It really doesn't matter where a leader is or who she or he leads. It could be an organization or a school or a company. It could be in a place far away or someplace right next store. Perhaps it's a team, a congregation or an army. The point is, that leaders are all around us and that different leaders may impact different aspects of our lives. They get to where they are through various means and routes including, education, training, experience, appointment, election and so forth. The fact of the matter is that someone has placed faith, and hopes and dreams in them.
Yes, leadership is a skill and the communication that a leader provides is part of the toolbox that they may use to get the job of leading done. Normally we would all agree that good, clear communication is a necessity for a good leader. Then we are confronted with the upside-down world of Donald Trump. His leadership in the cut throat environment of real estate development and property management has been based on division, dividing and conquering, insults and bullying. That's the world he has known and he relishes the fight. I say it's an upside-down world because there are other leaders in that world who see things differently than Trump and who use more traditional models of leadership.
But when Donald Trump won the election two years ago, many people thought he would make a transition to a more traditional method of leadership. Well so far that hasn't happened. Some people have been left scratching their heads and others are disgusted with what they hear and see from someone who is supposed to lead a country, a people and a world looking for direction and yes, leadership. Why they ask, is a President holding political campaign rallies instead of leading the country?
It seems like a silly conversation that we shouldn't really need to have but here we are. There are people defending a message of division, hate and disruption. After a week of domestic terror, where suspected explosive devices have been mailed throughout the country and throughout the mail stream to 15 individuals perceived as political enemies of Donald Trump, some hesitate to say Trump's tone is a problem. After a weekend of killing 11 members of a number of Jewish congregations, there are still those who defend a tone and message of nationalism and anti-immigrant language.
Tone does matter. Tone is how children learn from their parents. Tone is how people learn from relationships, Tone is how students learn from teachers. Sometimes leaders take on all of or a combination of those roles and the people who follow them listen. For a real leader to blame their tone on the tone of an opponent is childish and another sign of an immature leader - someone who just doesn't get the consequences of their own words or language.
I think hate speech is pretty clear. Hate speech is hate speech, is hate speech! And hate speech can kill people because people follow leaders. So this weekend 11 Jews were killed. Jews who were helping immigrants were killed. Donald Trump needs to be told over and over again that his tone, his words, his rallies, his encouragement of chants all matter. He needs to be told by his staff, by members of the GOP, by world leaders and by voters. He should be unifying a divided nation and helping people heal. He should be the first to pull people together in any tragedy. If he doesn't or won't, he has failed us all.
Monday, October 29, 2018
Monday, October 22, 2018
A Lot Going On This Week!
Law Day:
Approach the Bench
Hon. Richard C. Wesley
Tuesday, Oct. 23
10:50 a.m. class
Jephson Science Center, Rm. 104
Join students in Dr. Angela Narasimhan's Law, Politics, and Society class for a special presentation from guest Judge Wesley, who sits on the U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, and hears cases bound for the U.S. Supreme Court. He’ll share his thoughts on judicial independence in the wake of the recent Supreme Court confirmation hearings and subsequent Senate vote for nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
Above is just one of the things going on in my world, in and around Penn Yan, NY. This is a great opportunity to hear from a Federal Judge and to interact with students and professors at Keuka College. Join in if you can.
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And then on Wed. Oct. 24th between 1pm and 3pm at Starkey Lookout on Rt. 14 in Dundee, NY join NYS Senators Tom O'Mara and Pam Helming for a round table and panel discussion with 20 experts on water quality looking at and talking about "The Future of Water Quality: A Discussion on Challenges, Crises and Responses".
HABs, invasive species, non-point source pollution and other contaminants, flood and erosion control, habitat preservation, and water quality infrastructure will highlight the range of issues the panel plans to discuss. How we understand and proactively address the issue of water quality is critical. It is important for drinking water, for the agriculture and tourism economies, and for the recreational use of lakes and other waterways.
With all of the issues we have had with the quality of the water in the Finger Lakes recently, this will be an important event.
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More, more, more........On Thursday evening, Oct. 25th at 6pm, as part of the Civics 101 Series at the Penn Yan Public Library, there will be a session on the Midterm Elections 2018.
What are the midterms, why do we have them, and how important are they? Who thought it was a good idea to make us vote every two years? These questions and more will bring November’s election into focus, whether you’re a political animal or are hoping to better familiarize yourself with our democratic process. And the many reasons to Vote, Vote, Vote! The Library is pleased to welcome members of Keuka College’s Political Science Club to present this important topic! This event is free and open to the public, and there’s no registration necessary.
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Mitrano and Reed Debate 23rd Congressional District
WETM Corning Debate
October 30th, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Doors open at 6:00 PM
Corning Community College Gymnasium
1 Academic Dr, Corning, NY 14830
This debate will be televised and streamed through WETM's station. A great opportunity to hear from both candidates in this important election.
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And squeezed in but most important --- A visit with my newest granddaughter, Riley and her sister Dylan.
Monday, October 15, 2018
You Can Kill A Journalist If You Buy Our Weapons
The US policy seems to be stated that simply - you can kill a journalist if you buy our weapons. Perhaps you can kill more than one. Who knows at this point?
Many times over the past few years questions have been raised about the language and attitude emerging about the press in our own country. We have heard journalists being accused of presenting 'fake news', a term that is now used commonly around the world. We have heard journalists and the media being described as 'enemies of the people'. We have seen various examples of people acting out against the press, from phone threats to graffiti on buildings to shootings at news sites. All of this has been reprehensible and goes against American values as well as the basic concept of free speech and the First Amendment. As we move toward the midterm elections, these and many other issues are being debated openly and freely.
But now we are confronted by our own government and the leader of that government laying out a crass and in my mind, immoral statement about the value of a journalist's life. As the mystery of Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi's death is being investigated it seems that the United States, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are working on developing an alternate truth, an agreed upon story about this terrible incident. The alternate truth will not disrupt the economy of the region or of the world. The alternate truth will not stop weapon sales to the Saudi government. The alternate truth will allow Turkey and Saudi Arabia to kiss and make up relative to their recent spats. And at what cost? A good man's life, a truth seeker's life, a journalist's life.
Why though should any of this be surprising based on the attacks on the press that have been strong and ongoing from dictators, presidents and despots all over the world? The messaging is clear. Tell it our way or beware, yes be afraid. Why should it be surprising based on the importance that has been placed on the manufacture and sale of weaponry that spreads across the world and is used against civilians and children in Yemen, the unreported war.
Yes our weapons are touted as the best in the world. The best technology. The best America can sell. Jobs, jobs, jobs are the reasons given, the bill of sales as it were. We shall see. How often and for how long can you sell your weaponry and your technology before someone or some entity uses it on you. The best missiles, the best aircraft, the best drones, the best bombs all out there on the international marketplace. Yes, we shall see where that goes.
I the meantime, journalists, writers, commentators and most likely some poets and musicians will continue to challenge power knowing that they are living in a more dangerous time as a result of Khashoggi's death for a price negotiated by two nations.
Many times over the past few years questions have been raised about the language and attitude emerging about the press in our own country. We have heard journalists being accused of presenting 'fake news', a term that is now used commonly around the world. We have heard journalists and the media being described as 'enemies of the people'. We have seen various examples of people acting out against the press, from phone threats to graffiti on buildings to shootings at news sites. All of this has been reprehensible and goes against American values as well as the basic concept of free speech and the First Amendment. As we move toward the midterm elections, these and many other issues are being debated openly and freely.
But now we are confronted by our own government and the leader of that government laying out a crass and in my mind, immoral statement about the value of a journalist's life. As the mystery of Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi's death is being investigated it seems that the United States, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are working on developing an alternate truth, an agreed upon story about this terrible incident. The alternate truth will not disrupt the economy of the region or of the world. The alternate truth will not stop weapon sales to the Saudi government. The alternate truth will allow Turkey and Saudi Arabia to kiss and make up relative to their recent spats. And at what cost? A good man's life, a truth seeker's life, a journalist's life.
Why though should any of this be surprising based on the attacks on the press that have been strong and ongoing from dictators, presidents and despots all over the world? The messaging is clear. Tell it our way or beware, yes be afraid. Why should it be surprising based on the importance that has been placed on the manufacture and sale of weaponry that spreads across the world and is used against civilians and children in Yemen, the unreported war.
Yes our weapons are touted as the best in the world. The best technology. The best America can sell. Jobs, jobs, jobs are the reasons given, the bill of sales as it were. We shall see. How often and for how long can you sell your weaponry and your technology before someone or some entity uses it on you. The best missiles, the best aircraft, the best drones, the best bombs all out there on the international marketplace. Yes, we shall see where that goes.
I the meantime, journalists, writers, commentators and most likely some poets and musicians will continue to challenge power knowing that they are living in a more dangerous time as a result of Khashoggi's death for a price negotiated by two nations.
Sunday, October 14, 2018
Celebrating and Witnessing Moral Courage
Moral courage is something that needs to be celebrated, always. The challenge is that we need to find it first. Some may think it's hard to find and it does seem that way some times. Usually though, that's because we just aren't paying attention. Our lives are busy. Our time is limited and we are forced, or so we think, to prioritize how we use it. Busy, busy, busy - we chase the news, the news chases us. Our work and leisure bump into each other and we are forced to make choices. Seasons change and our lives move on at a pace where we may miss what's right in front of us.
The point is though that moral courage is critically important to our evolution and experience as human beings. So we need to find it and embrace it. We need to stare it in the eye and let it stare back at us. It's good for the soul - perhaps necessary.
Today I saw a terrific article about moral courage as exemplified by Megan Rice, a nun who has stood up to the nuclear arsenal of the United States of America. She is 84years old and is spending time, perhaps her life in prison for her anti nuclear actions (writing words of peace on weapons and walls). She and her compatriots are examples of true moral courage. You can get the full story HERE at Open Democracy Spend a little time learning her story and follow links in the article above to see her writings. Her insights on the prison experience are right on.
Another example of moral courage comes from and through the Kings Bay Plowshares. Information on their personal action against Trident Missiles is available HERE at the Kings Bay Plowshares website. I personally know a number of these folks and believe they too are filled with moral courage. The entire group is identified on the website listed above.
Years ago when the Berrigan brothers, Phil and Dan, really established the Plowshares movement, I along with others at the Catholic Worker and in the broader antiwar movement debated the rightness and/or wrongness of property destruction. There were long nights of philosophical discussions over beer, coffee and music. Was it the right thing to do? Did it cross the line and move nonviolent action to violent behavior? Breaking the law by breaking and entering government property - was that the way to go? Friends disagreed with each other then and disagree with each other now. But moral courage was never in question.
We are certainly in a time when moral courage is needed more then ever. Megan Rice knows her role in this world. She knows about the abuse of power that happens in prison. She knows that all of our time on this earth is limited and she knows how she wants to spend hers. She's a great example of moral courage.
The point is though that moral courage is critically important to our evolution and experience as human beings. So we need to find it and embrace it. We need to stare it in the eye and let it stare back at us. It's good for the soul - perhaps necessary.
Today I saw a terrific article about moral courage as exemplified by Megan Rice, a nun who has stood up to the nuclear arsenal of the United States of America. She is 84years old and is spending time, perhaps her life in prison for her anti nuclear actions (writing words of peace on weapons and walls). She and her compatriots are examples of true moral courage. You can get the full story HERE at Open Democracy Spend a little time learning her story and follow links in the article above to see her writings. Her insights on the prison experience are right on.
Another example of moral courage comes from and through the Kings Bay Plowshares. Information on their personal action against Trident Missiles is available HERE at the Kings Bay Plowshares website. I personally know a number of these folks and believe they too are filled with moral courage. The entire group is identified on the website listed above.
Years ago when the Berrigan brothers, Phil and Dan, really established the Plowshares movement, I along with others at the Catholic Worker and in the broader antiwar movement debated the rightness and/or wrongness of property destruction. There were long nights of philosophical discussions over beer, coffee and music. Was it the right thing to do? Did it cross the line and move nonviolent action to violent behavior? Breaking the law by breaking and entering government property - was that the way to go? Friends disagreed with each other then and disagree with each other now. But moral courage was never in question.
We are certainly in a time when moral courage is needed more then ever. Megan Rice knows her role in this world. She knows about the abuse of power that happens in prison. She knows that all of our time on this earth is limited and she knows how she wants to spend hers. She's a great example of moral courage.
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
The Destruction of the US Supreme Court
Yes it's over. The false hope that the US Supreme Court would remain the one institution of non-partisanship is gone forever. Yes, most of us falsely hoped that this was true, that the Supreme Court was fair and decent. We grew up on the concept that the United States of America was a true democracy and a country of laws vs men. We were spoon fed a belief in equality under the law even though every day we saw the reality of prejudice. There was always the hope that even though black men, the poor, immigrants and women were treated unfairly, their voices would be represented and heard in a courtroom of nine justices. That arguments would be presented and decisions made without prejudice and with a search for the truth not impeded by interference from the other branches of government, the executive and legislative.
That hope, that last hope, was destroyed forever with the appointment and confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh and finalized with his ceremonial swearing in by former Justice Anthony Kennedy at the White House on Monday, October 8, 2018. Yes the fix was in as soon as Kennedy resigned and Kavanaugh was named as his replacement. Kennedy was part of the deal making. The swing vote Justice's last swing was against the court. Donald Trump spent countless hours during his 2016 campaign screaming and yelling about the Washington swamp and how the system was rigged. He was so right. He has spent the last two years proving it through appointments and decisions. He has fed the swamp and rigged the system over and over. Now, with the help of his enablers in the US Senate, he has reached into one of the last institutions of freedom and justice, the US Supreme Court and turned it into a partisan sham.
I don't believe the institution will ever recover. The damage has been done by the likes of Trump, McConnell, Grassley and Graham. They have destroyed the Court, its process and decision making forever. Yes we are a country of men. Men who are in their last gasp for power before minorities become majorities and rip that power from their old white hands. They are fearful of the consequences as they should be. They will stop at nothing to hold on to that power so be on guard.
Yes, people should resist and yes, everyone should register to vote and make sure that they do vote on Nov. 6, 2018. But recognize we have lost our soul. We have lost any perception that there is a branch of government that is fair and non-partisan. The US Supreme Court has not been protected from the swamp. It is rigged. It is gone.
That hope, that last hope, was destroyed forever with the appointment and confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh and finalized with his ceremonial swearing in by former Justice Anthony Kennedy at the White House on Monday, October 8, 2018. Yes the fix was in as soon as Kennedy resigned and Kavanaugh was named as his replacement. Kennedy was part of the deal making. The swing vote Justice's last swing was against the court. Donald Trump spent countless hours during his 2016 campaign screaming and yelling about the Washington swamp and how the system was rigged. He was so right. He has spent the last two years proving it through appointments and decisions. He has fed the swamp and rigged the system over and over. Now, with the help of his enablers in the US Senate, he has reached into one of the last institutions of freedom and justice, the US Supreme Court and turned it into a partisan sham.
I don't believe the institution will ever recover. The damage has been done by the likes of Trump, McConnell, Grassley and Graham. They have destroyed the Court, its process and decision making forever. Yes we are a country of men. Men who are in their last gasp for power before minorities become majorities and rip that power from their old white hands. They are fearful of the consequences as they should be. They will stop at nothing to hold on to that power so be on guard.
Yes, people should resist and yes, everyone should register to vote and make sure that they do vote on Nov. 6, 2018. But recognize we have lost our soul. We have lost any perception that there is a branch of government that is fair and non-partisan. The US Supreme Court has not been protected from the swamp. It is rigged. It is gone.
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