mary_j_59

Sorry! It's another political post. As I say below, I was inspired to write this by our readings at Mass these past two weeks. They were almost scarily relevant.

Before our current president (I suppose we must call him that) took the oath of office, I had a brief conversation with a friend. “Young women I know are in tears,” she said to me. “I can’t understand it. I think it has to get worse before it gets better.” At the time, I was rather shocked and startled, but I’m starting to agree with her.

It’s not that Trump isn’t awful. He is. He is even worse than I imagined he would be, and the appearance of Swastikas on public property is absolutely chilling. All the bullies, racists, and neo Nazis seem to have been greatly encouraged by recent events. And yet- ( Read more... )

I’m very troubled by what’s happening in the world generally, and in the Middle East in particular, and I’m struggling to understand it. I am posting this now because it is Holy Week, and I think that’s relevant to my understanding.

Amidst all the trouble and bloodshed, a few facts do stand out:( Read more... )

Okay - this post was inspired by a couple of conversations I read recently, and also an interview with a young local reporter, who wanted to speak to me about banned books week. The ALA (American Library Association) celebrates Banned Books week every year during the last week of September. Here's the link to the interview: http://www.thedailyarmonk.com/news/armonk-librarian-displays-previously-banned-books.

And here are the two conversations. In the first, the teen spies at YA confidential were outraged at censorship - but then said they, themselves, might ban books containing sexism. In the second a young Jewish woman reviews Uris's Exodus. In her final sentence, she advocates burning that book for its vile racist stereotypes and the harm it has done. But - I just don't think it's ever right to burn books!

http://yaconfidential.blogspot.com/2011/09/teen-roundtable-book-banning.html

http://www.jewcy.com/religion-and-beliefs/exodus_sexist_racist_softcore_porn
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An informal essay in response to Jason Perlow's recent article. About 2,500 words long. ( Read more... )

All 33 miners have been rescued, and the fifth of the sixth rescue workers is on his way to the surface now. Awesome!

p.s. Very short post, this. Do you think Twitter is corrupting me? But I really have nothing more to say. :)

Margaret and Helen are terrific this week. Or, rather, they were terrific late last week. Here's the link to their blog; check out March 19.

(Even as one of those lefties out in Lah-Lah land that they would send over a cliff, I found it funny!)

http://margaretandhelen.wordpress.com/

and, those of my friends who are U.S. citizens, please sign the petition if you feel able! These people, like the people of Bilin and Nilin, are absolutely heroic. They are waging a nonviolent campaign for the continued existence of their village, and nonviolence and positive action should be supported.

Please follow this link if you're curious about this campaign:

http://rebuildingalliance.org/ICareAboutPeaceCampaign.html

It's seemed a long time since I've posted here - this one will cover at least two subjects, perhaps three. The first - the Nakba - is somewhat controversial, so it's under a cut.
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