this still reeks of stupidity, racism and fear.

I'm waiting Senator Edwards

I sent a question of where you stand on the Pagan Veterans getting the symbol of their faith on their headstones. It's been about two weeks and I haven't heard a thing. So I put this in to him from his blog site.

I'm still waiting to hear what you have to say to the Pagan Veterans who want the symbol of their faith put on their headstones when they do die.I know you have alot going on, but I will not support anyone who will not honor the Veterans for the time given in service to this country.

Next is Mrs. H. Clinton, I really want to know if they will honor the Pagans who have lived and died in the service of their country.
Only one state has given honor to one service member who died fighting a war that we shouldn't be in. Who will stand up for us next?

Imbolc and inclusion in the spiritual aspect of America

Dear Reverends Coughlin and Black,
The Pagan Unity Campaign would like to remind you that "The United States is not a Christian nation any more than it is a Jewish or a Mohammedan nation." -- Treaty of Tripoli (1797) signed by John Adams.
This truth is reflected in the 110th US Congress with the election to the House of Representatives of Mazie Hirono and Hank Johnson who are Buddhists and Keith Ellison who is a Muslim.
We would like to strongly encourage you to address other faiths in the exercise of your duties and to call on the Pagan Unity Campaign and other minority faith groups for assistance in addressing all of America’s religious groups.
Sincerely,
Pagan Unity Campaign



From: Pagan Unity Campaign (PUC)
Subject: PUC's Imbolc Campaign for Religious Freedom!
Date: January 20, 2007
Contact: gryphonelder@yahoo.com
http://paganunitycampaign.org

On January 4, 2007 the 110th Congress of the United States officially
took office. This Congress is the most religiously diverse
Congress ever; with members from various faiths including a Muslim,
and two Buddhists!

The Pagan Unity Campaign would like to encourage the whole Pagan
community

to join with us on February 2, 2007 to remind our elected
officials of the important role religious diversity and freedom of
religion has, and will continue, to play in our society. Please call,
email, and fax your elected officials on February 2, 2007 and ask
simply for
them to support freedom of religion for ALL Americans.

As Voltaire once said, "If you have two religions in your land, the
two will cut each other's throats; but if you have thirty religions,
they will dwell in peace." With the diversity and hope this new
Congress brings, it is time for all religions to be accepted and
honored in the USA.


You can call the white house at 202-456-1111

and fax the white house at 202-456-2461

You can find contact information for your Senators at:
http://www.senate.gov/senators/senator_by_state.cfm

You can find contact information for your Representatives at:
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.html

For those of us who want our leaders to remember we are here

We will never be seen as who we are unless we speak up and say that we exsist.

The Pagan Unity Campaign's Imbolc Campaign is right around the corner! Attached to this reminder is the press release and a sample email/fax you can customize and send to your Senators/Representative on February 2nd! I hope you will each take a few minutes on the 1st or 2nd to reminder our elected officials of the important role of religious diversity and tolerance in our society!


From: Pagan Unity Campaign
Subject: Imbolc Campaign Kick Off!
Date: January 20, 2006
Contact: Gryph (gryphonelder@yahoo.com)
http://paganunitycampaign.org
On January 4, 2007 the 110th Congress of the United States officially took office. This new Congress promises to be one of the most diverse of yet, with a Muslim, two Buddhists, a high ranking Mormon and "more Jews than Episcopalians" having sworn to uphold the laws of the land (Tilove, 2006).
The Pagan Unity Campaign would like to encourage each and every one of you to join with us on February 2, 2007 to remind our elected officials of the important role religious diversity and freedom of religion has, and will continue, to play in our society. Please call, email, and fax your elected officials on February 2, 2007 and ask that they support freedom of religion for ALL Americans.
We would further like to encourage you to send letters of support for religious diversity to the editors of local and state newspapers in the hopes that our collective voice be heard not only in the highest reaches of our governments, but at all levels of society.
As Voltaire once said, "If you have two religions in your land, the two will cut each other’s throats; but if you have thirty religions, they will dwell in peace." With the diversity and hope this new Congress brings, it is time for the American people to honor all that came before and bridge the gaps between religions so that we may all finally live in peace with one another.
You can find contact information for your Senators at:
http://www.senate.gov/senators/senator_by_state.cfm
You can find contact information for your Representatives at:
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.html
You can find contact information for the President and Vice President at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
References:
Tilove, J. (2006, December 29). A measure of faith: religious makeup of a new Congress is groundbreaking. Retrieved January 5, 2007, from Houston Chronicle Web site: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/4433998.html

--------sample email, fax or phone call for the Imboc campaign-----------
Dear Honorable Senator (or Representative) (add name);
We in the Pagan American community of your state (or district) would like to encourage you as our Senator (or Representative) to support the causes of freedom of religion and religious diversity in the Congress and Senate of Lady Liberty's great land during your term in office.
Sincerely,
(add name and city and state)

An interesting thing for the race called humans.

Dear Stormy,
The Social Gospel Movement had an important influence on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through his education at Boston University.
That movement also inspired the 1908 Social Creed and a hundred years of ecumenical and interfaith work for social and economic justice, civil rights, and women's rights.
Next week, Jan. 8-9, participate for two hours on either day at a global online conference to discuss what should inspire a new creed and, more importantly, a renewed movement. Details at SocialCreed.org.
Register now! Help us all continue a long legacy of education about and commitment to the common good. Guide the future by furthering the vision and work of Martin Luther King's Beloved Community.
The conference results will inform the committee preparing the final draft and be available to all who want to use them to celebrate the legacy of King on January 15 and beyond. Discuss with others what should be the guiding values and issues for people of conscience in the next century.
You only need to take two hours to make a contribution! See who else is participating.
Join us for the first of many events to study and implement a 2008 Social Creed.
Happy New Year and Peace,
Rita and Brian
P.S. Send this email to all your friends! Urge others to join this important historical event.

Since this is mostly traditional church related and I am not a part of any traditional church I thought I would ask about those of us who aren't; and this is what I sent her.

Very cool, you have so many of the traditional churches, but I see no Pagan/Wiccan leaders, nor do I see anyone who would speak for the First Nations People. Now if this is for all the population of this country(USA) and the world, then these voices need to be heard as well. We are people of Faith too, maybe not exactly the faith in the "One God", but faith in our creator(s)none the less. We want social justice and things that benifit the human race as a whole also. History has shown what is justice for one is not always justice for all. That is why MLK stood up the way he did.
Happy New Year and best wishes
Stormy
aka
Storm Cloud Woman

I was so surprised when I got back an email from the lady at the other end! Only within a few minutes as well. This is what she sent back to me.

Hi Storm Cloud Woman,
I hope you will make sure such voices are in the conference by participating. I agree the categories need to be expanded. We used the ones created by Faithful America, an interfaith org affiliated with the National Council of Churches, which has 36 members, all listed. For this registration, you can fill in what "other" means, but next time, we will add new categories for pagan Wiccan and First Nations.
Rita

New Year Same old Problems

So the war is still going on, famous men have passed on and the economy as well as the envoronment are in the same place.
Now this is a combo of good and bad, but we need the good to go farther and the bad to
at least slow down.
We need to start pulling out and make the Iraqies responsible for their government, we need to
get better energy sources then oil or coal.
Because of oil products, coal and other chemicals that are put into the air the reality of global warming is becoming evedent to even the radical right who don't believe in their own mother if their leaders don't tell them they can.
I can't promise I will be here more often, but hopefully I can. There is lots for me to write about and maybe, my words can make a difference.