Catching Up

My computer has been giving me problems for quite some time and I finally found someone who could provide me with the support it and I needed. So, as of now, I'm back and trying to catch up with all the thoughts in my head and the things I should have written down.

Speaking About Dorothy Day
I recently presented two sessions on Dorothy Day, her history, the Catholic Worker and the relevance of her teachings today. I really had fun doing it and it helped me put my own experiences at the Catholic Worker and with Dorothy into some perspective. Actually the enjoyment of the storytelling surprised me. I'm scheduled this weekend to give a presentation on my experiences in Selma, Al in 1965 at an event commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The balance of course is between history, the present and the future.

Well Intentioned But Missing The Point On Poverty & Homelessness
Recently NYS Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order on providing shelter to homeless individuals when the temperature falls below freezing. Well intentioned I'm sure, but missing the point on poverty and homelessness and causing more problems for people and communities. As I've stated here before, Gov. Cuomo tends to act and think with his mouth and like many in power, believes his way is the right way and usually the only way. He rarely considers or involves other viewpoints from what I can see. He is driven by his own values and certainly believes in them. The reality is though, that there are people who can speak to the issue of homelessness, poverty and 'street people'. Namely, the people who are making that choice (street people) and in many cases the people providing support to them. People choosing that lifestyle have reasons for the choice they make. Sometimes they are also caught in cycles that government systems and society create. We can't and shouldn't assume that people who make what we consider to be bad choices, are mentally ill. That's some of what the Governor's executive order has done. Under current law in NYS, removing someone from the streets requires a judgement and action relative to their competence. A close look at existing government sponsored shelters in most large cities should raise questions about the competence of government officials. The poor and the homeless know this and they know what the issues are better than most. Yesterday the Governor in his State of the State and Budget proposal has identified the need for millions to deal with shelters and housing so he is recognizing that there are much bigger problems then forcing people off the street into poorly run facilities. He's evolving.

Theater, Bluster and Untruths
As I've watched the politics of the day, I've tried to figure out what's happening and why it's happening. Sadly I think the press, pundits, writers like myself, social media have all played a role in creating and sustaining the political theater that many are watching and being influenced by on a day to day level. People are caught up in watching free coverage of one candidate to see what outrageous thing he might say next. News coverage or commentary is almost always accompanied by a split screen or smaller view of an empty podium and a crowd awaiting the appearance of Donald Trump. It is theater and it gets ugly along the way. Grapes in a bunch, birds flocking together - all of that for sure - but there's more. There's bluster, there's bullying, there's putting down those who oppose you or who are different and sadly, it seems to be catching. The other thing that is becoming more clear to me is that truth is getting harder and harder to come by and that it is more and more acceptable to say anything you want, true or not. It is also more clear than ever that if you just say things often enough, no matter how untrue, people will believe you. It is a show, there is a ringmaster and few, including the press, have the gumption to question the statements being made or ask for clarifications. We shall see.

State Of The Union
Although I have disagreements with President Obama, I think his recent State of the Union speech was extremely important and historic as well. He challenged the country relative to inclusiveness, a commitment to doing something about climate change, as well as all of us working toward fixing the political mess we have through dialogue. He identified and talked about the huge problem of money in politics and how it has to change. He offered hope and challenged us all to work for change. He has had to put up with a lot during his two terms. There have been hateful attitudes about his presidency, his competence, his policies and his race. He has put up with absurd allegations even about his birth. He is by no means perfect but he has certainly tried and has put up with much.

Nikki Haely, the Governor of South Carolina who gave the GOP response, wasn't half bad either in the most important sense. What she did, pretty fearlessly, was to show the difference between dialogue, disagreements and debate versus the bluster and dishonest statements that have been the hallmark of the Republican campaign thus far. She was able to speak to the immigration issue and the politics of exclusion that have evolved over the past six or seven months.

Like I said, I can find plenty to disagree with relative to President Obama, especially in terms of foreign policy and military actions, but he is a decent man. He has taken on big issues and tried to bring about systemic change in both our politics and how we deal with issues. He will be judged on the totality of his administration and it will show the good and the bad I'm sure. The opposition will also be judged on their obstructions and inactions.