Look up Betsy's church. I think Wikipedia had a good article on it. If you were a member of that church and shared their worldview, where would you be seeking political allies in today's climate?
You wouldn't be talking to people who condemn you simply because of your religious affiliation.
You might have to seek alliances with some people we might not approve of.
Before we condemn them yet again, we ought to ask ourselves whether it is we who are driving people of faith into unsavory alliances just to survive.
Betsy's church made peace in the old country. They live side by side with Catholics there. That peace was imported here as well. They differ with us on some points, agree on others, but both sides recognize that the liberty of one is bound to the liberty of all others.
I don't know what your denomination might be, or if you are an ethical humanist, or nothing at all. Nonetheless, we should all agree to defend the liberties of all others, else sooner or later the truck will come to pick us up as well.
Walter. This stuff you have been writing which brings religion into the discussion is a straw man. It is the DeVos family politics that I oppose, not the church they go to. You don't know my denomination because I don't write about it. It is my business and I don't try to impose it on others or on public policy. The Right and MAGAs are doing just the opposite. They are trying to impose their religious beliefs on the rest of us and on public policy: their anti-Gay, anti-public schools, anti-art, anti-culture, racial hatred. There is no peace to be made on these matters.
Fred, I don't think you are a bigot, but a lot of people who would like to make common cause on progressive issues are. They have their own agenda, and they are poisoning the national dialogue.
Nearly every group includes some members who have grown wealthy, members who have access to academia, are teachers, ward committeemen etc. Perhaps they have some level of priviledge. If a group switches political allegiance, it will be these individuals making contributions and accepting positions in the new government.
We should be judicious about who we attack. My wife voted for Trump. Politically, she would have been to your left, but she voted for Trump. She spent her entire life working for the poor, for those who were powerless. She voted for Trump.
You know why?
She grew up in a little town in North Appalachia. She saw what globalization did to her home town. She didn't want to give her vote to those who destroyed Appalachia.
So she voted for Trump. She said "It was time for a payback."
Well I suppose I should be thankful that you don’t think I’m a bigot. What have I ever written that would make that a question? I don’t know you or your wife so I can’t say if you both are right or left of me, but I have never made blanket judgments about Trump voters. I’ve never attacked them. Trump and his associates is another matter. And I believe I have been sharp in my criticisms of Democratic leaders. So I think your argument is kind of unnecessary.
Look up Betsy's church. I think Wikipedia had a good article on it. If you were a member of that church and shared their worldview, where would you be seeking political allies in today's climate?
You wouldn't be talking to people who condemn you simply because of your religious affiliation.
You might have to seek alliances with some people we might not approve of.
Before we condemn them yet again, we ought to ask ourselves whether it is we who are driving people of faith into unsavory alliances just to survive.
Betsy's church made peace in the old country. They live side by side with Catholics there. That peace was imported here as well. They differ with us on some points, agree on others, but both sides recognize that the liberty of one is bound to the liberty of all others.
I don't know what your denomination might be, or if you are an ethical humanist, or nothing at all. Nonetheless, we should all agree to defend the liberties of all others, else sooner or later the truck will come to pick us up as well.
Walter. This stuff you have been writing which brings religion into the discussion is a straw man. It is the DeVos family politics that I oppose, not the church they go to. You don't know my denomination because I don't write about it. It is my business and I don't try to impose it on others or on public policy. The Right and MAGAs are doing just the opposite. They are trying to impose their religious beliefs on the rest of us and on public policy: their anti-Gay, anti-public schools, anti-art, anti-culture, racial hatred. There is no peace to be made on these matters.
Fred, I don't think you are a bigot, but a lot of people who would like to make common cause on progressive issues are. They have their own agenda, and they are poisoning the national dialogue.
Nearly every group includes some members who have grown wealthy, members who have access to academia, are teachers, ward committeemen etc. Perhaps they have some level of priviledge. If a group switches political allegiance, it will be these individuals making contributions and accepting positions in the new government.
We should be judicious about who we attack. My wife voted for Trump. Politically, she would have been to your left, but she voted for Trump. She spent her entire life working for the poor, for those who were powerless. She voted for Trump.
You know why?
She grew up in a little town in North Appalachia. She saw what globalization did to her home town. She didn't want to give her vote to those who destroyed Appalachia.
So she voted for Trump. She said "It was time for a payback."
Well I suppose I should be thankful that you don’t think I’m a bigot. What have I ever written that would make that a question? I don’t know you or your wife so I can’t say if you both are right or left of me, but I have never made blanket judgments about Trump voters. I’ve never attacked them. Trump and his associates is another matter. And I believe I have been sharp in my criticisms of Democratic leaders. So I think your argument is kind of unnecessary.
You know me - knew us both - before Ginny wound up in the hospital. After she passed, COVID started up, so it's been a little while.
Sorry. My memory is not what it once was. And sorry for your loss.